PenCam Mini 1.3 MP SD

This is a great camera for closeup work in regards to animation of say stop motion. But the big problem is that this does not have the WIN 7 drivers for it.....only works for win 98-win xp without a hitch.Doubtful that a driver for LINUX is a worker either....but keep trying and poke around the various drivers forums out there for either AIPTEK or a generic webcam one....

Why, you ask, would anyone buy a 1.3 MP camera in an age of 20 MP cameras? Why a camera with no electronic finder? Why?I have been writing about cameras almost since there were digital cameras for consumers. Early models, especially early "novelty" cameras (and this is one) generally were worthless junk. But I recently found a used PenCam and recalled that the lenses Aiptek used had a peculiar quality someone reminiscent of the Diana camera that has often been copied without great success. The images are slightly soft, but over saturated. With no flash and a barely audible beep, this is a good camera for grab shots of oddness around you.Low light work is poor, but interesting. In low light, the camera scan lines appear in the image. Also, because there is no mechanical shutter, the system energized the sensor for a given amount of time. In lower light, it is possible to rotate or move the camera for odd effects.The camera is best used with a small capacity (non HD) SD card. It will hold a limited number of files internally, but if the batteries die you will lose them. Take out the SD card and use a card reader, ignoring the included software which probably won't work with Windows 7, 8 or 10.A decidedly quirky camera, not for mainstream use. But it has it's place in the world of "toy" and "novelty" cameras.The attached photos have not be cropped or edited.

My first digital camera was the Casio QV-300. I bought it more than five years ago (if I am not mistaken). Since then I had bought 9 more digital cameras. A Canon Powershot 350, a Fujifilm DS-9 (if I am not mistaken), A Fujifilm MX-2700, a Canon G1, a Canon Powershot S-110, a Sony DSC-P50, a Mustek Gsmart Mini2 (CMOS), an Aiptek Pocketcam Classic (CMOS 0.3MP), and the last one an Aiptek Pencam SD 1.3(CMOS).In my opinion the Aiptek Pencam SD 1.3 is an excellent toy/tiny CMOS based digital camera. I was surprised it takes very good pictures (given the "available light" is sufficient) and fairly easy to use. Eventhough the first Pencam SD that I bought was defective (too many hot pixels), I was able to return it to Best Buy easily. And the replacement is perfect. The start time is faster than most CCD based (more expensive) digicams. And most importantly the picture quality is excellent (I even think it takes better pictures than my Sony DSC-P50 which is a 2.1MP digicam). I feel the pictures taken with the Pencam SD yield a better more natural colors compared to he Sony DSC-P50. Moreover, this camera is perfect for veteran digicam users who appreciate concealability and those who needs a second or third cameras for their website pictures. In conclusion: If you are looking for a "simple" point and shoot camera and don't really care for extreme portability and (sometimes) artsy results, then this camera is not for you. You should buy a known brand, more expensive (over hundred dollars) "CCD" based digicam with a built in flash.

I got the newest version of the Aiptek Pencam SD and I was pleasantly surprised by the picture quality. The only thing I think could be improved on is the door to the battery/SD card compartment. It is very flimsy and could break off easily. (I would have given it 5 stars if not for that.) Other than that, for the price ($19.95 with a free 128 MB secure digital memory card) I think it is a great camera. Even indoor pictures came out good as long as you have overhead lighting turned on. All in all, this is a very small, easy to use, portable little camera that is great for throwing in your purse or briefcase.

My only other experience with digital cameras was a 480x640 cheapie. This one loaded to XP with no problems (deleted other camera manager)and software works well. By using sd/mmc card, I think I can avoid battery problems since the card retains the photos and won't drain the battery. Indoors it needs lots of light but that was no surprise. Outdoors, on a heavily overcast day, the photos were very nice in high and low resolution. Using sd/mmc card, it works as a crude video camera (640x480)...jerky at low frame rate, but pretty amazing for a tiny camera. In fact, Santa would like to keep this one and give his kid the cheapie 640x480. A pro won't like it, but a pro shouldn't be looking at it anyway.