Take Real Megapixel Photos on a Pocket PC

[John Walkosak]

Taking pictures with your Pocket PC may be nothing new, but taking clear digital pictures with decent resolution is. The Lifeview FlyCAM CF 1.3M makes this possible. <br /><br /><img src="http://www.pocketpcthoughts.com/images/web/johnwalkosak-may03-flycam- 020.jpg" /><br /><!> <br /> Using your Pocket PC as a camera usually means getting postage stamp sized images that were almost clear enough to use. This was because many of these cameras had a 300k pixel resolution. Not really high resolution. To remedy that, there have been attempts to create a one megapixel compact flash camera, with somewhat less than stellar results. Now, Lifeview weighs in with the 1.3 megapixel version of their FlyCAM compactflash camera attachment. Do we finally have a winner? I think we just might. <br /> <br /><span><b> Why would I use my Pocket PC to take digital photos?</b></span> <br />It's important to remember that if you are looking for high quality shots for marketing or for your photography portfolio, then this camera is not for you. However, if you have the kind of job in which you visit multiple locations and document conditions (ie: contractor, insurance claims adjustor, building inspector, etc.) or you just want a fast way to take decent photos without carrying another gadget, then this product is for you. <br /><br /><span><b> What you get: The Hardware </b></span> <br /><br /><img src="http://www.pocketpcthoughts.com/images/web/johnwalkosak-may03-flycam- 021.jpg" /><br /><i>Figure 1: The FlyCAM CF 1.3M itself</i><br /><br />The Lifeview FlyCAM-CF 1.3 is a 1.3 megapixel CompactFlash camera compatible with Pocket PCs that have a CompactFlash slot. The FlyCAM-CF 1.3 system consists of a hardware component and a suite of software from IA Style. The hardware is durable and not unattractive, and it provides a whopping 1280x1024 resolution (most comparable products only offer 640x480) with good color depth. The software is simply outstanding. <br /><br />For those propellerheads who are really interested in the hardware specs, you can <a href="http://www.lifeview.com.tw/eng/pro_ia_cam_cf.html">find them on the Lifeview Web site</a>.<br /><br /><img src="http://www.pocketpcthoughts.com/images/web/johnwalkosak-may03-flycam-hardwarespecs .jpg" /> <br /><i>Figure 2: FlyCAM CF 1.3M Hardware Specifications</i> <br /><br /><span><b> What you get: The software </b></span> <br />The software suite consists of IA Capture (which controls the hardware and which actually takes the still pictures), IA Album (which is used to view, organize and even annotate photos), and IA Videomail (which can be used to create AVI format movies. <br /><br />IA Capture is the interface to the compact flash camera for taking still pictures and also for taking picture-only video. The video from IA Capture can only be viewed on the Pocket PC. To make AUF files directly, you will want to use the IA Videomail software (below). The camera operates best with the Pocket PC held in landscape position. You can use the viewfinder on the camera, but like most viewfinders, you don't get the entire picture in the view. You can also use the Pocket PC screen to compose the shot. To help with this, you can hit a button and turn the entire Pocket PC screen into a viewfinder. <br /><br /><img src="http://www.pocketpcthoughts.com/images/web/johnwalkosak-may03-flycam- 001.jpg" /> <br /><i>Figure 3: The basic IA Capture interface. This provides one to two click access for most of the functions you will need. Clicking on the Image area will toggle through file types and resolutions.</i><br /><br /><img src="http://www.pocketpcthoughts.com/images/web/johnwalkosak-may03-flycam- 002.jpg" /> <br /><i>Figure 4: The IA Capture interface showing that it's set for video mode.</i><br /><br />You can use the screen button to activate the shutter or you can map one of the hardware buttons. I have found that the latter is preferable, especially if the entire screen is being used as a rangefinder. <br /><br />One thing to keep in mind when shooting: the camera does show a small trace of shutter lag - that is, the small amount of time between when the button is pushed and when the photograph is taken. The important trick is to make sure that you don't move during the "shutter" sound. As long as you stay still, the pictures will be clear. If you move, you can get some interesting fisheye-type photos.<br /><br /><img src="http://www.pocketpcthoughts.com/images/web/johnwalkosak-may03-flycam- 016s.jpg" /> <br /><i>Figure 5: The fisheye effect if you move too quickly</i> [<a href="http://www.pocketpcthoughts.com/images/web/johnwalkosak-may03-flycam- 016L.jpg">Full size version</a>]<br /><br />IA Capture provides an enormous amount of control. One of my favorite features is the ability to choose the picture filenames in advance. This means that I can preset all of my photos taken on a specific date to be, say, “4-28-03" and the software will append a unique number after. The great thing about this is that by changing this setting on a daily basis, I can just keep shooting and don't have to worry about overwriting a previous picture.<br /><br /><img src="http://www.pocketpcthoughts.com/images/web/johnwalkosak-may03-flycam-005.jpg" /> <br /><i>Figure 6: Interface showing how the user has control over the file names</i><br /><br />Because the camera does not have a flash, lighting control is an important issue. The interface gives the ability to adjust for indoor/outdoor lighting conditions, but this can only do so much. I found that in relatively low light conditions, the photos are weak. But almost all were still readable. <br /><br /><img src="http://www.pocketpcthoughts.com/images/web/johnwalkosak-may03-flycam- 017s.jpg" /> <br /><i>Figure 7: This interior photo was taken in a space lit by just four exposed 60 watt bulbs, on a very overcast day, and is still readable.</i> [<a href="http://www.pocketpcthoughts.com/images/web/johnwalkosak-may03-flycam- 017L.jpg">Full size version</a>]<br /><br /><img src="http://www.pocketpcthoughts.com/images/web/johnwalkosak-may03-flycam- 018s.jpg" /> <br /><i>Figure 8: This exterior photo was taken on a mostly clear day. Hey, I’m documenting conditions, not composing images for Ansel Adams!</i> [<a href="http://www.pocketpcthoughts.com/images/web/johnwalkosak-may03-flycam- 018L.jpg">Full size version</a>]<br /><br />You can also use the IA Capture software to capture and playback video files (sans sound). The files are saved in .iav format, which can be played back right in IA Capture, or can be translated into a .gif file for playback in multiple venues.<br /><br /><img src="http://www.pocketpcthoughts.com/images/web/johnwalkosak-may03-flycam- 003.jpg" /> <br /><i>Figure 9: IA Capture’s .iav video playback interface</i> <br /><br /><span><b> What you get: The software two (IA Album) </b></span><br />Your pictures are viewed on the PPC using IA Album. But this program is more than a simple viewer. There is a multitude of labeling tools, and my favorites: built in markup tools. I use this camera primarily for documenting conditions of various construction sites. Often, I am documenting something which is wrong, or needs to be changed. Instead of using another program, I can make comments directly in IA Album using the markup tools.<br /><br /><img src="http://www.pocketpcthoughts.com/images/web/johnwalkosak-may03-flycam- 012.jpg" /> <br /><i>Figure 10: Using the markup tools to add comments directly to the image. You can also add audio annotations, etc.</i> <br /><br /><img src="http://www.pocketpcthoughts.com/images/web/johnwalkosak-may03-flycam- 009.jpg" /> <br /><i>Figure 11: The software gives lots of options for organizing and viewing images.</i><br /><br /><img src="http://www.pocketpcthoughts.com/images/web/johnwalkosak-may03-flycam- 013.jpg" /> <br /><i>Figure 12: Zoom and Pan controls let you get up close and personal with the image. Mmmm, pixelicious!</i><br /><br />You can add your own annotations or sketches to the images, save copies of the files, even record messages to be attached to each image.<br /><br /><span><b> What you get: The software three (IA VideoMail) </b></span> <br /><br />While you can take digital video with the IA Capture program, you don’t get any audio with it. This is nice, but what if you want a video file with sound so that you can capture an event, or your kid's giggles, in one file? Up steps IA VideoMail. Ok, so this is not intuitive for movie making. Afterall, if you are working on the Pocket PC with a wireless connection, are you really going to try to email a mult-megabyte AVI file? Probably not, but that’s what IA VideoMail does. IA VideoMail writes directly to an AVI file and uses the Pocket PC’s built-in microphone to capture the audio. The resolution tops out at 240x320, so you can’t make an epic file, but you can get a decent AVI with no time limit.<br /><br /><img src="http://www.pocketpcthoughts.com/images/web/johnwalkosak-may03-flycam- 014.jpg" /> <br /><i>Figure 13: The VideoMail Interface- a lot like the IA Capture interface, and quite easy to use.</i><br /><br /><b><span>Gotchas</span></b><li> I wish the product came with a storage case for the camera. Just dropping it in my laptop case seems to be asking for trouble....<br /><br /><li>I would like to see the exposure adjustment control be a bit easier to adjust from the main screen. It would be great to adjust the exposure and see real-time change on the Pocket PC screen without having to go into other menus.<br /><br /><li>The shutter lag takes some getting used to, but is by no means a deal breaker.<br /><br /><li>Must have 10 meg of program memory free.<br /><br /><li>The quality of interior photographs is a little weak. They are just a bit dark, since the unit does not have a flash. The software does offer the ability to adjust exposure but this can only go so far. It should be stated that Lifeview has just recently announced that the FlyCAM-CF 1.3M with Flash Light, which might overcome this hurdle.<span><b>Where To Buy</b></span> <br />The hardware can be <a href="http://www.lifeview.com/Sales/Where_to_buy/where_to_buy.html">purchased</a> from the Lifeview site for $129.95 <br /><br /><b><span>Specifications</span></b> <br />The camera will work on any Pocket PC 2002 device capable of taking a Type 1 CompactFlash card. For the software you will need a certain amount of free storage space: IA Capture: 763 K, IA Album: 1074 K, IA Videomail: 589 K.<br /><br /><b><span>Conclusions</span></b> <br />While a CompactFlash camera will never replace a “real” digital camera, the FlyCAM CF 1.3M camera is not only handy, but takes genuinely good photos. It’s not perfect, but this combination of hardware and software is closer than anything else for the Pocket PC has come. I really like it!

[Jason Dunn]

There's something a little fishy about those full-size images...it's almost like they're low-resolution then re-sized somehow. Lots of shearing and strange distortions around the lines make me a little suspicious as to whether the image sensor is really capturing an image at 1.3 MP. Hmm. :worried:

[kinged]

I just bought this about a month ago. Actually I thought the quality of the pictures are quite good. It is not as dark as shown on this review. There is a setting inside the software that allows you to choose if you are taking the indoor vs outdoor pictures. I am actually quite pleased with the quality of the pictures. Of course, you cannot compare this with the digital cameras. I will submit some pictures when I get a chance.

[ricksfiona]

For $130, looks pretty good. I would like to see someone who bought this device post some more pictures. I'd consider it for the price. 2MP would guarantee a deal for me.

[tdbunker]

8O I am interested in getting some type of digital camera later this year. I initially only considered a Flash Card camera but after looking at the current crop of small digital cameras, I think I might just get something like the Casio Exilim line. Small enough to hide behind a credit card and .44 inches thick with 2.0 megapixel resolution and flash. Since a CF camera is something I would need to remove from a case and insert into my Axim, a separate small camera might be just as portable, lightweight, and convenient to use. It would also take better photos. If the camera came built into a PDA, it would be another story.

The reviews of the Exilim claim that shutter lag is under 1 second, even when first turning on the camera. :lol:

[ricksfiona]

I checked out those Casio's. Nice. I checked out the image quality of the 1.2MP and thought it was pretty good.

If I use a camera with that low resolution, it's going to be for work related issues and they won't need to be of that high quality. So I think the Flycam will work for me. If I get a separate camera for personal stuff, I want something in the 5 - 6MP/SLR range, like the Canon EOS-D60.

[ricksfiona]

BTW, anyone know of a manufacturer making a SDIO version of this camera. When I get my Ipaq 5550 this month :wink: , it would be great not to have to carry an expansion pack with me as I do with my 3870.

[tdbunker]

I believe the 1.2 megapixel Exilim has been discontinued. Their web site now shows only a 2.0 and a 3.2 megapixel Exilim models.

[jet8810]

Do you have a picture of how much this unit protrudes from the top of the PDA's CF slot? I would be very interested in this... This is one of my main nit-picks with these CF cameras, that they protrude so much from the PDA and look extremely awkward.

[bcre8v2]

The best PocketPC digital cameras should be built on top of at least a 128 MB CF or SD card! You can store your images right on the card.
You can either ActiveStink the pictures over or remove the storage card and use an external reader to xfer the images to your computer.
When is this gonna happen?
-Steve => "I have way too many gadgets"

[Paul]

I have the Casio EX-S2 (2MP) and I like it a lot! It is truly portable in that I can even take it with me to the running trails. Thumbs up.

[beq]

I kinda like how some PDAs/cellphones integrate the cam lens into the back of the unit -- are there disadvantages to this design I wonder? Naturally it would have to be a sleeveless PDA (or the "sleeve" doesn't cover the whole back)...

Is this a better/worse design than a swiveling lens on the top (corner) of the PDA a la Sony Clie?

[Ekkie Tepsupornchai]

There's something a little fishy about those full-size images...it's almost like they're low-resolution then re-sized somehow. Lots of shearing and strange distortions around the lines make me a little suspicious as to whether the image sensor is really capturing an image at 1.3 MP. Hmm. :worried:
Yup, those images are definitely interpolated. Typical of what you get with "digital zoom"-ing.

[cflum]

Most of the time, there is not so many memory left in the main memory. :(
Would it be nice if the camera is attach thru the sync connection? So, the CF card can be used for image files storage. :?:

[Ekkie Tepsupornchai]

Most of the time, there is not so many memory left in the main memory. :(
Would it be nice if the camera is attach thru the sync connection? So, the CF card can be used for image files storage. :?:
The problem with that approach is that there would have to be different camera models for each PPC since each supports sports its own serial port.

[John Walkosak]

Most of the time, there is not so many memory left in the main memory. :(
Would it be nice if the camera is attach thru the sync connection? So, the CF card can be used for image files storage. :?:

I know that this only works for IPaq users, but I use the camera with the Memplug expansion pack, which gives me 2 cf slots. Works like a charm, and doesn't clog up my main storage.

[Gerard]

There's something a little fishy about those full-size images...it's almost like they're low-resolution then re-sized somehow. Lots of shearing and strange distortions around the lines make me a little suspicious as to whether the image sensor is really capturing an image at 1.3 MP. Hmm. :worried:

Sorry for the much-delayed response to this... I stumbled upon this thread via a google for the flycam with flash...

Anyway, Jason, if you care; in my conversations with the developer of CECam - a software one may use to run this and other CF camera models - and in testing using a Pretec CF camera (before it broke), it became very apparent what is happening re: interpolation. Pretec and the FlyCam's developers have both opted to provide highly compressed "high" quality images. CECam offers a true maximum quality image, resulting in larger files (perhaps bad, depending on available RAM) at dramatically improved crispness. The stills it was able to provide from my Pretec 1.3Mp camera before that piece of crap broke were often stunning in their quality. He says the FlyCam offers better hardware-controlled exposure, and as such his software can make even better images with that model.

It seems hardly anyone is bothering to make a CF camera any more. Perhaps this is because the CF slot is being implemented in fewer devices? Or maybe it's because more PPCs come with integrated (as in no lens rotation, no focus control) cameras? So I'm finally decided to buy a FlyCam CF with Flash, the 1.3Mp model, probably this month. The whole kit, flash, resolution potential, colour balance control, compatibility with CECam, video options... it's all about the best available in a PPC accessory camera and no company seems interested in going further.

[Stik]

The stills it was able to provide from my before that piece of crap broke were often stunning in their quality.

Gerard,

Could you elaborate just a little on how your Pretec 1.3 Mp camera broke?

Did the camera break off the CF card or... :?:

Thanks!

[Gerard]

http://www.pocketnow.com/mobile.php?a=portal_detail&amp;t=reviews&amp;id=262

There's my pocketnow.com review. Unfortunately, for reasons only pocketnow management understand (or perhaps even they don't), the discussion thread following the review is no longer in existence. That's a pity, as I went on in the next few months to answer people's questions about the camera and to report on it's eventual complete failure. That's most of why I no longer write reviews for pocketnow as I did for about a dozen softwares and hardware devices. Vanishing reviews and vanishing discussion threads just made me feel like I was wasting my time.

Anyway, the short version here:

- Against some of the evidence, including Jason's experience of an early sample as reported here on Thoughts some time earlier, I bought the Pretec.

- On arrival and having installed the software, I found that the shutter button didn't really work - it stuck inside the camera body more often than not, needing to be pried out with a fingernail, and usually not taking a picture anyway. So I had to use the tiny on-screen shutter icon, as no hardware button mapping was possible in the software.

- Video was always a sad joke. Audio capture was worse, with a high-pitched whine being introduced, probably based in a bad compression codec. Pretec's software developers should be spanked.

- Still image capture with Pretec's software, whichever version I used, was terrible. I learned much later from the German developer of the CECam software that this was because Pretec had chosen about 50% compression of even their highest resolution captures, making it impossible to take non-lossy images. I purchased CECam, and found that it generally took rather nice pictures, though still with the grid-distortion which I always had to edit out later with a 'reduce noise' function in a graphics editing software.

- Communications with Pretec Support were sparse. They seemed not to have any consistent idea or desire to communicate for purposes of getting either better results or a replacement unit during the warranty period. They switched me around between various people after eventually responding to about my tenth email... then stalled... one guy in California wasn't too bad but then they fired him... then when a certain 'Rosa' had sent me a final email form to return with my address and other information in aid of return for replacement, they cut off all contact. They had successfully stalled me until the warranty ran out, later that week, and would speak with me no more. I sent a number of emails after that but not a peep of an answer came. All I can deduce is that they do not like replacing defective products, so they don't, and instead use the above tactics to avoid it.

- A few months later the camera stopped working at all. I was taking a picture at Cirque du Soleil (yes, I know, it's prohibited... but the Pretec has no flash so I thought it was harmless enough) when instead of seeing an image onscreen I saw two thin lines streaming down the left side... one blue, one red. Dotted lines, wavering from side to side slightly. A sort of streaming noise. I turned the camera lens a little, got a momentary image, then the lines came back. I tried soft resetting, pulling out and re-inserting the camera... but no, just lines. After a couple of days of this with no better results I decided to disassemble the camera. Turned out that the main ribbon cable, an 8 or 9 wire thing, had been pinched along one side by the assembler back in Taiwan. Two of the wires had broken through, thanks to my moving the lens back and forth for different angles of picture taking. This normal use of the camera had killed it thanks to defective manufacture. Again I wrote to several Pretec email addresses, and again silence was all I received. The camera was dead, and I lacked the ability to repair such delicate traceries of wire ribbon. Besides, disassembly had been a little less than kind. The way they put it together made it impossible to take apart without breaking things, as a lot of glue was used to hide the sloppy construction.

In conclusion; don't buy Pretec products. They suck.

[Stik]

Gerard,

I really appreciate the time you've spent to completely answer my question. Its helped clarify my thinking on some indecision I've had.

Thanks! :)

[Gerard]

Glad to be of help! So, which way are you leaning? Towards a device with an integrated camera? or an add-on SD or CF? Or just using a standalone camera?

[Stik]

I was thinking of a CF camera for my trusty old Jornada 568, but your remarks made me rethink this and I've decided on a digital Kodak DX 7590 ( 5.0 MP/10Xzoom ) instead. Timely comments on your part!

Thanks again! :mrgreen:

[Gerard]

Did the HP CF camera work with that model? Can't remember. I currently have just the HP CF VGA camera, and it works well for casual snapshots... but I use it more for work. I pop off the UV/infrared filter and it can see right through varnishes on instruments to any repairs or replaced bits of wood hidden under the colour. it's like a soft tissue X-ray for my purposes, providing a window into what might need doing in a restoration or what has been done and must be worked around.

A high-res digital camera is probably a good choice for general purpose photography. I've just become a bit stubborn about wanting my PPC to do everything for me. And with a CF camera such as the FlyCam 1.3Mp model I'll be better able to capture and process images without swapping out cards and such nonsense. I hate juggling too many toys. The FlyCam is definitely getting ordered this next week, finally.

Good luck with your camera. Those files would be too big for me to process in Pocket Artist anyway. ;)

[Stik]

I've just become a bit stubborn about wanting my PPC to do everything for me.

Spoken like a true blue technophile, and I use that term with the utmost respect and admiration. :wink:

I consider myself to be a ' technophile wannabee. ' :oops:

But thru sites like this, and folks like you that really help others, I will sooner or later get there yet! :mrgreen:

[chuck.kahn]

What is the best upgrade from the HP Photosmart Mobile Camera (1.3MP)? I like this camera's swivelable head and image quality, but I'd like to see improvements in terms of shooting in low light conditions and faster shutter speed.

HTC TyTN (2MP)?
i-mate JAMin (2MP)?
Lenovo ET980? (4MP)?