Model Design / Appearance (7.5)
The matte black body of the Kodak EasyShare DX6490 is highlighted with areas of silver detailing, around and including buttons, as well as the lens barrel itself. A built-in flash easily opens from the top of the camera, allowing for direct and immediate control over flash options. The four-way controller, familiar to most digital camera users, has been replaced by a button which acts as a stripped-down joystick. The LCD screen is a large, 2.2 inches, allowing for easy viewing from a greater distance, a luxury to be enjoyed.

Size / Portability (6.0)
The Kodak EasyShare DX6490 is not a camera meant for the point-and-shoot enthusiast who is looking for a model that can slip into a pocket. However, its larger body size allows for this camera’s extra features and appropriately sized buttons and grips, which allowed my large hands to feel comfortable with handling and adjusting during image capture. The Kodak EasyShare DX6490 measures 3.9 x 3.1 x 3.2 inches, with a cubic volume of 38.69 inches, and a weight of 11.9 oz.

Handling Ability (7.5)
The main issue with handling is the viewfinder. It seems almost absurd to talk about using the viewfinder at all on the Kodak EasyShare DX6490, due to this camera's large and easily viewable LCD screen. However, if users were inclined to switch between LCD and viewfinder, complications would quickly arise. The Kodak EasyShare DX6490 features an electronic viewfinder, advantageous at times, although it is impossible to use both the viewfinder and the LCD simultaneously, making it necessary to engage the button each time one is used. If using the viewfinder with the left eye, most if not all of the button functionality on the back of the camera is compromised. However, these viewfinder complications aside, the camera’s built out right-hand grip feels extremely comfortable, sized nicely for one or two handed usage.

Control Button / Dial Positioning / Size (7.0)
Nicely situated buttons and a large enough format allow the Kodak EasyShare DX6490 to be extremely usable to even someone with meandering fingers and oversized hands. I never covered the consciously positioned microphone, and the lens barrel was situated as to not allow my fingers to become the focal point of the shot. The mode dial located next to the LCD is a bit problematic, at times making it hard to adjust and switch between various modes. The resistance was enough to make me worry that I was perhaps hurting the camera or breaking something. However, once over this fear, the Kodak EasyShare DX6490 became a camera with entirely logical button placement. The buttons are labeled both with full text descriptions and symbols, so knowledge of the camera’s labels will be necessary for concise and efficient usage.

Menu (7.5)
The onscreen LCD menu available to the user is brightly colored and I think intended to boost the sensation of consumer interaction, although at times the overwhelming color scheme and layout makes me yearn for a more simple Menu. Within the still mode menu it is possible to control Image Storage, Picture Quality, White Balance, ISO Speed, Color Modes, Exp Meter, Focus Zone, Sharpness, Reset, Video length, Set Album, Date Stamp, Orient. Sensor, and overall Set Up.

Ease of Use (7.5)
The Kodak EasyShare DX6490 is a great middle ground camera for the buyer who is looking for a camera that allows for more manual control, but would still like the ready ease of point-and-shoot usage. With a sizable grip and spread out features, my hands never felt clumsy or awkward, and I didn't worry about covering the lens or the microphone during testing. The buttons on the back portion of the camera are harder to use when the viewfinder is being used, but in all honesty, with a 2.2-inch LCD screen, it seems almost ludicrous not to use it. The viewfinder does obstruct a bit of the LCD if the camera is held below eye level when viewing the screen, a slightly irritating feature which could be easily remedied. The joystick controller on the back of the camera was at times an enjoyable feature, but became more frustrating due to its small and overly sensitive trigger when I began to use the camera at a higher rate of image capture. However, the LED lit mode dial allowed me to easily find out which mode was engaged; each feature was clearly lit when in use, a feature I wish was standard on all cameras.