When disposable cameras first hit the shops they were seen as one of the ultimate manifestations of the throwaway, modern age. Of course, they never were ‘disposable’ but instead should have been thought of as recyclable. The disposed-of camera was simply loaded up with film and sold onto the next shopper. Now we find digital cameras being sold as disposable with the Washington Post reporting that CVS drugstores sell two models in this category, a $10 basic version and one that costs $20 and has a small colour display.
The term disposable is again being stretched to its limits. In this case the cameras are actually rentals. After using up the memory card you return the camera to the store and the photos are loaded onto CD for you while you wait. You don’t get to keep the camera.
The cameras themselves are of such poor specification that you might be better off buying a real cheapo digital camera that you actually get to keep. The resolution is only 2.1 million pixels and you are limited to 25 pictures. The screen is there only to help you compose the shot. You can’t review images or delete any from the card, thereby removing two of the major benefits of digital photography.
TechSmec.com thinks that if you really must buy a disposable stills camera, stick with film. It’s cheaper and the end results are exactly the same.
However, we also have word that CVS are to stock a disposable (there’s that word again) video camera. The $29.99 digital video cameras can capture up to 20 minutes of video and sound.
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