Kodak MC3 Portable Digital Camera/Camcorder and MP3 Player - 64 MB

As a video camera, the MC3 captures QuickTime format movies with sound at a resolution of 320 x 240 pixels. Users choose from two settings--a high-quality 20 frames per second (fps) mode captures more detail, but fills the CompactFlash memory card at a rate of 15 MB per minute. A more e-mail friendly mode shoots at 10 fps and uses greater compression. This mode makes movies a bit choppier, but still looks fine for most applications and only consumes around 2 MB of memory per minute.

A 1.6-inch color LCD screen on the back of the camera lets you see exactly what you're filming and can also play back footage you've recorded. While most manufacturers use illuminated LCDs, Kodak has opted to use a reflective display instead. In a reflective display, the traditional backlight is replaced with a mirror. This arrangement is thinner, uses less energy, and is less expensive. It's also easier to see when you're outdoors. Unfortunately, it's more difficult to see in low-light situations--seeing what you're shooting in a restaurant will be a challenge.

The videos you create aren't as detailed as those from a camcorder, but the MC3 isn't designed to replace those traditional tape-based devices. Although the movies can be viewed on your TV (with an optional connecting cable), they're really designed to be seen on a computer screen, saved on your hard drive or CD-R, and shared with friends via e-mail.

Though it's not designed primarily as an MP3 player, the MC3's musical abilities are quite good. You get the full set of standard controls (including cue and review within a song), plus several equalizer settings, shuffle mode, and repeat. In addition, the LCD shows artist and title information, plus system settings. The built-in speaker (included primarily for audio playback of your movies) can also be used to play music, though sound quality is much better with headphones. Standard MP3 song files are transferred from your computer to the MC3 via a USB cable, using included software. There's no copy protection, so if you have a dedicated CompactFlash card reader, you can even transfer files directly to and from the memory card.

As a still camera, the MC3 is just OK. Resolution is 640 x 480 (0.3 megapixels), which looks fine on a computer monitor but lacks enough detail to create photo-quality prints, even at snapshot sizes. Photo capabilities are simple to the point of crudeness--there's no flash, the lens is fixed focus, and everything is completely automatic. Still, it works fine for outdoor snapshots, which is where Kodak thinks you'll be using the device most often.

Kodak's software suite that comes with the MC3 adds a whole new dimension to your creativity. The simple-to-use VideoImpression program lets users blend footage and stills with their favorite songs, letting even absolute amateurs create professional-looking productions in a matter of minutes.

Instructions come with the MC3, but it's so well designed that they aren't really necessary. Using the device is as easy as sliding the four-position switch on the back to the appropriate mode (MP3, movie, still, or playback) and turning on the power. When you're ready to try the more advanced features, a screen-based menu system makes it easy to find your way around. Battery life was good, allowing us several hours of MP3 playback and lots of video recording and playback before we needed to replace the three AAA cells. The use of three batteries is a bit odd--most batteries and chargers are sold in twos or fours, so you'll either need to get your batteries 6 or 12 at a time, or use rechargeables and find a charger that lets you charge just three cells.

The MC3 uses standard Type I CompactFlash cards--the same type of cards used by many digital cameras and some PDAs and MP3 players. The device comes with either a 16 or 64 MB card, depending upon price, and cards are currently available from a number of manufacturers in capacities up to 256 MB. Our sample unit came with a 64 MB card, which gave us around 27 minutes of lower-quality video, 4 minutes of high-quality video, 65 minutes of high-quality MP3 music, 500 still pictures, or any combination in between. For our tests, 64 MB was ample, letting us store a dozen songs and leaving enough room for about 12 minutes of lower-quality video. When we started to run out of space for movies, we just deleted our least-favorite songs and started shooting again.

Public reaction to the MC3 has been incredible. Whenever we took it out for a test, strangers stopped us to find out more about it and try it for themselves. Something about the design--its sheer simplicity or its friendly design, perhaps--brings out users' creative sides. We found ourselves compensating for the lack of zoom by thrusting the camera closer to the action and shooting videos of scenes we'd never captured with a camcorder. Sure, the MC3 is more of a toy than a tool, but it's an extremely fun toy. It's not much more expensive than an ordinary MP3 player, but the added fun is immeasurable. Kodak has a hit on its hands.

Pros:

• For about the same price as an ordinary MP3 player, you also get a video camera and digital camera
• Well designed, with quality construction and simple controls
• Lots of fun to use

Cons:

• Reflective LCD panel hard to see in dimly lit areas
• Power choice of 3 AAA batteries is a bit awkward

My biggest bugbear is that firstly theres no ability to have an external power supply. Secondly seeming that it is a USB device, why hasn't Kodak written some NEW software so it can be used as a WEBCAM? A previous review stated it could be, well for the life of me I haven't found anywhere on the web where it lists that capability, and in this day and age it is something you could actually use.

So anyway if you are looking for a toy like this it works fine, but you may find other such toys with more features.

Kodak of course could extend the life of the product by releasing some upgraded firmware patches that will allow it to be used as a webcam, adding one more feature to its arsenal.

There should be quite a few of these cams floating around second hand these days.


Fun, but not for serious use   November 16, 2003
I bought one of these after they stopped making them (somehow I got a brand new one), and was pleased with the camera. It uses a non-backlit display and this increases battery life dramatically. There are quite a few options for altering sound, so MP3 playback is great. The camera and video recorder both record at surprisingly high quality. This isn't a camera I'd use on a vacation, but something I bought just for on the go and fun daily use. The device can also be used as a webcam, which is fun. If you can find a brand new one (careful, many sell refurbished), then I'd say go ahead and buy it for under $100.


Totally Awesome!   January 4, 2003
3 out of 3 found this review helpful

I just got this for Christmas and it is soooo cool! Here are my pros and cons for it:

Pros:
It has an MP3 Player, it lets you make videos, and it lets you take pictures
It has a little screen on the back to show what your taping/taking
If you don't like the MP3's you have, download a different one off the internet and onto your MC3
It is cool!

Cons:
The video/picture is dark if you're not near a light
The batteries die quickly(so I would get rechargable ones)
The memory gets full quickly(but you can get a memory card with more room)

Well, I hope this review helped you!


Spencer Jones is a Company man   September 25, 2002
dtrossga (Jonesboro, GA USA)
0 out of 1 found this review helpful

Go camera but, it is a toy and not for serious pictures. Kodak get real and add a flash, it wouldn't cost that much more. Mr. Jones's review is right out of the company handbook. Kodak's man comes on as a sales pitch, no one talks that way.