HOT!? Mustek 4.1 Megapixel 3-in-1 Digital Camera For $166 SHIPPED!

[HedonicFiend]

I came across with this deal on hsn.com. It seems like a HOT HOT deal, but I've never heard of the brand name MUSTEK??? However, this camera does come with BUNCH of freebies, such as tripod, mini SD reader, etc...

Ok, here's the detail...

Mustek 4.1 Megapixel 3-in-1 Digital Camera
Item Number: 827-262
Retail Value: $422.83
HSN Price: $187.76
Sale: $165.86
S & H: Free
You Save: $256.97

Who says the more functions a camera has, the bulkier it must be? No one who owns this Mustek 4.0 Megapixel Digital Camera and Recorder, that's for sure. It features the latest technology like USB PC and audio/video connections, CCD image sensor and a color LCD screen for image review - all in a compact, stylish construction. You also receive an external USB data card reader, PC imaging software and handy accessories. Details include:
3.1 mega (million) pixel image sensor with 4.1 megapixel hardware resolution
JPEG and DCF digital stills at 2272 x 1704 (fine with hardware enhancement) 2048 x 1536 (high) and 1024 x 768 (low) pixel resolutions
16 MB internal flash memory with SD (Secure Data)/MMC (Multi Media Card) slot - built into camera
1.5" TFT color LCD screen
2X and 4X digital zoom and optical viewfinder
1/15 to approx. 1/2500 second shutter speed
Fixed focus lens with 5.6 aperture ratio
Integrated flash with on, automatic, red-eye reduction and off modes
AVI format digital movie recording
PC webcam mode when using the USB port, cable and driver software for Windows 98SE/ME/2000/XP operating systems
10 second self timer function
USB port, cable and driver CD-ROM for computer interface
Audio/video port and cable for connection to video equipment
CD-ROM software featuring PhotoExpress SE, Photo Explorer, Cool 360, Adobe Acrobat Reader, video capture/camera drivers and ULead VideoStudio 6
CD-T2-UD Secure Digital and Multi Media Card reader/writer with CD-ROM drivers plus USB port and cable. Conveniently exchanges data for MP3 players, digital cameras and more. Silver/gray finish. Measures approx. 2-1/2"L x 1-1/2"W x 1/2"H
External flash card not included - contact HSN representative to purchase optional flash cards
(2) AA alkaline batteries included
Black felt pouch with drawstring closure and wrist strap
Approx. 5"H metal mini tripod stand
Silver/gray camera finish
Camera measures approx. 3-1/4"L x 2-1/2"H x 1-1/4"W
Comes with a 90 day, limited manufacturer's warranty

LINK

Anyone who've owned a Mustek, please comment on this...

 

[EXman]

POS

 

[xarar]

The camera is worth what you pay for it. Not that great, nothing speacial. Works fine for most people, especially HSN shoppers(no offense since you atleast came looking for advice and are a anandtechie) but for the most part people are not looking for top quality products. If you are looking for a nice cheap digital camera with decent picture quality lots of (from what I have heard) poor quality features. It could very well be perfect and fits the budget. Otherwise you might want to go check floor models at fry's or another computer store as you will realize there is a reason some cameras cost 150 and some cost 400.


xarar

 

[xarar]

Goto google and just look at reviews I pulled this out of a review from a digital camera website forum.

"I got my Camera from HSN today and I also believe that the pictures that they showed enlarged were from another camera. There is NO way that this camera can take pictures that would enlarge as nicely as what was on HSN. The light gathering ability of this camera is dismal and as a PC Web can it is atrocious. If I was to say the strong point of the camera it would have to be the small size. Even the tripod is too small for the camera itself and many times tended to fall over with the weight of the camera on it. It is very interesting to see on the Mustek site there is now a new DV-4000 with a 4 Megapixel rating and a rechargable lithium ion battery. Back to the DV-3000, I do not know how it could have gotten an award for the best as it is a toy albeit interesting one that can provide some entertainment BUT any quality videos/photos is out of the question for even a 2.1 Megapixel camera let alone a 3.1. If you try to enlarge the pictures at high resolution you lose detail and color saturation. For $140 I would have expected better ESPECIALLY since it is made in China and we all know how cheaply things are manufactured there. The lens has for some unknown reason plastic rings one over another which undoubtedly contributes to its poor performance unless there is sunlight or very bright indoor lights. I took with the the tripod 2 videos of the same subject and the lower resolution one was actually brighter. "

 

[HedonicFiend]

I heard ya! Personally, I got nikon 4500 and Fuji 2600, they are both decent camera. Especially nikon 4500, since I jumped on a earlier deal and had it for only $100ish. Great camera and great pictures!

Mustek 4.1 came to my attention since they mentioned the pixel quality and "retail price" of more than $400... and after hearing much about it now, I guess it's only worth that price

Originally posted by: xarar
The camera is worth what you pay for it. Not that great, nothing speacial. Works fine for most people, especially HSN shoppers(no offense since you atleast came looking for advice and are a anandtechie) but for the most part people are not looking for top quality products. If you are looking for a nice cheap digital camera with decent picture quality lots of (from what I have heard) poor quality features. It could very well be perfect and fits the budget. Otherwise you might want to go check floor models at fry's or another computer store as you will realize there is a reason some cameras cost 150 and some cost 400.


xarar

 

[skarydrunkguy]

never buy a camera with a digital only zoom. it is a sure sign of a piece of crap. also, if you notice that this camera has a 3MP ccd, but 4MP 'hardware'... that means that you'll get a 3MP picture artifically 'bumped up' in res. just so they can put a bigger number on the box.

You should definately pass on this one and pick up a cheapo kodak or cannon or something. I am sure you will be much more pleased for about the same monies.

 

[Cybordolphin]

Wish someone would list superior camera's at this price point. I need a cheap but good high MP camera.

 

[MOONKEY]

Not to trash any brand. Optical len's quality is often more important than pixel count. The pics taken by my 4 years old big bulk 1 megapixel Kodak are often looks much better than many 2 megapixel ones (none of my friends have 3 mega yet); I often wonder how they count pixel? However, Mustek's scanner isn't too bad.

 

[TekDemon]

Originally posted by: Cybordolphin
Wish someone would list superior camera's at this price point. I need a cheap but good high MP camera.

Try and find a deal on clearanced old Canons or something. If you're willing to go a little above this price range, the $250ish range gets you the new Canon A70(which I own heh and it rocks). I actually picked the A70 over the S400(which I also bought) after some thinking, and I haven't regretted it =) EXCELLENT ergonomics is probably the main thing I felt it had over almost any other camera.

Actually it might be possible to score an A60 around the $190 range? I dunno exactly how but I think it's possible, it's the same as the A70 except with less megapixels(I think 2.1 or 2.0 instead of 3.2), so if megapixels isn't too important to you then it should be good.

The A70 rocks though so I'd definitely consider saving up or selling something you don't need anymore(trust me you have more junk than you'd think) to come up with the remaining $100. It's AWESOME! To be fair it's probably not better in price/performance versus the free Fuji Finepix 1300 I got back when Windows XP launched(Damn those were sweet deals...Staples had the Finepix 1300 FAR if you bought XP, which is insane since XP home was worth about the same as the camera), but it's sweet nonetheless =)

 

[falconx80]

dont be joining the bandwagon, u could regret your decision.

read up on reviews and comments from others before spending your money on this product.

brand mustek cannot match up to the quality perfected by other companies.

 

[farstar]

I agree with the comments about digital vs optical zoom. I just purchased the Olympus C-740 took it on vacation with me two weeks ago. The 10x optical zoom and 3.2MP mke this just plain incredible. The camera I had before this had a 2x digital zoom, I never realized what a pos it was until I got this one. The Olympus is running about $375, there are a lot of higher resolutions cameras available for around the same price but none of them have the zoom.

My recomendation is go for the zoom, no matter which camera you buy be sure to get as much optical zoom as you can.

 

[MySTified3k]

The number that should scare you the most about this camera isn't even the "4" they faked, when it's actually a 3.1, it's not the zero optical zoom even, though what someone would do with a 4 megapixel fixed lens camera is beyond me

no, the worst number here is f/5.6 aperture ratio max. Anything but flash pictures or BRIGHT summer days and you are underexposing. Worthless camera.

Buying a 4 megapixel camera with anything slower than an f/2.8 lens is like buying an $800 HK stereo amplifier and running the signal through cerwin vega speakers.

Here are the important criteria:
1. lens lens lens. Heavier, more glass, is better. Quality of glass is important.
2. Some optical zoom is important, the standard is 35-105 "equivalent." More will gain you telephoto abilities AT THE PRICE of light and distortion at the wide angle/max telephoto margins.
3. Every 1 f-stop lets in half as much light/twice as much light. So an f/2.0 lens such as on the Canon G-3's lens will let in twice as much light as an f/3.0 lens such as on a less expensive camera. Lower aperture-ratio is better. Sometimes it is shown as "1:2.8" instead of using the f/x.x format. More light let in = ability to take pictures that aren't blurry in low light, or take high shutter speed action shots in mediocre light. Single most important feature IMO.
4. Megapixels, 3-4 is the sweet spot right now. Anything 5.0 and above is really overkill unless you are planning to do lots of posters. Lens first, THEN megapixels.

 

[BigM]

Way way way back...well, 9 years ago....I remember Mustek was a decent brand. I had purchased a hand scanner w/ ISA controller card for the low low price of $400. I havent heard of them since.