Gateway 5MP Camera with 3x optical zoom for $149
- Thread starter Beldar
- Start date
pcliquidator....... I bought some AMD 500MHz Laptop CPUs from these guys 4 years ago. Never heard from them again. Looks like a good deal. Refurbished or new?
Don't buy from them, these cameras are total crap.
Get a canon elf, the 3.3 mp one is not much more in terms of price and
night and day in terms of optics, and even more important, the way it focus's
You get the gate way camera, and you will miss half the shots you take.
Vito
Get a canon elf, the 3.3 mp one is not much more in terms of price and
night and day in terms of optics, and even more important, the way it focus's
You get the gate way camera, and you will miss half the shots you take.
Vito
The box was not sealed but the camera has a picture count of only 7 so I would consider that new. The cables inside the box were still bagged and do not appear to have been opened.
ericlp
Diamond Member
- Dec 24, 2000
- 6,137
- 225
- 106
As they say, size isn't everything and, in the case of the DC-T50, the 5-megapixel imager is not able to overcome the color balance and shooting performance issues we experienced; we honestly can't recommend this camera.
linky to steves digicam review
This is a pathetic review as steve hardly ever rates a digi cam with a bad review.
linky to steves digicam review
This is a pathetic review as steve hardly ever rates a digi cam with a bad review.
Weird - Link to other post about this camera
I'll repeat here; as it seems that some folks who posted negatively here there posted negatively here also, but I'm not sure that they own the camera:
I bought this camera a few months ago and despite having read some mixed reviews my personal experience has been very good. It has more features than most cameras in it's class, letting you either be a point and clicker or a micromanaging f-stop tweaker. And the quality of photos it takes is better than any digi I have owned (I'm on #6 now) I highly recommend this camera. Give it a chance at this price, I guarantee you will not be disappointed.
I saw Steve's negative review and was very surprised by it, as I think he is pretty accurate on most cameras (though he often skims over shutter lag). I've had no negative experience with color balance or any such thing. So again, arm yourself with data from user reviews.
And thread cappers, please, link Steve's review and perhaps offer your personal experience. Maybe Steve had a bad experience with Gateway.
The cameras only drawback is speed, it takes a moment to start up and has a fairly long shutter lag.
This camera takes pretty fine photos. Some of mine taken with this camera are HERE
I'll repeat here; as it seems that some folks who posted negatively here there posted negatively here also, but I'm not sure that they own the camera:
I bought this camera a few months ago and despite having read some mixed reviews my personal experience has been very good. It has more features than most cameras in it's class, letting you either be a point and clicker or a micromanaging f-stop tweaker. And the quality of photos it takes is better than any digi I have owned (I'm on #6 now) I highly recommend this camera. Give it a chance at this price, I guarantee you will not be disappointed.
I saw Steve's negative review and was very surprised by it, as I think he is pretty accurate on most cameras (though he often skims over shutter lag). I've had no negative experience with color balance or any such thing. So again, arm yourself with data from user reviews.
And thread cappers, please, link Steve's review and perhaps offer your personal experience. Maybe Steve had a bad experience with Gateway.
The cameras only drawback is speed, it takes a moment to start up and has a fairly long shutter lag.
This camera takes pretty fine photos. Some of mine taken with this camera are HERE
Epinions only 3 stars out of 5
Quote from review at dpreview on Toshiba PDR-5300 (sold at Best Buy under that name, same camera as Gateway DC-T50) posted October 1st:
I have the Gateway DC-T50 version of this camera. I purchased it for $200 at Best Buy. One week later I saw the camera for $150. The reason for the price dropping on this camera is that Gateway has decited to stop selling this product. I have contacted Gateway, and they are not offering ANY direct support for this product. They will NOT provide any firmware updates. For all issues you are requested to take the camera back to the retail location from which you purchased the camera.
Another guy at the site stated that his died within 3 months, and the guy from the quote above stated he sometimes has the memory protected problem mentioned commonly in the epinions reviews (only clearable by turning camera on/off again, and he has occasionally had a previous picture "bleed" into a new one (first time I've heard of that on ANY camera).
EDIT: You want a suggestion, go with a good 3 MP at that price that gives better pictures, will still be supported, and without the problems mentioned on this one.
My suggestion: Canon A75 at Staples right now for $199.98 and a $50 rebate. Use a $30 off $150 coupon which are common enough and you're talking $120 after rebate for a 3.2 MP with 3x optical zoom, good quality, and backed by Canon.
Quoting Steves Digicams site:
The A75 has excellent image quality. The color saturation and white balance is nearly bulletproof in most shooting conditions. When needed, the "one-push" white balance feature makes it quick and simple to manually set the proper color temperature in mixed-lighting conditions and with the six new scene modes you're sure to get the proper exposure for unusual shooting conditions. The A75 has several color effects that include Vivid, Neutral, Low Sharpening, Sepia tone and Black & White. There was little need to post-process the vast majority of the pictures that we shot. The focus is sharp and well defined especially when shooting closeup objects.
Timing and performance was impressive, it's obvious that Canon's new DIGIC processor does its job well. It takes about three seconds to power up and be ready to take the first shot. In the Large SuperFine mode it takes about three to four seconds to process and store an image. And going from Record to Play or vice-versa takes about two to three seconds. The all-important shutter lag (delay from pressing shutter until picture is actually captured) is about 0.5 to 0.7 seconds, a little faster than average thanks to its robust autofocus system. Sequential shooting wasn't quite as fast as the specs, we achieved about 2 frames per second as the camera captured eight frames in just a fraction over four seconds. This mode always varies depending on the shutter speed and will most likely be used outdoors with good lighting and fast shutter speeds. Our timing was with the Preview option disabled and the LCD turned off. The buffer flush after a burst of eight shots was less than ten seconds and the camera was able to take another shot in just under two seconds and could maintain that pace indefinitely. (Timing tests based on the use of a medium-fast 24X CF card.)
The A75's zoom lens is sharp and relatively fast with a maximum aperture of F2.8 in wide angle. There is a little barrel distortion at full wide angle but almost no pincushioning at full telephoto. The zoom mechanism is smooth and quiet. Canon has auxiliary wide angle, telephoto and super-macro lenses that are easily attached after removing the dress ring around the lens barrel. The lens adapter used to mount these lenses can also be used to hold 52mm filters in front of the lens. The Canon AiAF autofocus system is accurate and fast even when shooting macros at two inches or in dim light to total darkness thanks to its focus assist lamp. Canon is one of the few manufacturers that has realized that cameras need help focusing in low light conditions. This AF assist lamp also serves as the red-eye reduction light and the self-timer warning light.
I was happy to see the continued use of standard AA type batteries to power the A75. Many of Canon's other cameras use a proprietary lithium-ion battery pack. It's nice to be able to use rechargeable or "off the shelf" batteries. There's a multitude of high-capacity NiMH rechargeable batteries to choose from as well as rapid and portable chargers. You can use alkalines in this camera but they only yield about 1/3 the number of pictures that you can get with high-capacity NiMH. The battery life (when using NiMH) was very good even when using the color LCD all the time and frequently reviewing the pictures and making menu changes. ~ That gateway camera uses a battery without good life that requires charging on the camera.
Epinions 4.5 out of 5 stars
Quote from review at dpreview on Toshiba PDR-5300 (sold at Best Buy under that name, same camera as Gateway DC-T50) posted October 1st:
I have the Gateway DC-T50 version of this camera. I purchased it for $200 at Best Buy. One week later I saw the camera for $150. The reason for the price dropping on this camera is that Gateway has decited to stop selling this product. I have contacted Gateway, and they are not offering ANY direct support for this product. They will NOT provide any firmware updates. For all issues you are requested to take the camera back to the retail location from which you purchased the camera.
Another guy at the site stated that his died within 3 months, and the guy from the quote above stated he sometimes has the memory protected problem mentioned commonly in the epinions reviews (only clearable by turning camera on/off again, and he has occasionally had a previous picture "bleed" into a new one (first time I've heard of that on ANY camera).
EDIT: You want a suggestion, go with a good 3 MP at that price that gives better pictures, will still be supported, and without the problems mentioned on this one.
My suggestion: Canon A75 at Staples right now for $199.98 and a $50 rebate. Use a $30 off $150 coupon which are common enough and you're talking $120 after rebate for a 3.2 MP with 3x optical zoom, good quality, and backed by Canon.
Quoting Steves Digicams site:
The A75 has excellent image quality. The color saturation and white balance is nearly bulletproof in most shooting conditions. When needed, the "one-push" white balance feature makes it quick and simple to manually set the proper color temperature in mixed-lighting conditions and with the six new scene modes you're sure to get the proper exposure for unusual shooting conditions. The A75 has several color effects that include Vivid, Neutral, Low Sharpening, Sepia tone and Black & White. There was little need to post-process the vast majority of the pictures that we shot. The focus is sharp and well defined especially when shooting closeup objects.
Timing and performance was impressive, it's obvious that Canon's new DIGIC processor does its job well. It takes about three seconds to power up and be ready to take the first shot. In the Large SuperFine mode it takes about three to four seconds to process and store an image. And going from Record to Play or vice-versa takes about two to three seconds. The all-important shutter lag (delay from pressing shutter until picture is actually captured) is about 0.5 to 0.7 seconds, a little faster than average thanks to its robust autofocus system. Sequential shooting wasn't quite as fast as the specs, we achieved about 2 frames per second as the camera captured eight frames in just a fraction over four seconds. This mode always varies depending on the shutter speed and will most likely be used outdoors with good lighting and fast shutter speeds. Our timing was with the Preview option disabled and the LCD turned off. The buffer flush after a burst of eight shots was less than ten seconds and the camera was able to take another shot in just under two seconds and could maintain that pace indefinitely. (Timing tests based on the use of a medium-fast 24X CF card.)
The A75's zoom lens is sharp and relatively fast with a maximum aperture of F2.8 in wide angle. There is a little barrel distortion at full wide angle but almost no pincushioning at full telephoto. The zoom mechanism is smooth and quiet. Canon has auxiliary wide angle, telephoto and super-macro lenses that are easily attached after removing the dress ring around the lens barrel. The lens adapter used to mount these lenses can also be used to hold 52mm filters in front of the lens. The Canon AiAF autofocus system is accurate and fast even when shooting macros at two inches or in dim light to total darkness thanks to its focus assist lamp. Canon is one of the few manufacturers that has realized that cameras need help focusing in low light conditions. This AF assist lamp also serves as the red-eye reduction light and the self-timer warning light.
I was happy to see the continued use of standard AA type batteries to power the A75. Many of Canon's other cameras use a proprietary lithium-ion battery pack. It's nice to be able to use rechargeable or "off the shelf" batteries. There's a multitude of high-capacity NiMH rechargeable batteries to choose from as well as rapid and portable chargers. You can use alkalines in this camera but they only yield about 1/3 the number of pictures that you can get with high-capacity NiMH. The battery life (when using NiMH) was very good even when using the color LCD all the time and frequently reviewing the pictures and making menu changes. ~ That gateway camera uses a battery without good life that requires charging on the camera.
Epinions 4.5 out of 5 stars
Just for comparison....
2560x1920 from DC-T50
2048x1536 on A75, same general scene
2560x1920 from DC-T50
2048x1536 from A75, same composition
2560x1920 from DC-T50
2048x1536 from A75
2560 x1920 from DC-T50
2048x1536 from A75
Make your own judgements.
2560x1920 from DC-T50
2048x1536 on A75, same general scene
2560x1920 from DC-T50
2048x1536 from A75, same composition
2560x1920 from DC-T50
2048x1536 from A75
2560 x1920 from DC-T50
2048x1536 from A75
Make your own judgements.
I don't know about you, but one of the reasons I read reviews and forums first is to make up my mind to get a product. So no, I don't own this one (or the A75 for that matter). I'm a Sony DSC-F717 user. But based on reviews, coupled with the fact of no future support, and the sample pictures....well, as I said, I don't own the camera.
So far I have had two days to play with the camera and today we went to the fair and I took about 50 pictures. I have only printed a few of them but so far am very happy. We stepped up from a Toshiba 3.3MP and doo see the difference.
So for the negatives. The startup takes about 5 seconds to be ready to take the first picture. The LCD was a bit hard to see clearly in bright light, but so was the toshiba.
Overall, I am happy with it.
So for the negatives. The startup takes about 5 seconds to be ready to take the first picture. The LCD was a bit hard to see clearly in bright light, but so was the toshiba.
Overall, I am happy with it.
If you have my color vision, there is no difference between the a75 and Gateway, but then again, I once missed 49 of 50 on a test for being able to discern colors. Between the A75 at the discounted price you name and the Gateway, my choice would be the A75, but the pics seem vwery close to me.
Bekker
Bekker
only good shot form the gateway was the very last one, icky the water looks so bad on the one with the boats.
gotta tell you, guys... I don't like any of these pics...
But for the price, it's not too bad. However, I recommend the FZ1 (with 40 bucks more). Trust me, the quality of the pics are way better.
But for the price, it's not too bad. However, I recommend the FZ1 (with 40 bucks more). Trust me, the quality of the pics are way better.
What didn't you like about the A75 pics? Just curious. I can definately see the difference on the Gateway to the Canon, but not so much on the Panasonic FZ1 pictures.
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