Product Description

The Polaroid PhotoMAX PDC 640CF camera is an affordable mid-level digital camera that features a maximum resolution of 640x480 pixels, a USB and a Serial computer interfaces and 2MB of internal memory for photo storage. The camera can also accept an optional Type 1 CompactFlash memory card for additional photo storage. Unlike other digital cameras in this price range, the PDC 640CF features user-adjustable exposure values and white balance compensation.The PhotoMAX PDC 640CF digital camera comes in a complete kit highlighted by a dedicated software program, PhotoMAX that ensures that downloading, editing, and printing of your pictures is fun and easy.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #167258 in Camera & Photo
• Size: Medium Size
• Brand: Polaroid
• Model: PDC-640CF
• Aspect ratio: 1.33:1
• Memory: 2MB
• Display size: 1.8

Features

• 310,000-pixel sensor creates 640 x 480 images for posting on the Web
• Fixed-focus lens for simple point-and-shoot operation
• Included 8 MB CompactFlash memory card holds 96 images at default resolution
• Connects with PCs via USB port
• Uses 4 AA batteries, included

Amazon.com Product Description
Polaroid's PDC 640CF digital camera is a good starting point for someone interested in digital photography. With a 310,000 pixel CCD, the PDC 640 snaps photos at a resolution of 640 x 480--great for posting on the Web, e-mailing to friends and family, or printing small 2-by-3-inch snapshots. The built-in flash features red-eye reduction, fill, auto, and off modes, providing a lighting mode for virtually any situation. Images are stored on the included 8 MB CompactFlash card, and can be transferred to a computer via the included serial cable. The PDC 640 also comes with a TV cable, so you can view photos on a television.

Customer Reviews

Poor Picture...Poor Quality
I recently purchased the PDC 640CF after I returned my PDC 640 to Wal-Mart because the flash stopped working. The original 640 was a pretty good camera that took outstanding pictures, but it had one annoying drawback... You could not see what you were aiming at through the viewfinder because of the green glare from "power on" light. But anyway, I took it back an figured that the updated "CF" version would have fixed that problem.

The PDC 640 CF is nowhere near the quality of its predecessor! Right out of the box you can see and feel that it is cheaply made. It takes the flash at least 20 to 30 seconds to warm up and you must wait for your photo to "process" before you can take another. Even if you shut the cover while it is still processing, you'll lose that picture. None of these faults appeared with the 640.

And the picture quality is horrible! Even on its highest resolution, the pictures appear "grainy" and slightly distorted. Also, if you're taking a picture of someone in motion, it blurs. I took a picture of my daughter running through the yard and her image was extremely "streaked".

Tomorrow it goes back to Wal-Mart. Thank God for their return policy. After doing some research, I'll probably spend the extra $125 and go with the Olympus D-360. If you think you want Polaroid at this price...go with the original PDC 640...its a much better camera if you can live with the distorted viewfinder.

Bad Doesn't Even Begin To Describe
I received the PDC 640CF as a Christmas gift. It came as a complete package with charger, cables, software and even batteries. It's a very simple camera to use. The display and controls are very easy to work. However, taking pictures is another story. The flash works from 3-7 feet. At that range people in the image come out with green/blue skin tones. Further away and the image is too dark if not black. THE CAMERA IS NOT FOR INDOOR USE. Outdoors its fairs better as long as conditions are ideal. If it is too sunny lighter colors streak. Too cloudy and the images are too dark. All the working of various settingS will not correct this. Also, images are fuzzy, even on the highest quality setting. With the camera on a tripod and the image subject immobile, it's fuzzy. I had to use Adobe Photoshop to sharpen images. It doesn't do well on details at all. THIS CAMERA IS NOT FOR OUTDOOR USE. The bottom line, IMAGES TAKEN BY THIS CAMERA ARE UNUSABLE FOR ANY PURPOSE, EVEN FOR QUICK SNAPSHOTS. Beginners will become quickly frustrated with the poor quality. Polaroid dropped the ball on this one. Out of 500 images taken I have yet to produce one I would use for anything--including e-mail.

A good camera for 1999
One word: banding. The camera takes great pictures in sunlight, but if you have to use the flash about half the time you get banding which looks like lines in the picture. Not much can be done about it, that and the tiny 640x480 images (which remind me of picturebooth shots) make it a great camera for the year 1999. I would spend the extra $30-$100 bux and get something with bigger shots and 1.3 mpixel. In the cameras defense I bought it refurbished, but it was probably refurbished for the above reasons. If you're looking for something cheap, you can find 1.3 mpixel cameras now for the same price.