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Digital Camera Buyer's GuideAn error occurred. Please try later. |
The Toshiba PDR-3300 is in many ways a revision of the PDR-3320. While this camera shares many of the same features as the 3320, it does offer a few additions and refinements that make it a sleeker unit. Some of the minor criticisms that I had with the PDR-3320 appear to be resolved here making this an even better value. The biggest addition that this camera has is the ability to record AVI digital video. This is a feature not available in the 3320.
If capturing AVI movies, minus the ability to record sound, is a feature you want to employ, then this camera does include that ability. The resolutions offered include 320 x 240 or 160 x 120. This type of format is really suited for brief videos that you may wish to send on the fly. As nice as it is, for those that really want to explore home video on the PC or Mac, one is better served by a digital camcorder able to really explore this medium. While this feature is a nice option, one has to weigh its importance. If having the ability to make brief videos is something you may have an interest in, and you do not wish to invest in a digital camcorder, then by all means take this option. For me, it just does not seem that essential. If you really want video, you may be better served with a Digital 8 camcorder devoted to that function if cost is an issue. If your price points are a tad expansive, DV digital video is definitely the way to go.
One nice, but hardly a deal breaking, feature with the PDR-3300 is the lens cover. Instead of offering a plastic cover that must be manually removed, or as is the case most likely lost, this unit sports a built in cover. What it does not include is the automatic ability to open and close. Unlike digital cameras like the HP Photosmart 618 which has an automatic built in lens cover, the PDR-3300 unit has a lever that must be opened and shut to cover the lens. When using the unit one has to keep in mind to open and close the included lens cover. For photographers accustomed to traditional 35 millimeter cameras this is not a big issue. Lens covers, changing lens, using filters, replacing lens hoods is all part of the experience. For point and shooters who do not wish to delve that deeply into photography, the auto lens cover could be a convenience feature that would lean one away or towards this camera.
In keeping with my criticism of the dual monitors on small cameras, the PDR sports a single LCD monitor. Rather than having to focus on two displays, the unit has one display area and several other buttons conveniently available for use. The top part of the camera contains the shutter release, the mode dial and the lens cover switch. Unlike other units that offer a slew of buttons and windows to the top of the camera, this unit is surprisingly clean.
While Toshiba has addressed my small criticism, they have yet to address that of sufficient camera storage, and battery length. The camera comes out of the box with an 8 MB Secure Digital card and four AA batteries. The problem with both is that neither is really sufficient for real life uses. Just consider that you will need at least 128 MB of memory to store the kind of photos you will want to print. With just a slim 8 MB at the maximum resolution of 2048 x 1536 you will downloading photos often.
This also comes to the notorious problem of battery length. While the PDR-3300 includes refinements, it does not include greater battery life. This digital camera will eat alkaline batteries faster than a whale with a box of tic tacs. So do factor in the cost of an AC adaptor and/or rechargeable batteries. Sadly, and this is true with so many cameras on the market, the AC adapter is available only as an option. Unlike many camcorders that come with built in recharging systems, digital cameras lack what I consider an important issue in functionality. So do be warned.
Again, not unlike the PDR, this unit also lacks a super software package. While this is a minor compliant, I just am not that fond of the busy looking interface of the enclosed ACD imaging software. With a camera of this type, do consider an application like Ulead's Photoimpact 8, or even Jasc's Paintshop Pro 7. With resolutions from 2048 x 1538, 1024 x 768 and 640 x 480, you are going to need something to edit your creations at some point. Even a point and shooter is going to need the basic functionality of a solid photo editing package. For the more adventuresome, Corel's Graphics Suite 11 is not a bad option at all if you are more inclined towards more professional packages.
On the plus side, the enclosed documentation is excellent. If you are phobic of computer instruction books, this one, although thick, does offer a great deal of information. The pictures, directions and layout of the included instruction book makes the process of taking pictures that much easier. While you can literally point and shoot out of the box, there are some excellent feature included with the camera that do require a little time to learn. Fortuanlly, the learning curve is not steep. So do consider that as an option.
While the PDR-3300 is clearly aimed at the end user who wants to point and click, it also offers a great deal of control for the shutter bug who wants more control. With this unit, not unlike its nearest relation the PDR 3320, affords one a great deal of control. In order to fully explore those options, a basic understanding of photographic principles may be in order. Just a precursory understanding can be a real asset in shooting situations that are less than ideal.
Certainly the automatic features are excellent, there will be moments when you will want to control white balance, flash control, focus, and shutter speed, which is 1/2 up to 1/1000 of a second. The automatic modes work well for the most part. However, there are always situations that may demand more control on the part of the user.
Setting up the camera on Windows XP was foolproof and using the camera was a pleasant experience. The sleeker black body of the PDR-3300 gives it a more solid appearance. For me, it was easier to handle than the slightly bulkier PDR-3320. While both cameras are similar in many areas, the differences between the two amount to features, general layout, the ability to shoot short video clips and one's preferences. If you have to make a choice between the two, and price points are not an issue, the PDR-3300 has an edge over the PDR 3320. In terms of quality and convenience it is a step ahead of many others in this class.
CCD: 1/1.8 inch CCD . 3.2 million pixels
Resolution: 2048x1536, 1024x768, 640 x480
File Format: JPEG (Exif Ver. 2.2)
Recording Medium: Secure Digital° (SD) . Compatible to 256 MB
Lens: -Aperture: F2.9-F4.8 . f=7.25-20.3mm, 35mm-100mm @35mm . 7 elements in 5 groups, all glass, 2.8X Optical Zoom . 2.2X Digital Zoom
Viewfinder: Optical
Focus: Automatic
White Balance: Automatic, Daylight, Cloudy, Incandescent, Fluorescent 1 and 2
Program AE: Yes
Aperture-Priority AE: Yes
Full Manual AE (shutter + aperture): Yes
Shutter-Priority AE: Yes
Scene Selected: Yes
Exposure Compensation: Yes (+/-2.0 at 0.3EV)
Metering: Spot, Multi
Shutter Speed: 112-111000 sec.
Sensitivity: ISO 100/200/400
Monitor: 1.6 inch TFT (60K pixels)
Playback Modes: Zoom (2x), Single Frame, Slide Show, Movie, Thumbnail (6 pictures on one frame), Lotation
AVI Movie Mode: Yes (no audio)
Flash: Auto, red eye auto, red eye fill, off, fill-in flash, slow-sync (with long time exposure)
Flash Range: 0.6m to 2.5m
Burst Shot: 3:2048 x 1536 (per 1.6 sec.) 3:1024 x 768 (per 1.6 sec.)
Bracket Shot: 3: with +/-1/2EV
Long Time Exposure: Yes (15, 8, 4, 2, 1 sec.)
Self-Timer: Yes (2/10 sec)
Digital Interface: USB
Epson PRINT Technology: Yes
Video Output: Yes (PAL/NTSC)
Power: 4 x AA alkaline
Battery Life: 100 shots w/flash, 150 w/o flash
AC Adapter: Sold separately
Auto Power Off: Yes
Dimensions: 4.53" x 2.72" x 1.8"
Weight: 8.1 ounces
Accessories: 8MB SD° Card, Battery, USB Cable, Video Cable, Wireless Remote Control, Hand Strap, CD-ROM with ACID Systems software, USB Driver, Instruction manual
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