Kodak EasyShare V705

Value (5.25)
Kodak priced the EasyShare V705 at $349 and that isn’t outrageously overpriced but certainly rides the line. The camera’s specs certainly justify the price. The dual lens system lets users enjoy a wide 23mm focal length and a total zoom of 5x, something that just can’t be found on many ultra-compact digital cameras. The dual lens system requires two image sensors, each with 7.1 megapixels. A 2.5-inch high-resolution LCD screen and 32 MB of internal memory round out the specs. $349 sounds fair enough until you consider the awful color reproduction, inability to snap even halfway decent pictures in low light, the furry look of most pictures, and overall poor image quality.

Comparisons
Kodak EasyShare V570 – This digital camera was the first to introduce Kodak’s dual lens system. It has the same 5x optical zoom range and combo of a 23mm lens and a 39-117mm lens. The V570 also has the same scene modes, metering, white balance, and focus options as the V705. The older camera has less resolution though at 5.1 megapixels. It also has less ISO sensitivity options, as its range is shortened to 64-400 in full resolution. The Kodak V570 has only a 10-second self-timer, whereas the newer V705 has more delay options including a double self-timer. The older camera does not have the Kodak Perfect Touch technology that automatically fixes pictures in the playback mode on the V705. The two cameras are identical in their dimensions, and their boxy bodies have the same setup in terms of buttons and controls. They both even have 2.5-inch LCD screens with 230,000 pixels on them. The V570 weighs a tenth of an ounce more, but it costs less at $299.

Kodak EasyShare V610 – The second in the V-series lineup to be introduced is the V610. Kodak calls this the “world’s smallest 10x zoom camera” and uses the same dual lens technology to achieve that long zoom range. This camera has 6.1 megapixels, but it costs more at $399 because of its embedded Bluetooth wireless capability. It also has a larger 2.8-inch LCD screen, but the same 230,000-pixel resolution. Once again, the same shooting modes and options are available on both cameras – including the Kodak Perfect Touch function in the playback mode. There is one difference: The V610 lets users manually set the ISO up to 800, but the newer V705 extends that to 1000. The EasyShare V610 has a slower burst mode at 1.6 fps and more shutter lag at 0.3 seconds. Both cameras have 32 MB of internal memory and a Favorites mode to store pictures for easy access later. The Bluetooth-enabled Kodak EasyShare V610 has a larger body that measures 4.4 x 2.2 x 0.9 inches and weighs 5.6 oz.

Canon PowerShot SD700 IS – This 6.2-megapixel digital camera is trendy and compact with its 3.56 x 2.22 x 1.04-inch measurements. It isn’t as thin as the Kodak V705, but it isn’t as long either. The Canon has a 4x optical zoom lens, and that sounds like less than Kodak, but it actually zooms farther. Canon’s lens is equivalent to 35-140mm, so while it isn’t nearly as wide as the Kodak’s, it reaches much farther than the V705’s max telephoto setting of 117mm. The Canon PowerShot SD700 IS has an optical image stabilization system that works much better than Kodak’s digital version and records video at the same 640 x 480-pixel, 30 fps rate as the V705. The SD700 has an auto mode, program mode, and 11 scene modes. It has a few manual controls like white balance and an ISO range of 80-800. The burst mode is quite impressive. It is slightly faster at 2.1 fps, and it can shoot for much longer – our test got 32 shots in a row. The Canon SD700 takes fabulous pictures whether in bright or low light and keeps colors accurate too. The camera has a 2.5-inch LCD screen, but its resolution is sub-par at 173,000 pixels. Originally, this PowerShot was released for $499 earlier in 2006. It can be found for less than $300 online now.

Panasonic Lumix DMC-TZ1 – Panasonic released the TZ1 earlier in 2006 as one of the first compact digital cameras to have a true long zoom on it. The 5-megapixel TZ1 boasts a 10x Leica zoom lens that extends from the 0.9-inch thick camera body. The lens is functional in the movie mode and even comes with a more effective optical image stabilization system. This Lumix also has a 2.5-inch LCD screen, but it has less resolution than the Kodak with 207,000 pixels. The Panasonic TZ1 has about the same level of manual control as the V705 and comes with a huge list of scene modes too. The Panasonic Lumix DMC-TZ1 offers many of the same features, but it comes with even more zoom and an optical stabilization system rather than a digital one. It retails for $349.

Who It’s For
Point-and-Shooters – The V705 is wonderfully convenient; its boxy measurements slip right in a pocket and go anywhere. The camera is easy to use, and it has all the right specs a point-and-shooter would appreciate. But even point-and-shooters won’t appreciate the awful pictures this camera takes.

Budget Consumers – This EasyShare retails for $349, but cameras that take better pictures can be found for less. The V705’s price tag isn’t outrageous, but it is more than what it should be for a camera that doesn’t take beautifully sharp shots.

Gadget Freaks – These consumers will be wowed by the dual lens system and would love to show this off at a party, but the resulting pictures will be a big downer.

Manual Control Freaks – If manual control is what you’re looking for, this isn’t the camera for you. With only a list of scene and automatic modes, and few controls with limited options, these consumers will have to look elsewhere.

Pros/ Serious Hobbyists – This camera is definitely a cheaper option than a Hasselblad, but pros and serious hobbyists would rather pay the extra 15 grand and carry around a suitcase of camera equipment than pack a tiny camera with poor image quality.

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