Memory Stick Camera

[Krystaltiger]

I have been thinking of getting a camera for my Clie, but haven't heard how good the quality is on the images and its use.

It is from Sony so that is in its favor, but I would be curious to know if any of fyou have one and if its worth the money.

Also is there a way to take images from a memory stick and put them directly on the PC or Mac hard drive

Thanks

[rgt420]

i've been debating the same thing. any info my way would be greatly appreciated

[pabound13]

As far as transferring images from the MS to PC, it is very easy if you have card reader.

After transferring the images to the MS in PG Pocket, in either PGP or DCF format, just put the MS into the reader, and plug and play pops up telling you that there are images on the MS.

It then list several options for you, i.e. slideshow or transferring them to a particular folder.

I am running WinXP, and I am unaware if this option is on other OS's...

Try it.

[Mason]

I have the NR70V/J model which has the built in camera. The memory stick camera uses the same CCD so the images will be the same resolution and quality. This is a good camera, but it does have limitations.

Acceptable picture quality is a subjective matter and everyone will have different opinion. The safest way to decide is to look at an image on the -V model and see how you like it. Go to a shop and play with the demo model. Try taking some shots of backlit and high-contrast subjects. (These are the most demanding of an electronic camera.) If you don't like those images, then you will have saved yourself from buying a piece of hardware you won't get much use from.

Images viewed on a computer screen will look about the same as what you see on the PDA screen. On a big screen, the images seem smaller and less focused. Editing software can help a little, but don't expect miracles.

When you buy the camera, I expect you will receive a copy Picture Gear Lite which is Sony's still photo basic editor. If you have installed the Clie desktop software, you may view the photos on your computer by doing a hot-synch. This will make backup copies of your photos in a folder on your computer. You may now view the photos with Picture Gear.

It is not necessary to buy a memory stick reader. You can use your PDA itself as a reader for memory sticks. Plug your cradle into a USB port and start MS Import on the PDA. Your stick will be recognized as a new hard drive; (it will appear in My Computer in Windows when you start MS import.) If you copied your photos to a memory stick as suggested by pabound13 above, put your PDA in the cradle, put the stick in the PDA and start MS Import. Now, use Picture Gear to view the memory stick like any other drive with folders and files.

The real use for this camera is to integrate photos with other applications on the PDA. ( I am an amateur architecture historian. In Japan, I use mine in combination with GPS to document locations of buildings.)

In summary, if you are looking for high quality, high resolution images, this camera is not likely to please you. You are the best one to determine that. Play with a demo model first.

[bongo]

A big thanks to Mason: I was shopping for a new card reader; glad I don't need it! At least someone reads the manuals!

Also, I agree; the little camera can't give you the quality of a digital camera with a bigger/better lens.

I bought the camera, but quickly returned it when I had a fatal exception error, apparently caused by an incompatibility between the soft for the camera and the MS slot communications. After about a day, I still have no reply from an email to Sony on whether I can use the fix update for the T-665 in my T-675. The fix could presumably work for the 665, then you could go ahead and instal the camera soft; I would just do one at a time...

[Mason]

Hi Bongo,

Glad I could help. Sorry to hear about the hassle with camera software. It sounds like it would be better for you to buy an independent camera.

I have talked with a couple of camera specialists who suggest that camera manufacturing efficiency is now at it's peak for current technology. This means that fixed cost minimums have been reached, thus it will be likely that camera prices remain stable but resolution and features will improve.

Play with the demonstration models and ask lots of questions, that's what they are there for. Check out all the connection methods applicable to your computer. Good luck!

Mason