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Product Reviews:
Value for money, but a compromise, May 19, 2004
Reviewer: "g99antony"
In all, a value-for-money camera, but not without weaknesses. Bought in
Australia on 18 May 2004 for 30% less than the already discounted price of
the other camera considered, the Fuji FinePix S5000. I had previous
experience with a Kodak DX4330 (all auto 3.1MP) and did some comparative
shots with the Kodak and the Vivitar.
It had to be a 10X optical zoom, as I got used to long zooms during my SLR
days. Originally I had my eyes on the Fuji S5000, but did not like the
reviews (particularly the pretend 6MP setting, see DPReview).
STRENGTHS:
The price is unbeatable. The camera does not feel flimsy, even though it
is plastic. Stickier surfaces would improve handhold, but shape is fine.
The controls are logical and well-positioned, and with medium-sized male
fingers I can comfortably reach and identify all buttons without taking my
eyes off the viewfinder.
The viewfinder picture is what the lens sees (SLR-like), so there is none
of the annoying parallaxis error of cameras with separate viewfinder
windows.
The autofocus (a weak point in many reviews of various cameras) works fine
throughout the zoom range. Macro ditto. The lens seems fine, although I
did not play with test patterns.
There is the broad range of general settings expected nowadays, eg, four
exposure, seven scenes, five focus, picture colour/sharpness/contrast, ISO
between 70 and 400.
The range of manual-mode settings is excellent for this price. For
example, there are five built-in white-balance settings, PLUS two manual
pre-sets. Continuous shoot is available, as is 3 or 5 frames in a row.
Exposure adjustments are available. The extent of viewfinder/LCD
information displayed on settings can be changed to suit everyone.
Picture-processing speed is much better than the Kodak DX4330.
Operating costs are low, as it takes AA size batteries (from alkaline to
rechargeables) and the cheaper secure digital cards.
WEAKNESSES:
Precision of the sensor is not great. Images are marginally noisier than
those taken with a Kodak DX4330. This is not an issue for standard print
sizes, though.
I am not wild about the colour. While the Kodak DX4330 had a blue bias,
the Vivitar 3755 is red biased. There is no tone setting.
The viewfinder is quite grainy, and it can be difficult to identify
objects with the zoom fully out. For people preferring to use the LCD on
the back (accepting shorter battery life) this is not an issue as that
latter is large and fine.
Unless I missed it, there is no option for a date stamp for photos.
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Great camera, April 12, 2004
Reviewer: cheryl
This camera in wonderful no problems at all excellent quality pictures.
Easy to use.
I love it.
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3755 Vivitar so far so good....., January 8, 2004
Reviewer: A customer
After finally getting it (Thank You J&R Music and Comp great service not
like HSN booooo.. HSN....) New years eve, I think I have found the camera
for me. Being short on money and wanting everything to be quality this is
as close as it comes.....I have learned more about the tech in of shooting
with a matter of ease with this camera.... I still use the auto mode alot
but can gradually switch to many different settings when I want to
challenge myself in manual or semi manual....It has it all....Great
outdoor shots like the Canon A80,A70, and descent indoor shots....
I would recommend it to anyone... My boss just purchased a slr Sigma and
he was impressed with it because of the wide range of use.. Of course its
not an slr but for 349.00 it's a good deal..
One thing though.... buy a charger.... with 2000mhp... or more...
I went through 8 aa batteries in 4 hours just playing with it....I have
already taken over 300 shots.....
So far so good..
Back to Vivitar
Vivicam 3755 3.2MP
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