L`espion Mini-Digital Camera

L'espion Mini-Digital Camera
Review: L'espion Miniature Digital Camera
by Paul Cesarini and Kaye Puthoff
Digital Dream
SRP / SP:
under $60 / NA
Requirements:
PowerPC, Mac OS 8.6 or later, 32Mb RAM, 10 Mb+ HD, USB
port, VGA Monitor, CD ROM drive
What's Hot:
Incredibly small, holds up to 80 photos, takes short video clips
What's Not:
Included photo-editing software not Mac compatible, poor
resolution, no OS X drivers yet
Teenagers rejoice: your digital camera has arrived. DigitalDream has recently introduced the L'espion
Miniture High Performance Digital Camera, measuring just 2.25in by 1.5in by .5 in. and weighing in at
just 1.5 oz. With 2Mb internal memory, this camera is capable of storing 20 pictures at 352 by 288
resolution or 80 pictures at 176 by 144 resolution. The L'espion is also capable of become a digital video
camera (about 10 seconds max.) for PCs or Macs and a web cam on the PC side only.
The L'espion may be a decent match for home or novelty use. It's small size and low price make it ideal
for amateur photographers interested in saving space when packing for vacation or avoiding lugging
around bulky equipment. Pictures taken with the camera are by no means framable artwork, but the
resolutions available are not bad for emailing or
web sites.
Using the camera is a cinch. A built in
retractable Optical Viewfinder allows you to
center subjects and keeps the protruding piece
safe when not in use. There are only two
buttons on the camera, one being the
Shutter/Select button, and one being the mode
button, which allows you to display the
surprising amount of various options. These
options included switching resolutions, continuous shutter for recording video, clearing all pictures from
the memory, and the always-helpful self-timer. Also convenient is the use and easy installation of a
single AAA battery, avoiding the annoying (and expensive) battery hunt that is often involved for many
cameras.
Drivers compatible with OS 8.6 - 9.xx are included. What's missing, unfortunately, are OS X drivers.
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L'espion Mini-Digital Camera
According to Digital Dream, these are currently "in the works" and should be available soon. Until then,
Classic compatibility only. Once the driver is installed, the pictures are downloaded through an included
4 to 6 pin USB cable. There is no confusing software to fight through, only a simple save dialogue box
and a quick download time. Once the pictures are on your computer, it's up to you to use your favorite
software to manipulate, publish, or print your photos. Video clips are
conveniently stored as one file, and storage space runs between 400
and 500k.
The L'espion does come with its share of flaws. The software CD
ROM included contains not only the driver, but Adobe Acrobat Reader
4.05. ULead PhotoExpress editing software, and EyeStar Mail web
cam software. Not only is the Acrobat Reader version included
outdated, but the photo editing and web cam software are Windows
only, leaving Mac and Linux users without photo-editing software high
and dry.
The camera itself is slightly awkward to use. It's small size and small viewfinder make it somewhat
difficult to get a well-centered picture. On top of that, most photo subjects only appear clear and sharp if
they are between 3 and 6 feet from the camera. Subjects farther away or closer appear far more blurry
onscreen and in printouts. The camera also lacks a flash, so photos in dimly lit areas are out of the
question.
Picture quality, on the whole, is quite
similar to those photo booths we've all
seen and used at arcades. As mentioned
before, the resolutions available are ok,
but for detailed work, this camera is
simply unsuitable. The "high" resolution
mode allows for 20 pictures at a
whopping 352 by 288 resolution, and the
"low" resolution mode allows for 80
pictures at minuscule 176 by 144
resolution. Original size pictures print at
about 3.5in by 4.5 inches and are mildly
blurry. Photos shrunk and upped to a
higher resolution come out a bit clearer,
but the size definitely has to be
compromised to get a sharper image.
Aside from the driver CD, the L'espion
also comes with an equally tiny carry case (complete with a belt loop), a built-in keychain attachment,
the previously mentioned USB cable, one AAA battery, and a coupon good for six free glossy photo
prints from Digital Dream. The L'espion isn't currently available in the U.S., but can be ordered via U.K.
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L'espion Mini-Digital Camera
sites. Digital Dream expects this camera to touch down in the U.S. sometime during the next few months.
Pricing has yet to be determined, but current exchange rates with the British pound would suggest a retail
price of about $57. Admittedly, this price is somewhat high for such a limited feature set. However, size
is perhaps worth a small premium.
The L'espion is a handy little camera coupled with limited options. To be perfectly frank, if you're a
professional digital photographer, you're not going to buy it. If, however, you want a spare digital camera
to keep in your car, or keep in your pocket, you might. The ridiculously small form factor seems ideal for
getting all those impromptu UFO photos and secret agent-type pics we often miss. It could easily serve
the needs of kids and adults interested in a camera devoid of bulk, weight, and confusing details.
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