May 18
FlatFoto 3MP Camera Review
So, being one in need of a thin, moderately rugged, and [most important] cheap digital camera, I ventured out this week to pick up the FlatFoto 3MP digicam from Radio Shack. I had read some reviews of previous models that suggested it was less than the cat’s meow, but–forever hopeful–I assumed that the newest version must have improved to some degree. After all, for only $59.99 after rebate, it surely can’t be that bad!
What’s in the Box?
The packaging is relatively spartan, basically a blister pack with the following inside:
- Camera (natch!)
- USB cable (normal to mini-USB)
- Dock for camera (cable can connect to this or camera)
- Lanyard
- CD containing drivers and ARCsoft software
Initial Impressions
Well, I wanted to love it. I needed to love it. However, having used it, I don’t so much love it. Okay, I pretty much don’t love it at all.
First, let the pictures speak for me: Flatfoto Gallery
And those are the better ones! Pretty much every photo I took was either blurry, too dark, overexposed, or grainy as hell. Some of the outdoor shots weren’t too bad, but certainly not what I would consider acceptable.
It seems like you need to meet some pretty stringent criteria to get a decent photo:
- LOTS of light
- Absolutely no motion
- Be a decent distance from the objects you are shooting
- Something else magical I obviously never discovered
So, for those looking for a bottom line type of answer: it’s going back. That said, there were some interesting things to note about this camera in general.
- Standard mini-USB: this is an improvement over the proprietary cables used in the past. It also comes with the neat dock which can be useful for many people.
- Picture transfer: I didn’t need any drivers to get things moving on XP SP2. You just insert the USB cable, and then you can either browse to the cam and use the GetPix32.exe program to transfer images (they are stored in a proprietary .raw format on the camera), or accept the Windows popup dialog that pretty much does the same thing.
- It’s small (though not as small as the previous gens), and very light. The menus are very bare, with just the minimum settings for Flash, Picture size, etc. Very easy to use for neophytes!
- Camera automatically charges in the dock: This is plus and a minus…It’s neat that you don’t have to plug it into the wall, but if you travel w/o a PC you’re not going to be able to charge the [internal, non-replaceable] battery.
- SD support: It has an SD slot, which is great as SD costs about as much as diet sodas these days.
So, if anyone has recommendations on another cam in this price range (or thereabouts) that is .5″ thick or less, and actually takes a good photo, please let me know!
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May 22nd, 2005 at 5:25 pm
Nice review!
May 24th, 2005 at 4:07 pm
Thanks for saving me $60!
June 2nd, 2005 at 3:14 am
Good call friend. I have one of those myself. I swear any picture I take is unbelievably grainy and choppy. I found your site by seeing if anybody else was having problems with this piece of sh*t. Who can be picky in that price range?? Me. Something acceptable is fine but the picture quality of this camera makes me think a disposable camera and a scanner would produce better results. To whomever is reading this, avoid this camera. I can assure you there are better digi cameras near the same price range.
June 18th, 2005 at 5:03 pm
I have thte earlier version of the flatfoto and have been using it for about a year now with some surprisingly good results. basically, once you get used to the criteria for a good shot, it becomes a really effective “point and shoot” camera, and when used with imagination, can create some interesting lighting effects (i.e., catching a bit of sunlight on the lens, silhouettes, overexposure etc.). I bought mine so that i could have a camera in my pocket at all times and in some fairly rough neighborhoods when travelling without having to worry about losing an expensive piece of gear. I believe that the limitations of this camera are it’s USP, as it makes you think more about how you frame things, where the light source is, your distance from the subject, etc. etc. Recently bought an Olympus C765 and the difference is amazing, but i think that the skills i had to learn when using the flatfoto were invaluable when i eventually upgraded to a “proper” camera. I knew what i wanted in my pictures, and i was thinking about light sources and framing automatically, and only then was i using the gadgets in the Olympus as an extra tool. This is my philosophy with most technology, including pro audio recording equipment, but we won’t go into that! Thanks. JJ.
July 2nd, 2005 at 1:36 pm
I’m upset that the camera takes pictures in .raw and .jpg format as it says clearly on the package, but other than that it makes the perfect purchase for my six year old neice who has a budding interest in photography. It’s a good price @ $70 ($50 w/mail in rebate)
That said, the Canons/Nikons/Kodaks that run $150 are far superior from a general standpoint. On those ground, though I look at the Flatfoto from the same standpoint that many film photographers might view an old Holga or other antique camera. You take it for what it is, rather than try and place it along side a 6MP Digital SLR. The grain/exposure problems/slowshutter is not a bug, it’s a charm
July 18th, 2005 at 5:32 pm
Hate to say it, but you’re right. It sucks. God knows I’ve tried to coax this baby into taking a decent photo, but it still sucks. I have had a heck of a time just trying to get the battery to charge. It too sucks. My
windows XP Pro also does not like it. There is this issue about keeping the software and drivers from disappaering all together. Well let the buyer beware. You really do get what you pay for.
July 23rd, 2005 at 12:36 pm
thanks for your review, I’m glad I found you before I bought another cute camera!
July 24th, 2005 at 2:42 pm
I wish I had came arcoss this site sooner. I camara is for little kids to play with. I ran into all the problem that the people above me. Plus it keep losting the driver forceing me to reinstall the drive, this red light keeps flashing is driving me crazy.
August 2nd, 2005 at 11:45 am
Thanx for saving me 40 bux. (Thats how much they are brand new on ebay, radioshack stopped selling them)
August 5th, 2005 at 11:51 am
I agree with all comments about this camera. I owned the Flatfoto 1.3 mp and enjoyed it so much better. Without the veiw screen the battery lasted five times longer, and the metal (not plastic) casing made me more relaxed about harming it. Oh, I wish I hadn’t wasted fifty on this new one, but even more I wish I hadn’t lost my other one!
August 5th, 2005 at 4:10 pm
You get what you pay for. ‘Nuff said. As for small cameras in this price range that will take a decent picture, dream on.
August 9th, 2005 at 6:16 pm
Hi i recently bought the FlatFoto 3.0MP and i was wondering where to buy the usb port? Can anyone help me? Thanks
August 9th, 2005 at 9:31 pm
thanks for these reviews, i was about to go and buy this but now i can save for a camera that duznt suck so bad!
August 11th, 2005 at 3:13 am
I hate this fucking camera! I’ll charge it for weeks at a time and when I take it out for a picture it goes..beep beep beep saying that its outta battery! WHAT THE HELL! This is the most frustrating camera of my life! Can i fix this somehow? Gawd I wish I wouldnt of bought this shitbag camera.
August 12th, 2005 at 10:29 pm
Oh Man!!! I just bid on one of those on ebay
and wasted then 50 bucks!!!! with the shipping!!!
i am going to try and ask the seller if i can return it!! HOPEFULLY will be able to!!!
I can’t believe its THAT bad!!!
August 26th, 2005 at 10:55 am
Sessie….if you still need a USB port post your email address. I wanted a super lite camera to use while biking and this was the best I found. I’ve gotten rotten to pretty good results by tweeking with photo shop. Ridiculous that the camera is a stealth throw away with no mention of this by sellers or on packaging. I was able to use it traveling by powering it off my DVD players USB slot. I love using my Kodak 6490 but heh when I have no camera this one is often in my shirt pocket and it definately gets those shots that would be lost for having no camera. Still interested in the BIG question…Is there any ‘other’ similar size camera available in this price range or even a bit more for a non-throw away???
August 31st, 2005 at 2:38 am
this camera sucks … i bought my first one .. took a few photos .. liked the results .. what do i expect for 60 bucks? set the thing up .. dang thing would not charge .. a week later .. still nothing .. took it back .. got a replacement … took some pics … all was good .. downloaded .. good … started to charge the dang thing now goes beep beep beep every time i hook it up .. and now i can’t find the stupid receipt .. i hate this stupid thing
September 1st, 2005 at 3:47 am
This camera is great when used for its purpose. Taking quick shots when you dont want to carry a bulky camera. People dont always like having their pictures taken, but this little camera will allow you to get away with it. I carry this camera around like I do my wallet since it is so small. This allows me to get shots that I would otherwise miss. Basically this camera is meant to take the same kind of pictures as a person would using a disposable camera.The pictures arent always perfect, well isnt that what editing pictures on a PC is for? If someone wants a perfect camera that takes excellent photos each time, its obvious this is not the right camera, just look at the packaging. It’s meant to be a fun, carry aound without worrying about it type of camera.
September 2nd, 2005 at 12:37 am
Ok, I would have to say, I bought this camera as a small camera that I could take pictures of friends at parties with, not portraits. For 80 bucks, I expect less than this usually. If I wanted to take professional photos, I would get out my Canon DC-10, for this purpose, its perfect, and with practice, I’ve taken some good photos out of a moving vehicle while driving (don’t start on me, I know I’m stupid). For photos that are discrete and easy to take in and out of its hiding place, its about as good as you can get right now in the price range, and a far sight better than the pen cam I bought awhile ago. I’d say, if you want a ‘friends night out camera’ and don’t want to buy a bulky disposable film one, buy it, if you’re looking for something outstanding in terms of picture quality, the sony cybershot may be more up your alley, as its more user friendly and cheaper than its class level competitors, do keep in mind though thats its several hundred more than this camera.
September 19th, 2005 at 11:18 pm
You saved Me 60$ Thank You Soooo Much
September 27th, 2005 at 10:25 am
Well, i guess i’ll just call it a loss. I am sorry i ever bought the thing. I have a some time left on the extra warranty they talked me into. I’m gonna go back AGAIN and see if they’ll just credit me towards some other crappy Radio Shack product.
September 27th, 2005 at 11:24 pm
I like my flatfoto. It’s easy to use, small so that I can carry it everywhere and takes decent outdoor photos. Certainly not a professionals camera- but perfect for what it is. Does anyone know how to charge it when you don’t have a computer handy? Thinking about getting a USB car adapter (plug it into the cigerette lighter) but I’m concern the whole thing might blow up or something.
October 18th, 2005 at 11:49 pm
Just bought and already got problems. When I connect it to PC it was not identified by my WinXp. Worse, I think camera is defective as it doesn’t turn ON anymore after I disconnected it from the PC. Any comments or how do I get on about this problem
October 23rd, 2005 at 7:00 pm
Thank you so much for the review and input on this camera. You all just saved me $45 buck. A little disappointed since it is extremely flat and at a cheap price but…. cheap
November 8th, 2005 at 8:38 am
Right now it is $9.95 after $50 buck Rebate (originally price $59.95) so i will make the 10dollar purchase. It should hold me over till i get a better quality used camera off Ebay. I plan to only use it for backpacking and mountain biking anyway.
November 22nd, 2005 at 4:18 pm
Ditto! A REAL piece of crap. The pictures I’ve taken with this thing look like they were taken through a window screen. I too didn’t expect much for a $40 camera (local RS close out price), but I expected it to at least take a picture. My $19 pen cam (1.3 MPix) takes better pictures! I bought it on a lark, to carry around in the shirt pocket when I didn’t feel like lugging my Fuji or Olympus rigs around. Oh well, $40 down the drain.
November 23rd, 2005 at 3:44 pm
Unfortunately, I bought one of these on ebay for $40. When I first got it, it took a few pictures and then would say the battery was dead! I returned that one and they sent me another one. When I received that one, it worked for about 20 pictures and then it wouldn’t even turn on anymore. It wouldn’t charge or do anything! Unfortunately, the company will not refund my money. They will only continue to send me replacements. So I am waiting for my third one to arrive in the mail…knowing that this one will be junk also. I am not even trying to take professional pictures with this….I have a clothing store on ebay and the pictures don’t need to be perfect! I would definitely recommend NOT Buying this camera..use your $50 toward a nicer camera!
December 8th, 2005 at 3:34 pm
Bought mine for $29.00 + shipping. No problems with it and pictures are clear and color accuracy very good.
If hold it still taking pictures, they came out clear.
Saves alot on batteries since rechargable. Surprised by
so many negative comments. Camera does better than my
kodak which eats batteries & typical kodak, colors are
not as accurate. Zoom works well.
Hey, for the price, does well.
January 16th, 2006 at 3:34 pm
CRAPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPP!!!!!! I just bought one of these from ebay, im prolly going to return it, because one of those litle digital video/ camera/ mp3 player dealies sold for $22!!!!!!!!!!
March 13th, 2006 at 4:02 pm
the battery life sucks. i cant even charge it now its the usb thing in the camera. and when i opened it the battery was a cheap AAA battery. it shocked me so i put it back together. DOES ANYONE KNOW HOW TO FIX THE USB THING IN THE CAMERA CUZ IT DOESNT CHARGE!
March 24th, 2006 at 12:24 am
Funny responses to your post, Great site! Keep it up.
April 9th, 2006 at 11:50 am
i bought it like a year ago and my flash does not work.
June 18th, 2006 at 7:18 pm
I bought this camera for about 80 bucks. the camera sucks. it cannot hold a charge for more than 2 minutes. at first when i had it it worked fine but then it started to run out of battery fast. charged it over night and seemed to last longer but then still ran out fast. now it wont even charge, it just goes deep deep deep. i took it apart. the flat piece of plastic in the camera is the battery.THE ONE THAT LOOKS LIKE A TRIPLEAAA BATTERY IS NOT THE BATTERY. THAT IS WHAT HELPS THE FLASH CHARGE UP FAST TO TAKE PICTURES. if you can find a battery that has 4.5 volts you should be ok. that will work with the camera. i even tried it with triple aaa batterys and it said it had a full charge.
October 13th, 2006 at 1:31 pm
Hi! Very good site. I like it
October 19th, 2006 at 1:48 pm
I bought this camera for my 10 year old that wanted a camera and loves seeing the pictures on the LCD screen. I bought my camera for $17 on ebay NEW and it was well worth it. This is a great kids camera and easy for them to use as well.
January 5th, 2007 at 10:29 pm
The camera sucks. To be honest, the best pictures you can expect to get from it is in broad daylight. Night shots suck. And my flash doesn’t work.
July 10th, 2008 at 11:27 pm
my flash died too