Gateway Digital Cameras

Well, finding out who's making the cameras for gateway might solve that problem. But I have no idea and that stuff is a pain to find on the web.

I doubt they'll be killer cameras but probably fine your average snap shot shootist. Can't say for sure though, they just came out.

you can watch sites like dpreview.com to see if they review it. I somewhat doubt they will.

Well a 4MP camera with a 3x optical zoom, video mode, voice recording and a 2-1/2000 shutter selling for $199 (with free shipping) has to be going to turn some heads. It uses a CF card and runs on AA batteries too.

Don't know who makes it or who makes the lens but if I were a consumer looking for digital P&S I'd be pretty psyched about this one!

Probably made by Hasbro.

I wouldn't be so dismissive. These things are far more computer than they are camera and 3x optical zooms are pretty much a commodity item these days with everyone from Canon to Leica selling lenses to non-traditional camera makers. I have a Casio with a Canon lens and it's pretty good. Remember when Casio only made watches and keyboards?

I still don't like casio watches. Timex lasts longer.

That's funny. Every casio watch I've owned has far outperformed the timexes.

Last September I bought a Samsung Digimax 340 (3.2MP)for £249 with hard case, strap, leads and a 2-year guarantee. My intention was to give digital a try and then move on to a DSLR. The results have been so good and after reading all the problems that people have had with DSLRs, I don't have the heart to upgrade.

This camera comes with all the goodies that the regular models have, including a German lens (I think), plus it feels a bit more chunky than most.

Details of photo attached: 1/91 sec f4.7 10.8mm ISO 100 White balance 'AUTO' (photo taken with two photofloods) Reduced to 127 KB

To John Bright: your Auto White Balance Test image, even reduced for Web posting, is a strong argument for the adage "it isn't so much the camera as it is the photographer." Great lighting!

A few random thoughts while not shaving:

1. I have a Casio watch I bought in the 1980's which is still going strong...same battery! The band has disintegrated, but I carry it in my pocket.

2. I keep reading about White Balance Tests...is everyone obsessed with white balance tests? What's the big deal? Please tell me! I just ignore it with my camera and take real photos.

3. On a serious note...I think there are now 3 categories of digital cameras:

1) Those that are truly amateur (and destined to be disappointing)...1.0 to 2.9mgp. I have a 1.0 and it's great for 3x5 photos or e-mails. These are the "P&S cameras."

2) Pro-comsumer compact digitals. I use an Olympus C-5050 primarily because of it's compact quality (much as I use my Leica IIIC). These range from 3.0 to 5.0 MGP by today's standards, and a 4.0 plus would be most recommended.

3) DSLR digitals (which don't always offer much more in mgp's) but do offer interchangable lenses. For me that's the only advantage, and I prefer using a smaller and more descrete camera.

A DSLR is NOT "better" than a Compact Digital camera of the same level of resolution...only a bit different. I can do pro quality portraits with my C-5050 with an external flash and other little tricks.

A 5mgp camera might be great or it might be a disaster. Check out the specs and the price compared to major brand units.

You can get a great Olympus C-750 (4mgp) with a 40-380mm optical lens for as low as $429. Do some research.