Value (5.75)
With the 6.1 MP CCD, 10x optical zoom lens, 32MB of internal memory, an electronic color viewfinder, an interface with options and design for both the beginner and advanced user, the Kodak EasyShare Z650 could be seen as a strong contender in the compact advanced point-and-shoot camera market at its current price of just under $250 online. However, with a marginal price difference between this model and the overall better EasyShare Z612 it’s hard to market this camera as a real value buy. The Z650 falls short of the competition, and it's slightly more expensive sibling with an unimpressive 2-inch LCD, fewer burst mode options, and a choppy movie mode. The advantages of this camera over many similarly priced cameras are the inclusion of an electronic color viewfinder, manual control over metering, exposure compensation, ISO, shutter speed and aperture. In comparison to other models on the market though, the lack of manual focus and a full manual white balance as well as the bulk of the camera body itself could really be deal breakers when compared to sleeker and more replete cameras.
Comparisons
Kodak EasyShare Z612 – Currently found online for around $50 to $100 more than the Z650, the sleeker Z612 is a strong alternative to the Z650. The Z612 has a 6 MP CCD, a 12x optical zoom with optical image stabilization, separate program, manual and aperture shooting modes in addition to the full manual mode that controls ISO, exposure compensation and metering, shutter, aperture and the ever important manual focus control which is not found with the Kodak EasyShare Z650. Unfortunately, like the Z650, the Z612 does not have a custom white balance mode. However, the Z612 is stronger than the Z650 in several areas. It has a 640 x 480 resolution 30 fps video mode with stereo audio capture, flash compensation, a more replete burst mode, and 16 preset shooting modes. Externally, the camera has a vastly superior 2.5-inch, 230,000 pixel LCD screen and an automatic pop-up flash. With sleeker menu structures and a cleaner design, the Z612 is worth the extra money.
Nikon Coolpix S10 – This compact digital camera by Nikon uses a unique split-bodied swivel design which theoretically will enable more dynamic shooting experiences. While that claim is tenuous, the Nikon Coolpix S10 does have a number of features. The S10 has a 6 MP CCD, a 10x optical zoom lens, and a superior 2.5-inch, 230,000-pixel LCD screen. The S10 has a full auto mode, 15 scene mode options, and burst shooting modes. The Coolpix S10 has a face-detection AF system and the D-Lighting correction system. In addition to these still image capture modes, the Coolpix S10 also has a movie capture mode that can save videos with a maximum resolution of 640 x 480 at 30 frames per second. The camera comes with an included 16MB of internal memory, half the memory of the Z650, and can be accessorized by purchasing additional SD memory cards.
Samsung NV10 – The Samsung NV10 has a sleek and sophisticated exterior design that marks a departure to the standard point-and-shoot digital camera market. It is a far more portable option when compared to the Z650. The NV10 does have numerous features also found with the Z650 and consumers shouldn’t sell it short. Included with the camera is the ability to control aperture, shutter speed within a range of 1/1500th-15 seconds, ISO from 100 to 1000, white balance, two metering modes, burst and 11 preset scene modes. It doesn’t have manual focus; instead it relies on a TTL AF and a focus lock system for shooting. Like the Z650 and other cameras listed in the comparison section, the NV10 does have a movie mode and shoots higher quality video than the Z650 with a 640 x 480 maximum resolution at 30 fps. The camera comes with an included 20MB of internal memory. Memory levels can be increased by purchasing additional SD/MMC memory cards for longer shooting sessions or when capturing video files lasting more than around half a minute in length.
Canon PowerShot A630 – The Canon PowerShot A630 is a smaller and compelling alternative with many similar, if not better, features and controls when compared to the Z650. This similarly priced camera features a folding, rotating 2.5-inch LCD screen, a 4x optical zoom lens, a 16MB SD memory card and an 8.0 MP CCD. The A630's one major setback is the lack of an electronic color viewfinder that is found on the Kodak EasyShare Z650. The A630 also has manual controls that challenge those found with the Z650. It provides metering control, aperture, shutter, ISO to 800 at full resolution and the really important manual white balance mode. This is a great advantage for photographers shooting in complicated lighting situations where the preset Fluorescent falls short of the mark. In addition to these manual control modes, the novice photographer will also find that the A630 comes with a whopping 21 preset shooting modes and a full auto mode. With all these features, a smaller camera body, and a lighter weight, the Canon PowerShot A630 is a formidable contender.
Who It’s For
Point-and-Shooters – Even with manual control over shutter, aperture and other manual control options included with this camera, the simple interface, uncomplicated menu system, good handling, and stripped-down external interface make the Z650 a novice-friendly digital camera. With the included manual options, photographers looking to advance from the point-and-shoot level will have the option to begin exploring before having to buy a new camera.
Budget Consumers – Priced at $229 through Kodak online, the Z650 is geared toward budget consumers who want lots of zoom and don't want to pay much for it. The price is nice, but the movie mode is not.
Gadget Freaks – The Z650 is a straightforward digital camera with an SLR-inspired design, an unfettered interface, and few gimmicks. For the gadget freak looking for the newest and latest, the Z650 isn’t going to be a camera of notice with features and controls that have been on the market in prior years.
Manual Control Freaks – Without only preset options for focus and white balance, the manual control freak may find the Z650 to be somewhat disappointing. It does have control options over shutter, aperture, exposure, flash, metering, and ISO.
Pros/Serious Hobbyists – The pro or serious hobbyist isn’t likely to examine the EasyShare system for their next camera purchase due to the simplicity and novice-friendly interface.
