Toshiba PDR-M71 3MP Digital Camera w/ 2.8x Optical Zoom

For photographers who want to do more than just point and shoot, the camera offers numerous advanced settings, including aperture- and shutter-priority modes, shutter speeds as slow as 15 seconds, a multimode flash, adjustable white balance, exposure compensation, and macro (for objects as little as four inches from the lens). Shots can be captured in black and white, sepia, vivid color, or standard color.

For power, the camera uses four AA batteries or an optional AC adapter. The big benefit to using standard AA batteries instead of a custom proprietary battery is that AA batteries are available virtually everywhere in the world, so missing a once-in-a-lifetime shot due to dead batteries won't be an issue. The downside is that a digital camera will kill a set of alkaline batteries extremely quickly, especially if you're using the camera's LCD display. If you're an occasional photographer, you can get by with high-power disposables, but if you plan to take more than a handful of photos a month, a set of rechargeable batteries (scroll up to the Accessories section) is a virtual necessity.

To compose your image, either look through the traditional viewfinder or use the 1.5-inch color LCD display on the back of the camera. Pictures are stored on SmartMedia cards. The included 8 MB card holds nine images at the camera's default setting or six images in the highest-quality (least compressed) setting. The card is reusable, but if you're hoping to take more photos before returning to your computer to transfer the images, you'll want a larger SmartMedia card.

In addition to its 2.8x optical zoom, the camera includes an additional 2.2x digital zoom. This feature merely crops the edges off your picture and blows up the remaining image, enlarging your picture at the expense of image quality. Most photo-editing software will let you do the same thing to your picture once you've transferred it to your home computer, so it's a camera feature that's not often used.

Movie mode captures movie clips at resolutions of 320 x 240 or 160 x 120 pixels. This feature won't replace your camcorder, but it's perfect for when you just want to capture a quick movie and e-mail it to a friend or relative.

A video-out feature makes it easy to show your pictures in big-screen glory. Just connect your camera to your TV with the included cable to give a virtual slide show to friends or family. If you think your photos look impressive on a 17-inch computer monitor, just wait until you see them on a 27-inch TV screen.

The camera's 3-megapixel sensor captures enough detail for sharp prints, even at 11 by 14 inches. If you frequently use the digital zoom, print 11-by-14-inch prints, or crop your photos, you may want the even-higher resolution of the 4-megapixel (but otherwise very similar) Toshiba PDR-M81.

The PDR-M71 comes with Image Expert software, an 8 MB SmartMedia card, video and USB cables, shoulder strap, camera case, lens cap, and 4 AA alkaline batteries. The camera is covered by a one-year warranty.

The bad: I would prefer compact flash over smartmedia. The manual lens cover is a little annoying. The battery door seems flimsy. The battery life is mediocre compared to other brands. It would be nice to have more resolution options (like a 1024x1200 and 1200x1600 option).

I give it five stars for solid overall value, no major drawbacks.


Wide array of features, competent performance-good value.   July 4, 2002
David J. Gannon (San Antonio, TX USA)
3 out of 4 found this review helpful

The Toshiba PDR-M71 is a "jack of all trades--mater of none" sort of package. I got one fpr my workplace as I needed a relatively inexpensive unit that provided a wide array of features and provided at least decent performance on all counts.

The M71 certainly has the features, including:

3.2-megapixel CCD delivering image resolutions as large as 2,048 x 1,536 pixels.
Real-image optical zoom viewfinder and 1.5-inch color LCD monitor.
2.8x, Canon 7.25 - 20.3mm zoom (equivalent to a 35 - 98mm lens on a 35mm camera).
Full Automatic, Program AE, Aperture Priority, Shutter Priority, and six Scene exposure modes.
Adjustable White Balance with six modes.

Built-in flash with four user-selectable modes.
Two- and 10-second Self-Timer modes.
Movie mode with sound.
Images saved in JPEG format to SmartMedia cards (8MB card included).
USB cable and interface software for quick connection to a computer.
A/V cable for viewing images on a television set.
Power from four AA batteries (set of four alkaline batteries included).

All of the features work well-none are spectacular. Picture quality is truly good only at the highest resolutions-but that sacrifices quantity. Photos at lower resolutions have a sort of pinkish tint to them. The Movie Mode and Sound feature is better than I expected. Zoom works well but is limited-action shots blur, but close in set shots come out well. Battery life is OK.

This works well for the purpose I obtained it-a general use business camera. I think this would be a good choice for the first time user-for a relatively modest price you can get, use and evaluate a wide array of features and decide what you'd really want in a "serious" camera. If you are a serious user looking for a really good unit, I would expect that this unit would frustrate and disappoint you.


Unforgivable support and service policies   January 3, 2004
3 out of 3 found this review helpful

I've had this camera for almost 2 years. Although it has never really perfomed as well as I'd hoped, the biggest complaint is in their support.

My camera was working just fine (besides a complaint of poor auto-focus since day one). Following Toshiba's recomendations and instructions posted on their website I downloaded and attempted to install a firmware upgrade (1.06A).

The "upgrade" managed to WIPE out all of my camera's operating system. So now I have an useless camera, and because the warranty expired after 12 months, Toshiba won't give me any help except to tell me to send my camera to Bensonville Illinois. ... A good consumer aware company should provide some sort of consideration for the fact that their recomended update is what damaged my camera.

Before this fiasco, I have always had issue with the quality of "auto-focused" shots. Bottom line is: even when making absolutely sure that the object that you want in focus is in the center of the viewfinder when pressing the button down half way before taking the shot-- it is a miracle if the shot comes out focused properly. I have borrowed other camers (specifically elf and minolta) and they are MUCH more likely to return sharper images.)

I have a Toshiba TV and DVD which work fine, but Toshiba has managed to squash my goodwill with this incident. In my opinion it is a very short-sided business strategy.