Digital photos can be displayed on a digital camera or a laptop, and they can emailed to to friends and relatives, but it's hard to carry around a digital image. The solution is a small digital photo frame - small enough to attach to a keychain.
Good quality digital photo frames are coming down in price, and several companies have introduced keychain versions, with LCD screen sizes of between 1" and 1.5". These relatively small digital picture frames can be a good way to store and share your digital photos.
Popular brands over the past couple of years include the Coby Digital Photo Keychain (DP151, from Coby Electronics Corp of New York, which was the number two gift on Amazon over 2008); the Spectra digital photo keychain; and the Innovage Digital Photo Keychain. There are also models from Gear Head, Hello Kitty, and countless minor brands.
Cost of Digital Photo Keychains
The cost of the small 1.5" digital photo keyrings ranges from around $80 for top models (Coby and others) to $10 for no-name versions. The average price is between $15 and $30 for good quality units at the time of writing.
Characteristics of Digital Photo Keychains
All of the digital photo keyrings reviewed for this article inlcuded:
- LCD full color display (1" to 2", averaging around 1.5")
- Between 2 MB and 8 MB of memory (low end units have less, more expensive units generally have more), sufficient for roughly four dozen photos or more.
- Ability to display multiple image types (JPG, GIF, BMP)
- Storage for several dozen images (54 to 60 for better models, )
- Come with USB port and cable
- Proprietary photo management software
- Additional functions such as Slideshow, Calendar, or Clock
- Higher priced models use rechargeable batteries (the Coby DP151 digital photo keychain, for example, uses a Lithium Polymer battery)
- Lower-end models use button cells
These basic features are standard for current products. Some entry-level lines will not include batteries or the USB cable but may still represent good value (buyers must include the cost of the add-ons to calculate the final price).
What to Look for in a Digital Photo Frame Keyring
Because there is such a large range of prices and product quality, shoppers need to know what to look for to get the best value at a given price point.
- A display with sharp, clear images and good color
- Backlight to improve viewing in various lighting conditions
- Software should be easy to use and include ability to crop, rotate, resize, and edit photos before uploading them to the keychain digital photo frame.
- Sufficient memory for your intended storage (number of images)
- Auto-off for battery conservation
- Buttons or controls should be easy to access and use
- A lock to prevent the keyring digital photo frame from turning on in pocket or purse will extend battery life
The attitude used to be "It's only twenty bucks, I'll get a couple". Recessionary pressure has forced consumers to rethink their approach to discretionary spending. With these criteria in mind, the savvy shopper can determine whether or not a given unit represents a reasonable value for the price.
Are Keychain Digital Photo Frames Any Good?
Customer reviews and comments for these little digital photo frames reflect concerns about size, quality, and usefulness, but are generally positive, with people often purchasing several to use as gifts.
- Most keychain digital photo frames are too big for a guy's pocket, though they're fine for a purse.
- The plastic covers of the LCD screen may be scratched by other items in the pocket or purse.
- Some include a mounting bracket for wall, desk, or dashboard - but for permanent display, why not buy a larger digital photo frame?
- Quality appears to vary widely, with lower end models receiving frequent complaints. It appears that with 1.5" digital photo keychains, quality and price are related (although many of the $15 items work just fine for most customers).
- The 1" screens can be hard to see and show little detail; this is especially important if the gift is for an older person who may have difficulty seeing the small screen.
- The software generally appears to be easy to use, regardless of brand, though some people have reported issues
- Some of the rechargeable versions may not hold a charge for long
- They make terrific gifts because they can be personalized for the recipient
Overall, these small digital photo frame keyrings are a wonderful low-cost way to share photos of family, friends, favorite places, pets. They are rapidly replacing pictures of children or grandchildren carried in wallet or purse.
