BIOS: Technology Means Business

The ClickSmart 420 is an easy-to-use digital still, video and Web camera, but you'll likely grow out of its limited capabilities relatively quickly and want something more powerful. It's a little pricey, too.

Pros: Intuitive desktop software; good desktop stand
Cons: Limited features; no support for memory cards

There's a certain lure to the idea of a good all-round digital camera and Web camera. But while combination digital still cameras and Web cameras have been around for some time, there's often a compromise made to the camera's digital still functionality in order to keep prices relatively low. Logitech's ClickSmart 420 is no exception, but it is one of the better examples of these types of devices.

One particular highlight of the ClickSmart 420 is the intuitive desktop software supplied, ImageStudio. While some digital cameras come with an array of applications that can befuddle the newcomer to digital imaging, Logitech takes the all-in-one approach, only providing one application in addition to ImageStudio - Yahoo! Messenger. This approach succeeds in using the ClickSmart 420 to capture, transfer and share images and video quickly and easily.

Tabs on the upper section of the ImageStudio software let you switch between activities, such as using the ClickSmart 420 as a Web camera, making live video broadcasts, making stop motion and time lapse videos, running the camera in motion detection mode, and viewing images and video. It's easy to send images and videos via e-mail by clicking an icon, as well as to create separate albums. Logitech's QuickSync software also automatically downloads media from the camera as soon as you connect it to your PC via USB 2.0.

The camera itself is a mixed bag. It has 8MB of non-upgradeable Flash memory which can capture up to 80 still images at the camera's optimal resolution of 640x480 pixels, or 70 seconds of video with audio at 320x240 pixels. The image resolution isn't really good enough for making prints, and while you can resize images up to 1,920x1,200 pixels, this is done through software, so print quality isn't as good as if the images were captured at that resolution in the first place.

The camera itself feels comfortable in the hand, though is a little large. The monochrome LCD delivers information about the state of the flash, memory capacity, self timer status and battery power. You can also delete images on the camera, but there's no image preview, so you can only delete the last image you shot.

Considering the price of the camera, its features are disappointing. Anyone serious about digital photography should look elsewhere, as should anyone wanting a basic Web camera. As it stands, the ClickSmart 420 is an awkward combination of the two that can't really be recommended.

Specifications:
Sensor: VGA CMOS (640x480)
Memory: 8MB internal Flash
Still images: 1.3Megapixels (1,280x960)
Video: 320x240 pixels (10fps)
Web camera: 640x480 pixels (30fps)
Focus range: 46cm to infinity
Field of view: 43 degrees
Aperture range: f2.8
Flash Range: 90cm-2.1m
Display: Monochrome LCD
File formats: JPEG, AVI
Other: Built-in mic, tripod socket
Accessories: Adjustable swivel base, lens cover, wrist strap

System requirements:
OS: Windows 98, 2000, ME, XP
CPU: 400MHz
Memory: 64MB RAM
Hard disk: 200MB
Other: USB port, CD-ROM drive, 16-bit colour display adapter, sound card, speakers, Web browser, E-mail application, modem

Links:
Logitech ClickSmart 420 Web site