sk. Its PC Card slot accepts a 170-MB hard disk drive. PC Card flash memory in sizes of 4 MB, 8 MB, and 16 MB can also be used.
The PowerShot comes bundled with its own clever compact dock, the Camera Station, which let users connect it to PCs with a parallel cable to upload images -- and voice annotations -- using the TWAIN driver. The PowerShot 600 even sports a small microp
hone on top for voice recording. As a midrange product, the only missing items are an LCD viewscreen and a zoom lens.
Toshiba PDR-2A
Toshiba's new
PDR-2A
color still camera offers a relatively affordable way to explore digital photography. It's expected to sell for less than $500. This model is designed for speed and convenience for both notebook and desktop computer users. Impressive features of the compact PDR-2A include high resolution, a built-in PC Card, and a 2-MB SmartMedia removable flash memory card, based on the Solid State Floppy Disk Card (SSFDC) format, which stores up to 24 images at high resolution. With the built-in PC Card, the mobile computer user can immediately download, view, and drag-and-drop images into OLE-compliant applications without wasting valuable time converting file formats.
Imaging is performed by a compact 330,000-pixel CMOS sensor, which provides greater dynamic range and power efficiency than CCD image sensors. Weighing in at less
than 7 ounces and measuring a pocket-size 105 mm x 55 mm x 20 mm, the PDR-2A is one of the most portable digital still cameras on the market. Bundled with the PDR-2A is comprehensive PC/Mac software packages from Sierra Imaging and Live Picture.
Sharp MD-PS1
Taking full advantage of MiniDiscs (MDs), the MD-PS1 is capable of storing 140 MB of data (2000 images). It allows users to record and simultaneously play back images with audio data as well as text (log) data. The MD-PS1 uses a 350,000-pixel CCD and comes with a 2.5-inch TFT LCD monitor. In addition, a high-speed infrared wireless interface (compatible with IrDA version 1.0) lets users transfer images both to and from personal computers without the need for troublesome cable connections.
Casio QV-300
The QV-300 is the fifth in a series of digital cameras from Casio. The camera comes with 4 MB of flash memory, which allows users to record up to 192 images at 320 x 240 normal resolution or as many as 64 images at 640 x 480 fi
ne resolution.
The
QV-300
features a dual-focal-point lens (47-mm for wide angle and 106-mm for telephoto) and a 2.5-inch TFT color LCD monitor, which doubles as a viewfinder. The QV-300, priced at less than $700, comes with several image editing packages, including Adobe PhotoDeluxe CD, ISR ixlaphoto, and ColorDesk Photo.
Epson PhotoPC 500
With resolution of 640 x 480 pixels in more than 16 million colors, the PhotoPC 500 has more of a conventional camera feel. The digital camera records up to 30 high-resolution (640 x 480) images and 60 standard-resolution (320 x 240) images in 24-bit color. It comes with 2 MB of memory, but users can add a 2-MB- or 4-MB-module, which cost $150 and $250, respectively.
The PhotoPC 500 is one of the few digital cameras that accepts any 35mm camcorder lens or filter, and its fast shutter speed makes it good for capturing fast-moving images. An optional LCD viewer that connects to the side of the unit allows users to look at and
delete images. The autofocus lens lets users zero in on subjects as close as 2 feet.
The Photo PC 500 comes with new 32-bit TWAIN drivers for Windows 95. It also comes with Epson's own imaging software and a copy of Sierra's Print Artist 3.0. This is an effective combination and a major improvement over the original Photo PC's software. The Photo PC 500 software now enables you to download all images by pressing one button, which can be followed by a one-button erase.
Ricoh RDC-2E
The Ricoh
RDC-2E
is a feature-rich digital camera that sells for less than $600. It uses a 410,000-pixel CCD and records images at 768 x 576 pixels in 24-bit color. Hard-copy output can be obtained from a video printer or directly from the computer to a printer. With the Close-Up function you can take pictures as near as 1 cm from the object.
The RDC-2E's 2 MB of built-in memory can hold as many as 41 still images; optional ATA flash memory cards allow up to 20 MB of storage. With 8 M
B of PC Card memory, you can store 81 pictures in standard mode or 162 in economy mode, 20 seconds of video, or 100 minutes of audio. The RDC-2E can record motion video with sound. Its image compression algorithm offers six recording options: still images, document mode, sound, stills with sound, video, and video with sound. Although limited to 10 seconds, the sound recording is a useful way to annotate photos.
Ricoh includes the PhotoStudio software, which makes it easy to transfer and edit photos. The exclusive Ricoh multimedia software allows you to manage and manipulate images and sound files on Windows and Macintosh systems. Files can be saved in any number of popular formats, including TIFF, GIF, GIF 89A, PCX, JPEG, AVI, and WAVE.
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A Sampling of Cameras
