Archive for the ‘Cameras and Pictures’ Category
10 Cool Gadgets Under $100 - #8 - a New Kodak Camera!
You can grab a Kodak EasyShare camera within our price range and have enough money left in the budget to grab a memory card or two for all the great pictures you’re going to snap with it, and probably even enough left over for a nice carrying case as well!
Everyone wants an easy to use camera that is portable, lightweight, and makes their pictures look great. This is a great point and shoot digital camera for the price. It packs a lot of features into a tiny, affordable package.
- 8.1 MP for prints up to 30 × 40 in.
- 3X optical zoom lens
- Image stabilization and blur reduction technology
- HD still capture
- Face detection technology
- …. and more! All the value you’d expect from a name like Kodak in the photography industry.
Kodak EasyShare M893 IS Digital Camera is available in these stylish colors:





~ the purple shade is my favorite ~ ![]()
Posted on Monday, May 18th, 2009 10 Cool Gadgets Under $100 - #8 - a New Kodak Camera! by loretta
Should You Buy a Refurbished Digital Camera?
With the birth of digital technology, almost everything has taken a turn towards it – including photography. With the features digital cameras or digicam have to offer, many have considered joining the new wave. But, as much as many people would like to get their hands on a good digital camera, they are usually discouraged by the costliness that comes with it. If you are one of those people, then a good option for you is buying a refurbished digital camera. Refurbished? Does that really sound as bad as you think? Here is some information about refurbished cameras that may help you decide to go for one.
Refurbished items almost always mean cheaper. But, it also comes with a nip of hesitation. Some refurbished items have the reputation of having bad or low quality as they have been refurbished due to a problem. Well, that is not always the case. As a matter of fact, most refurbished items are products that did not have any problems at all, but merely could not be sold as “new” because of law. This pretty well applies to a refurbished digital camera.
A refurbished digital camera is a factory reconditioned product that undergoes rigorous furnishings before being offered for sale. For them to be able to sell it, the producer will check it and if necessary, restore it and test it again to make sure that it had met all the standards as a new product. After that, it could be sold under “refurbished” products. Normally, it would cost less than its brand-new counterpart. Many refurbished digital cameras give the same manufacturer’s warranty and yet you pay less!
Where exactly could a refurbished digital camera come from? Refurbished products come from varied sources. It could come from display, demo or leased digital cameras. These cameras may have been used as demo products or displays or have been leased for a short period of time. Another source could be from merchants with overstock items who sends it back to make room for other products. Products may also be returned to manufacturers due to cosmetic flaws or damage. These products may have been dented, scratched or if not simply damaged in shipment. Products could also be returned by customers for whatever reason they have.
If you plan to get a refurbished digital camera, consider some tips and guidelines when buying one. Compare prices and check the features. Some would cost more but offers the same benefits with one that is cheaper. Compare prices of brand-new and refurbished cameras. Check whether the difference is reasonable enough to go for the refurbished version. Check for warranty; even if they are refurbished, they should come with a warranty. Consider its terms and conditions and make sure you understand them. Check for flaws if there are any. Try taking pictures and checking its features. Make sure that the accessories that come along with it are contained in the package.
And there you have it, a money saving device that can surely satisfy your photography needs without the costly price tag.
Posted on Friday, April 3rd, 2009 Should You Buy a Refurbished Digital Camera? by loretta
Panasonic Lumix DMC-TZ5S 9MP Digital Camera
The Panasonic Lumix DMCtz5s is a strong camera that would work for just about anyone. It takes photos at 9 Mega Pixels – a little more than most cameras that are currently available for similar prices.
The camera is fairly large in comparison as well. It could fit in your pocket but it would be a little bulky. This is due largely to the fact that it has a wide 3.0” LCD screen. Most cameras right now have 2.4” (or close to 2.4”) LCDs , so this is definitely a next generation camera.
This isn’t the easiest point and shoot digital camera to use. If you have no experience with digital cameras in the past, or if you want to buy a camera for someone without much experience in the past, this probably isn’t the best choice. It’s more of a camera for people who are experienced in taking photos, but don’t want to carry around professional equipment.
The Panasonic Lumix includes 10x optical zoom. It has advanced digital image optimization features, such as the new Panasonic Venus Engine IV, which improves noise reduction and corrects images. It also includes face detection, a standard in all digital cameras these days.
The camera stores photos on SD cards, so you might have to purchase an SD card to use this camera to the fullest. The camera takes AA batteries – lots of them. You should plan on having a few extra batteries, especially if you are planning on spending a whole day taking photos. It’s not that the camera wastes power, it just has a lot of features that require the extra battery usage.
One of the very cool features on this camera is the Intelligent Exposure. With this new feature, photos will no longer be under- or over-exposed. Instead, the TZ5 instantly analyzes the framed image and adjusts the brightness in areas that are too dark because of dim lighting, backlighting or the use of the flash. The camera will automatically adjust the brightness accordingly.
That’s not all it does either. This may be one of the smartest cameras on the market today. Intelligent Scene Selector senses the ambient conditions, recognizes the shooting environment and will automatically select the appropriate scene mode from: Scenery, Portrait, Macro, Night Portrait or Night Scenery mode. This intuitive technology, helps you use the most common scene modes that are built into the camera, but often go unused, without making any manual adjustments.
In addition, Panasonic’s face detection detects faces anywhere in the frame and automatically chooses the optimal focus and exposure settings so portraits come out clear and crisp. Detecting up to 15 faces, Panasonic’s Face Detection can even track a face if the subject is moving.
I would suggest this camera to anyone that is serious about taking quality pictures. To use this camera you need a little experience with digital cameras. It is powerful enough to turn anyone with at least a little experience into a seemingly professional photographer, but it is a little on the expensive side for an amateur. The camera is bulky compared to many of the extremely compact models that are becoming so popular and might be too big to carry around if you are a very casual photographer. If you get excited about opportunities to take photos and don’t mind the little bit of extra weight and the learning curve, this camera is very powerful and could be just perfect for you.
Posted on Sunday, March 22nd, 2009 Panasonic Lumix DMC-TZ5S 9MP Digital Camera by loretta
Get Ashton’s Camera with a Nikon Coolpix L18 8MP with 3x Optical Zoom
Are you looking for Ashton’s camera? The Nikon Coolpix L18 is a cool new camera that will fit any budget. It includes a powerful 8 Mega Pixels of photo resolution and a low price tag. It’s not the strongest camera, but it is definitely very compact and not very expensive.
As I mentioned, it takes photos at 8 Mega Pixels and displays them on a 3.0” LCD screen (a bit bigger than most cameras these days which have 2.4” LCDs). The images that it takes are colorful and vibrant, definitely high quality images. It’s perfect for the casual photo shooter who wants to save a little green but still take high resolution images.
It may not have many of the advanced features that some more expensive cameras may have, such as digital image optimization, but it is still packed with great features. It includes anti-shake AE, a technology that automatically adjusts the ISO settings for the amount of light in the room. The name there is a bit deceiving at first glance, the feature doesn’t actually help with shaking despite the reference.
It also includes In-Camera Red-Eye Fix and enhanced Face-Priority (for a maximum of 12 faces). The camera removes red eye from images automatically! You never have to go through image editing again, this camera will solve all of your problems with red eyes.
The Nikon Coolpix L18 supports SD-HC cards, so if you are looking to buy this camera you should probably purchase a card along with it. SD cards are fairly standard, so you might already have a compatible card from a previous camera or camcorder. You can always expand later if you decide you need to.
The Coolpix also takes sharp videos and sound – perfect for capturing moments longer than a photograph. It isn’t a professional camera, and it doesn’t try to be. It’s a light camera when it comes to features and a light camera when it comes to price.
There are two great advantages to this camera over comparable point and shoot models. The first one being the larger than average LCD screen, measuring in at 3. Inches. Next, a high resolution of 8 Mega Pixels compared to the 6 or 7 mp’s you might find in similarly priced models elsewhere.
It’s perfect for those that want to capture moments of their life without emptying their wallet. It’s available in multiple colors – blue, red, black, silver, and more. This is the camera for anyone who likes to save moments of their life while also staying within their budget.
Posted on Saturday, March 21st, 2009 Get Ashton’s Camera with a Nikon Coolpix L18 8MP with 3x Optical Zoom by loretta
Sony Cybershot DSCW120 7.2mp Digital Camera
This cute and compact camera includes many features that a larger, bulkier camera will have, but it is a bit more stylish in appearance. It takes photos at a 7.2 Mega Pixel resolution, which is very decent for a camera of this size and price. You get all of the image snapping technologies that larger cameras have, such as face detection, smile shutter technology, dynamic range optimization, and a 4x optical zoom. You can also take videos with the Sony CyberShot DSCW120. It isn’t a camcorder by any means, but it takes high quality videos that would be great for capturing quick moments or adding to your blog.
You’ll also find a revolutionary mode from Sony for taking photos – the ‘burst’ mode. This mode allows you to take images quickly. This is great if you are looking to snap images of a sporting event or another activity with fast movements. One disadvantage of the burst mode is that it can’t take photos with flash. However, if you are taking photos from a distance (such as from the stands at a sporting field), it should be alright.
One of the coolest features of this camera is it’s smile shutter feature. This technology developed by Sony is great for taking photos of people who don’t like to smile. You can set your camera to smile shutter mode, point it at your target(s), and then the camera will automatically take an image when they are smiling. I’m not sure how it works with large groups, but when taking portraits, especially of the kids, it works great. Think about how much better your photo collection would be if all of the people in the photos were smiling.
As with all point and shoot digital cameras of this size, the Sony CyberShot has it’s limitations. It doesn’t have advanced features that a professional photographer or an aspiring professional photographer would want. One of the biggest complaints with this particular camera is that the standard sized 2.5” LCD display screen seems slightly prone to scratches. You may want to purchase a screen protector while you are shopping to prevent your screen from getting scratched up, and of course carry your camera in a camera case to protect it as much as possible!
Another disadvantage of this camera is it’s photo storage. It only has 15 Megabytes of internal memory, so you definitely want to purchase a compatible memory card to use. Most cards aren’t very expensive these days, so it won’t add too much to the cost of the camera.
Posted on Thursday, March 19th, 2009 Sony Cybershot DSCW120 7.2mp Digital Camera by loretta
Kodak EasyShare Digital Picture Frame with Home Decor Kit
Digital photo frames are probably the coolest things around. Are you tired of having multiple frames on your desk, cluttering this up? You can consolidate all of those frames into one. I own one of these myself and it is great!
Unlike a standard picture frame that you might find on the mantle or sofa table, a digital photo frame can display many photos with only one frame. You can configure things how you want, but on average the photo frame changes photos around every 30 seconds. It’s great if you have a large number of photo frames hanging around, or a large number of photos that you wish you could share but you don’t have room for.
This specific model of photo frames comes in many sizes and types. Choose from 5.6 inch, 7 inch, 8 inch, or 10 inch, and then choose from multimedia, wireless, or standard. I own the standard version, so I’m not really sure what the benefits of the other types might be. I know that with wireless you can update your photos wirelessly, and I believe that multimedia means you can include video clips in your frame as well.
The Kodak Easy Share Photo Frame is really easy to use. You can configure the slide show settings right from the photo frame. It includes a unique touch border so that you can control the frame without actually putting your fingers on the photo, which could possibly leaving a smudge or mark.
I found it really easy to add the photos. I haven’t had the chance of playing around with the wireless model, but I know that with the standard model you just have to put photos on an SD card or a flash drive and then plug it into the frame. If you have a camera that uses a compatible SD card, you can just slip the SD card out of your camera and stick it in the photo frame.
You may have noticed that the Easy Share Frame doesn’t include options for colors – that’s because two colors are included in all packages. These colors are silver and red. You can choose between either color (it’s really easy to change colors). You can also purchase additional accessory face plates to customize your frame even more to match your decor or even your mood.
I couldn’t really find any disadvantages with this particular product. It’s a fun product that’s sure to brighten up your space, and it also would make a fantastic gift for just about anyone that you want to make smile on a daily basis. Perfect for mom with Mother’s Day coming up. Pre-load the frame with all her favorite pictures of the kids, wrap it and add a bow, and you’re done!
Posted on Monday, March 16th, 2009 Kodak EasyShare Digital Picture Frame with Home Decor Kit by loretta
Sony Cyber-shot Carrying Case
Since we are on a roll here talking about cameras I thought it only fitting that this week’s Sunday Bag be a camera bag. This cute little two tone case is designed specifically to fit the popular Sony Cybershot camera.
I love seeing cases that are designed to fit specific cameras, because you know when you pick that case up off the shelf and buy it that it was created with the intention of protecting your exact camera. A lot of times if you pick up any old cute adorable case off the shelf and buy it you will that it’s too big for your camera model. Other times it’s a really snug fit, a little too snug and it might be difficult to get your camera in or out of the case.
You want a snug fitting pocket to protect your camera, but I think that a case that’s too tight is just as bad as a case that’s far too big. If the case is too big and you put in your purse or totebag with other items, it’s getting banged around and dust and whatnot could still get in there. If the case is too tight and you put in with your other items its still getting banged around, quite a bit because chances are the protective layers of the case are stretched out a bit. In the case of a too-tight-squeeze you also could potentially damage your camera trying to retrieve it in a hurry to snap a picture.
Posted on Sunday, March 15th, 2009 Sony Cyber-shot Carrying Case by loretta
Kodak Easy Share c713 7mp Digital Camera
Looking for a digital camera? The Kodak EasyShare C713 digital camera might be the perfect one for you. With a massive 7 Mega Pixel resolution and an easy on the wallet price tag, the Kodak EasyShare certainly packs a punch. For under $100 you can’t ask for a better camera!
With advanced digital image stabilization, you can take just about any photo with this camera. It might not the the best camera for a professional photographer, but it is great for anyone who wants a tiny camera to snap photos of their friends, families, or just anything in general.
The power of the Kodak EasyShare is its simplicity when it comes to sharing photos (hence the name). It is compatible with multiple types of cards, so if you already have an SD card or a similar card it might be compatible with this camera. It includes software for your PC (running Windows or Mac OS X), making things even easier on you.
Even though you might not have any experience with photography, this camera makes it hard to mess up an image. It is perfect for a gift for yourself or a gift for someone else, big or small. This camera is so easy to use that even your less-than-technical friend or family member can use it with ease!
Just for fun, it also comes in a few very stylish colors. The Kodak EasyShare C713 is available in pink, silver, black, or blue. The camera is small and compact, easily fitting in a purse or bag. It isn’t the sturdiest camera, so you’ll want to be careful with it and use a camera case for extra protection.
Also, you can take high quality videos or record audio with the camera (and it includes the same sharing features for both of these media formats as it does images). You really can’t go wrong with the Kodak EasyShare C713 camera.
If you are a professional photographer, or you aspire to be one, you might want to consider a stronger camera. If you are just looking to take a few pictures and share them without much hassle, go with the Kodak EasyShare C713.
If you are looking to purchase one, I suggest that you also purchase a compatible memory card (if you do not have one already). The storage space on the camera is limited (since the camera is so small), so you should add a memory card to expand this. If you are able to move photos off of your camera and onto your computer often enough, or you don’t take that many photos, you should be fine with just the standard storage space. (more…)
Posted on Saturday, March 14th, 2009 Kodak Easy Share c713 7mp Digital Camera by loretta
Pixma Mini320 Compact Photo Inkjet Printer
If you aren’t into all of the new digital ways to share photos, you can always print them out. Or, even if you have all of these cool digital photo sharing gadgets, you can’t really scrapbook a digital keychain.
The Canon Puxma Mini 320 Photo Printer is the perfect solution for your digital woes. The first thing that I noticed about the printer is the sleek design. It looks like it could be made by Apple, because it has that sleek, shiny, white look happening.
It includes a viewing screen for viewing photos, which is a must. I have a printer without this, so we either have to create an SD card with only the photos that we want to print, and then print them all or guess what number corresponds to what photo. It’s not a fun game. We frequently end up with a bunch of photos that we don’t want. Paper and ink are both very expensive, so seeing what you print beforehand is a good thing.
The Canon Puxma Mini 320 Photo Printer is the perfect for traveling or going to scrapbook parties. It is quite small, so you can bring it just about anywhere. If you’re at a party, you can have the photos printed and handed out before the party is over. On vacation? This little gizmo will follow you there too. It includes a revolutionary feature – a handle! You can carry it just about anywhere.
Print from digital cameras, memory cards, or cell phones. With an optional bluetooth adapter, you can print high quality photos from just about anything in a matter of seconds. It claims that it prints at a ‘9600 x 2400 dpi’, but for this feature to be fully utilized, the print has to be connected to a computer.
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P.S. Happy Friday the 13th!!! Enjoy your spooky movies tonight ![]()
Posted on Friday, March 13th, 2009 Pixma Mini320 Compact Photo Inkjet Printer by loretta
Canon Powershot SD 11001S 8mp
If you are looking for a camera that is powerful, but compact, you should take a look at the Canon Powershot SD 11001S. This is a casual camera (not designed for professional photographers), but it is still very powerful. It takes photos at 8 Mega Pixels, which is the current “big” for your average camera. 10 megapixel cameras are also cropping up, but of course are going to cost more. It is small and compact, and very easy to use. Having only a small experience using digital cameras, basically if you understand how to turn one on and how to take a picture then you should be able to use the Canon Powershot SD 11001S. It really is that simple as point and shoot with this camera in your hand.
One of the biggest benefits to this little camera is that it has advanced digital technologies that allow a beginner to take stunning photographs. It can work in any situation, spanning from a warm sunny day to a dark night (especially with the help of the built-in flash). The camera is fast to startup, so if you need to take a quick shot you won’t miss anything. If your kids and pets are as quick to run away when you grab the camera as mine are on their particularly cute days, you’ll know exactly what I mean.
The Canon Powershot SD 11001S is built out of sturdy aluminum, so it can survive a bit of a rough trip around town in your purse or bag. The bright 2.5” LCD screen is great for viewing what you are photographing or viewing photographs taken in the past. Most digital cameras these days have around a 2.5” LCD screen, so this feature probably isn’t that exciting.
Although this camera has many high points, it isn’t a perfect camera. It is, though, a great camera for the price tag it wears. If you are more than the casual photographer, it probably isn’t the camera for you. It doesn’t offer the extreme control that some photo experts may desire. However, if you’re just snapping photos for fun and to keep up with the family then you shouldn’t have a problem.
You may need to purchase an SD card to go along with this great camera – it can only hold around 240 images with the built in memory. This is a decent amount, but if you plan on taking many photos before exporting them to your computer you may want to expand. The camera also might have trouble taking images of high-speed situations, such as sporting events. Photographs taken may appear blurry, as with any other camera.
Overall, the Canon Powershot SD 11001S is a powerful camera at a great price. As always, you might seek something more powerful, but this camera should fulfill the needs of a casual photographer.
Posted on Thursday, March 12th, 2009 Canon Powershot SD 11001S 8mp by loretta



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