Polaroid's barebones a520 digital camera

While Polaroid may have had that snap 'n shake camera market locked down, it certainly isn't atop the list of quality digital cameras, but the a520 isn't parading around attempting to be anything more than a bottom-of-the-line, wallet-friendly offering anyway. While the company's 10-megapixel i1032 was relatively uninspiring, this compact shooter should certainly appeal to budget-conscious consumers looking for a basic, simple way to take digital photos. The pocketable cam sports a modest five megapixel CMOS sensor, 2-inch LCD monitor, 16MB of built-in storage, SD support (limited to 1GB cards or smaller), and a VGA movie mode. Unfortunately -- albeit expectedly -- you'll find a (nearly worthless) 4x digital zoom in place of the more functional optical variety, and while it touts integrated "redeye reduction," we have our doubts concerning its effectiveness. Nevertheless, this diminutive P&S probably boasts enough capability for those wanting a (very) basic digital alternative to buying all those disposables, and can be found for the super-cheap price of about ¥10,000 ($85) when it drops in October.

[Via Far East Gizmos]

[Shawn @ Sep 19th 2006 9:45PM]

Wow, I'm testing comments! :)

[Isaac @ Sep 19th 2006 9:46PM]

cheap camera

[Isaac @ Sep 19th 2006 9:46PM]

yes I love the password feature so much easier to leave coments now

[Taylor Alexander @ Sep 19th 2006 9:48PM]

Yeah... the 1gb limit is lame... 4 gig cards are only $60 on newegg now... who'd go smaller?
-Taylor

[matt @ Sep 19th 2006 9:48PM]

Or better yet, get a decent camera... get the A520 that Canon released last year...

[Frank @ Sep 19th 2006 9:57PM]

This is a cheap camera, $85, at that price its almost worth it.

[Edward @ Sep 19th 2006 10:06PM]

Poor Polaroid - depressing really.

[peace @ Sep 19th 2006 10:10PM]

Hm... At least the design isn't too bad.

[cheersevans @ Sep 19th 2006 10:54PM]

I think there will be a big market in lower end equipment, not everyone needs the latest and greatest....

[kei @ Sep 19th 2006 10:59PM]

1) testing

2) the design makes it look worth more than $85, not bad for a starter camera. If anyone buys more than half a dozen of disposable cameras over a year or two this Polaroid is a better deal.

[Alden @ Sep 19th 2006 11:42PM]

having sold cameras for a while now, i can say that every polaroid digital camera we've ever carried was complete garbage. Maybe, maaaaybe it would be ok for a young child but really, thats about it. Unless this one is different.

[ourownde @ Sep 20th 2006 2:02AM]

well, maybe not better, but close to it? =)

[ShredSled @ Sep 20th 2006 2:13AM]

Isn't this camera market reserved for Kodak?

[Jack @ Sep 20th 2006 6:08AM]

If Polaroid wants to remain in the business of helping people produce images, they are going to have to go back to the type of thinking on which their company was founded--innovative and unique. Products such as this one will do nothing to support their brand.

http://emotiquotes.com

[sc00tert00ter @ Sep 20th 2006 7:33PM]

first comment on post and my first comment for new engadget!

[ourownde @ Oct 13th 2006 12:40PM]

heck, my k790 will probably take better pics than this...

[Istok @ Dec 20th 2006 11:52AM]

Check out the Polaroid i533 and then lets see if Polaroid is still low on your expectation list. 30 fps @ 640 x 480,2.5" 1.5 megapixel LCD, 5 megapixel images, $99 in the store!!! Yes you dont have to order it online and hope you are getting something that is good, you can buy it at Sears and physically see it and try it. So you can keep your $180 canon with their crappy 20 fps and .7 megapixel LCD. In fact there are $250 cameras that do not have these features. Heck my Canon A640 has something like only 1.2 megapixel LCD and it is a new model and it was $300 dollars!!!

[ScottyK @ Dec 26th 2006 5:59PM]

It's a cheap camera, but for me it's perfect for the teenagers in my house. I've got one going on a school trip to Florida, so by giving her this cheap camera, my nicer cameras stay at home. She's not going to take earth shattering pictures anyway, for her it's perfect.

[reggie fleming @ May 18th 2007 12:41PM]

what is the deal with closing the battery cover what is the little u-shaped thingy for?