Kodak EasyShare V803

Auto Mode (7.0)
The V803 defaults to the basic Automatic mode, a feature ideal for beginners. Unless otherwise set to a Scene mode such as Portrait or Landscape, the camera shoots in the Automatic mode at settings of 8 megapixels, Auto Flash, Auto White Balance, and Auto ISO. Users still have some control in Auto mode, with the ability to override the flash, white balance, ISO sensitivity, and exposure metering settings.

For frequently used settings, Kodak included on the V803 a new feature called Maintain Settings. The Maintain function allows users to save a combination of settings: flash, ISO speed, Color mode, sharpness, exposure metering, and focus zone. There is also a Custom Scene mode, for custom settings.

Movie Mode (4.75)
The Kodak V803’s Movie mode combines standard video functions with more advanced movie editing features. Users can access the Movie mode through a dedicated movie button on the top of the camera. The camera can record video at VGA resolution (640 x 480 pixels) or QVGA e-mail resolution (320 x 240) at a standard rate of 30 frames per second (fps) with sound.

The V803 camera records video smoothly and captures sound effectively. The 3x optical zoom lens is functional, but unfortunately the camera picks up sound from the noisy zoom.

We should note that outside of its standard specs, the V803’s Movie mode is one of the worst performing of the cameras we tested in 2007.


The Movie mode includes a number of built-in editing functions. Users can "bookmark" portions of the movie clip right in the camera to create a still index print in four, nine, and 16 image-thumbnails. In addition, users can capture single still images from the video and create a slide show within the camera. In playback, users can pause, and rewind and fast forward clips at two speeds.

View By	All, Date, Album
Album
Make Picture	Yes, No
Edit Video	Exit, Trim, Bookmark, Action Print
Slide Show	Begin Show, Exit, Interval, Loop, Transition
Multi-Up
Copy	Video, Exit, All
Protect
Image Storage	Auto, Internal Memory
Setup Menu	* (See Menu section)

Drive / Burst Mode (3.0)
The Kodak EasyShare V803’s Burst mode is accessed through the menu; there are on and off settings. It has a reported burst rate of 1 fps for up to four frames. Wait, that’s a burst rate? Kodak tries to pass off what should be normal shooting speed as a burst drive. The 1 fps rate is pretty disappointing, even for a point-and-shoot, which usually have at least a 3 fps rate. After firing off a burst of shots, it takes several seconds to write the card, so users will have to wait before firing off the next round.

The self-timer has 2- and 10-second delays, and can be set to take two consecutive shots.

Playback Mode (7.75)
The V803’s Playback mode is accessed by pressing the review button on the back of the camera. Images can be viewed individually or as nine thumbnails by pressing the left side of the zoom toggle. Users can zoom in on photos up to 8x to check for focus and the like.

Pressing the menu button while in the Playback mode pulls up viewing options and in-camera editing functions. Kodak includes the standard slide show feature that allows users control of how long each photo in the slide show is displayed and apply transition effects, much like PowerPoint presentations.

The following is the Playback menu:

Playback Menu
View By	All, Date, Album
Album	On, Off
PERFECT TOUCH Tech.	(split screen)
Crop	Crop pictures so desired content is in box
Slide Show	Begin Show, Exit, Interval, Loop, Transition
Multi-Up	(index)
Copy	Picture, Exit, All
Protect
Image Storage	Auto, Internal Memory
Setup Menu

The EasyShare camera also includes built-in editing functions, such as Kodak’s Perfect Touch Technology and a crop tool, so users can bypass the computer and directly print their corrected photos straight from the PictBridge-enabled camera.

The share button accesses the camera’s print and e-mail features. When pressed while the camera is in Playback mode, there is an option to mark photos as favorites. This allows for easy sharing and review of images.

The EasyShare V803 has a decent Playback mode with enough in-camera editing features to make prints right from the camera.

Custom Image Presets (8.25)
The Kodak V803 offers 22 Scene modes, which easily covers the basics. Each preset shooting mode features a brief text explanation of when the scene mode is appropriate. Scene modes are Portrait, Panorama Left-Right, Panorama Right-Left, Anti-Blur, Sport, Landscape, Close Up, Night Portrait, Night Landscape, Snow, Beach, Text, Fireworks, Flower, Manner/Museum, Self-Portrait, High ISO, Children, Backlight, Panning Shot, Candle Light, Sunset, and Custom.

The Scene modes display the active flash setting and megapixel count icons on the LCD screen to show the camera settings. However, other important EXIF data display, such as aperture and shutter speed information, is not displayed. Most point-and-shooters won’t be too bothered, but if more advanced photographers want that information while shooting, they might consider another camera. The V803 does display EXIF data during Playback mode, however.

Many point-and-shoots offer a Museum mode to suppress flash and sound for church, weddings, or other situations where photography is restricted. Interestingly enough, Kodak calls this mode "Manner/Museum" mode, similar to that found on other devices, such as cell phones. Multi-media users, including Kodak V803 shooters, will recognize this appropriately-phrased function.

Kodak also includes a built-in panoramic dual shooting and editing function, Panorama Left-Right and Panorama Right-Left. These functions allow a user to shoot three photos in succession. Once the user pushes the joystick, the function automatically stitches three frames into one wide photo composite. The Panorama mode sometimes incorrectly matches up photos, but the function is a nice addition for landscapes or group photos when it works.