After finally caving in and getting a Palm (IIIxe), I was really pleased to see that there was a camera available for it. It's not that I actually need the camera, I have a Kodak Dc290 and a half dozen webcams. Having another gadget is fun! That said, quite often cameras and webcams do not meet the expectations built up by the advertising. The Kodak PalmPix did not disappoint - I recommend it!

It is important to understand that the PalmPix is not a high end digital camera. Do not expect a $150 device to take perfect pictures. The PalmPix is a fun device for snapping photos while using the excellent Palm pda's. The pictures are sharp at 640x480 in full color. In situations with good lighting the images are quite good. Without a built-in flash, low light pictures are hard to take.

In fact, I've managed to snap quite a few photos without people noticing (the Palmpix blends into the Palm... no one notices it). Maybe this is the best feature of this device. While you have all those phone numbers, notes, and games on the Palm - in seconds you can snap a picture.

The software included with the Palm is very straightforward. It loads easily (like all Palm programs) on the Palm via the hotsync cradle. There are several options for the automatic upload of the pictures into your PC. The pictures are not in some annoying propreitary format - they are in normal JPEG format. Once the pictures are on your PC, they are easily edited in most graphics programs

Installing the PalmPix hardware is also very easy. The unit simply snaps onto the bottom of your Palm. The lens is on the back, this allows you to use the Palm's screen as a viewfinder when taking pictures. There are are two settings for zoom (close & far!). When using a color Palm the images will be displayed in color - greyscale on non-color models. * Note * Even non-color Palm's take the pictures in color. You will have a full color JPEG when viewed or printed from your Windows PC.

Depending on the memory you have available on the Palm, you can store hundreds of pictures. For instance, with a few programs loaded on my Palm IIIxe - low resolution = 232 pictures high resolution = 70 pics. That amount of capacity is pretty good even compared to some digital cameras. The pictures are stored and are viewable even with the PalmPix unit disconnected from the Palm.

Final Verdict: HIGHLY RECOMMENDED for Palm Owners


* NOTE * Sample images are online at http://www.krosnoff.com



Recommended: Yes