Toshiba PDR-3300 Review

The PDR-3300 employs a high-quality Canon F2.9-F4.8, 7 elements in 5 groups, f=7.25 to 20.3mm (equivalent to 35-100mm on a 35mm camera), all glass lens Zoom 2.8X Optical, 2.2X Digital zoom.

The auto-focus range is: Normal mode from 31.5 in. to infinity, Macro mode: 3.9 in. (wide) to infinity.

Real-image optical viewfinder, no dioptric adjustment. The LED indicates focus and flash status by changing color (red and green) and blinking or staying on steady. It also turns yellow during any SD card activity.

The built in flash has a working range of 19.6 in. to 9.5 ft (Wide, ISO 2x) and Auto, Red-Eye reduction, Forced (Fill), Slow Sync and disabled modes of operation.

On the back is 1.6-inch color LCD monitor that is coated with a non-glare finish and is quite useable in brightly lit environments. The controls include a 4-way joystick that you push in the center to accept selections. The MENU button calls up the onscreen menu system in record or playback modes. The Flash (lightning bolt icon) button cycles through the flash modes. Underneath that is the self-timer button. The trashcan button is the image Delete button. To the left of the LCD is the DISP button that controls the color LCD and the amount of information displayed on it.

On top is the shutter release, power button and the Mode Dial with positions for Setup, Connect to PC, Playback, Auto Record, Manual Record and Movie Record. The slide switch on the left opens and closes the lens barrier.

SecureDigital (SD) flash cards are used for image storage, an 8MB card is included and any size up to 256MB can be used. The cards are located in the battery compartment and can easily removed by a "push in and pop out" type of ejector.

Note that MultiMediaCard (MMC) type flash cards can NOT be used - even though they look almost exactly the same, there are internal differences between SD and MMC cards.

On the side behind a rubber flap is the 5V DC IN jack for connecting an optional AC power supply. The PC / Video port connects either the USB cable for downloading to the computer or the video output cable. The video signal is switchable for NTSC or PAL standards.

The camera is powered by four AA type batteries, a set of alkalines are included but NiMH rechargeable type are strongly recommended. Toshiba claims 100 shots with the LCD on or 150 shots with the LCD turned off.

Finally someone listens to my pleading to include a simple, wireless remote control. The PDR-RM1 infrared remote is included with the PDR-3300 and allows you to trip the shutter (in the front of the camera) or advance the image during playback.