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Digital Still Cameras
O.k., you're ready to purchase that digital camera. Even before you think about the manufacturer and the model, take a moment and jot down all the ways you expect to use the camera. Are the images going to be used in your sales and marketing material? Website? Do you need a high continuous frame rate (stop action photos)? Are you going to photograph small items in great detail or do you need to get images of the 'great outdoors' or larger, more distant objects? Are you planning to send images to your customers or partners via email? Do you need to send short video or voice clips to your customers or partners (or post them on your web site)? Once you've determined at least most of the ways you expect to use the camera, the keys to finding the right one for you and your business are straightforward:
So, ready to take a peek at the myriad of digital camera choices available to you and your business? Let's go! You can jump to a complete product listing any time at: Digital Still Camera Matrix. We've chosen "favorite" camera from each manufacturer. You can tell it's our "favorite" by the ต symbol beside it!
Digital Still Cameras ReviewDigital Still Cameras* (Rankings - best, 5 symbols, worst, 1 symbol)
* A = Amateur, R = Rookie, P = Pro
Simple Start-Up - นนนน Argus makes twelve basic digital cameras with basic functionality (100K to 6.0 mega pixels). Their cameras use USB 1.1 or 2.0 to connect to your system. Their cameras are all 'point and shoot' so don't expect to do anything complex with them. Cost - $$$ Although Argus' digital cameras are priced at the very low end of the scale, (pricing ranges from $$15.00 to $113.99) their limitations in resolution, flexibility, features and functions make them less cost effective than offerings from their competitors. Unless you want a camera than is a dual use digital camera and web cam or you just want something cheap to take some low resolution photos with, we don't believe that Argus cameras are a good investment for the home based business owner. Download our product matrix Digital Still Camera Matrix to view their complete digital camera line, features, functions and prices. Time Savings - นนน The limited flexibility and functionality of the Argus cameras will ultimately limit their ability to contribute to the productivity of your business. Once you become familiar with digital photography, the lack of functionality in the cameras will contribute more to your frustration rather than your productivity. Ease of Use - @@@@ Argus cameras are simple - and therefore very usable. Works With - YYY Most of the Argus cameras are not MAC compatible however the new and "announced" cameras finally support MPEG and JPEG compression techniques. Support - pppp Argus offers a one year warranty. Their support site offers FAQs, drivers and online manuals. If you need more help you can contact customer support using an "800" number or email. Features - iii+ Just the basics. If you need any kind of flexibility, high resolution or capability that is beyond basic imaging, you won't find it in an Argus camera. The only interesting function that they have is the integrated web cam in most models. ArcSoft Photo Impression, or Ulead PhotoExplorer and Ulead PhotoExpress are also included with the majority of their cameras. Overall Rating - %%% If all you need is very simple imaging - at a low price - then an Argus camera is an option. Their web cam integration in some of their models is nice as well. So, if you would like a web cam and just have periodic need for basic digital imaging, one of the Argus web cam/digital still camera combos is an option to consider as well.
Simple Start-Up - นนนน Things are getting much better in the PC/Digital camera world. Now, if you're using a Macintosh or a PC with Windows XP or Vista, you can pretty much just plug into a USB or FireWire port and you're off and running. Older operating systems remain somewhat problematic. Cost - $$$$ Canon makes twenty-eight digital cameras are competitively priced based on their features and functions. Their cameras range in price from $126.06 to $7,999.00 (professional models) and 5 to 21 megapixels. Download our product matrix Digital Still Camera Matrix to view their complete digital camera line, features, functions and prices. Time Savings - นนนน Once you've become "acquainted" with your camera, you'll be able to use it to add images to your sales and marketing information, your web site, your email and as digital documentation of anything you can think of! Sending an image is quicker, more efficient and cheaper than mailing and filing prints and negatives. Ease of Use - @@@@ If you've ever used a 35mm film camera, you'll be three quarters of the way there with a Canon digital camera. The cameras themselves are straightforward in construction and design. Out "usability" issues in this area center on PC integration, printing (especially directly from camera to printer) and software integration. Works With - YYYY All of the Canon cameras are Windows and MAC compatible (within stated system requirements) support standard compression techniques - JPEG and digital camera standards DCF, DPOF and Exif 2.2 file and printing formats. Support - pppp Canon offers a one year warranty on all of its digital cameras. The tech support area on the Canon site contains software and firmware downloads, FAQs, a searchable knowledgebase and product instructions. If you need more help, you can email tech support or call them on their "800" number 8 AM to 8 PM, Monday through Friday, Eastern time. Features - iiii Canon cameras have plenty of "mega pixels", support all the "right" standards (so you can print directly to your photo printer from the camera), offer lots of style and feature/function options and allow you to capture movies as well as still images. Solid cameras, good features/functions, nice packages. Overall Rating - %%%% We like the Canon cameras. Made by a company that has been in the "camera" business a while - they offer capabilities for everyone from the "basic" user of "point and shoot" technology to the professional photographer requiring lots of "knobs to turn" and flexibility in the implementation of image capture.
Simple Start-Up - นนนน Things are getting much better in the PC/Digital camera world. Now, if you're using a Macintosh or a PC with Windows XP or Vista, you can pretty much just plug into a USB or FireWire port and you're off and running. Older operating systems remain somewhat problematic. Cost - $$$$ Casio's digital cameras are competitively priced based on their features and functions. Their six cameras range in price from $199.99 to $349.99 and 7.2 to 12.1 mega pixels. Download our product matrix Digital Still Camera Matrix to view their complete digital camera line, features, functions and prices. Time Savings - นนนน Once you've become "acquainted" with your camera, you'll be able to use it to add images to your sales and marketing information, your web site, your email and as digital documentation of anything you can think of! Sending an image is quicker, more efficient and cheaper than mailing and filing prints and negatives. Ease of Use - @@@@ If you've ever used a 35mm film camera, you'll be three quarters of the way there with a Casio digital camera. The cameras themselves are straightforward in construction and design. Our "usability" issues in this area center on PC integration, printing (especially directly from camera to printer) and software integration. Works With - YYYY All of the Casio cameras are Windows and MAC compatible (within stated system requirements) support standard compression techniques - JPEG/MPEG-4 and digital camera standards DCF and DPOF file and printing formats. Support - pppp Casio offers a one year warranty on their cameras. The tech support area of the Casio web site includes online manuals, a searchable FAQ and software downloads. If you need more help, you can contact Casio tech personnel at their "800" number Monday through Friday from 10 AM to 8 PM Eastern. Features - iii1/2+ Though not the most "feature rich" of the digital camera players, Casio cameras offer all of the features and functions that most home based business owners will require - video as well as still image capture, cameras that provide audio recording and a variety of exposure and balance settings for the more experienced user. We give Casio a "+" in this area for form factors alone (very small, thin and light) of their Exilm Card line. You have to see them to believe the packaging. Overall Rating - %%%% Casio cameras are great for business owners who need a good camera in a very small form factor - and at a good price as well. Nothing spectacular, but solid products that will meet the needs of most home based business owners.
Simple Start-Up - นนนน Chicony makes two very basic digital cameras. Both use USB to connect to your system. In most cases, specialized drivers are not required. However, where necessary, they install easily. Cost - Incomplete We were unable to locate U.S. pricing for the Chicony cameras. Product details are available in our product matrix Digital Still Camera Matrix. Time Savings - นนน The Chicony cameras deliver very basic functionality only. This will, in the end, result in lower productivity gains due to the inherent limitations in their capabilities. Ease of Use - @@@@ Simple, point and shoot cameras. Works With - YYY Chicony cameras are designed for the Windows environment. Support - pp Chicony's cameras have a one year warranty. Good luck if you're having trouble. The web site has a basic FAQ and downloads. You can call their U.S. office (no '800' number) and hope you'll get some help there. Features - iii Basic cameras, basic functionality. 3.2 to 5 megapixels, video and voice recording, burst mode on both of the cameras. Overall Rating - Incomplete We would expect that these cameras have a very low price point. They deliver basic digital camera features and functions and are tough to find in the U.S. You make the call.
Simple Start-Up - นนนน Ezonics makes one small form factor, basic digital camera with basic functionality (3.1 MegaPixels). The cameras is no better or worse at adapting to the PC and printer environments in your home office. Cost - $$$1/2 Ezonics, digital camera is priced at the low end of the scale, with the Opus 6000 priced at $69.99. Details are available in our product matrix Digital Still Camera Matrix. Time Savings - นนน The limited flexibility and functionality of the Ezonics camera will ultimately limit its ability to contribute to the productivity of your business. Once you become familiar with digital photography, the lack of functionality in the camera will contribute more to your frustration rather than your productivity. Ease of Use - @@@@ The Ezonics camera is simple - and therefore very usable. Works With - YYY The Ezonics camera is Windows compatible and supports JPEG file formats. Support - ppp The Ezonics camera carries a 1 year warranty. The technical support area on their web site includes a "walk through" for each device, FAQ and online manuals. If you need more help, you'll have to rely on email. Features - iii Just the basics. If you need any kind of flexibility, high resolution or capability that is beyond basic imaging, you won't find it in a Ezonics camera. Overall Rating - %%% A simple 3.1 MegaPixel camera at a competitive price.
Simple Start-Up - นนนน Things are getting much better in the PC/Digital camera world. Now, if you're using a Macintosh or a PC with Windows XP or Vista, you can pretty much just plug into a USB or FireWire port and you're off and running. Older operating systems remain somewhat problematic. Cost - $$$$ Fujifilm makes twenty-four digital cameras that are tailored for amateurs and professionals as well. Their cameras range in price from $108.95 to $1,999.00 and 5.1 to 12.34 mega pixels. Download our product matrix Digital Still Camera Matrix to view their complete digital camera line, features, functions and prices. Time Savings - นนนน Once you've become "acquainted" with your camera, you'll be able to use it to add images to your sales and marketing information, your web site, your email and as digital documentation of anything you can think of! Sending an image is quicker, more efficient and cheaper than mailing and filing prints and negatives. However, Fujifilm is making it easy to "outsource" your digital printing needs if you don't have a photo printer and/or don't want to invest the time in figuring out how to make all this "stuff" work. Ease of Use - @@@@ If you've ever used a 35mm film camera, you'll be three quarters of the way there with a Fujifilm digital camera. The cameras themselves are straightforward in construction and design. Our "usability" issues in this area center on PC integration, printing (especially directly from camera to printer) and software integration. Fujifilm cameras support PictBridge, DCF and DPOF standards to enable printing without a PC. Works With - YYYY All of the Fujifilm cameras are Windows and MAC compatible (within stated system requirements) support standard compression techniques - JPEG and digital camera standards Exif 2.2, DCF and DPOF file and printing formats. Support - pppp Fujifilm offers a one year warranty. Fujifilm provides technical support via a knowledgebase and email. They also have an "800" number you can call if you need more help (1-800-800-FUJI). Features - iiii Fujifilm offers a wide range of features and functions in their camera line - from small and inexpensively priced, to bigger, more robust and flexible (and expensive) professional digital cameras. Fujifilm includes the software you'll need to get started in the digital photography world as well and their equipment supports all the major standards and image, video and audio (where applicable) formats. Finally, Fujifilm integrates xD Picture Card, SD/SDHC Memory Cards or CF Type II Memory cards into their cameras so that you can either download files directly from your camera (via USB or FireWire) or via an internal or external memory card reader on your PC or Mac. Overall Rating - %%%% The Fujifilm camera line-up is solid and delivers the features and functions you'll need in a good digital camera. Fujifilm is trying to make things easier with their digital camera developing services (so you don't have to worry about that printer!), but also offers all the connectivity (USB/FireWire) and storage methods (xD Picture Card, SD/SDHC Memory Cards, CF Type II) to make it simple if you DO want to "do it yourself".
Simple Start-Up - นนนน Genius cameras use USB 1.1 or 2.0 to connect to your system. In most cases, software drivers aren't necessary. Where they are, the drivers install easily. Cost - $$$$ Genius makes eleven cameras from 5 to 8.1 megapixels. We were able to find U.S. pricing for the G-Shot P635 at $180.81 and G-Shot D5123 at $95.72. Download our product matrix Digital Still Camera Matrix to view their complete digital camera line, features, functions and prices. Time Savings - นนนน Once you've become "acquainted" with your camera, you'll be able to use it to add images to your sales and marketing information, your web site, your email and as digital documentation of anything you can think of! Sending an image is quicker, more efficient and cheaper than mailing and filing prints and negatives. Ease of Use - @@@@ If you've ever used a 35mm film camera, you'll be three quarters of the way there with a Genius digital camera. The cameras themselves are straightforward in construction and design. Our "usability" issues in this area center on PC integration, printing (especially directly from camera to printer) and software integration. Most Genius cameras support DCF and DPOF standards. Works With - YYY Genius cameras are designed for the Windows environment. Most cameras support DCF and DPOF standards as well as JPEG, MPEG and WAV file formats. Support - ppp Genius digital cameras carry a one year limited warranty. The web site includes a FAQ and manuals. If you need more help, email is your only option (to Taiwan). Features - iii+ Genius offers cameras ranging from 5 to 8.1 megapixels with basic features and functions. Most support video and audio recording as well (MPEG/AVI) and some cameras can also serve as web cams. Overall Rating - %%%+ Difficult to find, basic cameras. When you can find them, they're competitively priced. The question is whether they're worth the effort to locate for purchase.
Simple Start-Up - นนนน Things are getting much better in the PC/Digital camera world. Now, if you're using a Macintosh or a PC with Windows XP or Vista, you can pretty much just plug into a USB port and you're off and running. Older operating systems remain somewhat problematic. Cost - $$$$ HP makes twelve digital cameras. They are targeted squarely at the consumer/small business market. Their cameras range in price from $69.99 to $219.99 and 5 to 8.1 mega pixels. They also make four combo printer docks and cameras at $149.99, $169.99 and $179.99. Download our product matrix Digital Still Camera Matrix to view their complete digital camera line, features, functions and prices. Time Savings - นนนน Once you've become "acquainted" with your camera, you'll be able to use it to add images to your sales and marketing information, your web site, your email and as digital documentation of anything you can think of! Sending an image is quicker, more efficient and cheaper than mailing and filing prints and negatives. HP is making this easier with its "direct print" capabilities using USB as the interface directly to the printer. Ease of Use - @@@@ If you've ever used a 35mm film camera, you'll be three quarters of the way there with an HP digital camera. The cameras themselves are straightforward in construction and design. Our "usability" issues in this area center on PC integration, printing (especially directly from camera to printer) and software integration. HP is somewhat better and more "on top" of Windows changes due to their PC business.
All of the HP cameras are Windows and MAC compatible (within stated system requirements) support standard compression techniques - JPEG - and include Exif 2.2 compatibility, but do not currently support digital camera standards DCF and DPOF file and printing formats. Support - pppp1/2 HP cameras carry either 90 day or one year limited warranties. HP has a ton of good information on their web site that can help you troubleshoot problems - tips, troubleshooting "walk throughs", forums, FAQ's and more. If you can't find what you need, you can contact tech support via email or phone, 24 hours per day through an HP-sponsored "800" number. Features - iii1/2 HP offers standard digital camera features and functions in their cameras. HP's cameras aren't "earth shaking" in their implementation - just good, solid products at a good price with direct printing capabilities. Cameras include HP Image Zone to help you edit and produce your photos as well. Some cameras also include American Greetings Create and Print Greeting Cards or ArcSoft Panorama Maker. Overall Rating - %%%% If you're looking for a good "middle of the road" digital camera at a competitive price - HP is a good answer. Especially, if you already own or plan to purchase an HP photo or USB-enabled Deskjet printer. If you're looking for something on the "bleeding edge" or additional functionality, you'll have to look elsewhere.
Simple Start-Up - นนนน Things are getting much better in the PC/Digital camera world. Now, if you're using a Macintosh or a PC with Windows XP or Vista, you can pretty much just plug into a USB port and you're off and running. Older operating systems remain somewhat problematic. Kodak, like Fujifilm is trying to ease the burden of printing by attempting to convince camera owners to take their Cameras, Storage Media, CD or disk to a local film processor or Kodak kiosk for printing (at least that eliminates that printer connection and paper formatting problems - and brings revenue back to the processors - and Kodak!). As digital cameras go Kodak makes good cameras that are targeted at Kodak's traditional "point and shoot" markets - with a few extras! Cost - $$$$1/2 Kodak's twenty-seven digital cameras are competitively priced. Their cameras range in price from $79.95 to $279.95 and 3.2 to 12.1 mega pixels. They also offer sixteen camera and printer dock bundles priced from $159.95 to $349.95. Download our product matrix Digital Still Camera Matrix to view their complete digital camera line, features, functions and prices. Time Savings - นนนน Kodak's cameras are among the simplest to operate - so gaining productivity by using them will be fast. If you can use a "film" Kodak camera (and who can't?), you'll be using a Kodak digital camera quickly and efficiently. Ease of Use - @@@@ As noted above, we believe the Kodak digital cameras are among the easiest to operate. Works With - YYY1/2 All of the Kodak cameras are Windows and MAC compatible (within stated system requirements) support standard compression techniques JPEG. Only some of the Kodak cameras are DPOF printing compliant - so if this is important to you, make sure you check the camera specifications. Support - pppp Kodak offers a one year warranty on their digital cameras. Kodak's web support site includes a FAQ, software downloads and manuals and publications. If you need more help you can email tech support or call them on their "800" number, Monday through Friday 9 AM to 8 PM Eastern. Features - iii1/2+ Kodak understands its core business and customers - making easy to use cameras that are competitively priced. Kodak therefore has spent less time on "bells and whistles" and more on simplicity and cost effectiveness. They do however, support Exif, JPEG and Quicktime formats and PictBridge printing as well as SD/MMC memory slots. Overall Rating - %%%% If you need a good, solid digital camera (and not a lot of "extras") at a good price - Kodak's line of digital cameras are a good buy. They are simple to use (so don't expect to be able to manipulate a number of functions!) and cost-effective. Additionally, Kodak will help you print your photos if you have no desire to invest your time and money purchasing and integrating a photo printer or one of their printer dock "solutions".
Simple Start-Up - นนนน Mustek's cameras all use USB to connect to your system and, in most instances will not require installation of a specialized software driver. Where required, they install easily. Cost - $$$$ Mustek makes eight digital cameras providing from 5, 6 or 8.1 megapixels priced from $118.86 to $299.99. For complete information see our Digital Still Camera Matrix. Time Savings - นนน1/2 The digital cameras include basic features, functions and fairly good resolution (5 pixels to 8.1 mega pixels), so unless your business requires just the basics in your digital photography, you won't get a lot of productivity gain from these cameras. Ease of Use - @@@@ Simple, straight-forward, "point and shoot" implementations. Works With - YYY1/2 The digital cameras are designed for the Windows environment. The MDC line supports DCF and DPOF file and print management standards. Support - ppp1/2+ Mustek cameras carry a one year warranty. The web site includes download areas for software and drivers, as well as a FAQ, user manuals and tutorials. If you need more help, you can reach Mustek technical support via email, online chat or telephone (no "800" number, you'll pay long distance charges where they apply) Monday through Friday from 8 AM to 4:45 PM Pacific. Features - iii+ Basic digital camera features and functions in small form factors. Video capture, and in some cases the ability to serve as a web cam as well. Cameras come with all or some of the following software packages - Photo Explorer, Photo Express SE. Overall Rating - %%%1/2 Basic digital photography capabilities at a competitive price.
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