Acer CP-8660

(Source: Acer)

Product: Acer CP-8660
Type: Digital Camera

Features:

* 8.2 megapixel resolution
* 3264 x 2448 (7.99 MP) maximum image resolution
* 2.8″ LTPS LCD
* 6X optical and 8.5X digital zoom
* 7.8 - 46.8 mm optical focal length
* Macro mode
* Anti-shake DSP technology (up to 5MP)
* 18 photography modes
* AVI recording (640×480, 30fps with mono sound)
* USB 2.0 connectivity
* 28MB internal memory
* SD Card expansion (up to 1GB)
* Dimensions: 96 x 61 x 29 mm
* Weight: 180 g

1. The Acer CP-8660, a feature-laden 8.2-megapixel camera launched last month talks the talk, but doesn’t seem to walk the walk, according to a TrustedReviews’ review of the digital camera.

   Although the specifications of the 8660 are great considering its £200+ recommended retail price (e.g. 8.2MP CCD, 2.8″ LCD screen, anti-shake system, manual exposure control, etc.), its slow performance, underpowered flash, and almost useless anti-shake system means that there are better choices already out in the market (in contrast, the CP-8660 will only be available from August).

   So, it shouldn’t be surprising that the CP-8660 was only awarded an overall rating of 6 out of 10, with a rather critical verdict, “The CP-8660 is, as I said at the start, an audacious camera but as it turns out, overly so. It does offer a unique combination of features but performance is slow and the anti-shake system is largely ineffective. However, picture quality is generally adequate and the 6x zoom range is very useful. The problem is that there are better cameras on the market that can beat it in every respect, and for about the same price.”

2. Its previous reviewer didn’t find it too impressive, but neither does PC Advisor in their assessment of the Acer CP-8660 digital camera.

   They did, however, award it a marginally higher overall rating, i.e. 7 out of 10, and were pleased with the clean images produced by the CP-8660 - even on lower ISOs.

   All in all, they thought that, “The Acer ticks many of the right boxes, but struggles to deliver overall, with focusing and white-balance concerns compromising the generally good image quality. For £249, we’d expect better.”

1. Well, well. Acer finally attempts to enter the professional digital still camera market with its recent introduction of the Acer CP-8660. With an 8.28-megapixel (total) resolution, Anti-shake Digital Signal Processor (DSP) technology, a 2.8″ LCD screen, plus 6x optical and 8.5x digital zoom capability, it’s at the very least Acer’s highest spec digital camera to date.

   There’s really nothing special about the 8660 - with the relatively standard macro mode, 18 shooting modes, 25MB internal memory, SD card-only expansion up to 1GB, and Pictbridge direct print capability all included in the package.

   But if Acer can push what it calls its “flagship digital camera” at its standard (a.k.a. low) price points, then there will definitely be a pretty good market for it. At least, that’s what we think.