The VivitarVivicam3105s is quite a small camera and easy to use out of the box for anyone who has had even the briefest of uses of a digital camera. It is small but yet offers a very nice 3.2mp resolution and offers up to 5mp via interpolation (the camera basically guesses what to make up the rest of the image with).
It has many features which include, webcam and video as well as the standard expected options. This was a replacement for my old Goodmans 3.1mp camera which beside the Vivitar is about 3 times the size of it. While the Vivitar is small however it does have its flaws.
My 2 biggest problems with this camera are the quality of the images and the display. When taking photographs the camera tends to require a totally static scene (or a tripod), without too much variety in colours and distances. In scenes with people even just waving at the camera results in quite annoyingly motion blurred images. On busy scenes where lots of different colours are present as well as a variety of distances the camera fails to get things in focus and settings do not change enough to improve this problem.
The other main problem with the camera is that it does not have the greatest of main displays and is therefore hard to tell what you are photographing and if the image you have taken is as good as you expect. However this can be solved by taking 2 photographs anytime you want a good picture. This doesnt guarantee a good one but does make it less likely to end up with a duff one.
For all the cameras flaws, and being honest there are only really 2 I can make any real gripe over, the camera is a true bargain at under £35 at argos. Last time I purchased disposable cameras they were £7 each for kodak ones, obviously this camera is not as good if printed out, however I tend to take it out when going out to take memories of the events and for the photos I have taken it has proven cheaper and they are digital so I can put them on my computer and send to friends around the world.
Battery life on the camera seems to be very good. My dad owns a HP model which is much better in terms of price and quality, but it doesnt last nearly as long as this. I have since purchased a set of 4 AAA rechargeable batteries to use with the camera to save on the running costs. It is a shame that AA batteries were not used as on the side where the batteries are put in it could do with a more comfortable shape to hold it and some grips and AA batteries are much easier to come by.
The case of the camera even for the price is hard wearing, having spent a number of times in flight and is still working fine. However not as much can be said for the design, the shape appears to have been based upon what the internal bits are and a case moulded around it. The markings on buttons does not look like it will last the life of the camera however for the price it is a true bargain.
Overall I would give this camera a 50/100 mark in comparison to other cameras I have used. However in comparison to other sub £100 cameras I have used it has to score about 75/100 as it is great value and offers a lot for that money. You could almost afford to loose it regularly when going out as it is so cheap.
Would I buy one again? Probably not as there are other models just slightly more expensive that are better. If this price was my budget I would certainly take it as I dont know of any other this cheap and reliable.
I have a 256mb card in the camera at the moment and it says it will take 320 images at 3mp and fine quality (the best). At 1.3mp and normal quality it offers nearly 800.
Am I happy with the purchase? Yes as it does what I need of a camera for the price.
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Jan 10th, 2007
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