The BenQ 300mini is a cute, colorful camera with some interesting features—and a real dud of a viewfinder.

The 3.3- by 1.6- by 0.75-inch camera's 8MB of internal memory can record up to 107 VGA images or 30 seconds of 5-fps video. It has a relatively fast f2.8 lens and an electronic shutter with speeds from 1/6 to a remarkable 1/100,000 of a second. As a Webcam, the 300mini can display and record up to 30 fps at full VGA resolution. The control panel is tiny, but instead of showing barely visible icons, the camera displays easy-to-understand two-letter abbreviations (St for self-timer, Ct for continuous mode, and so on). The 300mini is a fast shooter and is powered by one triple-A battery.

To maintain the camera's slim design, the Chiclet-size optical viewfinder is recessed within the camera and pops up when you flick a side switch. But the viewfinder is designed to be seen at a distance of about 18 inches—not with your eye up to it—so it is virtually impossible for anyone with less than 20/20 vision to use. Offsetting this blunder is the 300mini's clever USB interface, which is built into the camera; simply pop off the rounded black-and-orange cover, and plug the camera directly into any USB port. The cable and cradle are included for Webcam use.