|
by Philip Moore
Now it's easy -- and cheap -- to get your own photos into print or onto the Web. Philip Moore tests the latest low-cost digital cameras and photo scanners. Clipart is useful, but wouldn't you like to use your own photos in your documents? So would a lot of other people. That, and recent price drops in digital cameras, scanners and colour printers, explain why digital imaging products are the latest big consumer items in the computer market. But what results do you get from these low-cost products, and which should you choose -- a camera or a scanner? We put them to the test.
Digital camerasTo qualify as consumer items or small business tools, we set a price limit of $1500 on the digital cameras. All the evaluated cameras had a cable for connecting to your PC's serial or printer port and flash memory for storing photos (even when switched off) -- usually 1Mb. However, because this is not yet a mature technology, we were expecting compromises at this price, and there were. All the tested cameras had very limited, usually automatic options for adjusting focus, zoom and exposure (shutter speed and aperture). Flashes were standard on only a few, and there were other useability compromises such as the viewfinders. There are digital cameras that offer more advanced control of these functions, comparable to a good a 35mm SLR camera, but they are very much professional models at very professional prices. Despite these limitations, the technology has improved and the better of these digital cameras are a viable option for some uses.
|
||||||
Casio QV-10 From: Casio (02) 0818 4044 URL: http://www.casio.com List price: $799 Image resolution: 320 x 240, 640 x 480 Memory: 16-Mbit flash memory (2Mb) Shot capacity: 48 (high quality); 99 (low quality) Macro function: Yes Aperture: F2/F8 manual switch Focal length: F2/NORMAL: 60cm to 310cm F2/MACRO: 13cm to 16 cm F8/NORMAL: 28cm to infinity F8/MACRO: 10cm to 24cm Shutter Speed: 1/8 to 1/4000 second Self-timer: 10-second Battery: AA size Alkaline x 4 Connectivity cables: Serial (included) Software: Image capture utility File formats: BMP, TIF, PICT Special features: TFT Active Matrix LCD screen; Video output and cable; in-camera preview and editing Extras: Wrist strap; soft case; cleaning cloth; AC adaptor
|
Casio QV-10This camera certainly meets our cool toy requirements. It comes with a 1.8in colour LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) screen which works as a viewfinder. Although the screen updates are a bit jerky, it's adjustable and swivels so you can shoot at almost any angle -- even backwards. It was also one of the smallest camera's we tested. The other big feature of this little unit is that it can store up to 96 snaps. As you take a picture you can view it immediately by simply switching the camera from REC to PLAY mode. You can view several pictures at once, delete any picture, and even zoom in on parts of a captured image in playback mode (but not while recording). There are two standard exposure settings for indoor and outdoor shots. The focus is fixed, though there is a macro function for close-up shots. There is also a 10 second self-timer. It uses four standard AA size batteries and a power supply is included. Captured images can be displayed on a TV or transferred to a video tape using the video output on the camera; you can even make a slide show of them. The software, which works in both Windows 3.1 and 95, does the job of saving images onto disk (in BMP or TIF format) but little else. However, unique to the Casio is the ability to import images from the computer into the camera to create a portable slide show. There is no way to control the amount of compression applied to the images; so you can't improve image quality by sacrificing the capacity as other cameras do. This is a shame, as the images were comparable to the low-resolution setting found on other cameras, with lower colour accuracy, a general washed out look, plus we noticed some lens distortion. You can upload the images to the PC in two resolutions, with even the smaller resolution barely acceptable. Reduce this further and they could be good enough for use on the Internet, which is one of its key markets; or for the business user who wants quick and easy visual records.
|
||||||
Apple QuickTake 150 From: Apple (02) 9452 8012 URL: http://www.apple.com List price: $?? Image resolution: 640 x 480 x 24-bit Memory: 1Mb Flash EPROM Shot capacity: up to 32 Macro function: Yes (via clip-on adaptor) Focal length: NORMAL: 4 feet to infinity; MACRO: 10-14 inches Flash range: NORMAL: 4 feet to 9 feet; MACRO: 10-14 inches Shutter speed: 1/30 to 1/175 second Self-timer: 10-second Battery: ^^ Connectivity cables: Serial (supplied) Software: PhotoNow! File formats: TIF, BMP, QTK (Quicktake), PCX, JPG. Special features: Built-in flash; auto aperture and shutter; high quality mode Extras: Carry strap; Close-up lens attachment, AC adaptor
|
Apple QuickTake 150This is the latest incarnation of the QuickTake, which was the first affordable digital camera to hit the market a few years ago. The model we tested is designed for Windows, coming with PC compatible connection cable and software, although of course there's a Mac version as well. For power it uses three standard AA batteries and was one of the bulkier cameras we looked at. The focus is fixed and there is no zoom control; though a clip-on lens attachment is provided to change the focal length for close-up (macro) shots. The QuickTake now includes a built-in flash. You can also select from two image quality settings, though images are always 640 by 480 pixels in size at 24-bit colour depth. Aperture and shutter speed are varied automatically by the two sensors on the front of the camera. It also features a timer control with a 10 second delay. We found the viewfinder a little awkward, though taking a shot is as simple as point and click. While there are no in-camera editing features, there's a small recessed button for erasing all images. Supplied software includes Apple's QuickTake utility for downloading pictures, and it's more useful than some others, allowing some simple image manipulation. It also offers software controls like those on the camera so you can capture images directly to the hard disk. Image quality was average. Our exterior test shots came out a bit blotchy with a flat, muddy look, and there were some odd colourisations due to the compression. Our indoor shots tended to over-compensate the red spectrum and there was noticeable lack of clarity and compression artifacts.
|
||||||
Kodak DC-20 From: Kodak (03) 9353 2618 URL: http://www.kodak.com List price: $399 (approx.) Flash attachment: $69.95 (approx.) Image resolution: 320 x 340 (standard); 493 x 373 (high) x 24-bit Memory: 1Mb internal Shot capacity: 16 standard res; 8 high res Macro function: No Focal length: 48cm to infinity Flash range: 0.5 to 4.0 metres Shutter speed: 1/30 to 1/4000 second (automatic) Aperture: f/4 to f/11 (automatic) Self-timer: No Battery: 3V Lithium Connectivity cables: Serial cable for both PC and Mac Software: PhotoEnhancer, Kai's Power Goo, Slides and Sounds, IxlaPhoto File formats: TIF, JPG, BMP
|
Kodak DC20This is Kodak's new entry level digital camera and the
smallest of all the cameras we tested. A digital camera
this small and this cheap would have to have some
compromises, and there are. The DC20 uses a fixed-focus lens and there are no controls for exposure or anything else. There are just three buttons: Power, Shutter, and Erase, which erases the entire memory. Using the camera therefore is dead easy. There is an auto-sensor on the front to adjust exposure for different light conditions. The camera offers two resolutions: standard and high, but even with the former you are limited to just 16 shots. Changing resolution must be done through the provided software. All software is supplied on CD-ROM, and there's quite a selection. Two good programs are offered for capturing and organising images: PictureWorks' PhotoEnhancer, and IxlaPhoto. Also on the CD are copies of InMedia's Slides and Sounds, and Kai's Power Goo, as well as a multimedia demo on how to use the camera. Image quality was not as good as the more advanced Kodak DC50, with washed out colours and noticeable artifacts, though it was reasonable compared to some other cameras reviewed here.
|
||||||
Kodak DC-25 From: Kodak (03) 9353 2618 URL: http://www.kodak.com List price: $799 (approx.) Image resolution: 320 x 340 (standard); 493 x 373 (high) x 24-bit Memory: 1Mb Shot capacity: 29 Standard res; 14 high res Macro function: No Focal length: 50cm to infinity Flash range: 0.5 to 4.0 metres Shutter speed: 1/30 to 1/4000 second (automatic) Aperture: f/4 to f/11 (automatic) Self-timer: 10 seconds Battery: 2x 3V Lithium Connectivity cables: Serial cable for both PC and Mac Software: Picture Easy, PhotoEnhancer, Kai's Power Goo, Slides and Sounds File formats: TIF, JPG, BMP and more Special features: PCMCIA slot for adding memory cards; LCD viewscreen for in-camera preview and editing Extras: AC adaptor
|
Kodak DC25One step up from the DC20, this compact camera is essentially the same design as the DC20, producing the same image quality and resolution, but there are some additional useful features -- in particular a built-in flash, quality switch, and software and serial cables for both PC and Mac. Also, it includes an LCD which can be used as a viewfinder, with a slowish screen update, like the Casio. The LCD also allows you to view shots already captured, scroll through them one at a time or four at a time, and delete any shots. There are the usual controls for the flash (On, Off, Auto), but no manual exposure control and no macro mode. There is a 'picture card' slot on the side for adding extra memory, and thus shot capacity to the camera. This supports a standard PCMCIA compact-flash card and Kodak offer a 2Mb card as an option for $199 ($230 with an adaptor for use with your notebook computer). Software includes Picture Easy for Windows 3.1 and Win 95, a graphical front-end for downloading images from the camera, as well as PhotoEnhancer and Kai's Power Goo. The installation CD and user's guide are better presented here than on the DC20.
|
||||||
Kodak DC-50 From: Kodak (03) 9353 2618 URL: http://www.kodak.com List price: Around $1299 Image resolution: 756 x 504 x 24-bit (good, better & best quality settings) Memory: 1Mb internal Shot capacity: 7-22 (depending on quality) Focal length: 46cm (close-up); 21cm to infinity (normal) Flash range: 4.27 metres (14 feet) Shutter speed: 1/15 to 1/500 of a second Self-timer: 10 or 20 seconds Battery: AA x 4 (Lithium, NiCad or Alkaline) Connectivity cables: Serial cable for both PC and Mac Software: PhotoEnhancer File formats: TIF, PICT, EPS, BMP, JPG, KDC Special features: PCMCIA slot for adding memory cards, 3x zoom, auto-focus and exposure Extras: AC adaptor
Kodak DC40
|
Kodak DC50A big step up from the DC20 and 25, this is the successor to the popular DC40, which is now discontinued. The most notable feature here is that it is the only camera to offer a motorised zoom with automatic focus and exposure control. The zoom is from 7mm to 21mm (three times). There are three options you can set for the camera's auto-focus: multi-spot which focuses on what it judges to be the closest object, single-spot which focuses according to a centre target in the viewfinder; and close-up focus which sets the focus to 50cm and disables the zoom feature. Although outwardly different from the DC40, internally it uses the same specially designed Kodak sensor, producing an image of 756 by 504 resolution with a proprietary compression scheme and file format. Unlike most of the other cameras here there are three quality settings -- Good, Better and Best -- and you can mix resolutions by changing settings on the back of the camera. Good and Better are the same as the High and Low settings of the earlier DC40. Shot capacity is not good, with Best quality allowing just seven shots. But like the DC25, you can add extra flash memory with any standard PCMCIA card (Type I or Type II). Kodak offers a 2Mb card for $230. There is an exposure compensation control to override the auto-exposure function. Image quality is very good, especially at the Best quality setting. Still not a patch on a film camera and scanner, but compared to other digital cameras in this price range, one of the best.
|
||||||
Epson PhotoPC 500 From: Epson (02) 9415 9000 URL: http://www.epson.com.au List price: $1099 LCD Monitor Kit List Price: $435 AC adaptor: $96 Memory upgrades: 2Mb $289; 4Mb $526 Image resolution: 320 x 240 (Standard) x 24-bit; 640 x 480 x 24-bit (Hi). Memory: 2Mb Flash memory Shot capacity: 60 (Standard); 30 (Hi) (up to 200 Standard or 100 Hi-res with 4Mb memory added) Macro function: Yes (with optional LCD kit) Focal length: 0.6m to infinity; 0.2m to infinity (macro mode with optional LCD monitor) Aperture: F2.8/8 automatic change Flash range: 0.45 to 3m Shutter speed: 1/30 to 1/10,000 second (automatic) Self-timer: 10 seconds Battery: AA x 4 (Alkaline, Lithium, rechargeable NiCad or rechargeable Ni-MH) Connectivity cables: Serial cable for both PC and Mac Software: PhotoEnhancer, Epson Photo! File formats: JPG, BMP, PCX Special features: 37mm thread for extra lenses; in-camera preview and editing with LCD kit; Extras: Memory expansions chips of 2Mb or 4Mb; Optional LCD Monitor kit; AC adaptor
|
Epson PhotoPC 500New from Epson, the PhotoPC 500 is one of the most camera-like digital cameras in appearance. It also has a few features traditional photographers will appreciate, such as the 37mm thread for adding extra lenses, and a built-in flash with red-eye reduction. The camera has two digital quality levels, and quite
good shot capacity. You can upgrade the camera's memory for extra shot capacity, with modules coming in either 2Mb ($298) or 4Mb ($526). The software is supplied on CD, with the ubiquitous PhotoEnhancer, and Epson's own Photo! software which provides the twain support for downloading images from the camera. Photo! is a 32-bit program, though it can run under Windows 3.1 with Win32s which is provided. It recognised the camera instantly and comes with some good options for saving and exporting images, and controlling the camera through software. Although the size of even the high quality pictures is not as big as some others, the quality was excellent, with good colour balance and a bright clean look, although at the Standard (very small) resolution, compression artifacts became very noticeable.
|
||||||
ACS Compro Internet Digital Camera
(D-CAM) From: ACS Computer (03) 9335 4100 URL: http://www.acscompro.com List price: $399 Image resolution: 160 x 120, 320 x 240, 640 x 480 x 24-bit Shutter speed: 1/60 to 1/3150 second Self-timer: No Battery: N/A Connectivity cables: Parallel (included), keyboard interconnect cable Software: D-Viewer; Video Studio, MediaPhone Lite File formats: BMP, JPG, TGA, TIF Special features: Focus control, video capture, videoconferencing Extras: Camera stand, microphone ![]() |
Compro Internet Digital Camera (D-CAM)One of the cheapest of the digital cameras available, the D-CAM is completely different from the others reviewed here. For a start, it's not portable and is clearly aimed at other applications. Unfortunately, we were unable to take our test shots using the Compro D-CAM due to its late arrival and the fact that it needs to be attached to a PC to work. However, we found that it produced indoor still captures better than any of the other cameras because it doesn't have to compress the image -- though some colour distortion was still apparent. The D-CAM's software includes a twain driver and an AVI digital video driver. These drivers allow you to use the D-CAM directly from a third-party paint program, and from Ulead's Video Studio (included) so you can use the D-CAM for live video capture and editing -- although you would need to have a fast computer and keep the image size down to make the frame update fast enough. Another interesting addition is Mediafone Lite, a desktop videoconferencing application. This allows you to communicate by modem with another person that has a D-CAM, with whiteboard and file sharing capabilities. A microphone is included for voice.
|
||||||
Canon PowerShot 600 From: Canon (02) 9805 2000 URL: http://www.canon.com List price: $1999 Image resolution: up to 823 x 608 x 24-bit (Economy, Normal & Fine; and RAW) Memory: 1Mb Shot capacity: Up to 15 shots (62 with CompactFlash memory card or approx 2,500 with HD card) Macro function: Yes Focal length: NORMAL: 40cm to infinity; MACRO: 10cm to 40cm Flash range: 20cm to 3.5m Shutter speed: 1/30 to 1/500 second Self-timer: 10 or 2 second Battery: Rechargeable NiCad NB6N Connectivity cables: Parallel port (not included) Software: Twain driver utility; Ulead PhotoImpact File formats: JPG, TIF (thumbnails), Windows WAV (sound) Special features: PCMCIA memory expansion slot; audio annotation; autofocus; B&W Text mode; uncompressed mode Extras: Power adaptor and battery recharger caddy; carry strap
|
Canon PowerShot 600The Canon came in above our price limit, but we thought it would be worthwhile to look at this well featured digital camera -- still under $2000 -- from an established maker of film cameras. The PowerShot 600 is packed with features most of the other cameras we tested lacked. There are three quality settings, the image size was the largest of all at 832 by 608 pixel resolution, although its capacity ranged down to four shots for Fine resolution images. You can also set image quality to a 'raw' no compression at all, but this requires extra memory via a PC card. Another interesting feature is a switch for colour and black and white text modes -- the latter for photographing pages or business cards. It also features sound annotation for each photo, which can be downloaded with the images as WAV files, though this reduces shot capacity alarmingly. Also included are a built-in flash with red-eye reduction, auto-focussing, a macro button for close-ups, but no zoom capability. There's no thread for adding extra lenses, but a wide-angle converter is available as an option. All images or the last image stored can be erased from the camera, or you can erase selectively using the software when connected to a PC. The large viewfinder, placed directly above the lens, is not as good as an SLR (Single Lens Reflex) camera but better than most digital cameras. The delay between depressing the shutter button and the shot firing was particularly long -- almost three seconds. A special caddy is provided for connection to the PC's parallel port, which makes data transfer faster and can also recharge the camera's NiCad battery. One serious omission though is that there is no auto-shutoff. Software includes a snazzy twain interface, and Ulead's PhotoImpact, an excellent full-featured paint program . All of these features make the camera a bit more complicated to use, but also more versatile in the long run. Image quality was good. Though colours were not as crisp and accurate as we would have hoped for, it displayed fewer compression artifacts than other cameras in Fine resolution.
|
||||||
Photo scannersA photo scanner is the same as any other scanner, except that it is designed especially (or only) for scanning photos. We tested four photo scanners. All came with Twain drivers for interfacing with Windows and various versions of EasyPhoto, from Primax's software arm, Storm Software -- although any other Twain-compliant imaging software can be used.
|
|||||||
Primax Easy Photo Reader (external) From: Distributor: Primax (02) 9695 3037 List price: $299 Resolution: 24-bit 200dpi Software: EasyPhoto v2.0 File formats: BMP, GIF, JPG, TIF PCX Extras: Dustcloth
|
Primax EZPhoto ReaderNamed after its software, the EZPhoto Reader includes version 2.0 of EasyPhoto (though this may have been updated by now), which allows you to scan an image in and store it in a gallery of thumbnails of each picture. Images can be used as Windows wallpaper, turned into a slide show, or loaded into the editor to crop, rotate or apply various filters. Not advanced image manipulation, but it serves the purpose well enough. The scanner offers a contrast dial on the side for light or dark pictures. Apart from this though, the scanner and its software offer no controls for image quality or resolution -- pictures are scanned at 24-bit, 200dpi. Colour balance was pretty good if a little too strong. It produced the brightest and clearest images overall, though getting the right setting on the contrast control can be important to get a good scan. It also tended to squash the image slightly. A dustcloth is included for cleaning the scanner. Oddly, the power supply doesn't plug into the scanner unit, but into the parallel port connector.
|
||||||
Primax Easy Photo Drive (internal) From: Primax (02) 9695 3037 List price: $399 Resolution: Selectable from greyscale, 8-bit or 24-bit colour @ 100, 200 300 or 400 dpi Software: Easy Photo 2.2 File formats: BMP, GIF, JPG, TIF PCX Extras: Interface card, dustcloth
|
Primax EZPhoto DriveAn internal version of the EZPhoto, this unit comes with its own simple ISA interface card and connects to the power supply inside your computer, using up a 5.25in drive bay. While it costs more, the advantage here is that the drive is always available and discretely nestled in the computer. The disadvantage is that installation is much more difficult -- we found the interface card would not fit into an ISA slot without removing the bracket. The scanner works effectively, automatically drawing prints into the drive, scanning and slowly pushing it out. The twain driver offers a choice of resolutions up to 24-bit at 400dpi. The default is 200dpi. Like the Primax reader it tended to squash the image slightly, and had a duller reddish hue to it. Best for people who expect to be doing a lot of photo scanning and prefer a more aesthetic solution.
|
||||||
Polaroid PhotoPad From: Polaroid (02) 9842 7134 List price: $199 Resolution: Selectable from greyscale, 8-bit or 24-bit colour @ 100, 200 300 or 400 dpi Software: EasyPhoto v 1.0 File formats: BMP, GIF, JPG, TIF PCX Extras: Dustcloth
|
Polaroid PhotoPadThe PhotoPad has a lot in common with the Primax EZPhoto Reader. Aside from the software (EasyPhoto version 1.0), they both use the same method of the power supply connecting to the parallel port adaptor and have a similar appearance. One advantage over others is that it claims to be able to scan Polaroid pics as well as standard prints. It also supplies a dustcloth for cleaning the scanner lens. The Twain driver here offers the ability to scan in
greyscale, 256 colours or 24-bit true-colour, as well as
resolutions of 100 to 400dpi. The default setting is
24-bit, 200dpi which is fine for most applications.
|
||||||
Kodak Snapshot Photo Scanner 1 From: Distributor: Kodak (03) 9353 2618 List price: $^^ Resolution: 24-bit at 200dpi Software: Easy Photo 2.2, PhotoEnhancer, Power Goo File formats: BMP, GIF, JPG, TIF PCX etc
|
Kodak Snapshot Photo Scanner 1With this scanner, all scanning is controlled through the software. This can be done with any of the three good programs supplied: EasyPhoto, PhotoEnhancer or Power Goo. Each allows you to scan a picture, rotate and crop it, and do other fixes, then save it to disk or load it into the application for further tweaking. The Twain driver offers two modes -- Step-by-Step and Expert -- giving you a good range of options for before and after the scan. One minor drawback with this scanner, compared to the others, is the size of the photo it can scan. It can handle a standard six by four inch print, though nothing much wider. However, the manual is well presented and easy to read, it produced the most accurate scans in terms of colour. However, the scans appeared dim and blurry. Some post-scan adjustments can compensate for this to some extent (as is true for all the scanners). |
||||||
|
|What's New | Software | Net Guides | Web Workshop | Net Sites | About PC User |All text © 1997 Australian Consolidated Press - PC User Magazine
|