I'm reading about the new Panasonic PalmCam that stores pictures on SuperDisks. Does anyone have opinions on the quality of the images taken by this camera? Resolution is only 1.3 megapixels, but I really only need it for web-based images so that's fine. I do want something that takes good shots, however.

I was leaning towards the Kodak DC290 but it's pretty expensive, when you throw in the extra storage you'll need, the AC cord, etc. I like the thought of low cost 120MB storage capacity on the Panasonic . . . if the quality of the image is there.

Any opinions on this camera would be super. You can post em here or email me at jeff@websiteauthor.com

Thanks in advance!

-- Jeff Schaefer (jeff@websiteauthor.com), March 12, 2000

Answers

I think this camera is a mis-fire Jeff:
Sony makes the super-disk drive(s) and their latest offerings do not incorporate them. This is tantamount to an indigtment of the technology for digital imaging. If there were a cadre of cameras with super-disk drives there would, at least, be some support momentum going for them. There isn't. This, IMHO, is the first and last model to use this technology. That statement should help you decide.
Digital camera manufacturers are going to turn away from as much mechanical technology as they can. Mechanics equates to unreliability and high support costs. Even Sony has introduced what can only be described as a transitional offering in their latest line of Mavicas that support the 1.44 meg floppy and their soon-to-be ubiquitus memory stick. Mavicans (as they like to be called) are fiercly defensive of the floppy technology for many good reasons - but one, reliability. Sony can only fix it by offering both.
Ok - I've clearly diverged... but I hope I've made my point.
You have lots of really great options in the sub 600 US Dollar category. Look for the other features you desire Jeff - and skip the super-disk. You'll get better results and more long-term satisfaction and support.

Des

-- Dan Desjardins (dan.desjardins@avstarnews.com), March 13, 2000.

I appreciate your response - just the kind of feedback I was looking for. It's troubled me for some time that various manufacturers (most obviously Sony) haven't used Superdisks (or Zip disks, for that matter) as a storage media for digital cameras. Even if it makes the camera body thicker (to accommodate the thicker disk) it would be a super, low cost alternative to floppies or Smartmedia. Just seems like a no-brainer, unless some other issue comes into play that I'm not considering.

My problem is that at times I am called upon to shoot large numbers of pictures (during a recent trip to Italy, for example) and I don't have access to a PC. I shot over 25 rolls of film before I got back (and had access to a computer). I'm afraid to commit to the usual storage media because it will cost a fortune to have enough space on hand to store everything until I get to a computer. Otherwise, I'd happily shell out the bucks for a good quality digital camera like the Kodak DC290. That's the one thing holding me back, and has me looking at the Panasonic. That 120MB Superdisk that costs $10 to replace sure is enticing.

How does everyone here get around the storage issue? (OK, I'm a newbie when it comes to digital cameras, but I have to believe that's a very common issue that digital photographers face.) Do you guys just lug around a laptop computer, or spend the bucks for a bunch of extra media cards?

-- Jeff Schaefer (jeff@websiteauthor.com), March 13, 2000.

Check out www.steves-digicams.com and go to his reviews .The camera stinks in my opinion. For the price go with a Nikon

-- Joseph (joedawn2001@yahoo.com), March 17, 2000.