Samsung Digimax U-CA 3 Review

Click to take a 360° QTVR tour of the Digimax U-CA 3

The Samsung Digimax U-CA 3 is an affordable, palm-sized (4.0 x 2.1 x 1.2 inch) three-megapixel digital camera that features a 3x optical zoom lens. It's available in three colors: Techno silver, Galaxy white or Space black. The camera can be powered by the new Duracell CP1 Prismatic lithium (one-use) or a dedicated Li-ion rechargeable battery pack. Frame your pictures on the high resolution 1.5-inch color LCD monitor or use the optical real image viewfinder. The compact U-CA 3 is easy to carry around, weighing a little over five ounces with battery and memory card.

The U-CA 3's Auto mode lets anyone use it like a simple point-n-shoot to capture beautiful digital photographs. More advanced users can adjust the ISO sensitivity, the white balance, image sharpness, image size, image quality, exposure compensation, exposure metering mode and color effect. It also features a Night Mode with selectable shutter speeds and apertures. The auto focus system is fast and accurate and in low light conditions it is enhanced by a focus-assist illuminator. The Super Macro mode allows you to focus on objects as close as 5cm from the lens. The 1.5-inch color LCD automatically adjusts to ambient light or can be manually adjusted.

The U-CA 3 also records MPEG-4 motion video with audio in 320 x 240 pixels with a 20fps or 15fps frame rate, the length is limited only by available memory. You can record and attach 10-second voice memos to still images or use the camera as a digital voice recorder with a maximum recording time of one hour. Pictures can be resized or trimmed (cropped) in-camera without need of a PC. Post-capture editing can also be accomplished with the bundled software that includes the Digimax Viewer and MGI's PhotoSuite.

The U-CA 3 is equipped with the world's first 3D avatar loading screen function. Using the software supplied (DigiStudio), users can create 3D avatars from pictures taken with the camera, and set a 3D avatar to feature on the loading screen, which will be displayed every time the camera is turned on. In addition, users can synthesize MP3 type music with dance movements to create more lively 3D avatars. This feature is likely to appeal to today's younger consumers, which are the primary market for this product.

Images, movies and audio recordings are stored on Sony Memory Stick Duo or Memory Stick Duo PRO flash cards. The camera comes with a 32MB Memory Stick Duo card and adapter. Downloading camera files to your computer is accomplished via a USB 1.1 port that is Mass Storage compliant for driverless operation with most modern operating systems. You can make direct-prints on any PictBridge compatible printer using the normal USB cable.

Digimax U-CA 3 Features:

• 3.2-Megapixel resolution for images up to 2048 x 1536 pixels
• 3x multi-coated zoom lens (38-114mm in 35mm equivalent)
• Record 320x240 MPEG-4 movies w/audio to the capacity of the media
• Records up to one hour of audio only
• Attach 10-sec. audio memos to still images
• Auto, Manual, Night Mode, Movie and Voice recording modes
• Optical viewfinder and 1.5-inch color LCD screen
• Super Macro focus as close as 5cm from the lens
• Adjustable ISO speed, white balance and sharpening
• Color effects: B&W, RGB, Sunset, Sepia
• Powered by CP1 lithium or optional Li-ion rechargeable
• Memory Stick duo card storage, 32MB card included
• USB Mass Storage compliant device
• PictBridge direct-USB printing compatible

The Digimax U-CA 3 sells for $230 or less and the package includes a luxury carrying pouch, 32MB Memory Stick Duo card, driver and application software CD-ROM, Duracell CP1 battery, wrist strap, USB cable, Audio-Video cable, user manual and warranty card. (Bundle may vary depending on sales location.)

Digimax U-CA 3 Specifications