Toshiba PDR-4300 4MP Digital Camera w/ 2.8x Optical Zoom | List Price: $299.99
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Brand: Toshiba
Binding: Electronics
Warranty: 1 Year Parts/Labor
Features: - 4 Megapixels, 2400 x 1600 Resolution
- 6X Zoom ( 2.8Xoptical / 2.2X digital )
- AVI Video
- Secure Digital (SD) Memory Cards
- Remote Control
Serves its purpose well enough but I could have done better [Posted on 2004-12-14]
I desperately needed a new digital camera and for the price I jumped on this one. WIth a canon glass lens and decent firmware this camera does take great shots when the lighting and settings are synched. PROS: nice image quality, SSD cards are great, video is a nice bonus, menus are easy to use, has manual settings for experimenting, great power conservation. CONS: no sound on video (I didn't think I'd miss this as much as I do), flimsy lens cover, autofocus can be finnicky especially when using zoom (just optical I turn off digital zoom). All in all it is a solid buy and I have had good luck with toshiba products in general, but I still can't get the autofocus to work on closeup shots and really miss not having sound on my videos.
Best set of features and qualilty for the price [Posted on 2005-02-06]
I had always used a manual 35mm camera, and wanted to get into digital but did not want my first digital camera to be a really expensive one (since I am learning the digital side and have not yet built enough knowledge to know exactly what I will need in my final, expensive camera yet). I chose this camera based on its price, megapixel count, and ability to switch to a full manual mode. After getting three sets of NiMH batteries and a charger, I have been well satisfied. With an ISO equiv of 100, 200, or 400 and a shutter speed of 1/1000 down to 1/2 and then extended as far as 30 secs with an internal processing stage, I was able to take a still life shot in almost total darkness by setting the camera on a tripod and using f2.9, 30sec exposure. It does love daylight. The digital zoom comes out a bit grainy in low light situations, but with daylight you can zoom all the way out optical and digital and still get good crisp images. I found the flash to be a bit underpowered, which means that closeups are too harshly lit and distant shots dont get enough light. But there are tricks I have learned to use to get super quality flash pics: Back up from the subject and then zoom in a bit rather than zooming out and being physically close to the subject (at too close range, you get harsh flash with uneven flashlense lines on the subject). Also, holding a small piece of tissue over the flash will make really nice pictures because it softens and diffuses the light -- no more shiny spots on foreheads. I really like the ability to choose standard or vibrant color, and the choice of color, b&w, or sepia. The timer works well for eliminating shaky hands even on handheld shots because you are not pushing the shutter manually and can concentrate on a still handhold. The only manual feature it doesn't really do completely is focus. There are settings for 1m and 3m and infinity. The closeup macro and the AF are both autofocus and will need a bit of good lighting in order to lock on. I sometimes shine a bright light at the subject while going to the half-pressed shutter and then turn off the light to actually snap the picture (only works if setting exposure manually - otherwise the extra light will cause the autoexposure to choose the wrong settings). So if you want to experiment and have fun with digital photography and dont want to pay a lot, this is an excellent choice. If you are not that interested in the photography of it, and only want the "soccer mom's point-and-shoot weekender for occasional birthday parties etc" then there are other cameras that are faster to start up, have bigger flash units, and use less battery power. But then they dont have all the settings that this one has for really creative photography on a budget.
Good digital camera [Posted on 2005-02-22]
I bought this camera I believe 3 years ago and have been satisified with it. I bought it to take on trips not wanting to hassle with 35mm cameras and film. It takes great pictures in the daylight, nightime not so much but that is common with most digital photography. The camera does drain the batteries quickly but using rechargable batteries is a must with most digital cameras...turning off the digital display during photography does help this. I am overall satisfied with this camera and am not sorry I bought it!
handy camera [Posted on 2005-08-28]
this is good camera for the most part. just that at times there's a slight lag in pressing the button and the picture being taken...also the picture comes out as if you were shaking sometimes...but the 3 sec timer and other features are excellent...also great quality of pics and ease of use
Still going! [Posted on 2007-12-12]
I actually purchased the PDR-3330 (3.1 MP) back in January 2004. It lasted through college and I continue to use it to this day! I don't know how many times I've dropped it, yet it's continued to work just fine - even after quite a few hits to the lens housing! Just got some crystal clear pictures of the aftereffects of the ice storm yesterday. I continue to be amazed at the quality of some of the pictures I get. The only drawback I notice besides battery life is lots of noise and shadow in low lighting - but this camera makes up for that by how well it performs in ample sunlight. Also, if you're an avid movie-taker this camera may disappoint - frames didn't come out too clearly and it does not have audio capabilities. But I've used the video feature perhaps twice in nearly four years, so it didn't bother me. I would definitely purchase from this Toshiba line again - with a Canon lens, knowledge that I can depend on this camera to hold up for years and the fact that this was my first "real" digital camera, I'm too taken to want anything else for a loooong time :)
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