Philips Keychain Digital Camera (OLD MODEL)

I bought this for a pre-teen niece of mine. Though it is supposed to be a "toy camera," it was a very disappointing piece of electronic. Once all the 20 photos were taken, there was no way to delete them from the internal memory. (Tried reading the manual and just about everything.) Sadly, it ended up in a junk pile.

Found one of these at a yard sale in the spring of 2007, and the owner wanted $10 for it. I passed at the time, then thought what a great conversation piece it be if it worked. Went back the following day, but he had already sold it.Then last fall I found it being sold as a Vivitar Mini Digital Camera at a local CVS Pharmacy for $9.99, and this time I bought it. Got it just for fun, more than anything, just to have a super-small digital camera.A few days later my son and I were out shooting some fall foliage shots with our 6-megapixel cameras and he suggested that we try it out. We did, and later were quite surprised at how reasonably good the results were. It's highest resolution is only 352x228, and you'll only get about twenty shots in that mode, but if you look at the fall foliage shot that I posted here, you can see that it's pretty respectable, especially for the price. To be honest, the images are about equal my old Casio QV-10 of the mid-1990s, and at a tiny fraction of that camera's ~ $300 cost.Just in case you wonder, this camera appears to be identical to the following items (and there may be others if you search):* Vivitar 3-in-1 Camera* Mini Digital KeyChain Camera Along With Imaging Software Suite* Philips USA J44417 Keychain Digital Camera* Innovage Outdoor Sports Mini Digital CameraThe camera is about the size of a Zippo lighter, and it has a key chain attachment and a simple black slipcase. The viewfinder is a wacky slide-up device... were you thinking there would be an LCD for that price? It does come with a proprietary USB cable, and with the installation of the driver from its included CD, was able to transfer the images to the computer (running Windows XP) relatively easy. The included software package was a joke, and lets leave it at that.If you already have a good, high-quality digital camera, yet know people who just have to show off their latest high-megapixel acquisition, then show them some shots taken with your good camera. When they ask what kind of camera you used, whip out one of these Vivitar Mini Digital camera and just watch their jaw drop... it works every time.Don't take this as a sophisticated digital photo instrument. The best way to use it is like a simple point and shoot camera, and just have fun with it!Subjective Package Ratings:* Size and convenience: 5-stars* Image (considering): 4-stars* Battery life: 2-stars* Imaging software: 1-star* Fun factor: 5-stars* Conversation piece: 5-stars* Anti-photo snob effect: 5-stars* Overall value (weighted): 5-stars

I normally use a Pentax K1000 film camera, but my son gave me a Philips Keychain camerea to take apart and experiment with. Instead, I started using it because there is no cost to taking a picture.I found that the other comments were probably accurate, but ommitted that if the subject is within 10 feet, or so, the picture is probably not too bad. I have had poor results with white subjects in bright sunlight.The other thing that helps is to make a big effort to steady the camera when taking a picture.I am using regargable NiMH batteries and am quite pleased with the time between charges.

I bought this for a Secret Santa gift for a co-worker at the storefront of an Amazon affiliate. For a cheap digital camera that has a fixed focus and no flash this works really well. Don't hold the camera up to your face, hold it a foot or two in front of you and look through the view finder to line up the shot. As long as the area was well lit, the photo came out well (for that resolution) (quality of the photos are less than that of most camera phones)The webcam surprised us too, slow response and you needed the area well lit, but for under $20 we were pleasantly surprised. If you want a decent digital camera buy something else, if you want something for fun snapshots for email, or just to have on your keychain for a quick picture this will be fun.

I got this little camera in my stocking from my hubby this year because I am a professional Photographer and i love the color PINK so my hubby bought me a little pink camera for my keychain. When I opened It thought Yeah right It doesnt even have a flash but I thought well its still looks cute on my keychain so who cares. I begin taking lil shots and then downloaded my pictures just to see what they were like.To my surprise they were way better than what I had expected them to be. Especially if you take pics outside they turned out good. But remember these pictures you take with this camera are just for fun photos not for like going to the Zoo or anything. Because there is no flash the area does need lighting.

I wish I had read the reviews before I bought this camera. My 6YO wanted it and it was only fifteen bucks and looked good in the box. However, the cons outweigh the pros:Cons:Only hold 20 picsPictures are about 2" x 2"picture quality is not goodimpossible to see thru the view finder so hard to get pictures of what you wantIf you drop camera, battery falls out and pictures are lostI get higher quality pics from my cell phone.There is no flashPros:Camera is small6 YO thinks it's coolI did not have any issues installing the software or downloading the pictures, the instructions are clear, I just wish the pictures were. But my 6YO is happy with it so we'll keep it.There are better deals for the same money.