The auto mode on the Kodak EasyShare C340 will provide users with not only a full general auto mode where all settings are placed on default and image parameters are established by the camera, but also the opportunity to engage the limited “manual” settings. The auto mode has access to the exposure compensation settings, flash settings, ISO settings, and white balance preset modes along with focusing zones and long time exposures. The AUTO mode is well labeled on the mode dial and the first setting option available once the camera is turned on. Auto mode is simple to use and can function properly without the user ever entering the in-camera menu and altering the settings found within. Just don’t expect more than the bare basics and certainly don’t expect the camera to provide full manual functionality.

 

When the Kodak EasyShare C340 is placed in movie mode the user is able to shoot video clips with simultaneous audio in two frame rates. The C340 can shoot 640 x 480 resolution video at 13 frames per second. At a resolution of 320 x 240 the camera is able to produce frame rates of 20 fps. While it’s great that this camera can shoot at a resolution of 640 x 480, the absolutely lagging frame rate will sadly supply users with stuttered and jittery video. The menu options in movie mode only allow the user to change the resolution, set album, video length, image storage, and enter the setup menu. There are no manual control options available in video mode, nor is it possible to zoom. Movies are recorded as a Motion JPEG with audio capture/playback via the in-camera microphone and speaker.

 

The Kodak EasyShare C340 has a very quick burst mode: it will take three images in a second, which is as fast as much more expensive cameras. Unfortunately, the Kodak EasyShare C340 can only do this for three images at a time. After taking a three-shot burst, the camera needs about five seconds to record those images to memory. Three frames in a second is a nifty feature to catch folks blowing out candles on a birthday cake, however.

 

To enter into the EasyShare C340’s playback mode, the user must press the review button on the back of the camera body. Regardless of the mode the camera is currently entered in, this button will immediately switch the camera into review mode, where the user is able to review, sort, and crop images in two viewing arrangements.

 

The review mode provides a full screen single image, and when the menu button is pressed, the menu will appear superimposed over the current displayed image. If the user chooses to change the format into a 9 image, multi-up thumbnail viewing method, the menu can’t be imposed over the thumbnails; once the menu button is pressed, the backdrop reverts to single image display. Although it is possible to engage the multi-up format through the menu list, it may also be entered through the depression of the down arrow on the four-way controller. To zoom in or out on images the user must merely engage the wide angle and telephoto portions of the zoom toggle.

When in the review menu the user can make changes to the album, crop images, make a slide show, view images as a multi-up, copy, protect, specify image storage parameters, and adjust setup menu settings. It is also possible to view and listen to video clips when in review mode. When viewing movies it is only possible to play and pause the clip by using the OK button. There is no in-camera editing or manipulation available.

 

The custom image preset scene modes are found through the mode dial on the Kodak EasyShare C340. On the actual mode dial itself, users can select settings of Close-Up, Landscape, Sports, or Portrait mode. A fifth setting called the Scene mode will allow users to select from a number of preset scene mode options which appear on the LCD screen. The user is able to scroll through the scene options via the left and right arrows on the four-way controller. The scene modes here include Self Portrait, Fireworks, Snow, Beach, Night Portrait, Party, Children, and Backlight settings. These settings are represented as a number of small and wholly indecipherable series of graphics, a downfall which is more or less canceled out by the large text scene mode titles and descriptions which appear simultaneously on the LCD screen as the user scans through each of these preset options.