Digital Camera Reviews: Kodak EasyShare Z8612 is Digital Camera

If you are looking for a "near professional" digital camera, with powerful optical zoom, good video capturing provisions, remarkable picture clarity and several manually adjustable setting options (in addition to easy to use "Auto" features) which is reasonably priced, think of Kodak Easyshare Z8612 IS digital camera.

Powered by KODAK PERFECT TOUCH Technology that is behind the development of these digital cameras, simplicity combined with clarity and printing convenience are offered to you through Kodak's digital cameras.

Further, in the Z8612 IS digital camera, a new high speed digital processor chip is being used by Kodak. This chip, according to Kodak, features advanced algorithms, and hardware acceleration which helps make simultaneous, split-second decisions to produce rich, vibrant, true-to-life colors in almost any lighting situation.

Price Range: Under 250$
(as at the time of this article i.e. August '08. Please check latest price)

OVERVIEW:

Let's first see at the "most salient specs" that you look for in a digital camera. Kodak Easy share Z8612 IS has

- 12X optical zoom lens

- 5X continuous digital zoom

- 8.1 MP max. picture size which means you can take picture prints up to size
30"x 40" (76 Cm x 102 cm)

- Record continuous video (VGA)with Audio capture and on-camera video editing

- High ISO - up to 3200, which helps to take pictures at higher shutter speeds and low light

- KODAK Lithium Digital Camera Battery CRV3 (Non-rechargeable. Rechargeable battery is optional at extra cost)

- 32 MB internal memory, out of which 21 MB available for picture storage (expandable with SD/MMC card expansion slot)

- 2.5 inch (6.4 cm) LCD for quick viewing

- Kodak Easy Share Software to access your pictures at the KODAK Gallery and then view, edit, and save them to your collections.

All the above are included in the basic price.

SPECIAL FEATURES AT BASIC PRICE:

What are the "special" features that make the camera suitable for fine-tuning the picture taking capabilities? Kodak claims that some of these features normally found in much more expensive cameras are available for free in Kodak EasyShare Z8612 IS. They are:

- 4 Mode selection options (P-A-S-M) which cover

- Program mode (P) - camera sets optimal shutter speed and aperture combination
- Aperture priority mode (A) - you choose aperture, the camera sets shutter speed
- Shutter priority mode (S) - you choose shutter speed, the camera sets aperture

- Manual mode (M) - you choose both the aperture and shutter speed like a professional.

- Auto picture rotation, which helps viewing your pictures right side up, whether you shoot your pictures vertically or horizontally

- Histogram feature: Verify the exposure of your picture on live view, quick view, and review

- Get a great shot time after time with 5 color modes and 15 scene modes, which includes portrait, landscape, bright scene, Action (like sports),text, backlight, candlelight, manner/museum, text, beach, snow, fireworks, self-portrait, night landscape etc . If a scene mode cannot be detected, the camera will default to Auto. Color selection modes - high, natural, low, sepia, black-and-white.

- Optical image stabilization

- HD Still capture, which facilitates viewing your pictures in high-definition on an HDTV or any other High Definition device in 16:9 format

- Easily create great shots with features such as on-camera cropping, grid line display (which is very useful for image composition, especially for taking shots of buildings or landscapes), blurry picture alert, and digital redeye reduction.

- Save a single frame in a Video

- On camera "Share" button to tag favourite pictures for e-mailing or printing.

TAKE A LOOK INTO THE FINE PRINT DETAILED SPECS:

For the technically savvy, detailed specs are important and particularly if you are comparing one make/ model of camera with another, it is always better to look in to the fine print and decide. Key specs to look for are the Size and type of Image sensor, Size of lens, ISO range etc.

- Image Sensor Type: 1/2.5 in. CCD

- CCD effective Pixels: 8.1 MP (3298 x 2462)

- 12X optical zoom with all glass SCHNEIDER-KREUZNACH VARIOGON Optical Zoom Lens (36-432 mm)

- 5X continuous advanced digital zoom

- Lens: 36 - 432 mm (35 mm equiv.) f/2.8 - 4.8, Built-in Lens protection.

- Shutter speed: 1/2 - 1/3200 sec. (smart scene modeauto)
16 - 1/1000 sec. (in S/M mode)

- Long time exposure: 8 - 1/2000 sec.

- LCD: 2.5 in. (6.4 cm) high resolution hybrid LCD; 230 K (960 x 240) pixels - indoor/outdoor color display

- Auto-focus type: TTL-AF, selectable: Normal, macro, Infinity, Manual

- Auto (wide) : 4.7 in.(12 Cm) - infinity
- Auto (tele) : 3.9 ft. (1.2m) - infinity

- ISO sensitivity: In auto-mode, the camera automatically selects from ISO 64 to ISO 1600 based on lighting conditions.

In selectable mode: ISO 64,100, 200, 400, 800, 1600 (also ISO 3200 available at 2.2 MP, 2.1 MP, and 1.2 MP setting mode only)

- Picture size: Selectable from 1.2MP to 8.0 MP (8 different sizes)

- Flash range: wide: 7.8 m, tele: 4.4 m (smart scene mode)
wide: 21 m, tele: 12 m (ISO 3200)

- Flash modes: auto, red eye reduction, fill, off

- White balance: auto, selectable (Auto, daylight, tungsten, fluorescent, open shade)

- exposure metering: multi-pattern, center-weighted and center-spot

- Drive modes : single shot, first burst (1.7 fps up to 4 frames), last burst (1.7 fps last 4 frames), self timer (10 sec.), two-shot self timer (10 sec.), delay shutter (2 sec.)

- Shooting modes: smart scene, high ISO, P (program), A (aperture priority), S (shutter priority), M (manual), panorama (left-right, right-left ), video, scene

- Still Format: JPEG/EXIF v2.21

- Video format: QUICKTIME MOV video format, motion JPEG with audio recording during capture and playback, VGA (640 x 480) at 15 fps, QVGA (320 x 240) at 30 fps. With audio recording and playback. Continuous recording up to 80 minutes based on memory capacity.

- Tripod mount: 1/4 in. standard

- Dimensions: W x H x D: 4.1 x 2.6 x 2.8 in. (104 x 65.6 x 70.5 mm)

WHAT DOES THE STANDARD PACK CONTAIN (at basic price)

- KODAK EASYSHARE Z8612 IS Digital Camera
- KODAK Lithium Digital Camera Battery CRV3 (non rechargeable)
- USB cable
- Wrist strap
- Getting Started Guide with KODAK EASYSHARE Software
- Custom camera insert for optional KODAK EASYSHARE Camera and Printer Docks

OPTIONAL ACCESSORIES AVAILABLE AT EXTRA COST

- "Gold pack5" accessory set containing Tripod, Camera case etc.
- 2 GB SD High performance Memory Cards
- Easy share HDTV dock, Camera Dock
- Li-Ion Rechargeable Battery KLIC-8000
- Battery Charger
- Telephoto lens with adapter
- Adapters, Camera Dock Kit, etc

(Information source: Kodak Web site: cameras.kodak.com)