Microtek's Take-it D1 is not a camera for anyone remotely interested in capturing high-quality images because it doesn't offer enough scope or control. However, as a first-time buy, perhaps for a youngster as a Christmas stocking filler, it offers many of the facilities of more expensive cameras, though often in restricted forms.

Pros: Inexpensive; 2.1-Megapixel sensor; LCD monitor
Cons: Poor image quality; limited flash range


Microtek isn't a name you'd normally associate with digital cameras, though with its expertise in the optics and electronics of flatbed scanners, it doesn't come as much of a surprise that the company has entered the arena with the Take-it D1, a 2.1-Megapixel digital camera that costs less than £100.

Designed specifically for users new to digital imaging, the soap bar-sized Take-it D1 shares the same features as the company's Take-it S1, except that it sports a more robust aluminium housing. The first surprise for a camera in this price bracket is the inclusion of an LCD monitor. Although the screen has a diagonal of just 37mm, it's good enough to use in place of the optical viewfinder, as well as to display the shots you've already captured.

The camera uses a 2.1-Megapixel CMOS sensor rather than a CCD array, of which the latter generally performs more effectively. The CMOS sensor supports an optical resolution of 1,600x1,200 pixels, but internal software can interpolate the resolution up to 2,048x1,536 pixels. Images can also be captured at 1,240x960 and 640x320 pixels and in three quality settings (Best, Fine and Normal). The non-removable 8MB memory allows you to store just 12 images at the maximum optical resolution. The movie clip mode lets you capture video files (AVI) with audio (WAV) at a resolution of 320x240 pixels (15fps).

The lens is variable focus and can focus from 1 metre to infinity. The only zoom facility is a digital one, but you can take it up to four times standard size, which is about the limit for a 2.1-Megapixel image. The Take-it D1 also has a built-in flash with a range of two metres, which will restrict you in low-light conditions, even when indoors.

A good software bundle is supplied with the camera, including Ulead's PhotoExplorer and DVD PictureShow, as well as Adobe's Photoshop Album software. The camera connects directly via USB 2.0, but there are facilities for a Secure Digital (SD) memory card under a flap at the side of the camera, which also houses the two AA batteries.

Even though Microtek claims that particular attention has been paid to let you capture images with the best quality possible and the minimum of fuss, the quality of captured images is not good. In particular, shots taken in bright sunlight look bleached and shots taken indoors lack fine definition. Those taken on an overcast day are a little better, but the camera's sensitivity to light conditions will again be restrictive.

Specifications:
Size: 95x56x32mm
Weight: 120g
Image sensor: 0.5in. CMOS
Resolution: 2.1-Megapixel
Lens: 38mm equivalent, f2.8
Focal length: 7.51mm (38mm equivalent)
Focus range: 1m to infinity
Viewfinder: Optical
White balance: Auto, daylight, tungsten, fluorescent
Image size: 2,048x1,536 (interpolated), 1,600x1,200, 1,280x960, 640x480 pixels
Quality levels: Best, Fine, Normal
Sensitivity: ISO 100
Movie size: 320x240 pixels (15fps)
Memory: 8MB internal
Zoom: 4X digital
Exposure adjustment: -2EV to +2EV
Flash modes: Auto, auto with red-eye reduction, forced, forced with red-eye reduction Flash range: 1-2m
Self-timer: 10-second delay
Tripod mount: Yes
Video output: NTSC/PAL
File formats: JPEG, AVI, WAV
Batteries: x2 AA (alkaline or NiMH)
Interfaces: USB 2.0, A/V output
Memory slot: SD
Software: Ulead's PhotoExplorer and DVD PictureShow, Adobe's Photoshop Album

Links:
Take-it D1 Web site

BIOS, Sep 16, 03 | Print | Send | Comments (0) | Posted In Digital camera