Praktica releases two new boringcams, the DPix 740Z and the luxmedia 7403

Those in the market for a rebranded generic digital camera may want to hold off on your bargain-basement purchase for a while: German company Praktica announced two new models today, which means the faceplate engineers at Rollei and other formerly well-regarded camera makers are hard at work in their rebranding labs as we speak. Both new cams have 7.2 megapixel sensors with 3X optical zooms and face recognition, but the metal-bodied luxmedia 7403 (pictured) also features a 3.0-inch screen, 32MB of memory, and an MP3 player, while DPix 740Z sets a new standard for forgettability, with a chunky plastic body, 2.4-inch LCD, just 16MB of internal memory, and the unforgivable downgrade to USB 1.1. No word on pricing or availability, but trust us -- you'll see these on darker street corners soon enough.

Read - DPix 740Z
Read - luxmedia 7403

[Krommenaas Posted Jul 24th 2007 8:15AM]

These condescending reviews of products of which you don't even know the price yet make this site seem snobbish. For all you know these cameras could be the best value for money ever.

[greatslack Posted Jul 24th 2007 8:28AM]

Way to be objective, Engadget!

[(Unverified) Posted Jul 24th 2007 8:37AM]

Hahaha! good ol' engadget! you're objective stance on inferior products is why i like you, ol' chap!

[(Unverified) Posted Jul 24th 2007 8:57AM]

Yes, typical Engadget trying feebly to stir the pot by sounding like loudmouth boors.

Engadget:

1> many cameras still use USB 1.1, even high end ones.

2> built in MP3 player is an unusual, and nice, feature.

[whooven Posted Jul 24th 2007 9:31AM]

The design reminds me of the old Casio Exilim (sp?). The controls are even similar.

While it's curious why they don't use USB 2, as long as it has removable memory card capability and takes a nice picture and the price is right, this may not be a bad little camera. I don't think I've ever plugged my camera in via USB. I always remove the memory card and use a card reader anyway.

[(Unverified) Posted Jul 24th 2007 9:39AM]

They seem pretty praktical.

[(Unverified) Posted Jul 24th 2007 10:05AM]

Engadget releases boringnews on boringcams. Nilay Patel sets a new standard for forgettability in articles. Everybody else says "Meh".

[stridermt2k Posted Jul 24th 2007 10:38AM]

(Meh)

[symmetryx Posted Jul 24th 2007 11:31AM]

ugh. You know, I never, ever bash the writing on engadget. I almost always enjoy it.

This was garbage.

Just because something is a rebrand, and not a luxim/leica, sony, olympus, canon, or whatever brand happens to float your collective boats, doesn't mean it's not worth reviewing. My DSC-W80 doesn't have a 3 inch screen, and while I'm not a fan of those fixed style lenses, I'm sure someone is. If it's a bargain price for a decent camera, why not push it as such?

So uh, are there any vacancies for new writers?

[(Unverified) Posted Jul 24th 2007 1:14PM]

I for one appreciate when writers call manufacturers out on built-in stupidity like USB 1.1. Good work. Now please write me a scathing diatribe on what a peice of sh*t the iPhone camera is, and how its inclusion is a lougey in the face of technophiles like myself.

Thanks.

[(Unverified) Posted Jul 24th 2007 2:01PM]

Here's a rewrite to humor the various folks leaving comments.

"Those of us that have wild sexual fantasies about low-cost, high-value digital cameras may want to empty out the penny jar: German company Praktica announced two new awesome, avant garde models today, which means engineers - I mean, camera artists! - at Rollei and other arthouse camera makers are hard at work developing their own masterpieces that will surely find their way into everyone's Christmas stocking this year! Both new cams have astounding 7.2 megapixel sensors with 3X optical zooms and face recognition, but the metal-bodied luxmedia 7403 (pictured) also features a mind-boggling 3.0-inch screen, an unfathomable 32MB of memory, and an never-before-heard-of "MP3" player, while DPix 740Z sets a new standard for stylized simplicity, with a sturdy plastic body, massive 2.4-inch LCD, a bone-crushing 16MB of internal memory, and state-of-the-art USB 1.1. No word on pricing or availability, but trust us -- all of the comments assure us this will cost mere pennies, and will be more available than water...or air!"

There...everyone happy now?