Polaroid PDC-1320 digital still camera

(Different views of the camera—you can click on these images, to see a larger version of them.)

Front view of PDC-1320 camera.

Front view

The ring around the lens switches between macro and normal focus.  Above the lens, is the (not very accurate) optical viewfinder.  To the right, of the viewfinder, is a small indicator light, that shows when a photo is being taken (looking like just a black dot, here).  Then, to the right of that, is the flash.  And on the side panel, is a rubber-like flap, that covers up the USB, video out, and DC power supply connectors.  The (selectable PAL or NTSC) video out gives a low resolution view of the pictures.  It looks quite gross, but allows you to show the pictures to a group of people easily.

Rear view

At the top, is the optical, over-the-lens-view, viewfinder.  Just left of that are two indicator lights, showing when the internal memory, or plug in memory cards, are being used.  The large black area is a colour LCD screen, that can (optionally) show a preview (before you take a shot); as well as show the shots that you've already taken, and display the camera set-up menus.  Along the top-right of the screen are three menu navigational buttons, with the top button doubling up as the activator for the count-down timer for taking shots.  And below them, is an orange button used to turn on the display for modes where the LCD display is optional.

Rear view of PDC-1320 camera.
Top panel view of PDC-1320 camera.

Top panel view

At the left is a turn-wheel switch, to change between different operating modes (PC connection, delete images, camera setting, view stored images, taking photos).  Next to that are buttons for the flash mode (auto, red-eye reduction, flash on, flash off), and the image size and quality.  Then the display, showing the settings controlled by the buttons around it, the battery status, and the shot counter (while you're taking photos, it shows how many more photos you can store, for the current image size and quality settings; however, when you're viewing previously taken pictures, it shows the current shot number and image settings).  Then, to the right of the display, buttons to bring up option menus, and the orange power button.  And, finally, the shutter release (which, unfortunately, is so clunky that you all-too easily jiggle the camera when you press it; blurring the shot).

And underneath (unshown)

I haven't bothered showing the underside of the camera, but there's a standard tripod thread mounting hole.  Thankfully, it's positioned near to the centre.  But the thread is plastic, so be careful tightening the screw.  And the bottom of the camera, is slippery plastic.  Not an overly brilliant design, but I don't think that this camera is aimed at people who'd use a tripod.

The lid of the battery hatch is also uninspiring.  It's held closed by a few unsubstantial looking plastic bits.  The lid that covers the optional CompactFlash memory expansion card only has the slightest of catches to keep the lid shut, though the actual memory card isn't held in place by the lid, but some other catch inside the compartment.

By the way, these pictures aren't taken using a PDC-1320 camera.  They're from a F250 3-CCD professional video camera, digitised through a cheap computer TV capture card.  And, apart from the fact that I don't have a second PDC-1320, to take photos of this camera, it doesn't handle scenes that need manual exposure, very well; nor close-up flash photography.


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