RCA CDS 1000

This camera is ok for casual photos, but is not sharp, especially around the edges. Flash works ok between 4 and 6 feet. It does fairly well without flash in normal indoor lighting. To make it even better, download the RCA CDS1005 driver and use Irfanview software to sharpen (2 clicks) and occasionally increase Gamma to 1.20.

Price; size; uses 2 AAs; Webcam function and uploading to PC both use USB power; don't need extra lighting for Webcam usage

pictures fuzzy straight from camera so need Irfanview sharpening; no LCD to review shots; no fill flash for outdoors; no removeable media

Fuji 1300, 2300, 2800, Canon A40.

Not required. RCA Website not bad.

The old saying, "You get what you pay for" applies with the RCA very well. You''''re not paying much, so you''''re not getting much. As long as you understand this, you''''re fine. Problem is, many people who are buying their first digital cameras do not realize the general rule is that a good digital is 2-3 times the cost of a comparable film model. So, if you find the RCA for $50-$100, you''''re not getting a lot. This is a "CMOS" camera. What this means, is that the chip that is used to capture images (CMOS) is the same type found in cheap "web cams" - not to be confused with digital cameras; the gizmos you use to make video phone calls, etc. Good digital cameras use a "CCD" chip, which produces much higher quality images. The RCA uses a CMOS. Just so you''''ll know why the image quality isn''''t all that hot. No color LCD on the back of course, but there is a small readout screen that tells you what your settings are such as resolution (they''''re all 640x480, but two levels of compression are available), flash status, and number of photos taken. The lens is cheap glass, and does show some "barrel distortion", where straight lines will appear bent at a close distance. You get cables for two types of connections to your computer and a video cable for displaying photos on your tv however, which is rarely given on cameras this cheap. The built-in flash is also not common on this level of camera, as many are aimed at the very young crowed, but the RCA does have one, though it''''s weak. After 6-7 feet, it drops off a great deal. Too close, and it washes out the subject altogether. Using 2 AA batteries, it drains them quickly when you download your photos into the computer. The manual says if you use the USB connection option, the camera is powered by the USB cable instead, but I found that my batteries drained regardless. Buy Duracell ULTRA or NiMh rechargeables. There is no slot for removeable memory cards, so once you fill the camera up with 16 or so photos you must download them in order to take more. Overall, this would be an ok camera for the kids, or as an inexpensive "car cam" to keep in the car for those unexpected photo opportunities that come up. Don''''t pay the $100 some are still asking for it though, as there are too many much better cameras that can be had for close to that, anymore. Find it for $50 like I di

Small. Easy to use. Built-in flash not common in cameras this cheap.

Photo quality. Initial install and first download of photos hard to figure out for newbies.

Varied digital cameras (Sony, Olympus, Kodak, etc.)

RCA has a third party company that deals with this camera. They do answer the phones quickly, but in the case of a missing wrist strap in my kit, they tried to push me off on the store where I bought

I only had to use this camera for less than a week to see that it had poor imaging. I returned it after a couple of days. I spent $89.00 for it and my brother has one he purchased for $30.00 less that takes far better pictures. I would not recomend this product.

It was easy to return from where I purchased it.

Pretty much everything about the camera was it's weakness, including the MGI Photosuit that came with it.

Brothers generic camera

Easy to use and comes with all the hardware and software you would need for a rather modest camera. USB interface is a big plus, and the software was a snap to use and install. The MGI photo software is not a powerhouse, but certainly accommodates anything you could possibly do with a camera like this. The manual, like the display on the back, requires reading glasses but is fairly straightforward on using the camera, although it could use more information on the software. The software appears to be intuitive; it is once you become familiar with the meaning of all the symbols.

Ease of use Adaptability to your PC Fairly sharp for the price class. Good for beginners or just to play around.

Color rendering is weak, but a few software tweaks overcomes this limitation.

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Got mine for $99 at fry's electronics. Takes great pictures when the lighting conditions are right. The flash is only effective for about 4-5 feet, and the lens has a tendancy to bend straight lines if it is near the edge of the shot. other than that it works fine. The USB is fast and the camera is very simple to use, but it does eat batteries. Another feature that I like is, it comes with a cable to plug into the tv so you can preview any pictures without having to upload them to a computer.

low cost, ease of use, fast usb transfers, Preview on TV ability

cheap lens, heavy battery useage, lighting has to be just right

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