I've had the Oregon Scientificdigital camera for around 2 years now, and overall I have been disappointed. However I have a little relief in the fact that I paid very little for it through a TV bidding channel, Bid-up TV, I recall that it was about £100 along with an array of free image editing and gallery software. Ever since I received the camera it has gone down hill consistently. I know others have had good experiences with this camera, so it would appear to be on an individual basis, but do take heed. Also as other owners have reported the camera will often freeze on random occasions. To resolve, remove the batteries and replace them, this usually makes the camera work again. Even the slightest little tap will crash the camera and it will turn off.
Schematics…
The camera has a very simple, conventional design. It is square and clean cut. The lens, when off retracts flush to the surface and the buttons are non-intrusive making them sometimes hard to operate. The camera has the ability to use a genre of add-ons such as a tripod stand, varieties of storage card, video input lead and USB connector. By and large the camera doesn't boast anything special, it is bog standard and has the bare minimum.
Technicalities…
The camera without a memory card (as you will receive it) can hold up to 4 images on the highest quality setting (2976 x 2240). It has many many options and settings for different landscapes and conditions, lighting inside, outside and distance selection. When you get this camera, only use quality rechargeable batteries, even quality disposable batteries will only last about 15-20 minutes.
After taking a picture you'll have to be patient as it takes anything up to 30 seconds to save the image to its memory, and the flash takes its time warming up also. However you will know when the camera is busy as there are 2 lights at the back of the camera indicating what the camera is currently doing. The quality of the images varies magnificently even when repeated on the same quality setting. Images are often blurred for no apparent reason, and the flash can also fail to perform.
Money Matters…
As earlier mentioned this camera is cheap to buy, but be prepared to get what you've paid for. The software that often accompanies this product online and on the TV is useless at best, there's simply no purpose for this tacky software. This camera would do fine if you just want to take images of products to post on EBay, but it has no place in the professional photography world or even the family album world. The Oregon Scientific DS9300 has the potential to cause upset and disappointment, invest a little more cash and buy a decent product.
Round-Up…
I would not recommend this camera to a newcomer to the photography market, a professional could possibly get the best out of a camera like this, knowing what settings and dimensions are needed for particular photos. But the camera has little leeway or automatic capability.
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Another great review, the only thing I thought missing was a comparison with a more expensive model - but if you don't have oneI can see why this could have been difficult :-p
Minha 23.02.2006 17:35
My sister bought one of these cameras and had to return it as it went wrong. The replacement also failed in the same way. They are very good with most things but I wouldn't buy another camera. Hazel xx
Advantages: Relatively inexpensive, easy to use, 3.3MP, lots of features Disadvantages: No case included with camera, small and fiddly, short battery life
Advantages: Relatively inexpensive, easy to use, 3.3MP, lots of features Disadvantages: No case included with camera, small and fiddly, short battery life
Feb 22nd, 2006
very helpful by (86%):
helpful by (14%):
