Product Description

Hi Resolution 1280x960; Basic resolution 640x480; 2x Digital zoom; Store 15 to 100 photos; Auto focus; Four flash modes; Optical and 1.8IN. LCD viewfinder; Full feature indicator panel; B/W image recording; Send pictures from camera to computer/fax with supplied compact modem card.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #206113 in Camera & Photo
• Size: Pocket Size
• Brand: Panasonic
• Model: PV-DC3001
• Aspect ratio: 1.33:1
• Dimensions: 3.70" h x 3.80" w x 1.60" l,
• Memory: 16MB
• Display size: 1.5

Customer Reviews

Great Features for the Price
I purchased this camera about 6 months ago and love it... although it does chew through batteries, I have discovered that if I buy Energizer E-2 or similar batteries designed for digital equipment they last MUCH longer.

Not Enough Bang For The Buck
I have to say that I like this camera. It's stylish, sturdy, and takes high resolution pictures. However, in this market, these features are just not enough. Especially in the $400 - $600 range.

The biggest negative for this camera is that the flash pictures are terribly overexposed. That is to say, the camera does not handle highlights well at all - especially at close range. This can be somewhat overcome with an eye for the proper anti-reflective angle. But why should we have to worry about such things?

Negative number two is that outdoor pictures are flat and undersaturated. I took the same pictures with this camera and a Kodak DC4800 side-by-side, and it was literally like night and day. Granted, Kodak is known for its super-saturated setting, which is absolutely beautiful in comparison to the Panasonic. But the problem with the Panasonic is that it is understaurated in comparison to real life. And that just cannot be excused. Of course, the saturation problem can be fixed with software, but, again, why should we have to worry about such things?

The last negative has to do with the batteries. The life is short - no doubt about it. But, what's worse is that the power functions become erratic when the batteries are even slightly worn. For example, the camera will not turn on consistently, the display cuts on and off, and the response time becomes slower. A constant fresh set of batteries fixes these problems. But, once again, why should we have to worry about such things?

In summary, this is a nice camera, but it is hardly worth the money. I previously owned a Panasonic PV-DC2590 and was hoping that they had learned from their mistakes. There are improvements in the shutter response time and in the camera's ability to take better motion shots. But, overall, Panasonic just hasn't gotten it right yet. Their lack of attention to the needs of the consumer will certainly keep them at the bottom of the digital camera field. In Spring of 2002 they will be introducing a new line of digital cameras called Lumix. Personally, I won't be standing in line to get one.

My advice: Invest in an equivalent 3-megapixel Kodak or Nikon camera. These cameras have been designed with you and I in mind.

Very pleased with initial results
It is true that the camera devours batteries. My first set lasted about 20-30 minutes but those batteries came in the Panasonic box and could have been already drained. In any case, next time 'round I put in some Duracells and did not waste power by playing with the screen and visualizing prior shots. I only turned the thing on to snap and that's it. So these second batteries seem to be doing well.

The good news is that the images are great (amazing detail on zoom view) and the software and hardware were easy to install and use on my windows PC. No problems. Also, the audio feature should come in handy to say something brief about the shot so I don't forget who, where, what, etc.

It is a bit on the heavy side but certainly lighter and more compact than an optican camera with a big zoom zens.

Drawback (?): why doesn't the camera have an automatic shutter to protect the lens? Perhaps the designers deemed it superfluous.