Kodak EasyShare C340 Digital Camera Review

by James Murray
Published on October 07, 2005

Navigation
Intro	Testing / Performance
Physical Tour	Components
Design / Layout	Modes
Control Options	Image Parameters
Connectivity / Extras	Overall Impressions
Conclusion	Specs / Ratings

 

 

The viewfinder on the Kodak EasyShare C340 is frustratingly small and poorly positioned. The viewfinder does register zoom levels, but because this is a real image optical viewfinder it has a field of view far less than 100% of the actual captured shot. If the prospect of beheading your beloved aunt Gertie is unappealing, it will be necessary to monitor images through the LCD screen. Using the viewfinder on this camera when the display is turned off will save the batteries, but accuracy is probably more desirable to most people in the

long run.  

 

In the world of 2 and 2.5-inch LCD screens, the Kodak C340’s small LCD can only offer a cramped display and low pixel count. Consumers concerned with screen size (or quality) should look at other alternatives. The C340 has a 1.6-inch LCD with only 72,000 pixels. If a large LCD is essential to your point-and-shoot photography and paying slightly more isn’t a problem, the Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W5 has a 2.5-inch, 115,000 pixel LCD for just under $300 (USD).

 

The in-camera flash for the Kodak EasyShare C340 is positioned above and slightly off-center from the lens of the camera. This means that there will be a shadow cast to one side of the subject thanks to the uneven lighting.  The flash unit is small and focused; light emitting from it will be hard and specular, creating thick, sharp shadows.

 

When shooting in wide angle the camera is able to produce a flash which is reported to reach a distance of 2 to 12 feet. When in telephoto mode that range is limited to 2 to 7 feet. Do not expect this flash to illuminate into the rainforest canopy so you can nab that shot of an ocelot.

 

The flash options are accessed through the flash button positioned to the left of the mode dial on the top of the camera. The flash button allows the user to switch between Auto Flash, Fill, Red-eye, and Off settings. While all of the settings are available when in standard AUTO mode, some of the flash controls are not provided in scene modes. There is no accessory or external flash mount for this camera so users will need to rely on the in-camera flash. When using this flash, be prepared for the 0.5 second or so delay between the depression of the shutter and the actual capture of the image.

 

The Kodak Retinar Aspheric All Glass Lens on the Kodak EasyShare C340 is recessed inside the camera body when the camera is not shooting. The zoom lens is covered by an automatic door. The lens has a 34-102mm equivalent zoom (35mm) and an aperture range of f/2.7-f/5 in wide angle and f/4.6-f/8.7 in telephoto settings. The C340 has 5x digital zoom, but digital zooms always yield poor image quality. The zoom lens is controlled through the wide and telephoto controls positioned in the upper right corner on the back of the camera.