|
||
 |
||
|
| Agfa ePhoto1680 |
 Email This
 Print ThisView My Personal Library |
|
Hardware Reviews June 1999 • Vol.2 Issue 6 |
Agfa ePhoto1680 | ||
 We can't guarantee the ePhoto 1680 from Agfa will have all the features you're looking for in a midrange digital camera. What we can guarantee is that the camera's modern, sleek design will tempt you to at least pick it up and give it a good try. Once you do, we think you'll be glad you made the effort. The first thing you'll notice about the ePhoto 1680 is its 280 degree rotating FlashTrack swivel lens, which lets users take shots at nearly all angles, including turning the lens around 180 degrees for self portraits. In addition, the camera features a 2-inch LCD (liquid-crystal display) and 3x optical and 2x digital zoom capabilities. Unfortunately, the camera's design omits an optical viewfinder, which means framing shots has to be done with the LCD, putting a significant burden on the camera's four AA NiMH (nickel-metal hydride) batteries. Thankfully, Agfa includes a battery charger with the ePhoto 1680. Like other Agfa models, the ePhoto 1680 includes an EasyPilot button for scrolling through menu options. The button is simply one of the best tools we've used with a digital camera to navigate and select menu options. Operating the button is as simple as spinning it to move through menu options and clicking it like a mouse button to set a particular function. The camera also includes an Info button that conveniently provides resolution, date, time, and battery updates when pushed. Perhaps as impressive as the camera's design is the ePhoto 1680's features, which include a 46mm threaded lens for adding accessory lenses and filters. In addition, the camera has a burst mode, external flash connection, manual white balance and exposure control, manual and auto focus, and built-in flash (auto, fill-in, red-eye reduction, and off settings). The camera focuses from 20cm to infinity in its wide-angle mode and 50cm to infinity at the telephoto setting. Images we captured with the 1680 were way above average, with excellent detail and brightness, accurate colors, and fine definition and focus. We were especially impressed with our outdoor shots, which had full detail in shadowed areas and a wonderful array of vivid colors. Color and brightness in indoor shots were equally impressive. The camera utilizes a 1.3 million pixel CCD (charge-coupled device) to take shots at an interpolated resolution of 1,600 x 1,200 pixels with the aid of Agfa's PhotoGenie technology. A true resolution of 1,280 x 960 pixels is also available for taking images, which are stored on a 4MB (megabyte) SmartMedia card that holds just six to 48 shots. The ePhoto 1680 has one of the most unique designs you'll find in a midrange digital camera. More importantly, the camera takes excellent shots and offers decent features. The camera bundles with Agfa's PhotoWise software and a serial cable to transfer images to a computer. by Blaine Flamig
$699 Agfa (800) 879-2432 (978) 658-5600 http://www.agfa.com
|
|
Home Copyright & Legal Information Privacy Policy Site Map Contact Us