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| Polaroid PDC 700 |
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Hardware Reviews December 1999 • Vol.2 Issue 12 |
Polaroid PDC 700 | ||
 We expected the PDC 700 from Polaroid to omit a few advanced features. After all, the camera is priced under $300, and such features are usually reserved for cameras priced higher. What we didn't expect was the camera to leave out some of the more basic features it did. Among the omissions that puzzled us was the decision Polaroid made to ship the PDC 700 without a memory storage card. The camera does have 4MB (megabytes) of internal memory, but an optional CompactFlash card must be purchased separately. Internal memory is a viable alternative, but it also means you will have to transfer images to a computer or delete shots to make room for more when the memory is full. In addition to memory concerns, we didn't expect the PDC 700 to be such a power hog. The camera proved to be a battery monster, draining three sets of four AA alkaline batteries throughout our testing. We also disliked that the camera has no zoom lens ability and allows for little manual control over the camera's settings. What we think you will appreciate is just how easy the PDC 700 is to use. Because there are few advanced features to launch, there is only a slight learning curve to operating the camera. However, putting the camera to use could be easier if the menu and button icons that the camera utilizes were more intuitive. We also liked the camera's vertical design, which makes it conducive for traveling. The design features a large 2-inch LCD (liquid-crystal display), auto focus, automatic flash (on, off, automatic, and red-eye reduction), and a user-friendly software package that includes PhotoMAX 2.0 and PhotoMAX Pro. We captured shots with the PDC 700 at resolutions of 640 x 480 pixels and 1,024 x 768 pixels in Superfine, Fine, or Normal quality settings. The internal memory stores 12 to 90 images depending on the quality setting. Considering the low capture resolutions, the camera rendered accurate colors and adequate detail. The majority of our shots did display a fuzziness and grainy feel. In addition, there was a distracting yellow tint present in many images. What may be more distracting than those imperfections is the extremely long time the camera takes to power up and the recovery time needed between shots. Cameras priced under $300 shouldn't be expected to be capable of producing outstanding image quality or photo quality-prints. These models are more suited for posting shots to the World Wide Web or attaching to e-mail. If those are your intentions, the PDC 700 will get the job done easily. by Blaine Flamig
$275 Polaroid (800) 432-5355 (781) 386-2000 http://www.polaroid.com
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