Reviews by jonathanuva
Apple iPod Video 60GB Black
Price: $ - $
iPod rocks!!01/16/06
- Pros:
- superb design concept and build quality
- Cons:
- bit pricey ...
Whenever I can use a product intuitively right out of the box without referring to the manual, I consider that a superior design. I got the 60g iPod and now I can carry my entire music collection with me everywhere I go with storage space to spare. I think its a bit pricey but when I looked at comparable products from Creative and iRiver, iPod is way better in terms of overall design, build quality and ease of use. In terms of overall storage capacity per dollar, iPod also wins hands down. Also, the battery life is excellent. I think the competetion will eventually catch up, but for now, iPod is the reigning king of the hill.
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Fujifilm FinePix A330
Price: $ - $
nice, inexpensive digital camera for a novice06/01/05
- Pros:
- low price, optical zoom, good pic quality, solid build
- Cons:
- just ok battery life, no sound w/ video, tad bulky, slow recycle time
For an inexpensive camera, it has surprising amount of features. It IS relatively slow in recycling time between shots, but so are all other budget cameras under $175. AA batteries are cheap and plentiful (rechargeable NiMH AAs are even more economical). XD card system is technically superior in design and concept to all other flash memory systems; it's too bad XD cards are not more widely adopted by other manufacturers. It is not the most expensive either (that honor goes to SONY's Memory stick system - an inferior design). Higher megapixels alone does NOT mean better pictures (CONCORD 5MP camera - JUNK; HP M407 - mediocre pics; low-end CANONs - tendency to under-expose, lower megapixels per dollar/higher price). Lens quality and exposure algorithms also plays a big part in overall picture quality. For the price (I paid UNDER $150), it does it better than most other budget digital cameras out there. I admit, Canons feel more solidly built (and they are) but $50-75 pricier for a comparable model. Nikons are plain more expensive but less solid than Canons; Olympuses are also good choices in this price range but frumpy looking (D535 or D540). Olympus Stylus models are nicer looking but more expensive. A330 is probably discontinued by now and replaced with A340 which is a 4MP model and more expensive. I would consider Fujifilm's own Finepix E500 as better choice for about $20 more than A330. It has higher MP (4 vs. 3), more features (i.e. video w/sound), and more stylish (ala Canon).
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Fujifilm FinePix E550
Price: $95.95 - $95.95
big bang for the buck, excellent images12/21/04
- Pros:
- super fast start-up, great price for a 6 mpx. camera
- Cons:
- so-so battery life
Nice design; I like cameras (Fujifilm and Olympus) that use XD cards and AA batteries. The batteries doesn't last as long as the ones that use proprietary rechargeable Li-Ion batteries but AA batteries are cost effective and easy to find. It doesn't fare any worse than other digital cams that also use AA batteries. The images are superb and the exposure is right on most of the time and the color is excellent. Best priced 6 megapixel camera on market. I own and used many different digital camera and thus far, it is one of the best point and shoot digital cameras around. Beware of those 8 megapixel that uses small sensors because the digital noise is high at higher ISO settings (most all make and models of point and shoot; they must all use the same sensor from one manufacturer). You won't be disappointed with this camera. Highly recommended.
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HP PhotoSmart M305
Price: $ - $
inexpensive, lots of features, mediocre photos ...12/21/04
- Pros:
- solidly made, lots of features, low price
- Cons:
- battery hungry, mediocre photos under low lighting
I paid $115 w/ tax at a local Staples store. With $30 rebate and $35 256mb SD memory card, the total cost is $120 (assuming I get the rebate), not bad for a digital camera with 3X optical zoom. unlike most digital cameras in this price range that only has digital zoom, this is a desirable feature that adds value to the camera. The updated M307 model has 5X digital zoom (in additon to 3X optical for both), a dubious improvement. The camera is solidly made although the battery hatch is somewhat flimsy. It has 16mb internal memory and takes SD memory card, unlike most Canon and Nikon cameras (stupid!!) that take large, clunky compact (oxymoronic) flash drives. This camera is battery hungry and if you plan to use rechargeable NiMH AA batteries, you better pack extra and a fast charger. Also, you want AA batteries that have a rating of 2100mAh or higher. The supplied software is clumsy and loads lots of junk program in a way that sucks up your laptop system memory by causing it to load automatically at the start-up. Photoshop Elements 3.0 is the best econmical photo software unless you want to pony up for Photoshop CS. As for the photos, its not bad under normal to bright lighting. It does very poorly under low lighting, badly underexposing them with bluish hues. Luckily, is has exposure compensation feature that allows you to increase the exposure manually. Unfortunately, it reverts to default setting when you turn the camera off.
Overall, for the price, it takes decent photos and is the most feature-laden model in this price range. If you don't mind spending extra $40-50, fujifilm A330 (if you can find it, its replaced by A340 which is $50 more expensive) or Olympus D535, by far one of the best at its price range.
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