I picked this little digital camera up for my three-year-old daughter as a Christmas stocking stuffer. It was CHEAP ($15.00). Here's what you can expect in a digital camera that is less expensive than most disposable cameras:
WHAT YOU GET
0.1 MP Camera
NO LCD Display
No flash
Tiny size (2.1x0.5x1.5")
Hangs from a keychain!
352x288 best image resolution
10 second self-timer
16 MB internal memory
USB cable to connect to computer (included)
requires one AAA battery
(more specifications available at http://digitalmedianet.dealtime.com/xPF-VuPoint_Keychain_Digital_Camera)
WHO WANTS IT?
Great for kids. Perfect for people on a super shoe-string budget. Not sure why else you'd use it, for another $30-$40 you can get a generic brand super-basic digital camera that at least has an LCD for viewing of some sort.
CONNECTIVITY
This little camera works with most Windows operating systems, including Microsoft Windows 2000 • Microsoft Windows 98SE • Microsoft Windows ME • Microsoft Windows XP . I have no idea about MacIntosh systems. The USB cable is included, as is software (Photo Impression and Funhouse) that can handle viewing and basic photo manipulation.
PERFORMANCE and PICTURE QUALITY
This camera is a few steps above your old-fashioned pin-hole camera. There is no flash, and features are at a minimum. Shutter speed? Aperture? Lenses? Not really applicable here at all. This VuPoint camera takes a picture. Sometimes a clear picture, often blurred, dark, spotty or smudged. But, let's keep in mind what we're talking about - a less than $20.00 camera that happens to be digital and reusable.
WEAR AND TEAR
Hey, my VuPoint DCM10B4VP hasn't broken yet - an AMAZING FEAT, considering the primary user is our three-year-old! It has been dropped, banged, sat on and lost multiple times. Still works!
BATTERY LIFE
Luckily this camera only takes one AAA at a time. The battery life lasts about a week of constant use by our daughter (sigh - maybe 300 pictures? - hard for me to say exactly). Recharables seem to last about the same as alkaline batteries.
BOTTOM LINE
This is a super alternative to disposable cameras, but has a lower quality picture. Great for use by children - no expensive film to keep developing, fast gratification as kids can see pictures on the computer as soon as you dump them. Too bad there is no LCD on the camera, but for less than $20, what can you expect? Very limited use other than by kids or as a toy.