Digital Camera Prices Drop (Somewhat)
Epson and Agfa offer postholiday savings, but better deals could be coming.
Lincoln Spector, special to PC World
Epson dropped the price of a midrange camera, the PhotoPC 800. The company's cheapest 2-megapixel camera, it now has a street price of $599.
Agfa's price cut was on a lower-range model, the ePhoto Smile. Previously available for $129, the ePhoto Smile now carries a $99 list price.
A Big Deal?
Epson's PhotoPC 800 was never a world beater, doing respectably but not spectacularly in PC World's January digital camera roundup (see "New Year's Resolutions" link at right). The PhotoPC 800 lacks an optical zoom, and its 1600 by 1200 resolution is at the low end of the 2-megapixel range. Epson claims that its HyPict technology increases the resolution to 1984 by 1488 by filling in extra pixels.
Analysts are not calling Epson's price cut the sale of the (new) century. The price is "still high, but it's a step in the right direction," says Jay Srivatsa, a senior industry analyst at Gardner Group.
The new price puts the PhotoPC in range with traditional 35mm single-lens reflex cameras of the type used by serious photographers. But professionals are not likely to go for a camera that lacks an optical zoom; if they buy an Epson, they'd probably go for the $799 PhotoPC 850z.
For Beginners Only
With Agfa's ePhoto Smile, professionalism isn't an issue. This low-end camera, with its 640 by 480 resolution and lack of any sort of zoom or even an LCD screen, was never meant for professional photographers or even serious amateurs.
Alexis Gerard, president of Future Image, sees the Smile as primarily a "kid's camera," noting that it is better than a toy but is not designed for adults. The new price puts it in the range of KB Gear's JamC@m, another camera for the small set. "We'll see a lot more competitors in that space," Gerard predicts.
Competition is driving down the price of digital cameras at all levels. Wait a little longer, and you could get even more for your money.
- Sponsored Resource:Improve your network with the right mix of features, performance and pricing.
- Sponsored Resource:Growing your business requires the right tools. Dell's networking servers can help.
- Sponsored Resource:Thinking about a new Laptop? Lenovo has models to meet everyone's needs.
- Sponsored Resource:Twitter: A how-to guide for using Twitter as a business tool.
- Sponsored Resource:Smartphone security threats are on the rise. Is it time to safegaurd your device?
Print 65% more pages than with refilled inks. Trust Original HP Inks. Hit Print Reliably.
Microsoft Office Home and Student 2007
Laptop Showcase
Featured APC Accessories For Your System
10% Off Entire Cart at Online Store
-
APC Back-UPS ES
Safeguards your equipment from damaging surges and spikes that travel along your utility & data lines.
- APC SurgeArrest Performance Highest level of protection for your professional computers, electronics and connected devices, as well as provides surge protection.
People who read this also read:
Best Prices on Digital Cameras
EOS Rebel T1i Black SLR Digital Camera Kit w/ 18-55mm LensPrice: $784.00
D90 Black SLR Digital Camera KitPrice: $1139.99
Powershot SX10 IS Black Digital CameraPrice: $359.00
D90 Black SLR Digital Camera Body OnlyPrice: $799.95
D5000 Black SLR Digital Camera Kit w/ 18-55mm LensPrice: $748.00
EOS Rebel XSi Black SLR Digital Camera KitPrice: $569.95
- 2007 Microsoft Office Suites Comparison This paper compares and contrasts four suites of the 2007 Microsoft Office system: Microsoft Office Standard 2007, Microsoft Office Professional Plus 2007, Microsoft Office Enterprise 2007 and Microsoft Office Ultimate 2007. This paper is intended to help organizations understand the applications and capabilities offered, and to identify the suite that best fits their needs.
- Windows Vista Migration: The Business Proposition It's not so much a matter of "if" but "when" for most organizations regarding migration to Windows Vista. Laying the groundwork now for this migration can yield higher ROI than waiting until later. This Computerworld Technology Briefing explains it all.


