Manufactured by the folks at AIPTEK, the Pencam is a pocket sized digital camera that is small enough to carry and catch all those impromptu shots that one misses when you can't carry that full sized camera. It uses a miniature CMOS sensor that while not able to create the best image, enables the pencam to be so damn small.

The early generation pencams, such as the Aiptek Pencam II had plastic lenses and a max resolution of 640x480. The latest pencam models, such as the Pencam Mini Mega are now equipped with a glass lens and max 1.3 megapixel resolution.

Know that these cameras do not take the best digital photos in the world. These cameras have no flash in order to take quality indoor shots, as well, it's handling of light can sometimes be less than desirable.

But what I love about these cameras is their compact size and the ability to take a photo; bad or good. I shoot what I like, when I like, many times taking a photo that I would have not normally taken. Oftentimes the results are interesting and sometimes amazing.

Recently I traded my Pencam II in for a new model. Aiptek has come out with it's next generation of pencam, the Pencam Mini. At 1.3 megapixel, internal memory and an actual glass lens, the picture quality of this tiny digital camera is a vast improvement over the previous model.

Improvements are better picture quality, a light sensor that is less likely to overexpose badly in bright light and best of all, internal memory so pictures are not lost when the batteries run out.

Of course, like anything new, there are drawbacks. Picture taking speed is much slower as the camera has to write to the internal memory. The annoying focus ring that is more trouble than it's worth. As well, there is a sonic beep after every picture taken (this can be taken care of if your not faint of heart - go here for the info. ps., it's voids the warranty).

Overall, I'm enjoying my new pencam. $89.00 well spent!

 

A pencam is a digital camera that I heard about and bought a while back. It's quite small, great for carrying around at all times to snap those goofy shots of friends, co-worker or even better, total strangers.

The camera is about the size of a magic marker and often is mistaken for a cell phone. It has a small amount of built in memory (8 megs) that allows you to shoot 26 pictures at 640 X 480 resolution and about 107 pictures at 320 x 240 resolution. It's powered by two AAA batteries that go quite a long way thanks to the lack of a LCD view finder.

I believe I paid $80.00-$85.00 for mine. I carry it around most places I go since its so small and light. Quite honestly though it's no substitute for a real camera. I wouldn't expect great pictures from it as it's resolution is low, there is no flash and has some light balancing problems. Yeah it's got it's issues, but if you take it for what it is, and enjoy it, you just may have some fun.