Digicam/video/music/and games

I've used a wide variety of digital cameras over the years. Some have been great cameras, some have been great video cams, and some have been pretty poor at whatever they were originally intended to do. Right now I'm using a DXG-589V that's about as much a Swiss Army knife as you can get and still be a camera.

Its main purpose is as a digital camcorder, and it does a decent job recording 5megapix video. But it also takes still images, records voice, and can store MP3 files... becoming a music player. The interesting part is that it does all these things pretty well. The videos are usable, as are the still images. That said, you won't ever mistake the images you take with the 589 for those you took with your Canon or JVC camcorder, or your Nikon digicam.

There are a couple very nice things about the unit that make it well worth its $200 price tag.

- It's small enough to put in a pocket

- It uses SD memory cards that let you easily move your files to your computer

- The 3" display tilts and rotates, and is clear and bright

Unfortunately there is no optical zoom, but there is a 3x digital zoom that I recommend only be used in video mode (you can crop your stills on the computer and get equal or better results).

But the most important part of this cam is that your travel companion can use it to play any of its 20 included games. I think it's a great use of the beautiful 3" display when it isn't being used for taking photos or video. Most of the games are old-style, but I like the version of billiards and a couple of the blaster type games as well.

The DXG-589V won't take the place of my digital SLR, but it's always in my pocket where I can grab a quick shot or video... or chill with a quick game of Final Escape.