Kodak EasyShare V610

Connectivity
Software (6.5)
It takes only a few minutes for the Kodak EasyShare Software to download and infest a computer. Pop-ups will then appear when the computer is turned on, showing everything from photography tips to updates and more. The V610 comes with a software CD-ROM , but the latest version is available from the Kodak web site for free. The Kodak V610 comes with version 5.2.1.0 software, which is necessary to add and edit on-camera albums and to add pictures to the on-camera Favorites mode.

EasyShare Software automatically loads pictures taken by Kodak cameras, but the "Add Pictures" button at the top of the browser window lets users include others as well. From the top menu, users can also create new albums, edit and rotate pictures, play slide shows, and burn CDs/DVDs.

The following editing features are available: Crop, Rotate, Red-Eye, Enhance, Scene Balance, Color Balance, Scene Effects, and Fun Effects. There is also an ever-present Help button for lost users. The Crop function lets users crop within set dimensions or produce a free form. Red-Eye and Enhance features are automatic quick fixes, similar to the Kodak Perfect Touch technology included on the camera itself. The Scene Balance feature provides three editing tools that brighten and darken the image as well as provide more or less shadow and highlight, giving users a way to save pictures with improper white balance. With the Color Balance feature, users grab a dropper and select a gray area within the frame. The program samples this and automatically fixes the color, showing users the image before and after the fix.

"Scene Effects mode" is another name for color modes. Black & White, Sepia Tone, Forest, Scenic, Portrait, and Sunset are available. These cast different hues of light and almost depict the white balance settings within the V610.

The Fun Effects mode has several funky tools that aren’t incredibly professional but should be fun for teenagers who want to make interesting locker signs. With this, pictures can look like a spotlight is on them or a seriously exaggerated fish-eye lens was used. The picture can also be transformed to look like a coloring book or cartoon.

Kodak’s EasyShare Software is one of the more thorough programs included with a compact digital camera. Most models come with extremely basic software. While this is certainly nowhere near Photoshop, it still provides a decent medium for casual photographers to tweak the lighting and colors a bit – and have some fun. There are quick tabs to access home and online printing resources, email pictures, and visit the online Kodak EasyShare Center web site to buy more stuff.

Jacks, ports, plugs (6.5)
The Kodak V610 has an open port on its left side for the power adaptor. This cable comes with the camera and plugs in to charge the battery, which will need to be done frequently. A USB 2.0 cable, which hooks up to the bottom, exports pictures and video, sensing orientation as it does so and rotating the files properly. It cannot, however, plug directly into the camera: the jack is designed for use with an optional Kodak EasyShare photo frame or printer. Also in the package is an adaptor that hooks up to the USB port. This adaptor is about the size of a chicken nugget photographers who lose lens caps every other week will want to avoid this system. Without the tiny adaptor, users can’t transfer pictures unless their computers are Bluetooth enabled. Also connecting to the bottom port with the adaptor is the AV-out cable, whichcan be selected to NTSC or PAL standards. All of these wires can be a pain, which makes the wireless Bluetooth capability of the V610 even more attractive.

Direct Print Options (8.0)
A plastic insert included with the V610 fits onto a Kodak-brand printer and lets the user securely dock this camera. Once this is done, the Share button transfers pictures. Manufacturers suggest the Kodak EasyShare Photo Printer 500 and Kodak EasyShare Printer Dock Plus Series 3, which are directly compatible with the V610; users can set the camera atop them and watch slide shows while printing.

Otherwise, the V610 can use the USB cable and adaptor to print directly to PictBridge and ImageLink enabled printers as well as printing devices equipped with a Bluetooth chip.. To create print orders, users must be in the playback mode and push the Share button. A menu will prompt them to select images to print and select the number of copies of each print, from 1-99. There is also an option to select all of the images for printing and to cancel the print order. The Kodak EasyShare V610 has great compatibility and it is easy to directly print from it.

Battery (3.75)
The included KLIC-7001 lithium-ion battery is slim and light. It must not pack much power either. The Kodak EasyShare V610’s specifications claim it can only get 135 shots per charge. Believe it:. the battery life indicator on the screen hardly ever shows a completely full battery even when it has been freshly charged. An included power adaptor cable hooks into the open port on the left side and charges the battery within the camera.

Users can turn off the continuous auto focus mode and the digital image stabilization system to lengthen the battery life. They can also dim the LCD screen, as the 2.8 inches of pixels sure eat up a lot of power. The battery itself only costs $15-20, so it would be a worthwhile investment to purchase an extra for a day trip. Otherwise, the V610 and its snazzy 10x zoom might be sitting in a pocket with a dead battery.

Memory (5.0)
The Kodak EasyShare V610 comes with 32 MB of internal memory, 28 of which are available for picture storage. The Favorites mode defaults to take up space on the internal memory, while recorded pictures are supposed to be saved on an optional SD or MMC memory card. Users can copy pictures from the internal memory to the memory card, but not vice versa. A decent sized memory card will be quite necessary, as the camera can only save 14 full-resolution shots on the internal memory.

Other Features (8.0)
Bluetooth Wireless Technology - The Kodak V610 is the first digital camera to be fitted with Bluetooth wireless technology. It does so without a hitch too; consumers can use this feature right out of the box. Pushing the Share button in the playback menu brings up the Bluetooth option, which lets users search for other Bluetooth devices and send and receive files from them. From here, users can also view up to four profiled devices and send files to any Bluetooth device within about 30-40 ft.

When pictures are sent to a Bluetooth-enabled computer, the picture files automatically pop up on the screen – although they can only be properly viewed with the Kodak EasyShare Software. Pictures can be sent in full resolution, at QVGA size for fast transfer, or at XGA size for 4 x 6-inch optimized prints. The Bluetooth 2.0 EDR wireless transfer protocol sends file info at a speed of 3 MB per second, while the blue lights atop the camera dance.

Setting up a four-digit password can prevent other users from sending pictures to your camera. You can also name your V610, using an on-screen keyboard. These security features are optional, but useful and, like the rest of the Bluetooth technology, surprisingly easy to use.

Optional Photo Frame - The Kodak V610 is compatible with Kodak EasyShare Series 3 camera docks and photo frames. When the camera sits atop one of these optional docks, it can play fancy slide shows using options in the setup menu. Pictures can be shown from 3-60 seconds and a loop can be turned on and off. Transitions can include the following: Block, Horizontal Blind, Center to L/R, Left to Right, Right to Left, Center to T/B, Top to Bottom, and Bottom to Top. Slide shows, which can last from a half hour to 12 hours, can be played from the Favorites folder, the internal memory, or all of the stored images. Best of all: when the V610 is docked to one of these frames, its wimpy battery charges up.