Amazon.co.uk Review
The L'Espion from Digital Dream is a marvel of design and a must-have for all gadget freaks. This keyring camera is absolutely tiny, measuring just 58mm x 40mm x 15mm. Controls are limited to a shutter release and a single mode button. Taking a photo is simply a question of selecting a mode, raising the viewfinder and pressing the shutter release. Modes include high/low resolution, a continuous shooting for creating AVI files, and a self timer.
Unlike some other cameras of this type, Digital Dream has made the smart decision of using standard AAA batteries, rather than the more expensive photo type. This is important, because the L'Espion uses volatile memory that means that it requires a small but constant current to maintain data. In our tests, a standard alkaline battery lasted about 2 weeks. As long as you regularly upload from the camera, you are unlikely to lose data.
With just 100K pixels, the L'Espion is never going to win awards for image quality. However, given its keyring size and miserly battery consumption, it has the advantage of always being on hand.
The device is well presented in an unusual pyramid box making it an ideal gift. The unit is supplied with PhotoExpress software, EyeStar Mail Webcam support software, a key chain, and a leatherette pouch. PhotoExpress is aimed at the novice user and although it has a rather garish interface, provides a useful means of capturing, viewing and organising your images. EyeStar Mail has an equally unusual interface, but is extremely easy to use and at 30 frames per second provides an excellent Webcam function and will also record AVI files.--Nick Baxter