Gadgets Blog » Photos

Best Digital Cameras for Under $100

Dan Evans — Thu, 28 Jan 2010 18:50:17 +0000

To begin with a good old-fashioned cliche, a picture’s worth a thousand words. While this may have been true when photography was less accessible (thanks largely in part to film), nowadays, it’s likely that a single photo has depreciated in its value of words. [I immediately think of some of my college student friends, and their oft-overzealous photo habits, but I digress.] The beauty of many point-and-shoot cameras in in their simplicity, and thanks to some breakthroughs in technology, some great quality photos are available via cameras for which you need not break the bank. With their simplicity, anyone can be documenting life’s precious moments easily. Here’s a guide to some of the best digital cameras for under $100

Kodak Easy Share C180
Kodak’s line of digital cameras have had their ups and downs in the past, but their latest batch of easy-to-use models have, for the most part, been winners. The premise of the EasyShare series is that by pressing the red “share” button, you can send the image to an online account where you have immediate access to it. It’s a nifty idea, but this camera has other features that make it worth checking out. Face recognition technology and 10.2 megapixel image quality makes for great shots, especially when there’s ample lighting. The EasyShare C180 can also take videos, and it has a 3x optical zoom. Granted, most of the features have been trimmed down from more expensive EasyShare cameras, but that is to be expected in a model like this. The biggest drawback with this camera (and with most inexpensive cameras in general) is that photos tend to be dark and blurry in limited lighting. This camera is available through Smarter for $79.39.

Samsung SL40
As I’ve researched this article, I’ve discovered that many of the cameras within this price range (at least the ones that are worth anyone’s time) have a lot of the same features. This can be both a positive and a negative. Your opportunity cost for picking one over another is relatively small, but it can be hard to find features that differentiate something like the Samsung SL40 from the Kodak EasyShare C180. Both cameras sport 10.2 megapixels, 3x optical zoom, and similar digital technology like face recognition and image stabilization. However, the EasyShare comes in several unique colors, such as metallic teal. The choice remains yours. A good strategy would be to see the cameras you’re looking at in person at a department store. As is often the difficulty with buying items over the internet, it’s hard to know exactly what a product is like before you hold it in your hands. This camera is available through Smarter for $79.99.

GE A1050
General Electric isn’t usually thought of as a maker of digital cameras, and that’s perhaps why this model is such as steal. Without the brand name recognition, the price surely must have gone down because the A1050 sports some great features for its modest price tag. It has a compact 25mm body, with 10.1 megapixels for image quality. With face recognition and image stability, the unit also sports an excellent 5x optical zoom, giving it great versatility for long and close-range shots. The good news is, for any of these cameras, you’re going to have a great entry-level unit that can take lots of great photos, so be sure to pick one that appeals to you in terms of its size, color, and any other personal preferences. This camera is available through Smarter for $77.

Best and Worst: Picking a Digital Picture Frame

Dan Evans — Wed, 20 Jan 2010 15:00:29 +0000

The world of digital photography has really expanded over the last several years with all sorts of advancements in technology that make it possible for everything from your phone to your computer monitor to have a camera built in. Even an ametaur photographer is able to rack up a great collection of shots with highly affordable cameras. Yet in the midst of all this emphasis on digital, part of the idea of a photograph can get lost. Its not enough to simply take a photo: photos are meant to be put on display and shared with other people. In a world where film development isn’t necessary to photography, this can oftentimes be overlooked, and many people have photos that sit in a computer folder without being physically displayed on a wall or desk.

Digital picture frames are some of my favorite electronic gadgets. A good model will be able to display may great photos, cycling through the images in a continually pleasant process. However, as with most electronics, not all units are made equal, and as you plan to purchase one of the frames, getting an idea of what sort of features they offer can make for the best possible display of your digital photo collection.

First and foremost, like any other device with a screen, digital picture frames have varying resolutions. While which resolution you choose should have a lot to do with the number of megapixels in your camera, many low-end models have very poor resolutions, some as low as 480 x 324. These low resolution models won’t display pictures clearly, and the images will appear boxy and pixelated. As a rule of thumb, you’ll at least want a resolution of 640 x 480, but searching for higher resolution models will be worth your time and your money.

Also important is the aspect ratio of the screen. Just like with televisions, different models have slightly different aspect ratios, so if you’re looking to avoid black bars on the edges of your pictures, some research into the aspect ratio of considered frames can be very helpful. Most digital cameras shoot photos with an aspect ratio of 4:3, so a frame with this ratio will be filled with the entire image. Other frames are available in 15:9 ratios, which are similar to the framing of a widescreen television. If your 4:3 images are to be displayed in a 15:9 screen, pieces of the top and bottom of the photo will be cropped out for a better fit. However, its possible you’ll appreciate the widescreen format of the frame, and many high-end screens offer this aspect ratio.In the end, it’s a matter of choice.

Finally, there are a number of extra features offered on some of the high end picture frames. These allow the frames to go above and beyond simply displaying pictures. Some higher end frames offer wi-fi connections, which enable them to stream Internet radio, effectively setting your picture slideshow to music. Other frames enable you to e-mail photos to the frame itself, potentially trimming down on the time required to get images onto the unit. However, along with these features can come confusing menu structures, making it difficult for casual gadget users to get the frames to behave accordingly. When purchasing a frame, remember who will be the primary user, and try to get a unit that is compatible with their needs!

Pictured is the Sony DPFD80 8″ picture frame, a great middle-of-the road unit for only $149.98 at Smarter.

Best Kept Secret: Self-Photo Printers

colleen — Fri, 30 Oct 2009 17:59:36 +0000

If you haven’t heard of them yet, get ready: personal photo printers are on the market and here to help you! Don’t worry about going to the local RiteAid or CVS to get your film developed anymore and have it come back all blotchy and discolored. Now you can buy an at-home printer, small and compact that sits right on your desktop, and edit the pictures as you go along. With just the click of a button, you can have professional quality photos printed on glossy paper (or matte, if you prefer) within 60 seconds! Here are some of the top personal photo printers on the market that combine compact, efficient design and detailed control to give you the best photos yet!

Brand New HP Photosmart 385 Q6387A#ABA Compact Photo Printer: $49.99

Epson PM290 PictureMate Zoom Compact Photo Printer : $198.99

Shop for affordable photo printers at Smarter.com.

“When you gotta go, you gotta go”

nick — Thu, 29 May 2008 16:06:01 +0000

This picture was originally from an Engadget post highlight how the “Fujitsu Siemen’s Amilo 3000 laptops will match your Stormtrooper suit,” but I’m posting it cause I just found the picture hilarious.

Can you imagine how difficult it must be for a Stormtrooper to use the can? It’s an adventure in itself.

So yeah, that’s all.

If you have a funny caption for this picture, send it on down in our comments!

Photo Source.

50 Free Photos and Save 20% at Snapfish.com

nick — Mon, 26 Nov 2007 16:05:30 +0000

If you love sending out photos with your Christmas cards and you’ve got a large family, then maybe you’ll enjoy this deal.

Right now at Snapfish.com, you can save 20% off your purchase in addition to the 50 free prints you’ll receive.

Just enter in the code, ENTMTGIFT20 during checkout and you’ll be on your way to personalized Christmas cards in no time.

And don’t worry, this coupon doesn’t expire until December 31st, but you might want to act fast. The holiday is just around the corner!

Click here to go to Snapfish.com now.

Pound Puppies Contain Riot

nick — Thu, 08 Nov 2007 15:49:43 +0000

I know that in a moment of crisis, I should try to be serious, but these cops make it very hard for me keep a straight face.

If I were an angry mob, I wouldn’t be intimidated by these guys at all. They look more like those huggable dogs from the 80′s cartoon, Pound Puppies.

In other news: a protest ends with tear gas in Georgia. (The country for those of you who fell asleep in geography class)

Source: Times Online

Photo Source.

This Week in Gadget Blogs

HAPPY HALLOWEEN!!!

nick — Wed, 31 Oct 2007 16:26:01 +0000

Ahh!!! An iPhone!

Happy Halloween everyone!

Photo Source.

Edward Scissorhands Gets an “A” in Art Class

nick — Tue, 30 Oct 2007 15:38:42 +0000

Actually, the character brought to life by Tim Burton didn’t really make this silly, rather it was molded together by Christopher Locke, who makes spider-sculptures from scissors that are confiscated at airports. Apparently you can buy the hardware at TSA auctions.

Want to build your own? Chris shows you how on his website and while you’re there, check out his portfolio of his other works.

Click here to go to The Heartless Machine to build your own today.

Source: BoingBoing, The Heartless Machine

The Largest File Cabinet in the World

nick — Tue, 09 Oct 2007 16:00:44 +0000

So I guess this thing has been around since 2000, but since it’s new to me, it’s getting posted.

This 65 ft tall filing cabinet was erected in Napa Valley and unless you look closely at the picture, you just assume it’s another skyscraper.

I’m just curious as to how they got the thing to stand long enough without the wind blowing it over. I remember as a kid I couldn’t get my Legos stacked very high before they came crashing back down.

Source: DeputyDog

Inflatable Dress Turns into a Chair

nick — Tue, 07 Aug 2007 17:17:10 +0000

This looks like some weird outfit out of a sci-fi movie.

Designer JooYounPaek has conjured up this little get up that inflates into a chair. Made from seven large, heavy duty trash bags, two foot pumps and a pair of slippers, this dress can get pumped up in a matter of seconds, anywhere.

Say you’re walking down the street and you feel the need for a little break. Squish, Squish Squish. Now, you’ve got yourself a nice little seat on Main Street.

But I’m really hoping this thing is just a gimmick and not something people will actually buy. It’s kind of comical really. The lady in the picture looks like she’s potty training on the sidewalk.

Source: We Make Money, Not Art
Potty Picture.