Focus
Auto (8.0)
The Kodak EasyShare LS743 has two TTL (through the lens) AF settings available: multi-zone and center-zone. Multi-zone AF (the camera’s default) evaluates the scene according to 3 zones to guarantee an evenly focused image. This zone is pretty comprehensive and is suggested for general use. Center-zone AF evaluates 1 zone centered in the viewfinder for images requiring a specific area of focus.

The Kodak EasyShare LS743 also has auto focus framing marks that appear on the viewfinder to indicate how the camera has focused, including: center focus, center wide focus, side focus, center/side focus, and left/right focus. By pressing the shutter button halfway down, the user locks the focus into place and is free to take a picture. If the focusing marks appear in a way that is not desired, the user can take their finger off the shutter button and give the camera a chance to try again. Low light auto focus also exists on the Kodak EasyShare LS743 with multiple ranges selectable by the user.

Manual (0.0)
By partially depressing the shutter button located on the top of the Kodak EasyShare LS743, the user is allowed to tailor their focus options. The user is given a set of framing marks and zones, but the choice is still primarily one relegated to the camera itself. I do not think that these features will allow you to dictate any sort of focus potentiality manually. Supposedly if the incorrect choice is made by the camera the user corrects it by recomposing the scene and re-depressing the shutter button. A very specific set of parameters must exist for certain modes to be enacted, and so this feature could become a frustration for the user in his attempt to have any sort of control over the parameters of the system.

Metering (7.5)
The Kodak EasyShare LS743 offers metering options through the menu. The following metering options are available: multi-pattern, center-weight, and center-spot. By highlighting and pressing OK, the user has established this setting as the new metering selection, and the user will be returned to the main menu. Multi-pattern is the camera’s default setting, and it is used when the user seeks an exposure meter reading that will evaluate lighting throughout the entire image.. Center-weight metering achieves a meter reading based upon the exposure of the centrally located figure, which is perfect for backlit subjects. Center-spot is even more specific than center-weight, relying on a smaller portion of the center image to garner the appropriate exposure reading.

Exposure (7.0)
The Kodak EasyShare LS743 allows the user to adjust the exposure to permit more or less light into the digital camera. When the camera is in regular shooting mode the exposure can be adjusted in 1/2 EV intervals from -2.0 to +2.0 using the four-way controls. This is a nice feature that most digital cameras include to give the user a little more control over their images in varying light conditions.

White Balance (5.0)
The Kodak EasyShare LS743 has four settings for white balance: auto, daylight, tungsten, and fluorescent. To access these settings, the user must depress the menu button, and scroll through the menu using the up and down buttons on the four-way controller. Once the white balance is highlighted and the OK button is pressed, the user can scroll between these four options to find the right setting for the light. These options are pretty bare bones, but I’m not sure this camera needs more than that for its intended user. Ideally I would have liked to see a manual or preset option available for situations in which the automatic white balance options do not produce a desired result.

ISO (8.5)
The Kodak EasyShare LS743 offers Auto, 80, 200, 400, and 800 ISO settings. This is a pretty impressive range for a point-and-shoot camera. Many cameras fail to go below 100 or above 400 ISO sensitivity. To access the ISO settings, the user must first press the menu button located to the left side of the LCD screen. Once inside the onscreen menu, the user engages the four-way controller to scroll up and down throughout the menu. Once the ISO speed option is highlighted, the user must press the OK button on the four-way controller. A new screen will appear, and once again the user can scroll up and down between the ISO options. When the proper ISO speed is chosen, and the OK button is pressed once again, the user will be returned back to the main menu.

Shutter Speed (0.0)
Shutter speeds on the Kodak EasyShare LS743 are controlled automatically ranging from 1/1400-1/2 second settings. This is limiting to the user who would like to explore with different lighting scenes and have more control over their images. However, Kodak does offer a unique way of adjusting for longer exposure settings. By entering the onscreen menu, the user can highlight long time exposure options using the four-way controller. Once highlighted, and once the OK button is pressed, the user is given the following choices: none, 1.0, 2.0, 4.0, 8.0, and 16.0 seconds. Once the proper setting is selected, depress the OK button  again, and the main menu is returned to the LCD screen.

Aperture (0.0)
The Aperture settings for the Kodak EasyShare LS743 are f/3.0 or f/5.1 for the wide angle lens, and f/4.9 or f/8.5 for the telephoto lens. Unfortunately, these are also controlled automatically. However, this limitation in the eyes of some is a desired feature for users who don’t know or care about manual settings.