Worth buying an NZ90?

[YeLLo]

Hi everybody!
Now here's my situation:
I've lost my Canon Digital IXUS v² half a year ago, so I really miss owning a camera... the one in my cell phone just doesn't make it ;-)
The second point is, i've just fallen in love with Bluetooth! :D

I own an SJ33 right now, and I would like to hear your opinions on whether it's worth while purchasing an NZ90 on ebay (there was one that was sold @ 201 Euros!).

I would use the camera just to take some pictures in order to put them online, so the image quality of the NZ90 is far good enough for me.
What about battery life? I often use my SJ33 as mp3 player, would the NZ90 still be able to take some pics?

And as for the BT functionality, what do you think of the MS bluetooth device. I could use it in my SJ33, but does it have no memory inside? I would'nt want to change the MS everytime I want to listen to mp3's or use BT...

thanks in advance,
Charles

[bobele]

Many Questions... Let me try:

Yes, the NZ90 seems to be the right machine for your needs.

Battery-Power is a Problem when the camera is used. I´m able to take several dozens of Pictures, even with flash, when the battery is fully charged. When it is initially down to about 80% when I start to use the camera, it will very soon switch of. When starting the camera, the batterymeter falls for about 45%. When it reaches 35%, the flash is turned off. 30%, camera switches off. When the Camera-App is closed, battery jumps up again for nearly the same amount.

I solved the problem with a second battery. It can be changed quick and easy and I always have a fully charged battery with me when I really want to use the camera. Exchangeable batteries are really one of the best features of the NZ90. Btw: Batterypower is more than sufficent for anything else. MP3s for about 5-6 hours is no problem.

And Bluetooth is build in, so you do not have to care about the MS-Slot.

If you can get one for a good price, go for it.

Hi everybody!
Now here's my situation:
I've lost my Canon Digital IXUS v² half a year ago, so I really miss owning a camera... the one in my cell phone just doesn't make it ;-)
The second point is, i've just fallen in love with Bluetooth! :D

I own an SJ33 right now, and I would like to hear your opinions on whether it's worth while purchasing an NZ90 on ebay (there was one that was sold @ 201 Euros!).

I would use the camera just to take some pictures in order to put them online, so the image quality of the NZ90 is far good enough for me.
What about battery life? I often use my SJ33 as mp3 player, would the NZ90 still be able to take some pics?

And as for the BT functionality, what do you think of the MS bluetooth device. I could use it in my SJ33, but does it have no memory inside? I would'nt want to change the MS everytime I want to listen to mp3's or use BT...

thanks in advance,
Charles

[YeLLo]

Thanks for your reply! It was a great help. I've read about an external battery pack extension for 4 AA batteries and immediately found it, that's a great thing, charging the internal battery while the clie is in my pocket ;-)

[ewb49]

I use an NZ90 for photos and all other functions typical to Clies. It is a bit bulky but is the only one with a flash, 2mp camera, and removable battery. You can get extra batteries and bring them along easily instead of a heavy battery pack.
ewb
Clie Solutions

[the_iceman]

I love my NZ90 ... however I would NOT classify it as a real digital camera. Sure... I, like most, have used the camera. The pics are just fine 'close-up'.... but far away ... not as good unless it they are pictures of landscapes.

One note-worthy item. If you are taking a 2mp Picture... you will NOT be able to use the built-in-zoom. It will go to 1x only. If you take smaller sized pictures you can use the ZOOM on it.

I don't know that I would buy a PDA for the camera use .... I'd buy the PDA for a pda ... and have the benefit of a camera if needed.

Good points above ... to ensure if you are going to take pictures with it... it have the battery charged fully prior to whatever engagement you are at.

Quality of the pics is 'good'. I think it is a little 'lacking' from a colorization standpoint .. but that can always be corrected with software. Can't expect the world from a PDA Camers.. LOL

:)

[YeLLo]

I like the idea of being able to buy extra batteries anywhere. And since I am a student, I wouldn't want to spend so much money on extra batteries. At a later stage maybe. ;-)

[tonyreynolds]

Hi everybody!
Now here's my situation:
I've lost my Canon Digital IXUS v² half a year ago, so I really miss owning a camera... the one in my cell phone just doesn't make it ;-)
The second point is, i've just fallen in love with Bluetooth! :D

I own an SJ33 right now, and I would like to hear your opinions on whether it's worth while purchasing an NZ90 on ebay (there was one that was sold @ 201 Euros!)....

thanks in advance,
Charles

Based on what you've said you want to do, the NZ should work well. I have carried one for nearly a year and love it. I have noticed that the images on the NZ are only poor in certain low-light situations where the flash is to weak to be effective. Many times I can get a better image in those situations (in a store for instance...) by switching the flash off, holding REALLY still and shooting with available light.

With the exception of the digital zoom, as noted above, the NZ90 2MP camera is a VERY nice, basic digicam with a full range of controls for still, as well as video with sound. Is it as good as my Minolta d7i?, no, and never could be, BUT, as a "visual recorder" it works quite nicely.

I have a total of four BP500 batteries now and carry them with the NZ in my waiste pack. I have enough power for 3-4 days of moderate to heavy use away from power. The batteries are available now on eBay for about US$30 each, FAR below the $75 list price.

I have recently gotten my NZ connected to my SE Z600 via BT and love being able to use the NZ to do light surfing when a hotspot for my notebook is not available. I also use it for traffic maps on my commute home.

Having two expansion slots, crippled as the CF slot is, is wonderful. I can carry 4 1/2 hours of high-quality MP3's on a 256MB CF card. I have a library of 50 classic novels and other literary works on my 128MB MS.

One caveat:

The NZ is known to have a potential defect in the "alpha" area of the screen when viewed in tablet mode. That is the lower left (upper right in clam-shell mode). This does NOT affect all NZ's but some. I recently had to have mine sent in to be repaired under extended warranty. Because the NZ is NOT your normal PDA, an extended warranty is a VERY good thing. I was able to purchase mine used WITH a transferable warranty for Circuit City. You may find something similar.


Good luck and let us know how you make out!

Tony

[YeLLo]

I will. Unfortunately I just figured that I own less money than I thought :D ... :( But summer holidays are coming and I'll try to find a job in order to earn some "bucks" (it's euros, but whats the matter ;) )

thanks very much!

Charles

[zwergnase]

YeLLo, you can get good used NZ90's on eBay for ~$300.--
Also, forget that entire battery hassle.
I myself got both the extra batteries and the external pack.
But what I found most usefull is an ultrasmall(!) AC110 to USB 5V power supply, together with a retractable USB charger/sync cable.
That allows me to pump my NZ full of juice everywhere I go (unless I'm completely off road).
You can get both on eBay for ~15.-- combined.

[YeLLo]

in the last few days, NZ90's went out @ ebay for

307 EUR + 2y warranty
273 EUR + 16MB Memory Stick
and.. dammit: 221 EUR (+ rest warranty) ... geeeeeeeezzzzzzzz!!!! would have had this one if i already had had the money.... but the hope is there :)
(ebay germany)

Cheers
Charles

[zamanakhan]

would u like to buy mine? i dont know how much eruo conversion is but iam selling mine with a ton of extras, including extra chargers and 256cf card and 128 ms card.

[YeLLo]

actually 1 euro is "approximately" = $1 as far as i know...

the thing is, i dont need a second MS, and it will take some weeks 'til i get the money together.

[zamanakhan]

i thouhg that 1euro = 1+$

[YeLLo]

1 EURO costs 1,22 US Dollar
1 US Dollar costs 0,82 EURO

hey :) we're on the net... why not just look it up :D

So the one NZ90 for 221 Euros would have been $269.

[Helge B.]

What about using a TG50 or TH55 together with a Sony Cybershot U20/30? That's what I switched to.

Though you got to fiddle around a bit with the MemorySticks, this combo is far more comfortable to work with and less bulky than the NZ. Besides of that the U20/30 is very fast. You almost dont have any delay. With the NZ I always needed to wait up to 8 seconds to get the camera working.

And then you got all this problems with the power management... I was carrying around 2 extra batteries at that time adding to all that bulk.

At Ebay you can get a Cybershot U20/30 for a 100 EUR, the TG50 for less than 150 EUR. So this combination is less expensive as a NZ to which you always have to add the costs of at least one extra battery.

I would say this combination is worth to consider.

[Helge B.]

This is a link to a german test page about the U20:

http://www.xonio.com/features/feature_8847980.html?tid1=7108&tid2=16016

The U30 is almost similar. It can read MemoryStick Pro though.

[ewb49]

Great comments.
Helge B has good suggestions. I use the NZ90 because i also can type up portions of reports while out in the field to go with the photos on one piece of equipment instead of 2. The NR, NX, and TH series don't have enough photo resolution for me. The digital cameras are faster and probably better as mentioned. The TG50 and TH55 are certainly sleek and easier to carry, not to mention "cool". The keyboard on the NZ is just a tad larger for fingers.
ed
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in God I trust

[Steele]

I think it's worth considering the cybershot but I've heard good things about the replacement batteries for the NZ90 - I think they had 1000 mAh instead of 1200 but worked better. They cost around $50 I think - I've been toting an extra battery myself and haven't had too much trouble, just don't depend on the NZ90 for its camera ability. It's a fabulous camera by the way - very sharp photos. Personally, I hate the idea of carrying around two toys to do the job of one, even if the two do a better job.

Tough call - with my bias for the NZ, I'd say go with an NZ90 if you can get if for under $400 US