Ever wanted to be 007...? (Sipix Stylecam Blink)

Member Name: SteVader

Product:	Sipix Stylecam Blink
Date:	15/05/02 (565 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Very Small and light, Inexpensive, 400 pictures!

Disadvantages: can struggle in poor light

SiPix StyleCam Blink

I've been waiting to get my hands on one of these since I read about them a few months ago. It is by far the most exquisite piece of miniature kit I have had the pleasure of owning! The camera can be used for:

- Taking Photographs
- Video Conferencing
- USB Video camera
- Streaming Snapshot Mode (letting you create AVI clips out of 100 continuous photos)

The camera comes with the drivers and software on CD-ROM which is easy to install and intuitive to use. It also comes with a good stand for when using as a web-cam or using the self timer (so that you can take good pictures of yourself), two straps (one with a belt clip and one for round your neck), the required USB cable and a good quality manual - which makes a change.

It stores 100 images at 640x480 pixels (the default resolution) in its 8MB of built in memory or a whopping 400 images at 320x240! - Easily good enough for on screen/website work.

The overall picture quality is very impressive considering its tiny size and weight. The streaming snapshot mode at 3-4 frames/second is a far cry from recording video though.

The LCD display is clear and easy to understand/use and switching camera modes is simple. There are two exposure settings - one for indoors and one for outside.

The software is not compatible with Windows NT or Macintosh, which is about the only let down. Other than that I can't recommend this camera enough!


--------- UPDATE 28th May 2002 ------------

I've had the Blink for a couple of weeks now and am still well pleased with it - however one major drawback has come to light - the memory in the camera requires power from the batteries i.e. if your battery runs out before you can get to a PC to download your pics they are gone - vanished - no more!

Obviously this is a problem if say you are on holiday and unable to use a pc for a couple of weeks intense use - I
still haven't worked out how long the batteries will last under (normal) use - I'll let you know.

I don't think it would have taken too much technology to store at least enough power to allow at least a battery swap....?

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--------- UPDATE 1th July 2002 ------------
Just back from a very enjoyable holiday in Portugal. Before I went I did some experimenting with hot swapping batteries in the camera - it turns out that if you are quite swift you can change the battery and sustain your pictures - this practise is turning out to be a little hit and miss - but hey its better than nothing and I thought worthy of letting you know.
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