SiPix StyleCam Snap

The StyleCam Snap is the new diminutive sister of the StyleCam Blink, offering many improvements.

Firstly, it is half a centimetre thinner than its predecessor, and is also of a much better build quality and styling.

Despite being smaller, it equals the Blink's 8MB of memory and manages to up the ante to a massive capacity of 400 images.

Obviously these images are of no great quality, with the best of two resolutions provided being only 640 x 480 VGA.

At this resolution only 100 images can be stored, but the smaller 320 x 240 resolution allows the full 400 images.

These images are of little use for printing but are ideal for displaying digitally and emailing to friends (thanks to their small file size).

Bizarrely, it is not possible to import the images directly into an image editor. Instead the bundled CamWizard must be used, which saves the images to your hard drive as Jpegs via the bundled USB cable.

This is the only area in which the Snap is bettered by the Blink, as it was possible to import raw images from the Blink directly into Photoshop (or a similar package) for editing and saving in any format.

The camera comes with ArcSoft PhotoImpression and ArcSoft VideoImpression. These enable you to edit your images and compile your 'streaming snapshot' movies. Both programs are basic yet functional.

Like the Blink, this camera can also be used as a webcam with many popular Instant Messaging programs, such as Yahoo! Messenger.

The real bonus of this camera is that, unlike the Blink, the pictures it stores are not deleted as soon as the battery is drained/removed. Instead, the Snap gives you a three-minute window to replace the battery, so always keep a spare handy.

Lacking a flash means it is pretty much limited to outside, daytime use only.

System Requirements:

• Windows 98/98SE/ME/2000/XP
• Pentium processor or higher
• 64MB Ram
• 90MB hard disk space
• Minimum 28.8Kbps modem (webcam functions)
• USB port
• CD-Rom drive

Contact:
Firebox 0870 241 4289
www.firebox.com