Digitrex

Digitrex DSC-3500Z (Apex, $199 MFRP) is a new 3.0 megapixel camera that’s a good entry level camera for novice digital photographers. In addition to taking still pictures suitable for up to 8 x 10 inch enlargements, the camera has a movie mode that records QVGA (320 x 240 resolution) movies with sound at 15 fps (frames per second) for smooth action. The fixed 16 MB internal memory will store 15 pictures at normal settings, and optional SD/MMC (secure digital/multimedia card) memory cards can be used for more image storage. The 1.5 inch LCD display serves both to view pictures and menu items.

This silver camera with blue and grey accents is not quite pocket sized (4.25 x 2.75 x 1.75 inches, 0.5 pounds) but does come with a neat carrying pouch and belt loop. The f3.0 lens is protected by a shutter that closes over the lens when the camera is off and extends about 0.5 inches when the camera is on. The lens sports 3X optical and 4x digital zoom, and a meter tracks the zoom status.

The camera has a convenient set of buttons for some of the more commonly used controls. The power button requires only one quick touch to turn the camera on or off. But you must be careful when the camera is in its carrying pouch:, you can inadvertently squeeze the power button if you lean against it, and that can make the camera try to turn on. The WB (white balance)/Delete button cycles through the selections for WB in snapshot mode: auto, daylight, shade (this eliminates the blue cast that can occur in some open shade situations), tungsten and fluorescent. In the playback mode, this button deletes the displayed picture.

The Strobe/Copy button cycles through the flash options: auto, fill and red eye reduction and off in the snapshot mode; in the playback mode it copies the displayed picture from internal memory to the SD card. The Display button turns the display on or off, along with the status information and/or a histogram (a tiny frame in the display window that graphically shows the distribution of brightness in the displayed picture). This helps you judge the overall exposure of the picture. The Display button is also used to select menu items.

A Mode dial is used to select Snapshot, Video, Playback, Setup, Preset or PC Camera. Preset mode has five presets for optimizing the camera settings for specific situations, such as a 10-second self-timer, landscape, portrait, night scene and macro. You cycle through the presets using the up and down cursor keys. A PC Camera mode lets you use the camera as a video camera for teleconferencing and more.

A wealth of information is provided by the display, which overlays the picture. The information includes battery status, EV (exposure value), date/time, histogram, pictures remaining, picture quality, memory type, white balance mode, preset mode, flash mode, zoom status, shutter speed and F-stop. The information overlay can be shut off if you want to see just the preview or picture.

The camera is powered by two AA batteries or an optional AC adapter. In any mode except the PC Camera mode, when the camera is connected to your computer, the included drivers and USB cable let you use the camera as a removable hard drive so you can copy or delete files. You can also connect the camera to your TV using the included A/V cable for playback of still pictures or movies. The camera does not have a slide show feature.

Ulead PhotoExpress 4.0: a photo editor for organizing photos, make adjustments in pictures, correct for red eye, brightness exposure and more, print photos, create various photo projects (such as calendar and cards) and share photos via e-mail.

Ulead PhotoExplorer 8.0 is a media viewer allowing you to play any type of media file on your computer, view images, play videos, play music and more.

Ulead COOL 360 is a program that helps you stitch together a series of images to produce a full 360-degree panorama, but you first have to take the initial set of slightly overlapping 360 degree photos. See the results by using the viewer, which allows you to control your direction of view by moving your mouse. The resulting panorama effect is remarkable.

Ulead DVD PictureShow 2 helps you create a slide show, complete with still images, videos, music and/or narration and more. The program lets you then burn your creation on a CD-R or CD-RW that will play on most newer DVD players. A great way to share events with family and friends.

The Digitrex DSC-3500Z digital camera is moderately priced, easy to use and produces good quality images. The camera plus the complement of useful programs make this a good value.