Home > Consumer Reviews > Toshiba PDR-M500 2MP Digital Camera w/ 10x Optical Zoom

This was a replacement for my Nikon CP775, and so far outperforms it in every category. This camera has continuous shooting, manual shutter and aperture if desired, selectable flash- it even uses AA batteries rather than a specialty battery, and uses a standard rather than proprietary USB cable! For a semi-pro/ high-end hobby camera, I haven't been able to find this combination of features for this price. 10x zoom means no more separate tele lens, and the TTL viewfinder shows just the pic I'm getting. Clarity is good too.

I purchased this camera because I wanted a moderately priced, adequate camera to take photos from, especially on trips. I didn't want to shell out $500+ dollars for a camera with a significant optical zoom because I've lost some expensive cameras in the past. I ordered this one, and it is fantastic. I'm not a professional photographer, of course, but this camera does a great job and the zoom is fantastic! You can easily zoom in on someone's face from over 100 feet away. The large screen is also very good. I really like this camera.

This camera is a dream to use. I read various reviews before buying this model and everyone seemed to really think it was a good value. I agree. I have had 3 or 4 rather mid priced digital cameras before this one, and every feature of this camera is far, far superior to all my others. I keep a couple sets of rechargable AA's in rotation, but I even think this model has battery long life considering all the power. Another reviewer here mentioned great low-light photos, and I'll just add that I used it for a night time Mardi Gras parade for the web and I got some good shots, great color even in that low light at night. You can forget the 40X 'digital' zoom for hand held shots---but the 'real' 10X optical zoom is GREAT !

it took me several days of reading peoples reviews on camera specifictaions and studying about optics and talking to people in the local camera store in phoenix, before deciding that this was the camera to buy. i have been experimenting with in very low light conditions using long exposure and the results are beautiful. it can be enhanced with telescopic lenses if necessary as it has a provision. the remote control based mode is superb and widely appreciated by friends. the manual mode allows one to try out amazing extremes in photography. The best part is the 10x optical zoom. It beats all other cameras in this category hands down.

I purchased this camera because I wanted a moderately priced, adequate camera to take photos from, especially on trips. I didn't want to shell out $500+ dollars for a camera with a significant optical zoom because I've lost some expensive cameras in the past. I ordered this one, and it is fantastic. I'm not a professional photographer, of course, but this camera does a great job and the zoom is fantastic! You can easily zoom in on someone's face from over 100 feet away. The large screen is also very good. I really like this camera.