Ditto - Same problems

[Redmond]

Hi Brian, thanks for the great review.

I'm experiencing the same yo-yo power effect on my NZ-90. I think Sony did a POOR match of the camera internals for the NZ-90. By that I mean the camera electronics as well as the battery power management software is a design flaw.

I think the power requirements of the camera electronics that Sony used in the NZ-90 is too high. It simply draws too much power. By electing to use the camera portion of my brick sized Swiss Army knife PDA, I dramatically reduce the power of my battery. That leaves me an impractical power reserve for PDA functions for the rest of my day.

So I'm stuck with a very descretionary use of the camera for the fear of not having enough power to last me all day. But at least I have the bragging rights of having the most feature packed Sony PDA right???? NOT!!!!

If I would have known about the power problem, I would have stayed away from the NZ-90. (which is my recommendation)

Another thing that bothers me is I can't seem to find where I can modify the jog wheel. I recall on of my older Clie's, I was able to set the jog wheel to power off or go to sub menus etc. Did Sony take that function away on the NZ-90??

Sigh!!!

[Brian]

When I start the camera, I can hear a high pitch whine from the inside of the device as it sucks on the battery. Sad really...

The jog dial only has the direct or pop up options. If there is any other way to mod it, I've not found those options.

B

[Redmond]

Brian, I think the sound you're hearing is probably the battery charging up the camera's flash subsystem. Chilling sound isn't it? I actually don't hear it charging up sound (I think my ears are shot).

I was just now at 83% Battery and took two snapshots of my kids and the NZ-90 reported that my "!! Battery power is too low to use the flash. The flash will be disabled. (OK)"

I left it on to type the above message and the unit shut off. After I powered it back on I got this message: "Your battery is running too low for camera. Please charge your handheld. (OK)"

I OK'd the second message and went to the main screen. I'm now at 43% Battery.

Cringe.