Mustek VDC 3500

This camera sucks, only 8 pictures, completly wierd color, no light control so the pictures are either very bright or totally dark. Sucks sucks sucks.

hmmm... bmp output

capacity, memory card isn''t widely avilable, bad coloring, no saturation of color, unclear picture.

none

none

This camera sucks, only 8 pictures, completly wierd color, no light control so the pictures are either very bright or totally dark. Sucks sucks sucks.

hmmm... bmp output

capacity, memory card isn''t widely avilable, bad coloring, no saturation of color, unclear picture.

none

none

Bought this from the auction at $41 in different brand name Relysis dimera 3500. It is limited to 8 pictures in fine mode 640x480. It is descent for web use or emailing pictures to friends and relative. Printout quality from 1200 dpi Compaq printer is not great as printout from scanned regular photo pictures. For the cheap price I paid, it is worth it for my use.

Descent picture quality. Sometime overexposed.

Limited to 8 pictures for fine mode. Standard mode quality is not good.

Surprisingly sharp images in the 640 x 480 mode, more than adequate for web use, but noticable coloration of sharp edges with 4 x 6 inch prints. Optical viewfinder is reasonably accurate. No LCD display. The single 3 Volt Lithium battery is good for about 50 - 100 shots. Serial interface takes 40 seconds to download each image. Merifully, there are only 8 on the 2MB removable memory card. Pictures tend to be slightly overexposed, but this can be handles in PhotoShop. Almost no shutter delay (fix focus lens), but saving one image takes 9 seconds. Flash power output is set for 10 ft. Anything nearer will be overexposed. Good deal for $60, but if you are looking for printing your pictures as large as 7 x 10 inch, look elsewhere, get an Olympus 360L or equivalent and expect to spend about $250.

Cheap. Good for web use.

Limited to 8 pictures

Kodal DC40, Olympus D340R

Not needed

The Relysis Dimera 3500 (alias Mustek VDC-3500) is is a very simple 640 x 480 point and shoot camera with a bright line optical viewfinder. At $60 (tax included) new in the box at the LA county computer show (November 5, 2000) this is a very good deal. On the web the camera sells for $99 + shipping. Images are as sharp as can be expected from 640 x 480, with very pleasant 4 x 5.25 inch prints. No match for my Olympus D340R, but not bad at 1/6 of the price. If you are looking for bigger prints and more flexibility on a limited budget, consider the Olympus D360L, currently on the web for as low as $249.

Good price. Good 640 x 480 pictures Pleasant 4 x 5 inch prints. Sturdy camera: No focus mechanism, door or deploying lens mechanism to jam. Unlike other digital cameras, this one should survive a 3 ft drop onto concrete.

Serial transfer (40 seconds per picture) Storage for only 8 pictures. Single CR123A Lithium battery ($8) will last only 50 - 100 shots unless downloading using external power supply.

Kodak DC20 and Olympus D340R

Not needed