Gear

Hands-On With The DXG-110 $170 10 Megapixel Camera

The DXG-110 is a mediocre digital camera that has one outstanding feature: it shoots at 10 megapixels, despite costing only $170. That it offers this is remarkable, but it also proves the point that megapixels are not the be-all and end-all of image quality.

Dxg_110_front_hi_res

The DXG-110 is a mediocre digital camera that has one outstanding feature: it shoots at 10 megapixels, despite costing only $170. That it offers this is remarkable, but it also proves the point that megapixels are not the be-all and end-all of image quality.

In practice, the DXG-110 gets the job done, but the shots don't look too great: its output is noisy, even in good light. The press kit offers this explanation:

"Some competitors apply improper noise removal methods that make detail degrade significantly and reveal blotchy color... DXG chose to maintain noise in its original state (dotted color noise) and keep details intake."

Picture_1_2 It has a 10 MP CCD sensor with a 2.5" LCD preview display, 30FPS VGA video with audio recording, and 32MB of built-in flash behind the SD card slot. Face detection, ISO 1600 sensitivity and dynamic contrast detection, etc. The DXG requires 2 AA batteries.

On the upside, the menus are simple and straightforward to use, and yes, it does what it says on the box: give you 10 megapixel images at a rock-bottom price. The pictures it takes are not completely appalling: shoot in daylight, and have a steady hand.

Then again, there are no fancy features: nothing, nada, zip. The price of cheap detail is that ocean of noise. What's the point of 10
megapixels, again?