Kodak EasyShare Z740

Auto Mode
Since the Z line will fall a step behind the DX line in terms of manual control and options, automatic users of the Z740 can rely on the camera’s auto mode to set the exposure, sensitivity and white balance parameters for the shot.

Movie Mode
The included movie mode on the EasyShare Z740 captures QuickTime video with audio in MOV or MPEG-4 (compressed) format for up to 80 minutes or until the card is full. Users can also elect to record short video clips of 5, 15, 30 seconds in duration. The Z740 will record VGA video at 640 x 480 resolution at 13 frames per second or QVGA video at 320 x 240 resolution at 20 frames per second. This is not a spectacular video recorder by any stretch of the imagination and users of the Z740, likely drawn to the camera for its telephoto capacity may feel short changed when they realize not only is the zoom inactive in movie mode, but recording fluid motion at 13 or 20 frames per second is a steep challenge unto itself.

Drive / Burst Mode
The Kodak EasyShare Z740 will record up to four subsequent images at two frames-per-second in two burst modes. There is a "first burst" setting that will capture four consecutive images in two seconds (total), saving them all. There is also a "last burst’ mode included on the Z740 that continuously records images at 2 frames per second, but only saves the last four.

Playback Mode
In the Z740’s playback mode, users have a host of options to select from. They can choose: Album, Slideshow, Multi-up, Copy, Protect, as well as utilize the Internal Storage feature and save images to the camera’s 32MB of internal memory, and Print or Email images from the camera with the trademark Share button. There is also an Auto-Rotate function included to properly orient the image automatically to the recorded vertical or horizontal alignment. Like many previous Kodak EasyShare models, the Z line shines in playback mode, offering a bit beyond the general competition. With the inclusion of internal memory and a Direct Share button, the Z740 contains an elaborate set of options within its intuitive playback mode. This feature in particular should appease the Z740’s targeted user base of beginners looking for more.

Custom Image Presets
Largely intended for the point-and-shoot crowd, the Z740 includes an impressive array of 15 shooting presets. Among these are the following options: Children, Party, Beach, Flower, Fireworks, Snow, backlight, Close-Up, Night Portrait, Landscape, Night Landscape, Museum/Manor, Text, Self-Portrait, as well as a Portrait and Spot setting. This is a substantial set of options and should provide enough flexibility for most automatic or preset users.