Toshiba PDR-M65 3MP Digital Camera w/ 3x Optical Zoom

• 3.2-megapixel sensor captures 2,048 x 1,536 images for prints at sizes up to 11 x 14 inches
• 3x optical/2x digital (6x total) autofocus zoom lens
• Included 8 MB Smartmedia card holds 7 images at default resolution
• Automatically connects with Macs and PCs via USB port
• Uses 4 AA batteries (alkalines included)

For photographers who want to do more than just point and shoot, the camera offers several advanced settings, including a multimode flash with slow synchro, adjustable white balance, exposure compensation, and macro (for small objects as little as two inches from the lens). Shots can be captured in black and white or color. If you're hoping for more features like shutter priority, aperture priority, and movie mode, check out Toshiba's PDR-M71.

For power, the camera uses four AA batteries or an optional AC adapter. The big benefit to using standard AA batteries instead of a custom proprietary battery is that AA batteries are available virtually everywhere in the world, so missing a once-in-a-lifetime shot due to dead batteries won't be an issue. The downside is that a digital camera will kill a set of alkaline batteries extremely quickly, especially if you're using the camera's LCD display. If you're an occasional photographer, you can get by with high-power disposables, but if you plan to take more than a handful of photos a month, a set of rechargeable batteries (scroll up to our Accessories section) is a virtual necessity.

To compose your image, either look through the traditional viewfinder or use the 1.8-inch color LCD display on the back of the camera. Pictures are stored on SmartMedia cards. The included 8 MB card holds approximately nine images at the camera's default setting. The card is reusable, but if you're hoping to take more photos before returning to your computer to transfer the images, you'll want a larger SmartMedia card. The camera recognizes cards up to 64 MB; to use 128 MB cards, you'll need to upgrade the camera's firmware, a free process that can be performed by visiting Toshiba's homepage and downloading the latest version of the camera's operating software.

In addition to its 3x optical zoom, the camera includes an additional 2x digital zoom. This feature merely crops the edges off your picture and blows up the remaining image, enlarging your picture at the expense of image quality. Most photo-editing software will let you do the same thing to your picture once you've transferred it to your home computer, so it's a camera feature that's not often used.

The camera's 3-megapixel sensor captures enough detail for sharp prints, even at 11 by 14 inches. If you frequently use the digital zoom, print 11 by 14 prints, or crop your photos, you may want the even-higher resolution of the 4-megapixel (and more full-featured) Toshiba PDR-M81.

The PDR-M65 comes with Image Expert software, an 8 MB SmartMedia card, hand strap, USB cable, lens cap, and four AA alkaline batteries. The camera is covered by a one-year warranty.