Digital-Camera Reviews

f you're looking for a good digital camera..........look no further!
*You'll have 3 cameras inÊ1 with this Amazing Digital Camera from Bell & Howell.
*The Bell & Howell BH23 gives you the ability to take high quality 640 X 480 DigitalÊPictures with ease.
*No need to worry about focusing..... this camera is focus free for sharp clear pictures every time!
*The Self Timer allows you to capture yourself in the shot.
*Also featured is a Auto Power Saving Function.
*The Bell & Howell BH23 willÊfunction as a video conferencing camera, a digital still camera andÊa video movie camera.
*You will have the ability to create 10 second video clips, E-mail photos, print photos, and post photos on web sites!
*This Digital Camera is perfect for posting photos on web pages and auction sites!
*Uses USB Mini Type Interface For Compatibility With almost anyÊPC.
*The internal memory storage ofÊ8MB SDRAM will allow you to take up to 106 pictures.
*The Bell & Howell BH23 comes complete with the powerful ULead Photo Express Software, USB cable, 2 "AAA" batteries,ÊstandÊand aÊwrist strap
*Compatible with Windows 98/2000/ME/XP

There is no screen to immediately show you how your pictures came out. The LCD display on this unit only shows a count of how much memory is left. A display was one of the big advantages of the last digital camera I used, because I could overwrite shots that turned out badly. This unit also does not have the ability to overwrite the last shot.

It doesn't have a flash. If it thinks there is not enough light it will refuse to take the picture. If you remember how many shots were saved you can tell that it did not take the picture because the counter did not decrement. Or if you listen very carefuly, the beep it makes is slightly different depending whether it decided to take the picture or not. The slowest setting it will shoot at is 1/15 sec.

It also does not have non-volatile memory. What this means is that if you turn it off or change batteries, or if the batteries run out before you reach your computer, your pictures will be gone. Although it claims the batteries last two weeks, it does not have a bettery level indicator, so if you don't know or remember how much juice is left, and you value your pictures, you will always need to buy new batteries (3 AAA) before each trip.

I also did not think the upload software was very intuitive.

On the positive side, it has VGA & QVGA video modes, and does not use battery power when connected to the USB port, and the picture quality seems good for the price.

So it makes a reasonable PC-CAM for video conferencing, but does not come close to satisfying the needs of even an amateur photographer like me.

I knew that the camera, with it's low price, wouldn't be the best I've ever used. Though, for the [money] I paid for it, I didn't expect much for a display...which is why I wasn't *too* disappointed by there not being *any* display but to tell you what mode the camera is in. The camera is fine, the functionality is decent, it's nothing near the higher-priced cameras I'm used to using, but it's ok. My only problem with it is that the CD they give with the drivers and programs on it for me was warped and refused to work. Another downfall...the company didn't have the drivers online...seems that they've gone into the scanner business and dropped all the digital camera stuff. Not a wise idea. Anything that is still in production and is being distributed should make sure, if drivers are necessary for use, that they have a location online where they are located. It's only the little things that are it's downfall. Overall, the camera is a decent start-out for children or beginners to get used to the basic concept of taking pictures and putting them on your computer/the internet. I give it a two out of 5 stars...

This Camera is pretty good for a first digital camera. If you are using a PC (you have to for the drivers to work!) and running windows ME or better you can even make movies with Windows Movie Maker (Go To START>PROGRAMS>ACCESSORIED>WINDOWS MOVIE MAKER), you can add music and voices! It also triples as a webcam! The software that comes with the camera is great. It includes Ulead Photo Express 4, Cool 360, and AVI Creator! The function (Ct) allows you to take 10 second video clips when not attached to a PC. This Camera is a great inexpensive, i know i love mine!