Kodak EasyShare V610

Value (6.0)
The Kodak EasyShare V610 may fit comfortably in a pocket, especially when there is no money to pack in with it. It retails for $449 – and that isn’t including the necessary spare battery and the optional memory card that will allow users to take more than 14 pictures. $449 is much too expensive for a digital camera that has only automatic functionality and doesn’t take totally gorgeous pictures. Still, the Kodak EasyShare V610 does provide a unique set of features, including 10x optical zoom and Bluetooth functionality.

Comparisons
Kodak EasyShare V570 - This digital camera, introduced at the Consumer Electronics Show in January 2006, was the first dual lens model. Its innovative Retina technology included two Schneider-Kreuznach lenses for a 5x optical zoom, with one being a 23mm wide angle prime lens. The 5-megapixel V570 has very similar dimensions to the newer V610 and a slightly smaller 2.5-inch LCD screen which nonetheless has the same 230,000-pixel resolution. Both digital cameras have the same scene modes and ISO ranges, but the V570’s top ISO of 800 only worked in the 1.8-megapixel image size. Movie modes on both record 640 x 480 and 320 x 240 pixels, but the V570’s movie mode allows only 3x optical zoom, while the V610 grants users full access to the lengthy zoom – although with an unpleasant pause in the middle of the range. The Kodak EasyShare V570 can shoot 2.3 frames per second, while the V610’s burst mode slouches along at 1.6 fps. Like the V610, the V570 has significant shutter lag and unrealistic colors but keeps noise levels relatively low. The camera also doesn’t do well in low light. The Kodak EasyShare V570 retails for $399.

Panasonic Lumix DMC-TZ1 - The TZ1 was also introduced at CES in January and, at the time, was the world’s smallest 10x optical zoom camera. The 5-megapixel Panasonic TZ1 is much thicker with a 1.5-inch body, and its 10x optical zoom lens extends from the body instead of remaining within like the V610’s system. A slight right-hand grip makes the TZ1 a little easier to handle, and the built-in flash is also nicely positioned away from wandering fingers. The Lumix has a slightly smaller 2.5-inch LCD screen with 207,000 pixels. A "High Angle Mode" gives users a better view of the LCD screen when they push a button, but the Kodak V610’s view is still superior; it can be viewed indoors and outdoors, at almost any angle, without pushing a button to enhance the view. The Panasonic has some lucrative features: its Leica 10x optical zoom lens has an optical image stabilization system that works much better than the Kodak’s. It can record movies in widescreen format with a functional 10x zoom, and its 19 scene modes include interesting options like High Sensitivity and Aerial Photo. The ISO range is similar to the V610’s with 80-800 offerings, and its burst mode is just as disappointing as the Kodak’s too; the TZ1 can only shoot 2 fps for a total of three shots. The Panasonic Lumix DMC-TZ1 retails for $349.

Nikon Coolpix S4 - In terms of attraction, the Nikon is very different from the Kodak. The Nikon Coolpix S4 is designed more with function in mind, while the Kodak V610 aims for style. Still, both cameras are compact and share 10x optical zooming capabilities. While the V610 uses two lenses to achieve 10x zoom in a compact space, the Nikon S4 uses a rotating segment of its camera to house the 38-380 mm lens. The 6-megapixel S4 measures 4.4 x 2.7 x 1.4 inches. A 2.5-inch LCD screen on the back has only 110,000 pixels, which provide a poor quality picture, and the limited viewing angle sure doesn’t help. The Nikon Coolpix S4 has 15 scene modes and a movie mode that records choppy videos at 15 frames per second. Optical zoom is not available in the movie mode, but a 2x digital zoom is. There is no image stabilization on this camera and its significant barrel distortion is especially noticeable in macro shots. The Nikon Coolpix S4 is plagued by problems, including inaccurate colors, huge shutter lag, a pedestrian burst mode, and noisy pictures when the automatic ISO option in used. Still, the S4 performed decently in low light and is quite the budget model. It originally retailed for $399, but can be found online for less than $300.

Who It’s For
Point-and-Shooters  - The 610 is stocked with 22 scene modes, perfect for point-and-shooters who don’t want to mess with manual settings. It is also compact enough to travel in a pocket and even has Bluetooth wireless capabilities so pictures can be sent to enabled devices like cell phones and laptops. To top it off, the V610 has Kodak Perfect Touch technology built in to the playback mode, so users can beautify pictures before Bluetooth-ing them to the printer.

Budget Consumers - This audience will be sorely disappointed at the price tag of $449, which is quite overpriced for a camera that takes way too many blurry pictures and produces inaccurate colors. Budget consumers looking for a long zoom on a digital camera may have to give up the trendy, compact design for a chunkier and more traditional ultra-zoom digital camera that has a smaller price tag.

Gadget Freaks - The Kodak EasyShare V610 is the first digital camera to be enabled with Bluetooth wireless technology. With this, gadget freaks can snap shots and send them to Bluetooth-capable cell phones, printers, laptops, and other electronic devices. This is a gadget freak’s dream.

Manual Control Freaks - The V610 is more like a nightmare for these consumers, who will be quite disappointed with the slim white balance pickings and the lack of a manual mode altogether. An auto mode and 22 scene modes will please the point-and-shooters; those searching for manual control will need to look elsewhere.

Pros/ Serious Hobbyists - This group will totally ignore the V610, mainly because of its inaccurate colors, frustrating shutter lag, and slow burst mode. With its disappointing performance, the Kodak V610 won’t even make the Top Ten for a pro’s vacation digital camera.