The iDshot from Sanyo is the latest digital still-cum-digital video camera in a package that can capture still images between 640 x 480 and 1,360 x 1,024 pixels. Thanks to the Magnetic Super Resolution technology (CAD-MSR) used, you can take a lot of photos - up to 12,000 of them on one disk. This is possible at 640 x 480 resolution, with normal quality. At the highest resolution you can take 225 images saved in TIFF format, 1,200 images in fine format and 2,000 in normal format at the lowest quality.

One of the most impressive things about the iDshot is the intriguing storage medium. It uses a 730MB magneto-optical (MO) disk, about half the size of a generic 3.5in disk and weighing 13g. Apart from being rewritable, with fast data transfer, the disks can also hold up to 120 minutes of digital video, albeit at 160 x 120 pixels, running at 15 frames per second (fps). Even recording video at the highest resolution, 640 x 480 and at 30fps, you get a fair amount of recording time. The manual states that at this high detail range, you can only get eight minutes worth of video, but I found it to be closer to 15.

This ease of use puts the iDshot at an advantage over other, more complicated devices. Taking still images is as simple as turning the mode selector dial to shoot and snapping away. Taking advantage of the digital video was just as easy; switch the dial to the little roll of film and look at the very sharp 1.8in, polysilicon LCD screen. Mission accomplished.

The software bundle includes three CDs: Adobe Premiere 5.1 LE, MGI PhotoSuite III SE and a Sanyo software/driver disk. Data transfer either through USB or FireWire couldnt have been easier.

Images are recorded in both TIFF and JPEG file types, with video saved in QuickTime format. Image quality is excellent with no ghosting or pixellation in TIFF format. JPEGs tend to exhibit slight pixellation. Moreover, all images are superbly sharp for a 1.5-megapixel camera and the video quality is simply amazing. At 30fps, the playback quality is also impressive. The only problem I found was battery life - it dropped to half an hour (with a full charge) when shooting movies.

The sum of its parts makes this one a camera to look out for. It may be a smidge under $3,000, but thanks to all the features, the groovy magneto-optical disk and its overall ease of use, this crossbreed camera is a winner on all accounts.