KB Gear JamCam 0.3MP Digital Camera, Silver
by KB Gear

List Price: $99.99
Category: Digital Camera
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Digital Photo Product Details

• Captures images at a resolution of 640 x 480 pixels (interpolated to 800 x 600)
• Focus-free lens for simple operation
• Built-in memory stores up to 8 images; MMC card slot for additional capacity
• Connects with Macs and PCs using USB port
• Uses a 9-volt battery for power

• Adobe Photoshop CS5 Upgrade [Old Version]
• Serif PhotoPlus X3
• Adobe Photoshop CS4 Upgrade [OLD VERSION]
• Aperture 3
• Pixelmator [Old Version]

Digital Cameras Photo Reviews of KB Gear JamCam 0.3MP Digital Camera, Silver

Customer Review: JamCam + Windows XP = NIGHTMARE!
Summary: 3 Stars

Jamcam error with Windows XP. As the others stated they were having problems with Win2000 and drivers, WinXP renders this camera almost useless! I have downloaded the drivers for WinXp from the Jamonline website and installed them perfectly, still have serious problems just extracting the images via usb to my computer. After installing the xp drivers, I was able to make 1 download set of pictures from jamcam twain source! After that, I get an error. If you reinstall the drivers over, same error. You must uninstall the drivers, from the device manager (not the uninstall program) while the camera is connected (otherwise it will not appear in the device list). Then run the driver update, which tells you it is uninstalling again, then run the xp driver update a third time. Then you can download one set of pictures, and start all over again. This is VERY time-consuming.
Also I don't know whether the camera is broken or it is Windows XP but I am now losing several images with every download. If I take 30 pictures, I may only get 18-20 back. I don't know where they go, they're simply not on the thumbnail bar. I have not checked to see if this happens on Win98 or ME so hopefully it's Windows XP. The only other workaround to the problem with xp usb drivers is to use the included serial cable (com port), the transfer rate is VERY slow on this also. The pictures take about 40 seconds EACH to load via serial connection. But it works, however I still lose photos with this method.

The camera is slow. It takes about 4-5 seconds for the camera to "think" before it's ready to take another shot, and a bit longer if you need the flash. It is also definitely not a fast-motion camera, you have to keep the camera steady and tell people to freeze or they will blur up badly.

The camera is easily fooled into thinking the subject is well lit by ambient light, avoid taking photos with a window in the background or light source.

It is possible to take decent pictures with this camera, for a 640 X 480 camera, the images are pretty decent most often. The flash does a good job, but you will end up overexposing if you take pictures with a flash close up.

Internal memory is insufficient. You can take 8 pictures at "hi-res" with internal memory. Don't even bother using the lower "r1" setting to save space. You can pick up a cheap 16 - 32 mb MMC card along with the camera. MMC card memory prices keep getting lower. Sandisk is the most popular but a little expensive, I bought a Delkin Devices 32mb MMC for around $22. Don't believe the other review stating that MMC cards lose their memory, they don't. But as I stated earlier I do "lose" photos for unknown reasons.

Battery eater. This is no surprise, all digital cameras eat batteries. It uses 9v batteries. Get a NIMH recharger and/or a cheap universal wall outlet battery adapter with 9v connector to power it while transferring images to your pc.

Now for the positive:
For the price, this camera is definitely worth it. I suggest using (another Web site) to compare prices, there was a $30 rebate but I think that has since expired, and I never got mine.

Bottom line:
This is a great kids camera, but also a capable camera for snapping photos for email etc. However 640x480 leaves a lot to be desired and I am going to move on to a 1.3 megapixel now because prices are lower now. If you do use it be sure to get extra memory and take 2-3 photos of whatever scenes you don't want to "lose". A 32mb MMC card will give you space for 130 photos on the camera so you can snap away (in 6 second intervals :)
DO NOT buy this camera if you use XP.
DO do some research for the cheapest price on the web.

I will update this review if I figure out anything on the WinXp and lost photos problem.

Description of KB Gear JamCam 0.3MP Digital Camera, Silver

Digital Cameras

• Camera & Photo > Digital Cameras