D-Snap: The Mini Media Device

[Suhit Gupta]

<div class='os_post_top_link'><a href='http://www.nzherald.co.nz/storydisplay.cfm?storyID=3560765&thesection=technology&thesubsection=reviews' target='_blank'>http://www.nzherald.co.nz/storydisplay.cfm?storyID=3560765&thesection=technology&thesubsection=reviews</a><br /><br /></div>"It's hard to know what the D-Snap's primary use really is. For journalists, it has a couple of really handy work-related functions. I can pop along to an interview, take a publishable picture of my grinning subject and record everything that is uttered, all using the D-Snap. Two functions there. <br /><br />But it can do more. The little camera taking the digital pictures can also handle video - with audio soundtrack as well. And then there's the MP3 capability. That's four useful features - digital camera, video recorder, voice recorder and MP3 player - in a device that's about a centimetre thick and weighs just 59g."<br /><br /><img src="http://www.digitalmediathoughts.com/images/r16dsnap.jpg" /><br /><br />The thing that makes this device extremely versatile, IMO, is that the D-Snap supports MP3, WMA and AAC audio files, which apparently sound impressive through the supplied headphones. The user interface on the device is controlled mainly by a swivel ball in the centre of the D-snap which allows scrolling through song titles which are displayed on the tiny color LCD screen. But, as the article points out, the 8MB is built-in memory makes it almost mandatory for the user to buy a larger SD card to augment the memory. The D-Snap is small and lightweight and is priced at NZ$699, and one can find it for approximately US$289 here in the US.

[ryaninc]

As an English/Journalism student myself, I can certainly see how incredibly useful this device would be. A bit expensive, but the features may make it worth it!

[Jason Dunn]

That thing looks TINY - a bit expensive, but it sounds very cool.

[Gary Sheynkman]

the problem with this device is picture/video quality...are the pivs usable?

[Kent Pribbernow]

Holy Cow that looks sooooooooooo cool! 8O

I agree the price seems high, but it looks oh so sexy. :shocked!:

[Lee Yuan Sheng]

There're a few other versions of the D-snap, take a look here:

http://panasonic.jp/d-snap/

Edit, my mistake, was thinking of an earlier version by Panasonic. No idea on the photo quality of these.

[Andy Manea]

I played with some of those (not sure what model #s exactly) in a store - really sweet, but I don't think there is an optical zoom. And just like the Exilims, a bit expensive.

[bmhome1]

I just got a D-Snap AV-50 as a gift. I also have an Exilim S3 that I bought a year ago. The S3 takes wonderful snapshots, really easy and intuitive to use, lightning fast shutter response and great candids result. Everyone loves it and the pictures it produces. A year ago it was unique in its size and features. Now there are competitors with same size packed with more features.

The D-Snap is similar being unique in its tiny size. But it isn't easy or intuitive to use at all. It even comes with a plastic bumper to glue on to keep your fingers away from the lens, which is very often. The controls are incredibly tiny and fussy to manipulate. Worst of all, the image quality of MPEG4 videos and JPG stills are very disappointing, with very pixelated and jerky motion playback even in tiny window sizes. Forget anything larger. The highest quality compression can only be played back on a computer using the unique software application installed. Even the second level compression (WM player usable) uses 8MB/min, so large SD cards are a must.

On the plus side, its really pocketable and appealing, the battery life is pretty good (although spare li-ion's are $50 each) and attracts as much attention as my Exilim did a year ago. If only the results were as satisfying. Maybe next year.

[rubberdemon]

I've also heard the video is disappointing - I wonder if this is a limitation of packing the technology into such a small space, or simply storage limitations, requiring lots of compression? If it's storage space, you'd think that SD might be the wrong format. Why not have a hard drive version of this? One of the ipod drives would be great for a little video camera, and it would be a snap to transfer to a PC for editing...

[Lee Yuan Sheng]

Well, then it'd be much bigger and thicker now, wouldn't it? Kinda loses it's appeal in the first place. I guess we'll just have to wait a year or two.

[Littleshmee]

Correct me if I'm wrong but...

Wouldn't a PDA with a built-in camera and voice recorder do the same, and more, for less money?

[Lee Yuan Sheng]

Not at this size, costing US$200+, and battery that lasting this long..

[Littleshmee]

I thought it said costing $699 US :oops:

[Lee Yuan Sheng]

WHAT? NZ$699? Madness. It's US$200+, I'm pretty sure. 100% under US$300.

[Andy Manea]

Correct me if I'm wrong but...

Wouldn't a PDA with a built-in camera and voice recorder do the same, and more, for less money?
Exactly, just for a different form factor. And not with as many megapixels.

The original post says it's 699. I don't remember how much the ones I tried out were - but I know for SURE they were not 200$ - because if they were, I would own one now :?

[Lee Yuan Sheng]

Hmm, I'm pretty sure it's around that price.. MSRP is US$300.

[Andy Manea]

I've only seen it in Germany, prices sometimes are higher here.

[Andy Manea]

OK, that's a lie, they are almost always higher :cry:

[Suhit Gupta]

You are all right, it is $699 in New Zealand.
NZ$1 = US$0.67 (approximately)

After searching online for a bit, I am finding the D-Snap to be about $289. This is basically in line with what you guys are suggesting. I am correcting the top post now.

Suhit