Spectec SD Camera Available Soon

Posted By: Ed Tuesday, August 13, 2002 10:10:56 AM

According to Gavin Maxwell from Pocket Science, Spectec is close to releasing its SD digital camera for Palm's m500 series. It will sell for less than $150. Spectec is a manufacturer but not a retailer, and it is not yet known who will be selling this camera.

This camera fits on top of the handheld and transfers data through the SD slot. The Palm's screen acts as the viewfinder.

Thanks to the fast transfer speed of the SD port, this camera can preview images on the handheld's screen at 160 by 120 pixels, in 16-bit color, refreshing at 8 to 12 frames per second. The images it takes are 640 by 480 JPEGs in 24-bit color and it takes .8 seconds to save an image.

It offers automatic exposure and automatic white balance. It can focus on objects from 2 feet to infinity. The shutter speed is between 1/15 and 1/500.

The exact size and weight of the camera are not yet available. It has an internal, rechargeable, lithium-ion battery.

It will come with PhotoSuite Mobile and an app called Image Address Book.

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RAM

PFloyd @ 8/13/2002 10:25:49 AM #
This could help popularize 16 (or 32) MB RAM upgrades.

RE: RAM
I.M. Anonymous @ 8/13/2002 10:28:58 AM #
Yeah, unfortunately they don't seem to be using any onboard RAM for storage. SD supports multiple "devices" on a single card (eg camera, bluetooth and storage), but no one has taken advantage of this yet...
Resolution
sfdh66787 @ 8/13/2002 10:52:01 AM #
Anyone else notice the resolution is almost two times better on this than on the MS camera? Too bad you have to look at a preview on a device with a resolution one half of a sony device.

RE: RAM
I.M. Anonymous @ 8/13/2002 10:56:35 AM #
Yeah, but it ain't as good as the now deprecated Kodak PalmPix (for the m5xx) which did 800x600.

RE: RAM
I.M. Anonymous @ 8/13/2002 11:00:03 AM #
> "Too bad you have to look at a preview on a device with a resolution one half of a sony device."

But have your seen the preview on the NR70? The screen looks horribly washed out, and I had to strain to make out what was on the screen. I guess you need an optimum lighting environment to see the screen better.

RE: RAM
I.M. Anonymous @ 8/13/2002 11:02:52 AM #
If resolution is a concern, then you certainly don't buy this device, and get yourself a real digital camera.
RE: RAM
mentalsrule @ 8/14/2002 8:59:41 PM #
I dont see how you can say the NR70's screen is "completly washed out"

the screen is by far one of the best screens out there today for a PalmOS device. I can see the screen in total darkness, and wonderfully in the day time as well. maybe you just need to stop complaining about it, and get yours eyes looked at. i wear glasses, and i see no need to wear them when just using the NR's screen, because its so clear, and crisp.

Maybe your just jealous you dont have one? or seen one in public.

____________________
Ever notice how fast Windows runs?

Neither did I.

RE: RAM
Altema @ 8/15/2002 9:44:06 AM #
"screen is by far one of the best screens out there today for a PalmOS device."

Agreed. Perhaps the poster was thinking of another model, or unaware of how to adjust the brightness. They may be referring to the image displayed on the the screen only while in preview mode. The preview does look a little washed out, but it is certainly not the fault of the NR's excellent screen.

Nifty, but....

I.M. Anonymous @ 8/13/2002 10:56:04 AM #
The geek in me loves the idea of add on devices, but the practical matter is that for not much more than 150 bucks you can get a digital camera with better resolution that does not tie up your palm's SD slot and use its memory. Unless you have some specialized use that requires instantly getting your pics on your palm, get something like the kodak DX3215 Digital Easyshare Camera.

RE: Nifty, but....
dstrauss @ 8/13/2002 12:42:07 PM #
I agree 100%. Why spend $150 for a low resolution add on, when there are much better stand alone camera's for the same price. If it's an add-on, you have to carry it separately in any event, just as you would the camera. So what's the advantage?

Someday we may have PDA/camera/phone/web in one device, but it will cost a bundle (NR Price Range) and be bulky. Until then, we're probably looking at separate functions.

RE: Nifty, but....
cyruski @ 8/14/2002 1:32:09 PM #
size, dear. you can't possibly carry easyshare everywhere. i do carry my palm everywhere, and adding the palmpix (which is nearly 1/3 of the unit) doesn't make much difference. otherwise, i'd agree with a standalone digital camera.

for example, with palmpix i can take photos and send them as MMS over bluetooth. nifty :)

What a mediocre design

I.M. Anonymous @ 8/13/2002 11:05:40 AM #
The lens doesn't appear to rotate, and is on top of the palm

Looks like it is designed to be used like an older style "portrait" camera, where you look down at the viewfinder.

Seems awkward to me.

Version available for PPC's ? [ E310 ]

I.M. Anonymous @ 8/13/2002 11:44:22 AM #
Will they make a version for Pocket PC's that use SDIO ?

Is there A Accessory camera on the market currently like this ?

Best Regards,
-ClieSource.com Moderator-

RE: Version available for PPC's ? [ E310 ]
RoadKnight @ 8/13/2002 12:45:46 PM #
There has been a camera like this for the Jornada series for a while, but I'm not sure if it will work with other PPCs. Why not go ask over on PocketPCThoughts or something?
The specs on this aren't anything new or exciting, but I think it's great they're coming out with this for the SD format. Cradlecams like the PalmPix series are too bulky and you've always had to go out and buy another one when you got a new Palm because the connector would've changed.

Before people start whining about the quality, let me say what I've always said about that particular whine:
If you want a real digital camera, go out and get a real digital camera. If you want a compact way to take quick images in the field which you can use and annotate later, get one of these (or it's siblings).

I know some people who will want one of these right away.

RK

RE: Version available for PPC's ? [ E310 ]
I.M. Anonymous @ 8/14/2002 9:46:00 AM #
From the site's spec

* System Requirement:
o Compatble Operration System
+ Palm & WinCE
o Windows 95,98,2000,NT

This thing worth less than 50 buck!

I.M. Anonymous @ 8/13/2002 12:28:14 PM #
Period
RE: This thing worth less than 50 buck!
I.M. Anonymous @ 8/14/2002 1:28:06 PM #
S. ['ess' period]

M125 compatible?

Strider_mt2k @ 8/13/2002 7:00:22 PM #
Any word on if it will be M125 compatible?
I guess I'll be the one to ask it.


strider_mt2k@yahoo.com

RE: M125 compatible?
I.M. Anonymous @ 8/13/2002 9:21:29 PM #
Very very unlikely. For 2 reasons, 1) they state it's for the m5xx series, and 2) just looking at it tells me it wouldn't fit into the side of a m125/m130.

RE: M125 compatible?
Strider_mt2k @ 8/14/2002 5:50:53 AM #
Just because it says M500 series doesn't mean it won't work in the M125. That's a very common assumption.

I do see, however what you are saying about it's shape.
As I mentioned before, if it does fit, it's bee ugly as heck.


strider_mt2k@yahoo.com

RE: M125 compatible?
I.M. Anonymous @ 8/14/2002 9:37:16 AM #
It's ugly as sin in the device it's designed for...!

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