| This device was recommended to me by a | | | | slider was oversensitive and the 4 touch buttons |
| friend, this is an ipod like device that can store up | | | | were undersensitive, this proved a little infuriating. |
| to 8gb of mp3's as well as photos. | | | | One thing I did notice is that there was no stop |
| Creative have been manufacturing alternatives to | | | | button, only play and pause. What I think would |
| Apple ipods for a while now and this model, the | | | | have been a better option would have been to |
| Creative Zen Microphoto, is sold to directly | | | | use simple click buttons for the controls and a |
| compete with the Apple ipod photo (although the | | | | classic volume wheel instead of a slider. I can see |
| ipod photo comes with a 60gb hard drive). | | | | what creative have tried to do in choosing the |
| On first appearances the Zen Microphoto feels | | | | buttons and the slider that they have, in trying to |
| well built and sturdy, most of Creative's lineup | | | | keep the lines and style of the device simple, but |
| seem to be built to a high standard which is what | | | | in doing so have made the zen more difficult to |
| you'd expect from any device which costs a | | | | use and ultimately lets the device down. |
| significant amount of money. One thing that | | | | An aspect that I think Creative needs to seriously |
| usually lets devices like this down is the quality of | | | | look at is when you switch to viewing photos on |
| the earphones. A lot of thought usually goes into | | | | the zen, the music stops. Quite why this happens |
| the device and the bundled earphones seem like | | | | I'm not sure but I think this is something that will |
| they were thought of at the last minute. This isn't | | | | frustrate a lot of people. |
| the case with the Creative Zen Microphoto | | | | When switching on the Creative Zen Microphoto |
| however, the earphones feel quality, fit | | | | the edge around front face of the device lights up |
| comfortably in the ear, and actually produce a | | | | to compliment the buttons and really does look |
| decent sound. One thing that would have been a | | | | good. |
| nice feature is in-line volume controls for volume | | | | Creative's choice of navigation buttons for the |
| and track navigation. As it stands you have to | | | | Zen become evident when switched on as the |
| root around in your pocket, fish out the Zen, then | | | | whole package has a quite a stylish look when |
| activate the controls before you can perform any | | | | illuminated. |
| of these tasks, which would become annoying if | | | | The Zen Microphoto comes with a USB lead to |
| you were riding a bike or jogging while listening to | | | | connect to a PC, this allows for the easy transfer |
| your music. | | | | of music and photos onto the Zen as well as |
| Since you have to use the main controls on the | | | | being able to use the Zen as a portable USB |
| Zen you'd expect them to be easy to use, for | | | | storage device for other files which is quite handy. |
| some reason though Creative have opted for a | | | | The 8gb hard drive size means there should be |
| control panel which consists of 4 touch buttons | | | | sufficient space for most people to carry around |
| and a touch slider. You have to tap the buttons or | | | | their entire music collection. |
| the slider in order to activate the device, then use | | | | Conclusion |
| the slider to navigate through the track listings | | | | Good Points Stylish, easy menu navigation, good |
| and menus. Once into the menu function it is self | | | | sound quality, excellent build quality, 8gb hard drive |
| explanatory and easy to navigate, with a nice | | | | Bad Points No in line volume control or navigation, |
| bright display which is clear and easy to read. | | | | poor navigation controls, inability to view photos |
| What I found in my experience was that the | | | | while listening to music. |