Digital Camera Review

Digital Camera Review

The Kodak EasyShare Z700 packs 4 megapixels into a chunky camera body that looks like it came straight out of I, Robot. It could introduce a new generation of point-and-shoot cameras. The Z700 is part of Kodak’s new Z-line and is one of the first products to be ImageLink compatible, a designation that several companies have picked up to make home printing easier. The camera has a 5x optical 35-175mm zoom lens in front of its Kodak Color Science Chip, which is known for its accurate color reproduction capabilities. With multiple scene modes and automatic picture rotation, the user-friendly Kodak EasyShare Z700 will make its debut in February for a retail price of $399 (USD).
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Viewfinder
The Z700 has a small and poorly placed real image optical viewfinder. It is almost flush with the camera body, making it uncomfortable to look through for both the eye and the nose. It is an option if battery power is excessively low, however, it is not recommended for framing shots. Its field of view is not the same as the picture captured within the lens, especially if the user is zooming in with the 5x optical capabilities. The viewfinder is perhaps the greatest design variance from the Z740 and is appears particularly weak when contrasted. For those viewfinder enthusiasts, there is no choice but to upgrade to the EasyShare Z740.


LCD Screen

The Kodak EasyShare Z700 has a 1.6-inch screen, which is smaller than it looks. It is framed in black, making the screen look larger until it is powered up. The color LCD has a scant 72,000 pixels.


Flash
The EasyShare Z700 has a built-in flash atop the camera. It sits next to the viewfinder above the lens. The flash can reach from 2-12.5 feet and has the following modes: Auto, Red-Eye Reduction, Fill, and Off.


Zoom Lens
The Kodak Retinar 5x optical zoom lens is constructed from all glass, aspherical elements and contains a metal rim and casing. The lens extends from 5.8-29.2mm, which is equivalent to a 35-175mm lens in 35mm format. The 4x digital zoom provides additional muscle to the lens, but using the digital zoom will pixilate the image, so perhaps it’s more of a steroid effect. The 5x optical zoom lens has a built-in lens barrier that snaps open when powered up. The lens on the EasyShare Z700 is longer than most in this price range, a nice inclusion and strong marketing emphasis of the Z700. Also, the lens barrier is a great feature for those who misplace lens caps easily.

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