SiPix SC3300 3.3 MP Digital Camera

GREAT camera if you're jumping into digital. New or used, you can't get a better feel for what 3.2MP resolution with many of the features many high-end cameras carry for the price (white balance, exposure compensation, movie mode, B&W and sepia, rapid shots, and photo editing software).

The high points are the 3.3 MP, large LCD, auto-focus, rapid shot mode (4 pics in a row), movie mode, ArcSoft PhotoImpression. The low points are no optical zoom and heavy battery consumption. I don't use zoom since camera shake always ruins my pics. Also, since I have a 3.2MP image, I can crop using PhotoImpression and still get a great 4x6 or 5x7. I found that using the flash when the light is behind the subject does an excellent job as fill flash. And rechargables are a necessity with ANY electonics!

I compared it to a Fuji finepix 2.0 MP camera and found the images to be comparable. Fuji did have better color and light compensation when you look at the original jpeg but the Sipix SW made up for the correction (modify contract & lightness, increase saturation). Beside, I never met a digital image I didn't want to manipulate!

BTW, I'm using a 256MB flash card which works with this camera!

Note:
1 - set to macro mode if you're less than 3 ft away
2 - time/date resets when you replace batteries
3 - there is no sound recorded with movie mode although you CAN record 45 minutes on 128MB CF
4 - low compression = 1.6MB (9 pics w/ 16MB), high compress = 600 KB (24 pics w/ 16MB);


Very nice pics, OK as your first digital camera   January 14, 2004
 4 out of 4 found this review helpful

I think this is a very good camera at a very good price. You have to get a little used with setting the flash, exposure value and white balance manually so you can get really excellent pctures.

Some of the pros of the camera are: 3.3 megapixel resolution, manual controls like exposure and flash... and some of the cons: when you have it in your hands, it doesn't feel very solid it's like if you toss it, it will tear into pieces instead of just scratching, also the macro mode is pretty much useless because you can't get very close, you can't read the LCD outdoors when it's sunny (but it's OK, use the viewfinder), very low battery life (buy rechargables and you will notice a BIG difference).

Well, there are more cons than pros, bur anyways if you take care of it and learn how to squeeze the juice out of it you can have it for about a year or two and then buy a more professional camera


Nice Pics, Poor power consumption   January 13, 2004
 4 out of 5 found this review helpful

Good pics, but this camera goes through batteries like they are a penny apiece! I put in fresh new alkaline batteries and downloaded some pictures and in less than 5 minutes, the batteries were D E A D!! The batteries in my old Olympus lasted through a whole day of shooting and downloading. Also, this camera gives no warning of the batteries running low, it just shuts off. Very frustrating when you are trying to get that crucial shot. This camera is good if you are taking snapshots at home, but lousy on extended outings due to the high power consumption. Be warned, the initial price is low, but you'll quickly make up the difference on battery purchases. Rechargeable batteries? Sure, but for the extra money, you might as well get a better camera that uses alkalines conservatively. PROS: Nice Pics CON: Sucky power consumption and poorly designed power switch. My advice: Spend a few more bucks and get a good name-brand camera.