Seagull DC-33 (1998)

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Some internet sources claim the Seagull DC-33 to be the first consumer digital camera manufactured entirely in China. Introduced in August 1998, the camera featured 2x optical  zoom, built-in flash, automatic shooting modes, self-timer, video out and supported Smart Media memory cards. Collectors might recognize it's close resemblance to the Agfa ePhoto780 and Polaroid PDC-640, no wonder, because the Seagull was the basic OEM model for the rest of these cameras, who would have thunk! According to some sources there allegedly was a Kinon DC-33 but this could never be confirmed.

 

The story goes that Shanghai Seagull Camera Factory formally put forward the development and production of digital camera applications in July 1997. A year later in 1998 the first Seagull DC-33 digital camera was finally available.