I STILL OWN THE CAMERA BELOW, AND ITS GREAT FUN - MANY "Keychain" SUBMINIATURE CAMERAS LIKE THIS CAN STILL BE FOUND FOR AROUND $10-$20, BUT MOST ARE NOT CAPABLE OF THE QUALITY OF THIS PARTICULAR CAMERA WHICH IS NO LONGER BEING PRODUCED. Sorry!

Here's a couple more  sample photos- one normal, one processed to look like a watercolor:

Here's what the Mini3 cranked out, shrunk to less than half size and greatly compressed here for the web-- a close up below, still compressed, but at normal enlargement.

And another from the Mini3, again compressed greatly to fit on this page- Not bad for $50 or so.

Casio still manufactures extremely slim credit card sized cameras like this older model on the right, and Sony makes a model or two. But despite even 8-12 MP resolution, none performs as well as a barely slightly larger Canon SD1000 which has better imaging, color, and user interface, and it clearly remains my favorite sub-compact camera, capable of truly excellent imaging. s

Back to inexpensive and/or plastic subminiatures:

There's a James Bond 1 Camera literally the size of a matchBOOK, at $75-100 that fits inside a Zippo lighter. Bad software, almost unusable pictures except under perfect conditions. Same story for the Radioshack FlatPhoto, Logitech PocketDigital, SiPix Blinx, and a host of others.

In general however, remember that by spending $100 you could get a really decent  regular size camera that would perform much better. Spend $150 -$200 on an Olympus or similar quality digital, and you can replace your regular film point and shoot for good.  

PRINTING PHOTOS WITH OLDER INK JET PRINTERS

The 2003 and 2004 generation of photo printers are pretty amazing\- and I actually prefer 2 year old model printers over this years models because of the limitations of ELECTRONIC CHIPED CARTRIDGES which are VERY EXPENSIVE.

Granted, the quality of the ink in the new carts is more permanent, but that would be the ONLY reason to replace a working two  year old printer with a brand new one. Do you really need PERMANENT PHOTOS? Think about it. If you do, then get a printer than uses ink that will last 25+ years. If not,  given the right photo printer, even using select aftermarket bulk ink, your inkjet photos will last a long time, will be waterproof, and may last longer than you do. And the present models all make decent photos- although the best of the bunch are the Canons.

Older regular inkjet printers will not print photos as good as "photo" printers. Yes, there is a difference. Hop over the Best Buy or where ever and see the quality these printers are cranking out now. It is very likely your 6  year old printer will not produce photos anywhere near this quality, even if you use the best paper in the world.

Even if your older printer does make acceptable photos, be aware that printing your photos easily on your older or regular inkjet printer will not result in photos that are as light safe as your regular film photos- unless you are using specific photo quality ink. Most ink jet printers made before 2002 do not  or can not use ink that is as durable as film printed photos, and if you mount your pictures in a frame or on the wall for a year, you may see them fade rather quickly. 

In this case, get a newer printer, or keep older model inkjet photos out of the light over long periods of time, or be prepared to re-print them. Photos kept in a drawer, book will be fine. Other pictures meant for permanent display should be converted to regular film printed photos, or printed with light safe inkjet ink. The new photo inkjet printers use a more lightsafe ink under good conditions. Again, see the NEW PAGE on Brain Review of Photo Inkjet Printers, Ink, and Papers. for details.

Be aware also, that even despite the rather very optimistic claims of photo ink-- inkjet prints made with regular die based inkjet ink will almost certainly not last 25 years or longer and retain their original look. Manufacturers base their life on a 30% reduction in intensity, and consider this acceptable life....!

If you're not printing photos at all, and just posting them on the web or sending email-- well then, ignore all this!

I print out relatively few personal photos any more, except on occasion. Most of my printing, and I print THOUSANDS of 8X10s, are sent to my Brain Book Customers.

SAMPLE PHOTOS

For standard camera photo samples from my own Sony and Fuji cameras please visit: 

Fall Brain Blast and the rest of my web site at 

www.NeilSlade.com (hundreds of photos throughout)

Here's some others however-

Just for kicks, the photos below were taken with a $50 one half pixel SiPix StyleCam now out of production. 

Some of these modified/enhanced with computer software.  Good software is a must for inexpensive cameras-- Photoshop Elements is UNBEATABLE, and 5 Star software for ANYONE taking digital pictures. This is THE application for digital photography at home (and for many professionals).

The first two photos are processed to look like modern art paintings -

Musician/artist Eric Vincent with his Red Yoyo ("modern art" modified photo style)

High contrast edit of Eric leaving (after a recording session)

Genius recording engineer, Broz Rowland, normal photo, only 640 pixels folks, barely 1/2 megapixel.

Nice Neighbor's roses smell so sweet- note the difference between this .5 MP photo and the Mini3 3 MP version above.

Historical photo of the aqua truck between my house and the neighbors barking dog, now destroyed by a drunk driver

And we can't forget Chloe, Miss Licky 2002

On to INKJET PRINTER STUFF you need to know

2005 Details Comparing Older Sub-compact Digital Cameras with some dated info- but with some still relevant info as well

For new cameras, see PAGE ONE of this article