cheap and easy
While I was at Walgreens, I spent ten bucks and picked up one of the adorable silver Vivitar(also marketed as Phillips and Innovage) mini digital cameras pictured above.* It really is mini, fitting comfortably in the palm of my ridiculously small hand. Given its low cost, I wasn't expecting much, and the camera definitely has some severe limitations. If you set it for high quality photos (which I strongly recommend), you can only take 20 pictures at a time. The viewfinder is far enough away from the lens that it's hard to know exactly what you're taking a picture of. Also, I'm pretty sure that without some complicated tweaking, it only works on PCs.
But, given all that, I was amazed at how well it seems to work. All the pictures below were taken this afternoon in and around the house using my new Vivitar mini. Plus, there's even a flickr group you can join. So if you're looking for a very cheap digital camera for a kid or a stocking stuffer, this camera might be something to consider.
*And, no, I only wish I was getting paid by the Vivitar people to say all these nice things. 
23 comments:
I was looking at them a while ago, but decided that they must not work too well for that price. I have now completely reconsidered. Thanks! Very nice shots, as usual. :)
I was less than impressed with the quality, but maybe they'll develop a cult following for the particular quality of the badness, like the Holga, the Lomo, etc.
Cool! I wish we had Walgreens, but I'll have to look and see if we can get these up here.
It's certainly okay for everyday stuff. I haven't been to Walgreen's for a long time but might drop by to pick one up... just to see.
This is fortuitous: I'm actually looking for a camera for my 3 year old (I know, I know) who takes excellent pix with our Nikon, but scares the living shit out of me in the process. She actually sets up and poses her toys, and then takes pictures with excellent composition and depth of field, so I'd like a camera that sort of works. However, I can't get my mac to do things like, oh, surf the web, so maybe this isn't my camera. But damn if I'm not going to look at it.
Cute camera and as always I love your pictures. Your choices as to what you will photograph is great.
Thanks for the idea! These will almost certainly be stocking stuffers for my boys.
That is so cute - and it takes great pics all things considered! Excellent find - thanks!
I was wondering about those! Although, the concern as to whether they will work on a mac might be enough to keep me away.
Thanks though!
I just cannot believe how cheap it was.
http://wheelsonthebus.wordpress.com
I just cannot believe how cheap it was.
http://wheelsonthebus.wordpress.com
Not fair. your $10 camera pictures are far better than any pics I can take with the fanciest settings on my camera (which is a relatively cheap one, anyway, but it's more about the photographer than the camera).
I SO want the pink one.
i've seen them, and wondered about them, so thanks for the review!
So your saying that if I get a Vivitar I can take pictures like you? ;)
Love popping over to see what is new.
Hmm...maybe my four year old needs one. She always wants to take pictures with my camera.
Though, we're in a Mac world here.
Thanks for the info and photos. My 4yo wants a digital camera and I'm looking around for a cheapie that takes decent photos.
wow, I'm impressed. those are some pretty nice pics.
awfully nice pics...i agree with the commenter who said to buy for the kids...for only 10 bucks!?
I'm glad you mentioned that the camera (most likely) only works on PCs. Since we only have macs I won't spend the $10. Great photos, I especially like the one of the white fabric.
i used to have one like that. well, a cheap little mini camera. it was so.much.fun.
neat-o pics, lady.
i used to have one like that. well, a cheap little mini camera. it was so.much.fun.
neat-o pics, lady.
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