Kodak was the top dog in the film market for quite awhile, and was the household name when it came to getting a camera. As time went on, however, they started to slip, and companies like Nikon, Canon, and Sony filled their void. For awhile, Kodak seemed completely out of the game.
That has all changed, however, as Kodak has been pumping out a wide array of point and shoot and prosumer digital cameras. The EasyShare line features cameras of all sizes and features, and one of their newest, higher end units is the EasyShare Z712 IS. The Z712 IS can be classified as a prosumer digital camera, which means it’s more than a point and shoot but less than a DSLR – it’s like having a DSLR with a fixed lense.
If you’re in the market for a prosumer and you think the new Z712 IS digital camera might be the one for your, read on. Below is a list of the pros and cons of purchasing this camera, as well as the issues you can expect.
Body
The body of the Z712 IS is very nice, and it looks both professional and stylish. The body is solid feeling and very comfortable to hold if you are right handed. If you aren’t, you mind need a while to get used to the grip, but you’ll eventually get used to it.
The front of the camera has a large zoom lens that protrudes at all times, and a wide handle that covers the right side of it. The flash is a pop-up and appears above the lense when you need it. There is no obtrusive logo on the front of the device, which is actually nice.
The profile of the Z712 IS looks awesome – completely modern and yet powerful and professional. The design was certainly well thought out, and whoever designed it gets major points.
The back of the camera is equally as beautiful, though it is more standard and similar to average DSLRs. The lens is very large and takes up most of the let side. Above the display is a rubber-shrouded view finder, and next to the display is the circular navigation wheel.
Features
The Z712 IS features 12x optical zoom with excellent image stabilization – there are little blurs in very fast shots, and none in average handheld shots. The camera features a wide array of exposure controls that can be manually adjusted, and a series of preprogramed modes similar to the ones in every camera.
The sensor is a 7.1 megapixel CCD sensor, and the unit has an ISO range from 64 – 3200.
Photo Quality
Photo quality in bright and normal light is very good, and it is good in low light. There is some noticeable noise, but the higher you crank the ISO, the worse it gets. The colors are very saturated and pure looking, and the photos come over feeling vibrant and real.
The optical zoom ensures you can get a distant shot without a loss in quality.
Issues
The ISO noise is the only issue with this camera.
Conclusion
I love this camera, but that’s just me – there are certainly others that produce equally attractive photos. The handle is very comfortable for those who are right handed, but may feel awkward for someone who is left handed.
By: Blair Mathis