Color (8.46)
We tested the color proficiency of the Kodak EasyShare CX7330 using a GretagMacbeth color chart and Imatest Imaging Software. The software reads the images produced by the camera and determines the degree of error for each color tone. In the chart below, for each tile, the outer square is the actual color produced by the camera, the inner square is the camera’s produced color corrected by the software and the small inverted rectangle is the ideal tone.

The graph below is a portrayal of the Kodak EasyShare CX7330’s color production. The circles are the actual tones produced by the camera, while the squares are the ideal. The line linking the two is color error, with the length of the line representing the degree of variance. When the square is farther towards the edge of the frame, the color is over-saturated. If the square is closer to the center of the chart than its corresponding circle, the produced color is duller than the ideal tone.

The Kodak EasyShare CX7330 received an 8.46 overall color score. This is a respectable score for any camera, let alone a point-and-shooter that relies on automatic settings. The 7.09 color accuracy score attests to the proficiency of the CX7330 and will replicate most tones with near “spot on” accuracy. The colors that stray most from their ideal are red and orange tones, a common occurrence in most digital cameras, particularly point-and-shoot cameras. This is a means of improving skin tones and creating more vivid colors with greater intensity. As the 118.4% mean saturation score shows, the Kodak EasyShare CX7330 does over-saturate its tones extremely, not to the point where they do not look realistic; however, it is clear that this camera is going for more intensity and less naturalism in its color reproduction.

Still Life Scene
This is a shot of our provocative still life scene taken with the Kodak EasyShare CX7330.

Click on the image above to view a full resolution version (CAUTION: the linked file is very large)

Resolution/Sharpness (2.6)
To gauge the actual resolution of the Kodak EasyShare CX7330, we tested a series of exposures of our ISO resolution chart with Imatest Imaging Software. The software reads the resolution within the image and provides analysis of the image quality. Generally, we will take a series of images at the camera’s optimal settings; however, for the EasyShare CX7330, there is only an automatic mode to select from. We use the best image scores from each camera and report the results. There is always some discrepancy between the real resolution within the images the camera produces and the manufacturer’s claim on the box. The amount of variance is dependent on the manufacturer and model of the camera. Therefore, any camera that produces resolution above 80-89% of its intended resolution is considered a “good” performance while anything above 90% is thought of as “excellent.”

The Kodak EasyShare CX7330 produced images that were composed of 2.6 megapixels of resolution. This is 83% of its stated resolution capabilities. While some may feel 2.6 megapixels of resolution is not incredibly high by current standards, the 83% score the CX7330 received surpasses most point-and-shoot cameras, many of which offer far more manual image controls. As far as automatic imagery goes, there is no camera easier to operate that will parallel the EasyShare CX7330’s performance. If I were looking to purchase a fully automatic camera without the need for manual options, I would feel more than secure behind the EasyShare CX7330.

Noise — Auto ISO (3.68)
Noise production is a particular area of weakness for the Kodak EasyShare CX7330. With only automatic ISO settings from 90-180, the camera is working with an extremely limited range. This means that any shooting situation that is not in daylight or a well lit indoor setting is going to have to rely heavily on the flash. This will do two things to the image; one is that all illumination on the subject will come from a single, straight-on and direct source, forcing the image into a similar “glamor shot” look. The other thing is that everything that is not brightened by the direct flash will be dark and muddy. Noise values are high in the EasyShare CX7330 because there will always be a struggle for exposure. This would have been helped immensely with the addition of an IS0 400 speed, something that is commonly found on most of the CX7330’s point-and-shoot competition.

Noise — Manual ISO (0.0)
Unfortunately, the Kodak EasyShare CX7330 does not offer manual control of ISO settings.

Speed/Timing
Start-up to First Shot (5.5)
The Kodak EasyShare CX7330 has a very long start-up time, comparatively. At its best it took 4.5 seconds to go from the off position to shooting mode.

Shot to Shot (6.7)
Similarly with the lag time between shots, it took 3.3 seconds for the Kodak EasyShare CX7330 to finishing recording one shot and take another. This won't be a huge problem with day-to-day shooting, but will probably cause problems if the user wants to capture a series of quick events.

Shutter to Shot (7.8)
On a nicer note, the Kodak EasyShare CX7330 does not suffer from an extremely long shutter to shot lag time. It took about 0.6 seconds in between pressing down the shutter and taking an image.