Home > Consumer Reviews > Argus Bean 5MP 16MB 1.5IN LCD USB Li-on Battery Blue

Since I'm training for a marathon and blogging as I go, I was in the market for a light camera to carry with me, so I can take pictures to enhance my online content. I have a full review with photo examples at:

http://obrienmedia.com/2009/09/a-runners-review-argus-bean-outdoor-digital-camera/

Since the camera was so light, I hardly noticed it in my pocket while running. the surface is rubbery and built very solid. The ergonomic handling made it super easy to take pictures on the fly. The display kept turning off after 5 seconds of inactivity, so I had to act like I was taking a picture to turn on the display again. It takes about 2-3 seconds for the photo to process and become available for the next shot again. The belt clip was convenient, but if you bump it too hard, the camera could fall off since there's no safety to the latch.

I need a camera that can do the basics even if I'm not running (or walking). The zoom is a joke, and I can't tell if it's real zoom or digital zoom. Taking good shots at night is impossible. It would have been better for Argus to concentrate on the quality of the pics instead of putting a big "5 MEGAPIXEL" stamp on the packaging to sell more product and make people believe the quality of the photos are good.

I'm returning this and finding a real camera.

This is a very nice camera for a child. If you learn how to properly use this camera, you should have no problems at all. Everything should work out well and benefit you like a well-oiled machine if you read all the instructions and learn how to use this camera right.

my 4 yo takes some of the best photos i have ever seen with any camera, and after he has almost broken mine a few times, we found this, it is perfect for him. it is tough enough for him yet it does take some nice pictures that will make good 5x7's.. would say it is great for any kid. i love that it clips on his belt and he can just play and take pictures when he wants. he loves it too and takes great care of it!

I bought one of these to bring along when riding horses. It gets banged around, in dusty areas and generally is treated pretty roughly...and it still keeps working. The still photos are good and there's little lag between the shutter button and the picture being shot. The movies are also pretty darn good.

Complaints...the video screen is pretty washed out when it's really sunny and it's coming from behind you...but I have the same complaint with any camera/camcorder without a viewfinder.

All in all, I'm very pleased, the camera has a solid feel and it works as advertised. Ultimately, it's a digital disposable camera with a design to help you hold onto it when things "get interesting"...the carabiner ring sure keeps it in hand.

I don't consider it a kid camera though...there are simpler cameras out there for kids, it's more of a bring along snapshot/memory camera.

I wanted a nice digital camera for each of my children (ages 5 & 6). I didn't want the bulky Fisher-Price or V-Tech with poor quality: I wanted a decent quality picture with an LCD viewer so they could see the picture after they took them and one that was rugged. With the Argus bean I got much more: great value, quality, durability and stylish. My 5 year old son picked up on most of the features. He knows how to use the video recorder too. It's amazing what kids take pictures of (have you ever seen a pix of your ceiling fan taken from the floor?) They love to show off their work on the the TV. The RCA plugs are easy to use. And another bonus: no more buying batteries-- just plug it into the USB port. AND, I was able to get them each a different color, so no fighting over whose is whose. Not just for kids: when we went on our weekend vacation to the indoor-waterpark, we didn't take our camera, we just used theirs.