Kodak EasyShare C433 Digital Camera Review

by James Murray
Published on December 08, 2006

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

 

The software included with the Kodak EasyShare C433 is the standard Kodak EasyShare Software that will enable users to engage a broad palette of digital effects and post-production editing without the stress and strain of learning an editing software program like Photoshop. The software is included on CD-ROM, but the latest version can be downloaded from Kodak’s web site for free. While installing took ten plus minutes, the actual procedure was a simple one that led the user through each step with ease. 

 

Once installed and opened, the user is presented with a main screen where they can view My Collection, Print at Home, Email, Creative Projects and the EasyShare Center sub-windows. While these features line the top of the screen, other folder display options are listed on the left side which allow the user to move between entire collection, last acquired, date taken, my smart albums and my albums. Additionally, there are four more linking options located in the lower left-land corner for access to my gallery home, fun with my favorites, my friends’ albums and my saved projects. 
 

Shown as a list of icons between the My Collections and other settings located horizontally at the top of the screen and the image display, are a series of editing options that enable the user to manipulate selected images both in-display and through pop-up windows. These icons will enable the user to select among import pictures, create a new album, edit selected pictures, get info for selected pictures, rotate selected image, play a slide show of selected images, burn a CD/DVD and express upload picture to create custom gift. 

 

The image edit feature provides the most control over image settings when viewing with this software and will enable users to make adjustments to rotate, crop, remove red eye, adjust brightness, contrast, hue, saturation, exposure levels overall and apply black and white, sepia, oval vignette and rectangle vignettes to images. Controls like brightness, contrast, hue, saturation and exposure levels display the image split in half with one half representing the before image and one representing the after image.

 

The one strong drawback to using the software is when users register their email address and information at Kodak’s EasyShare Gallery website. This has some perks, but it also means that if entered, the user can expect to receive several emails a week from Kodak regarding their “Creative Projects” opportunities and your account options for online printing etcetera. 
 

All in all, this software will enable the user to do everything from basic emailing and printing to making proper post-production editing decisions without confusion and without compromise.  Having this software included with this budget point-and-shoot camera makes this model more appealing.  Logical flow and editing platforms make the software of Kodak a pleasure to work with, and importing and printing images with this software is an equally simple and hassle-free process.

 

The ports for the Kodak EasyShare C433 are limited to the left side and bottom of the camera body and are easy to access and engage regardless of experience level.  On the left side of the camera body in the lower back corner is an uncovered port that allows for connection of the included USB cable to either printer or computer.  On the bottom of the camera body is a dock connection directly beside the tripod mount.  On the left side of the camera bottom is a port cover that slides to the right.  This cover, when open, reveals both the slots for the AA batteries as well as the optional SD/MMC expansion slot for memory cards.

 

Direct printing is an area Kodak targets in terms of simplicity and the C433 is no exception.  When printing with this camera, users can choose between Kodak EasyShare printers, ImageLink compatible print systems as well as PictBridge enabled devices. By merely pressing the share button on the back of the camera, the user can easily move images from not only camera to printer but also to computer in a method that is just now being imitated by other camera manufacturers.

 

The battery power for the Kodak EasyShare C433 is with two AA batteries. While two alkaline AAs are supplied, it will be obviously necessary to purchase additional batteries.  Without a rechargeable battery, users will find that it gets more and more expensive to own this camera as time goes by since continuously purchasing more batteries isn’t cheap.  Still, finding AA batteries in a pinch is easier than locating a special rechargeable battery. With this situation , it would be advisable to invest in rechargeable batteries and a battery charger since the camera ate up batteries during shooting and testing. 

 

The Kodak EasyShare C433 comes with an included 16 MB of internal memory and, while a great backup storage device if memory cards are forgotten or filled, 16 MB of memory is hardly enough to contain even the briefest excursion or social event. It would be wise for the user of the C433 to invest in an SD/MMC memory card that can be inserted into a port located beneath a cover on the bottom of the camera body.