Kodak EasyShare Z650

Connectivity
Software (7.0)
Photographers interested in a moderate amount of post-production image editing will find the Kodak EasyShare software program included in the purchase of the Z650 to be a helpful starting point. The software for this camera loaded onto a Windows-based computer without issue and ran following the first installation attempt which took about seven minutes to complete. The included software is a welcome relief to the sub-par offerings found with many point-and-shoot camera manufacturers who rely on third-party companies to produce their software. This is one of Kodak's strong points since the EasyShare software system links to the online gallery and store at initial startup. It also provides seamless transfer of images from a hard drive to an online account in order to print photos and customize gifts for friends and family.

The actual EasyShare software program uses a simple format with storage folders listed along the left side of the screen, while editing and sharing options are along the top. These two banks of controls flank the first display shown that is a thumbnail display directory of captured images. These images change as the storage folders on the left side are cycled through and various albums are selected. The storage folders present upon first opening the program allow for the user to move through the entire collection, the last acquired photos, my favorites, date taken, my smart albums, and my albums.

Along the horizontal axis, as previously mentioned, are two rows of options - one rotating between My Collection, Print at Home, Email and the EasyShare center. Each of these options has basic screens that lack tacky kitsch logos or other obtrusive visual clutter. Instead there is a function first format that is simple to work with. Underneath these options are a series of controls that can be chosen to alter selected images, import new images, or create new albums. The image editing sub-windows enable the photographer to edit currently highlighted images, receive information about a particular image, rotate a chosen image, play slideshow of selected images, burn a CD or DVD of images, or upload images to the online store.

The edit mode enables the user to select a number of basic image alteration options and adjust for overexposure, red-eye, and a number of other common problems . The edit options are listed on the horizontal axis near the top of the sub-screen and enable the photographer to select between rotation adjustment, image cropping, red-eye fix, automatic image enhancement, adjust image, adjust exposure and fun photo effects. The final option is really rather understated in its offerings especially when considering the vulgar frames, fun house mirrors, and other garish effects being hawked by point-and-shoot camera manufacturers in their current software programs. The fun photo effects options found here will convert images to black & white or sepia as well as apply oval or rectangular vignette soft-edge frames.

The other editing options provide users with the ability to manually adjust brightness, contrast, hue, and saturation on individual sliding scales in image adjust mode. In addition, this process and other adjustments can be made automatic with the automatic fixing option. The software also has an exposure control that adjusts with a sliding scale much like the process within the Z650.

These options will help novice users gain a solid working knowledge of post-production image editing options. The software isn’t replete and doesn’t begin to provide the flexibility or complexities of programs like Photoshop, but then again, this program is free and is intended for novices, not advanced professionals. With time and practice, many beginners will find themselves outgrowing this program, but with so many shareware programs on the market for image editing, it shouldn’t be too hard to find a replacement.

Jacks, ports, plugs (5.75)
The Kodak EasyShare Z650 has ports positioned on the bottom, right, and left sides of the camera body. On the left side, in the back lower corner, is an uncovered port for optional connection to a DC IN 3V power source.

On the right side of the camera body is one of the best design features of the Z650: the SD/MMC memory card slot and cover. By positioning the memory card slot on the right side of the Z650, photographers can easily switch cards without having to remove the camera from a tripod. This overcomes a design problem that often occurs with point-and-shoot digital cameras when the memory card is positioned on the bottom of the camera and is blocked by the tripod plate. Also located beneath the cover for the SD memory card slot is the AV out port for connection to a monitor, printer, or personal computer. The cover is constructed of thick, plastic, sturdy hinges that connect the cover to the body of the camera.

The batteries are located beneath a port cover on the bottom of the camera body. The batteries are held in place by a cover that opens by pressing lightly and sliding it to the right. To the left of the battery cover and directly beneath the LCD screen is the dock connector for direct connection to the Kodak EasyShare printer system.

Direct Print Options (8.5)
The Kodak EasyShare Z650, like all cameras in the Kodak digital camera series, excels at direct printing ease and simplicity. The Z650 is compatible with Kodak EasyShare printers, PictBridge and ImageLink compliant printers, and offers printing through Kodak’s website. If a PictBridge printer is used, a PictBridge specific in-camera display lets users select between printing current picture, tagged pictures, index print, all pictures or image storage. The Z650 easily connected to the printer. The selection and printing of images occurred without complication.

Kodak has always had digital cameras that enable users to easily print at home without hassle or frustration. The 2006 additions to the Z-series are no exception. Other models by Kodak necessitate the use of an included stand and dock adapter or other extraneous implements. To print, the Z650 uses only a basic dock adapter for Kodak EasyShare printers or a USB connection on the right side of the camera body to connect to PictBridge compliant printers.

Battery (4.5)
The Kodak EasyShare Z650 comes with a CRV3 non-rechargeable lithium ion battery. The camera can accept the included CRV3 battery, a Ni-MH battery, or two AA batteries. It would have been nice if Kodak would have included a rechargeable lithium ion battery, but this setup gives users the advantage of interchanging powerful rechargeable batteries with convenient AAs. There is a problem with the battery compartment itself since it lacks a safety catch. Because of this design flaw, whenever the battery cover is opened the batteries tend to slide out and fall to the ground. While not always a problem, the prospect of searching on a bar floor or in a muddy field for lost batteries is not appealing.

Memory (4.0)
The Kodak EasyShare Z650 includes 32MB of internal memory that can come in handy when having either filled or forgotten a memory card and needing to capture just a few images. While helpful in a pinch, 32MB of internal memory is hardly going to suffice for an evening out or a family reunion. It is highly recommended to purchase optional SD/MMC memory cards. The memory card slot for the Kodak EasyShare Z650 is positioned vertically on the right side of the camera body under a well-built cover.

Other Features (6.0)
Live and Playback Histogram Display – The histogram feature is both a live histogram while recording and is present in review mode. The live histogram provides a graphic display of exposure information. Standard optimal lighting for scenes like tourist photography or portraits depict a peak in the center of the graphic display. If the current composition is overexposed, the peak will be all the way to the right. If it is underexposed, the peak will be located on the left.