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| Polaroid PhotoMAX PDC 1100 |
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Hardware Reviews June 2000 • Vol.3 Issue 6 |
Polaroid PhotoMAX PDC 1100 | ||
 Polaroid takes a few sizable steps forward with the release of the PhotoMax PDC 1100, the company's fourth digital camera from its PhotoMax family and the first to feature megapixel (an image resolution made up of at least 1 million pixels) image quality. Polaroid's previously released PDC 640 and PDC 700 models have sold consistently well in the low-end digital camera market, primarily due to their ease of use. However, both cameras lack outstanding image quality, good memory storage solutions, and advanced features. The PDC 1100 isn't quite on par with the upper class of megapixel cameras, but it's a definite improvement for Polaroid in terms of image quality and features, all the while keeping the same ease of use that newer digital camera users will appreciate. With a high resolution of 1,152 x 864 pixels, the PDC 1100 shoots relatively sharp images at three quality settings. The camera also shoots at 1,024 x 768 pixels and 640 x 480 pixels. Images we captured at the high setting were fairly crisp and defined with accurate colors containing good brightness and clarity. However, the shots were a bit lifeless and dull overall, with some images lacking sharp focus in the background. In addition, some images taken under fluorescent lighting contained a distracting yellow tint. In all, the quality is easily the best we've seen from a Polaroid model. In addition to better quality, the camera also adds an appreciated USB (Universal Serial Bus) connection and features 2x digital zoom and a 4MB (megabyte) removable CompactFlash card to store 23 to 69 shots. There's also a built-in flash (auto, red-eye reduction, fill-flash, and flash off settings), 1.8-inch LCD (liquid-crystal display), and two autofocus settings, including normal (1 foot to infinity range) and macro (6 inches to 12 inches). Taking shots and setting the camera's functions is as easy as any megapixel camera we've used, thanks to an intuitive menu and icons. Navigating the menu is done by spinning and pushing the scroll button at the back of the camera. We were snapping and reviewing images on the LCD minutes after picking up the camera without needing to consult the users manual, which is fairly comprehensive and well illustrated. We were less pleased with the placement of the PhotoMAX 1100's 6mm (millimeter), f/2.0-f/11 lens on the left side of the camera's front, exactly where the left hand normally supports a camera. We found we constantly left fingerprints on the lens unless we operated the camera with one hand. That gripe aside, the camera's megapixel quality and extremely affordable $280 (street) price make it an alluring model for new users looking to post their shots on a Web page or attach them to e-mail. The PhotoMAX 1100 operates on four AA alkaline batteries and ships with an A/C adapter and video-out cables. A solid software package includes Polaroid's PhotoMAX 3.0 Image Maker and PhotoMAX Pro Image Maker. by Blaine Flamig
$280 (street) Polaroid (800) 432-5355 (781) 386-2000 http://www.polaroid.com
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