by Al Massey
I guess it is possible to find digital cameras with better image quality than the PhotoPC 600. You might even find some with individual features that out-shine the 600. But I think you might be hard pressed to find ONE Camera that has all the features of the PhotoPC 600 anywhere near the price.
For the average user, small business or web designer this little gem is certainly handy to have around. Sporting a resolution of 1024 x 768 the 600 ranks well above any VGA camera you might pick up. When you consider that it has both optical and LCD viewfinders, a bundled battery charger that is capable of replenishing the Nickel Hydride batteries in under 2.5 hours, 4MB of built in memory capable of storing up to 50 VGA images or 16 XVGA images or 7 Superfine images, 3X digital zoom, 3 mode flash and a video out port what more could you ask for. Well for one thing, how about support for CompactFlash PC Memory cards. Well, its got that also.
One feature I am finding really helpful is its multi-image mode giving you the ability to take nine thumbnail shots in one frame automatically in a customizable time frame of from 0.5 to 3 seconds. I have used this to help the grandson in his soccer and swimming and can think of a whole host of other uses such as analyzing a golf swing. The camera also allows you to take panoramic shots by sort of chopping off the top and bottom of the image. This allows you to get the whole family in the shot. In addition to standard 24-bit color the Epson PhotoPC 600 can capture images in 8-bit gray-scale mode. All controls and on screen menus are easy to get to and follow and I found that after a day or two I no longer need the manual. The camera comes equipped with software that lets you download and upload images directly to a PC. Download images directly from your PC or another camera and you can run a slide presentation using just the camera connected with the included cable. Better yet a cable is included that lets you load the images directly to you VCR or play them back through your TV or Multimedia projector. The list just goes on and on.
Al Massey is a HAL-PC member and can be reached at almas@hal-pc.org.
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