|
I4U.com Product Review |
|
Amazing! Check out the
Casio Exilim EX-S2 2MP
|
|
CASIO
Color
Wrist Camera WQV-10
The WQV-10 is the latest model of Casio Camera Watches.
Visit the largest Wrist Camera Picture Gallery on the Web at C
A M B O R G.
I first heard about the Casio Digital Camera Watch in
January, when Casio published a press-release announcing the MP3 Watch and the
Wrist camera. I was blown away - too cool to be true - I could not wait - being
a gadget geek hurts.
I had to wait until July to get a Wrist camera directly from a Japanese e-tailer,
who takes special orders. I got the WQV-1D-8JR which lists for 25,000 Yen. It
features a silver color case and a metal band. It is awesome, It really worked. I had
to wait another month to finally get the Wrist Camera PC Link Kit to upload the
pictures I have been busy taking to my PC.
What is it ?
The Casio Wrist Camera is a Digital Watch with a digital Camera feature. The
Digital Camera stores 100 pictures with a 120x120 resolution with 16 grayscales.
It works basically like any other simple Digital Camera. In Record mode the
display of the watch shows the live image the lens is viewing. The pictures can
be viewed on the Watch and transferred via infra red to a PC.
Detailed Specification
| Recording Format: | CASIO original (conversion to BMP or JPEG when uploading to a computer) |
| Recording Medium: | Built-in 1MB memory |
| Memory Capacity: | 100 images |
| Recording Element: | 1/14-inch monochrome CMOS sensor |
| Total Pixels: | 28,000; Pixel Yield: 24,334 |
| Lens: | F2.8 fixed; f =1.1mm |
| Focusing Distance: | 30cm to ¥ |
| Subject Illumination: | Approximately 100Lx to 45,000Lx |
| Exposure Control: | Light metering system; full screen average; ALC (Average Luminance Control), exposure compensation |
| Shutter: | Electronic shutter |
| Shutter Speed: | 1/11 to 1/1660 second |
| Monitor: | 120x 120 dots (14,400); monochrome with 16 grayscales); 20 x 20mm screen size |
| Recording Modes: | Normal; Art; Merge |
| Data Bank: | Up to 24 characters per image (alpha, numeric, basic symbols) |
| Clock: | Timekeeping display, five alarms, timer, stopwatch |
| Other: | Auto power save system, simple record |
| Infrared Communication: | Casio original system |
| Infrared Functions: | Image data exchange with a computer, data exchange with another Wrist Camera |
| Data Speed: | 115,200 BPS |
| Communication Distance: | 10cm maximum |
| Dimensions/Weight: | 40(W) x 52(H) x 16(D) mm / 32g |
| Power Requirements: | CR2032 battery |
| Approximate Battery Life: | 6 months (60 seconds of cameraoperation per day) |
| Options: | Wrist Camera Infrared Adapter & Link Software (Wrist Camera data management application) |
Models
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
| WQV-1-1JR | WQV-1D-8JR | WQV-1-8JR | WQV-2B-2JR | WQV-2B-9JR | WQV-2B-8JR | WQV-2-7JR |
The WQV-1-1JR is retailing in the USA for 199USD. The
WQV-1D-8JR is retailing for 25,000 Yen in USA.
 |
| WQV-1DSET |
Casio releases new Model with Apple Connection Kit and 2x
Zoom Lens.
Accessories
To upload pictures to a Windows PC the Wrist Camera PC Link Kit is needed.
 |
 |
|
PAD-2-1JR |
Tele Conversion Lens |
The PAD-2-1JR retails for around 50USD in the USA.
How does it work ?
In camera mode the watch display works like a little Video Screen. The screen
shows in Real-time what the lens on the side of the watch is picking up. By
pressing the shutter button a picture is taken. The watch stores 100
images.
It is important that there is enough light, when taking a picture. The other
important thing is to not move the watch when pressing the shutter button. I
found that the best control is gained when placing the pointing finger under the
watchband and pressing the shutter button with the thumb. That way the watch can
be held still.
Connect to the PC
To upload the pictures to the PC you need a Wrist Camera PC Link Kit from Casio
(PAD-2-1JR).
The Kit works for Windows 95/98/NT 4.0. The cable with the IR Receiver connects
to a Serial Port. The installation is very smooth. The images get transferred
over the IR interface of the watch. The Casio Software lets you organize your
pictures and even has a Screensaver function where you can display your
downloaded images.
What can you do with it ?
Imagine to have always a camera with you. The usage is unlimited. Making a
picture of your loved ones, take a snapshot of a number plate of a car,
photograph a URL in a magazine so you can check it out later, taking photos of a
Porsche you want to buy but want to show it to your wife first, catching
somebody red handed, and so on.
Examples
Find more examples at the largest Casio
Wrist Camera Gallery on the web.
Light is the main problem. A flash would be extremely
helpful. Maybe in the next version. When taking a picture it is important that
it is very bright. If you want to take good pictures in a Nightclub - forget it.
The other issue, it takes a while to be able to make pictures without moving the
watch during pressing the shutter. As I explained above putting the pointing
finger under the watch helps. Third issue , just don't expect too much. It will
not replace your 3.3 mega pixel camera.
One interesting observation I made is that nobody
notices the Wrist Camera Watch. I have a Spoon "Secret Agent Man"
watch for over a year and I was at times really nerved by people asking:
"What does that watch do ?" On the street, in meetings, everywhere,
people where asking me about that watch. The only answer I could give them:
"The watch displays Chinese cookie fortune messages every ten
minutes."
Now I finally have a watch which does something amazing, but nobody is asking
anymore. This is good in a way - nobody knows that you can take a picture any
moment.
I am still waiting for the watch that has it all. I imagine it like the summary
of
+Casio Wrist Camera
+Casio MP3 Watch
+Onhand PC
+Casio GPS Watch
+Samsung mobile Phone Watch
+the looks of SPOON "Secret Agent Man"
Final Statement: The Casio Wrist Camera is
the must have gadget of the year!
To stay in touch with Future Technology News subscribe to the I4U
Newsletter today!
Copyright by i4u.com
Please send comments to reviews@i4u.com
|
|