I'm writing largely from memory on this review, as it is over the years I've owned three of these things. One as a single purchase, and two as a combo deal.
This camera is so old it has a serial port to download pictures, and dates from the early years of digital cameras when manufacturers were experimenting around with body shapes and formats before deciding to copy film cameras for DSLR's and little silver boxes for compacts.
While a grand daddy to even a dinosaur like the Nikon D1, this camera still has a few "modern" features like the ability to capture in RAW format and add voice annotations to pictures. It's lens shroud for some reason is metal, which combined with it's unusual appearance makes the camera seem even older than it is.
Strengths:
As with many older cameras it's durable and built like a tank, and is heavy and sturdy enough to serve as a self defense weapon in a pinch. I never actually tried it but hey, I'm nonviolent.
Some "strengths" are actually standard features that most cameras are assumed to have, such as saving images in RAW/JPEG format, a standard flash hotshoe, and a burst mode of 4FPS for small size images. However, in a field of contemporary cameras that used proprietary formats and required special software to download, these "standard" features enhance it's usefulness.
Used within it's limit of a maximum ISO of 400 and the 2.5X zoom, it can take good pictures. Indoors the white balance is just right, outdoors to me it seemed a little off and overexposed. It's main use for today would be as a big and heavy snapshot camera.
Weaknesses:
The battery that you may assume is LIthium Ion is actually NIMH...... a proprietary NIMH. I hate NIMHs, they die when you need them and lose their charge just when sitting. Still, the batteries are available if you look.
Unless you're still on Windows 98 the serial cable will cause you grief to get hooked up, just pop the card in a memory reader.
No built in flash.
It's just weird looking, but grows on you after awhile.
Movie mode.......are you kidding? What movie mode?
I have used this camera in the snow, I have used it in the dark, I have used it in sunshine, I have used it haze, I have used it without flash and with (EX380). It is one fine camera!
It only struggles when you shoot at distance, without flash, and people are moving on you. (I don't know any camera digital or otherwise that will take a pcture under these conditions without flash).
If you are going to shoot in room ambient light (say a restraurant going away party) you'll need a ex 200 or 380 flash.
Its 28 mm equivalent lens puts it in a class by itself...you can usually move forward, but its hard moving back (into walls).
It will hold its own against any camera whose street price (4/2/2001) is below $500, I don't care how many pixels if you're printing 8 1/2" x 11" or smaller.
Rating Reviewed by: John R. Wright(Unregistered User)
(Intermediate)
Review Date February 6, 2001
Overall Rating 4 of 5
Used product for 1 Year
Review 3 of 33
Summary:
I like the camera. However, I am just beginning to explore all the features the camera possesses. My one concern is action photos. I write for about half a dozen automobile magazines and am a little concerned about the camera's ability to capture a shot of a race car in action. Or, perhaps I am concerned about my ability to use the camera properly. Just after about 25 years of using my old Pentax and I have to start all over again - and it's exciting. I have already booked space in a digital camera course at the local technical college where I took my initial photography courses lo these many years ago.
I guess my concern is in learning to use the camera to its potential and to make use of the powerful program which accompanies the camera. I need to learn the program so I can produce the finished photos which the magazines can use.
Strengths:
Flexibility in shooting in all different kinds of light, for example at the RM Spring Classic Car Auction.
Rating Reviewed by: Barry Fisher(Unregistered User)
(Beginner)
Review Date January 1, 2001
Overall Rating 4 of 5
Used product for 2 Weeks
Review 4 of 33
Summary:
You have to take this camera for what it is. Its a dedicated package who's strength is great studio and outdoor stills. Its a little slow focusing for action photos. Though I shot our firms xmas party and got some great candid shots. The camera is really comfortable to work with due to its nice layout of controls and the twisty lcd. The auto flash with the 380 flash is fantastic. I'm not sophisticated or experienced enough to miss some of the manual controls, but I have enjoyed working in aperture program for depth of field and have gotten some very nice shots with that.
If your happy with working in the set paramaters this camera offers than its one brilliant camera because of the outstanding quality of the lens and the really excellant picture quality you get out of it. The pixel count has not been a problem for me at all. Downloading on the parallel port is slow, but mine came with a usb card reader and as soon as I go to Win2000 that won't be a problem. Just download at nite while sleeping.
Like I say if you want this camera to be one that has the flexibility of a CP990, its not the one, if your looking for a camera designed to operate within certain parameters, then this camera is beautifully designed to do just that.
Strengths:
Image quality is excellant. With the 380 flash, you get really high quality fill in lighting and balance. Havn't been troubled by lack of manual white balance. Quality build is high for a digital. Controls are easy to use and well placed on the camera. Macro is good, not as in close like the Nikons, but the image quality is brilliant! Speed shots are great.
Weaknesses:
The auto focus is a little slow, though not too bad and easy to work with, just means you have to be ready for certain shots. Lacks ability to add lenses, etc.
A great overall camera for the price. The Pro70 has alot of SLR features that make it simple and easy to use. It takes a better picture than the specs reveal. High Quality lenses and a 2/3" CCD make the difference. Color balance and brightness are very good despite the lack of a flash. (I use a Canon Speedlight 220ex flash with mixed results - ofter you're better off with no flash, and brighten up with the software). But most indoor, low light shots come out good. This camera is heavier than most, but has a more SLR like "Feel". It also provides a stable platform, especially for macro mode shots. The controls and buttons are ergonomically located and very easy to master. The "pro" side features on this camera put it a step above similar priced models. Especially handy is the swivel LCD screen and dual CF slots. If you have a large enough CF card I recommend shooting in the CCDRAW mode. The uncompressed files are 1.9MB and are awesome - truely professional. I can get another 4x zoom from most images in the software by resizing without any digital distortion or pixelation. It also included a full compliment of MAC & PC software including an easy to use TWAIN interface, Adobe and Ulead photo editing, a panoramic/360 stitch program, and an album maker.
Strengths:
Excellent picture color balance and clarity. SLR look and feel. 2 CF slots (1 typeII). Protected swivel LCD screen makes framing any shot easy. Accessory hot shoe for external flash. Good battery life/short charge time, also comes with AC adaptor. Great lenses with 37mm thread for optional filters (~28-70mm zoom equivilant).
Weaknesses:
Autofocus is a bit slow (you get used to it). Lens cap is awkward. no built in flash
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