(Source: Acer)

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.”

(Source: Acer)

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.”

(Source: Acer)

And the last of four new digital still cameras unveiled by Acer this week is the Acer CE-5430 - the smaller bro of the 6 megapixel CE-6430.

Other than the optical resolution, there’s really little difference between the CE-6430 and CE-5430 as the 5430 also comes with a 2.36″ LCD display, 3x optical and 4x digital zoom, as well as 8MB internal storage. In fact, even its dimensions (88.5 x 60 x 28mm) and weight (130g) are the same.

So, that’s it. Four new digital still cameras in one week - all destined for the European market (based on what we know so far).

(Source: Acer)

The third of four new digital still cameras introduced by Acer recently is the Acer CE-6430 - a six megapixel camera with 3x optical and 4x digital zoom, plus 6 shooting modes.

Although it comes equipped with a relatively large 2.36-inch LCD screen, more demanding photographers will be disappointed with the small 8MB internal memory and average video recording capability of 320×240 (30 fps). Of course, given that it is supposed to come with an “affordable price tag”, these issues shoudn’t be a problem at all - especially since most won’t need quality video recording and 1GB SD cards can be found rather cheaply these days.

All in all, the CE-6430 looks like one step down from the pro-level CP-8660, but a step above the lightweight CL-5300.

(Source: LetsGoDigital)

For every “professional level” product Acer introduces, at least two budget-class products are unveiled. Acer’s digital camera line is no exception, with the Acer CL-5300 being only one of three new budget-class digital cameras introduced to compensate for Acer’s latest flagship camera, the 8-megapixel CP-8660.

With a 5.05 megapixel resolution, 2″ LCD display, 14MB of internal memory, and 320×240 video recording, it’s clear that the CL-5300 is meant for the average photographer who doesn’t need ridiculously high resolutions nor 640×480 video recording.

But while most of us surely fall in this category, there really isn’t anything to recommend the CL-5300 - except the possibility of a highly competitive price. Admittedly, weighing at 85g, you could make a case for it on lightness as well.

(Source: Acer)

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.

Just a couple of recent news pieces on our favourite PC manufacturer, Acer:

1. Acer Enters Iraq Through MTC
   Following up on its strong performance in the Middle East region, Acer has tied up a partnership deal with MTC for distribution in Iraq. With all the oil money Iraqis have at the moment, I say there’s a lot of potential here.
2. Lenovo Saw Red in Q4
   Acer’s task of catching up to Lenovo - the curent World No. 3 PC supplier - may be even easier than before as Lenovo reports a fourth quarter (ending March 31) HK$902.76 million loss on the back of declining market share in several regions.

(Source: TrustedReviews)

Truthfully, I never expected Acer’s digicam offerings to be any good (at least in comparison with the best brands out there), but it seems I’m continuously being proven wrong. Last month, TrustedReviews reviewed the Acer CU-6530, and gave it a vigorous thumbs up. Today, we have another favourable review of Acer’s ultra-compact digicam offering, but from Computeract!ve instead.

Computeract!ve gave the CU-6530 an excellent overall rating of 4 out of 5 stars, and concluded with what has got to be Acer’s trademark, no matter the product: “Costing under £170 and coming from a non-traditional camera manufacturer, the CU-6530 wasn’t what we’d expected. Although the eagle-eyed photography enthusiasts will spot the difference in quality between this and more expensive cameras from recognised brands, Acer has built a good quality camera for a bargain price.”