PC Magazine - 2009 11.pdf - Libertad Zero

Quick looks consumer electronicsSMARTPHONES DIGITAL CAMERAS MEDIA EXTENDERsHTC Hero (Sprint)$179.99 direct and upSony Alpha DSLR-A230$549.99 directCanon PowerShot D10$329.99 listCreative SoundBlaster Wireless foriTunes + Receiver$149.99 directL l l h m L l l h m L l l l m l l l m mPROS• Excellent build• Capacitive touch screen• Lots of new, usefulapplications• Inexpensive• Competitive price• Lightweight• Good image quality• Clever interface guidesbeginners• Fast performance• Top-notch image quality• Waterproof to 33 feet• Freezeproof to 14 degreesFahrenheit• Drop-proof up to 4 feet• Simple, intuitive design• Streams music wirelesslythrough iTunes withoutadditional softwareCONS• Some bugs• Slow Internet speeds• Lousy camera• LCD does not support LiveView• Kit lens produces soft imagesat wider apertures• Still image frame rate is abit sluggish• Twice as thick as mostcompeting rugged cameras• Protective window doesnot prevent fingerprints• No HD-video capture• Inconsistent signalstrength• Included optional softwareworks with PC only• Limited remote controlfunctionalityBOTTOM LINEThe HTC Hero is the bestGoogle Android phone sofar, but it falls just shortof the other leaders in thesmartphone field.The Sony A230 delivers terrificvalue and solid shotsfor an entry-level SLR, butit lacks features such asHD video capture and LiveView.The PowerShot D10 iswater-, freeze-, and shockproof,and it pumps outgreat-looking images, butif you’re looking for a slimcamera, this isn’t it.You’ll find more reliableand graceful wireless audiosolutions out there, butnone can match the priceor the simplicity of thisdevice.SPECSSprint; Android OS 1.5;3.2-inch, 480-by-320 LCD;5.0MP camera; 4.5 by 2.2by 0.5 inches (HWD); 4.5ounces.D-SLR; 10.2MP; SD/MMCcard slot; 3.5 by 4.8 by 2.6inches (HWD); 1.5 pounds.Waterproof point-andshoot;2.5-inch LCD; 35-to-105 mm lens; 12.1MP; SDcard slot; 2.8 by 4.3 by 1.9(HWD).USB; wireless; RF; receiver,1.1 by 2.7 by 3.9 inches(HWD).Product name in RED indicates Editors’ Choice.34 PC MAGAZINE DIGITAL EDITION NOVEMBER 2009