Toshiba e550C Will Offer Built-In Camera

Ed Hardy · 03-05-2003, 09:51 AM

This model includes a 400 MHz processor and 128 MB of memory. Unfortunately, there is no word on when it will be available outside of Japan.

Read more at http://www.brighthand.com/article/To...uilt-In_Camera

Ed Hardy · 03-05-2003, 09:53 AM

If anyone can get more details about this device (especially the camera resolution) out of the pages in Japanese, I'd be very grateful.

thooeu · 03-05-2003, 10:02 AM

Ed, it is 310K pixels.

treynolds · 03-05-2003, 10:20 AM

This is very cool, and exactly the thing that would get me to jump from my J548.

From an industrial design standpoint, the camera lens and flash are precisely where they should be to allow the screen to be used for composition.

The unit includes a clear flip cover and mega RAM.

The only negative I see is the built-in battery and the fact that it's only 1100mA.

Of course, the big thing that remains to be seen is whether it will reach the US, but people said that the 550g would not be sold here either. How could Toshiba ignore the world's biggest economy? Granted, mpore gadgets are sold in Japan, but people here, I think, are looking for a handheld that has this mix of features. I know I am.

Now, as a Boeing contractor, would I be ALLOWED to carry it on site? Cameras require camera passes...

Tony

Scott R · 03-05-2003, 10:21 AM

Not too shabby. It'd be better with built-in bluetooth for email pics and such, but with both a CF and SD slot, you could add your own. Of course, that would make it pretty pricey (which it already seems to be). I like the sound of the integrated clear screen cover too.

Scott

Scott R · 03-05-2003, 10:23 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by treynolds
From an industrial design standpoint, the camera lens and flash are precisely where they should be to allow the screen to be used for composition.

Really? The camera lens (tiny at that - so it probably doesn't let a lot of light in - not that any of these integrated cameras do) is mounted at the top it seems. I'd prefer it mounted in the middle center like most cameras. Still, no biggie.

Scott

Ed Hardy · 03-05-2003, 11:08 AM

Thanks to thooeu, who's a buddy of mine in Japan, I have lots more details on the camera. Some of this I've added to the article but here's the rest:

Sensor : 1/5" CCD
Resolution : approximately 310,000 pixels
Lens/Focal Length : F2.8, f=2.6mm
Focus Distance : approximately 40cm to infinity
Digital Zoom : 2x/4x
Brightness : 9 steps
White Balance : Auto, Indoor(Tungsten), Indoor(Fluorescent), Outdoor
Flash : White LED 8 lamps, distance up to 50cm
Recording Media : Main Memory, SD/CF Cards
Picture Size : 640x480, 320x240
Format : JPEG (EXIF)
JPEG Mode : Super Fine/Fine/Economy

treynolds · 03-05-2003, 11:12 AM

I'm sorry, you didn't get the point...

It doesn't matter WHERE the lens is on the back, just that it's ON THE BACK, not in the hinge like the Sony's. The SIZE of the lens isn't important for light transmission. There are MANY small cameras with what appear to be very small lenses that take excellent images. Fuji disposable 35mm cameras are a case in point. They have excellent optics. The optical engineering is what is important, not the size.

You can use this thing AS A CAMERA, albeit a VGA camera, with the flip cover closed, and have a 4" LCD to compose you picture. My Minolta D7i only has a 2" LCD...

The swivel camera on the Sony's just makes the unit more bulky. They used the design because they already had the technology based on an older Sony DCS series from about three years ago.

I haven't been this excited about a potential new PDA in months. I'll have to get one of the those dust/slobber covers for my keyboard...

Tony

treynolds · 03-05-2003, 11:17 AM

Ed:

Thanks for the specs.

VGA is perfect for what this camera would be used for. 50cm (about 19") for the flash is weak, but useful for a closeup, which is what would be most useful to me.

I already have a Fuji Finepix 4700z and a Minolta D7i. I don't NEED a digital camera. I would use this thing as a 'visual recorder' in much the same way I would use the Record button to capture a quick voice note, for instance to capture the image of something I see in a store, etc, so I won't forget an item (like at Costco...)

I'll ahve to start wearing a tie again to catch the drooooooool...

Tony

Scott R · 03-05-2003, 11:33 AM

While I agree that mounting the camera on the back is ideal and more comfortable to use, I disagree that the positioning on the Sony devices prevents accurate composition.

I'm also suspect of the lack of a removable battery in a device like this one. Still, it's interesting. I'm looking forward to what else 2003 brings.

Scott