iPod photo, Epson P3000 and Nikon Cool Walker.

[dooda]

Looks like there are three new portable photo devices. I love this type of gadget, and seeing that Ipod now has a photo service, I'm sure glad I never bought one before. I believe the Ipod and Epson are both music and photo, where the Nikon is simply photo. That doesn't bode well for the NIkon as the pricing is pretty much the same. Does anyone have any comments on the plus and minus of these three products. Did I even get the Epson's name right? Looks I don't know much about the Epson, Nikon has a larger screen (2.5 compared to Ipod 2.0), only 30 gb for about 550 US compared to IPOD 500 for 40gb, or 600us for 60 gb plus you have the Ipod interface (untouchable). What are the thoughts on these. Do they really come in that handy? Why would you need or not need one?

This should probably be in the equipment reviews. Here's another plus for the Ipod.http://management.silicon.com/itpro/0,3 ... 637,00.htm

I don't know how Nikon will be able to compete with this.

[dooda]

199 posts. Wow! And I sort of considered myself as a semi lurker from the north! Not anymore.... (Sigh)...Dooda...legitamate party animal...

[birddog114]

dooda,
I don't have the iPod but have the Nikon Coolwalker and Epson P-2000.
In my choice:
I will buy the Epson P-2000 for US$500.00, the Epson got all what you need for digital photography sames as other needs, its screen is larger and very high res. in comparison with the Nikon Coolwalker.
Epson P-2000 killed the Nikon Coolwalker in the first round, no doubt, Epson did not have healthy stock around the world, I was lucky to get it as present from my buddies in the States and they grabbed it at the first pre-order.

[jdear]

as far as i know, the IPOD doesnt have a dedicated memory card reader - unlike the coolwalker. you need to buy a third party card reader - in yoru case a CF adapter sold through Belkin.

Im keeping an eye out until the market is more saturated with different products. The 2nd generation coolwalker might have everything your after.

JD

[birddog114]

The Nikon Coolwalker is same price as the Epson P-2000.
Less fearures than Epson P-2000
Storage size is less than Epson-P2000
Viewable screen size is smaller than Epson P-2000
and more and more!!!!!!
The next generation of Nikon Coolwalker will not be a winner against the next generation of Epson or other brands.

[gstark]

Dooda,

I've had a play wih Birddog's P2000 and Coolwalker, and I can confirm that there's no comparison between the two. The Nikon is overpriced and underspecified when compared with the Epson.

As someone else has pointed out, the iPod carries no CF reader, so while it's a great music player, as a transfer device it sucks.

Game over.

[brembo]

A review of the Epson P-2000 has recently been posted on the DPreview site, looks like an impressive little unit.

http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/epsonp2000/.

[Onyx]

These might just be the things to replace my notebook. If I can play movies, listen to MP3s and store my images on it, they are far more portable and better suited for my needs than the lappy I current use!

[Nnnnsic]

I suggest people look at Archos' offering if they're buying overseas.

Products like the Gmini 400 might not be a bad option.

[dooda]

I'm really impressed, I almost got the Epson Name right.

It seems that Nikon may be a bit new at this type of thing. From what I could see, the Epson looked pretty good. The Ipod photo is a little tempting as that interface can't be beat. I wish I could find them somewhere for a play, or even better, for a borrow (permanect borrow). I see the Nikon at some photo stores, you just have to wonder who's going to buy that thing though, with so much more for cheaper.

Hmmm, if this is all first generation, imagine the 3rd or 4th? Maybe I'll hold out for the 5th, they'll really nail it then. 1 million gigs!

That Gmini looks interesting, I couldn't find out how much memory though. THey just quote the hours of music, or the number of possible photos. This kind of thing I'd have to play with it in the stores before making a decision.

[Nnnnsic]

20 gig.

[louiek]

I believe that with the ipod, you need to purchase a add-on that allows you to download the files off a CF card.

I think that if you transfer photo's from the pc/mac, it resizes the photo's

louiek

[dciscool]

with the ipod your have two options
belkin media reader or belkin camera link
Both unfortunately are very slow particularly the media reader
they both drain the ipod batteries quite quikly
and are USB1 speed only
People recommend it for cards <512mb only

this will store your pictures on the ipod hard drive
you cannot view them on ipod photo without access to a pc
the pc / mac - converts the files, / compresses them to the smaller ones that the ipod photo displays

ipod really is not a good solution
Im sure apple will fix this soon
esp as ipod should be able to transfer at firewire speeds.

[birddog114]

with the ipod your have two options
belkin media reader or belkin camera link
Both unfortunately are very slow particularly the media reader
they both drain the ipod batteries quite quikly
and are USB1 speed only
People recommend it for cards <512mb only

this will store your pictures on the ipod hard drive
you cannot view them on ipod photo without access to a pc
the pc / mac - converts the files, / compresses them to the smaller ones that the ipod photo displays

ipod really is not a good solution
Im sure apple will fix this soon
esp as ipod should be able to transfer at firewire speeds.

IMHO, I do not think anyone will use the Ipod for PSD or digital storage device, cos it's not very handy when you have to find a PC, a card reader then you can copy your CF acrds into it, to many processes, just a simple PSD with built in card reader for those task, if there's possible then the Epson P-2000 will serve you well, unfortunately the Epson P-2000 is only available in Japan, North America and Europe's market.
Epson Australia/ Asia Pacific is not intend to market it here same as Singapore, HKG or other Asia countries, you can get it from HKG but price is around US$600.00, cos it was imported from Japan.

[jdear]

aw man that epson p2000 is one highly tasty bit of kit!
does anyone know what kind of battery life these things do?

JD