Mustek DV 3032

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The Mustek DV3032 features a three-setting resolution feature. When you turn the camera on, it starts out in the medium resolution, which is 1280 X 960. You have to hit a button to change to higher (1600 X 1200) or lower (640 X 480) resolution. Not a problem. It has a 2X digital zoom, which I have found not so useful. There is no optical zoom, which is MUCH more important than a digital, which simply enlarges the picture, distorting ...
...a poor quality photo on a computer.

The only way you can get a good photo with this camera is beyond about 3 feet away. Any closer than that, you are just out of luck. There is no manual focus, and no automatic focus to speak of, but as long as you are one meter away from your target, you should be just fine. It is actually great on things between 10 and 40 feet away.

This machine comes with its own USB cable. They do ... more

I ended up with this camera through a really poor judgement call on the part of the administrators at StormPay auctions. If you ever get the chance to do business with them, pass on that. Stick with Ebay or somewhere more reliable. Anyway, this is supposed to be a digital video camera, hence the DV in the name. But it only records about five minutes with the built-in memory card. (You can buy other memory cards, but I like things that are perfect without having to spend a bunch more money.) To me, that isn't really a video. Our family happenings that are videoed typically last anywhere between an hour and three, so that part of the camera is not too impressive. You can buy optional memory cards for more memory, though. The internal card stores 32 MB, so that's pretty good for photos, just not the best for video.

I paid $98.00 for this camera, supposedly the wholesale price, in a vain attempt to list it on StormPay auctions to make a profit. I have since found these all over the net for $77 and less. For $77, it is totally worth it. For $98, plus shipping, no.

This camera has no flash. That is the point at which I really wished I had never seen this camera. 99% of my photos are taken inside a house or building, and many times it is too dark for 35mm photos to come out properly. Hence the need for a digital camera with flash. But, this camera doesn't have one. It does, however, have a night shot option, which I have used and it actually works as well, if not better, than conventional flashes.

The Mustek DV3032 features a three-setting resolution feature. When you turn the camera on, it starts out in the medium resolution, which is 1280 X 960. You have to hit a button to change to higher (1600 X 1200) or lower (640 X 480) resolution. Not a problem. It has a 2X digital zoom, which I have found not so useful. There is no optical zoom, which is MUCH more important than a digital, which simply enlarges the picture, distorting in the process just like it would if you enlarged a poor quality photo on a computer.

The only way you can get a good photo with this camera is beyond about 3 feet away. Any closer than that, you are just out of luck. There is no manual focus, and no automatic focus to speak of, but as long as you are one meter away from your target, you should be just fine. It is actually great on things between 10 and 40 feet away.

This machine comes with its own USB cable. They do this because unlike regular digital cameras, you can't view your photos until you plug it into the computer or TV. Same with the video. It has no playback on the view-finder, in other words.

Included with the camera are batteries (2 AA), audio/video cable to the TV, USB cable, carrying bag, installation CD which includes the camera driver, VideoStudio SE, Photo Express SE, Photo Explorer, Cool 360 (for making panoramas; pretty cool), and Acrobat Reader, a carrying strap and the manual that is like 100 pages long. Make a note that only 20 pages are in English, and the rest are in Italian, Japanese, French, Spanish, Dutch, Portugese, and whatever "Nederlands" language is.

This thing is tiny! When I opened the box and realized its dimensions were very similar to that of a credit card, I was very dismayed. I am not the type that likes my electronics so small they fit in my pockets. To me, that makes them look like child's toys. And considering that I have three children in my home, that is a bit disconcerting. It's actual dimensions are 3.5" by 2.5" by 1.5". It's little viewfinder is 1 1/4" by 1".

The control panel is very easy to work, but the buttons are not self-explanatory. If you ever get a chance to buy one of these for a great discount without the manual, be sure and pass on that. Without the manual to explain what the buttons mean, you may never figure it out. But once you've read the manual, it's a piece of cake. All in all, once you've read the manual once, even a child can run this thing. Again, considering, perhaps that isn't the best for my family...

This camera seems to be built well. For its size, it seems just about right on weight, so I know it isn't too flimsy.

It runs on Windows 98 and up, though it was setup for Windows XP. I haven't had any problems with 98 though, so...

All in all, for the price I paid, I don't really think it's worth it, but for the $77 that you can get it for elsewhere, it probably is. I do think that if you want a digital video, get a digital video recorder only. And if you want a digital still camera, get one of those. I am not a fan of multi-machines, especially when it comes to electronics, as anytime you combine things, each individual part suffers.
 

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