APRIL 2004 MAXIMUMPC
Quick Start
Concord EyeQ Go Wireless
Concord is hoping you’ve really, really had it with cables—locating them,
plugging them in, even their very existence. After all, the ability to trans-
mit pictures wirelessly is the one thing the company’s GoWireless has
going for it. Granted, it’s the only camera we know of to boast this feature,
but maybe there’s a reason for that. We were prepared for the 2-megapixel
resolution—wireless transfers favor less detail, of course. Still, try as we
might, we could not successfully transfer pictures to our computer wire-
lessly! With the included Bluetooth receiver (see picture) connected to our
PC’s USB port, we followed the manual’s instructions repeatedly and the
equipment refused to behave. The one image that did
manage to complete the challenging journey
to our PC took approximately 45 seconds
from start to finish. Minus its wireless
capabilities (or lack there of), the camera is
characterized by its cheap build, cryptic inter-
face, and measly 7MB of built-in memory (that’s
room for eight still images at the highest resolution and
quality!). $180, http://www.concord-camera.comKodak EasyShare DX
Looking much like Mini Me to Sony’s Mavica, the 4.0-megapixel
DX6490 is for folks who take their recreational photography seriously,
but not tHAt seriously. While the DX6490 lacks the Mavica’s girth,
it sports a similarly authoritative aesthetic and a bounty of options.
And the Kodak badge commands a certain nostalgic reverence. But
the DX6490’s big selling point is its 10x optical zoom (the Mavica
tops out at 3x). Frankly, we’re surprised this feature made it past the
Department of Homeland Security. To put it into practical terms, we
were able to make a person who was standing more than 50 yards
away the central subject of a perfectly respectable snap shot.
Another nicety in the DX6490 package is a camera dock. Not only
does it provide a convenient recharging station for the digicam’s Li-Ion
battery, but it also has a USB port on the front. With the dock attached
to your PC, images are automatically downloaded whenever the camera
is snapped into its resting place. $500, http://www.kodak.com
2.75“3.75“3.25“2.25“Sony Mavica
Brawny best describes this 5.0-megapixel beast. It’s got the solid build,
Carl Zeiss Vario Sonnar lens, generous 2.75-inch diagonal LCD, and
room to house an 8cm 156MB CD-R/RW disc, where all your pictures,
audio, and video end up. Of course, you’ll need to wait 10 or so sec-
onds between captures while info gets s-l-o-w-l-y written to the disc.
Still, this unique approach to storage has its merits. The media is cheap
enough that you can carry dozens of discs as backups or to give away
after photo sessions.
It’s clear the Mavica is targeted at avid photographers. The camera
weighs more than a pound and has buttons and knobs for all the
functions of a traditional SLR camera—shutter speed, f-stop, aperture
value, and an advanced accessory shoe. That spells commitment.
In our hands, the body felt comfortable and well-built, albeit hefty.
Thankfully, a rugged neck strap is part of the package.
$600, http://www.sonystyle.com
3.25“5.5“