Kodak Z612 Review: Budget Zoom Digital Camera with Video for Under $250

About the Kodak Z612

Once prohibitive in price, the Kodak Z612 opens the doors to the world of hybrid SLR-like features to budget consumers. Serving as both a 12X optical zoom camera and a video camera, the Kodak Z612 outshines many competitors.

From the award-winning lens to an impressive line of easy-to-use features, advanced manual focus options, and filled with style and practicality, the Kodak Z612 will delight many new and intermediate digital camera owners.

Is the Kodak Z612 Right for You?

Video Production: If video is as or almost as important as photo imaging the Kodak Z612 makes a good pick. Additionally, both single and multiple video frames can be selected and printed as 4 X 6 in. photos.

Many digital cameras which claim to serve as video cameras fail miserably. They record choppy video at a mere 15 frames per second (fps) or less, and severely limit the size and length of the video.

The Kodak Z612 records both 640 X 480 and high resolution (QVGA) 320 X 240 videos at 30 fps using MPEG-4/ Quicktime MOV compression. This is not high definition but it is better quality than commonly seen with budget digital cameras.

With a 2 GB memory card (purchased separately), the Kodak Z612 can record 56 minutes of video at 640 X 480 and 80 minutes at 320 X 240 resolution.

Out of the box, the Kodak Z612 hosts 32MB internal memory which allows for 46 seconds and 1:42 of video respectively - enough to tease the owner or at least record some short clips for YouTube.

Apparently 80 minutes is the maximum for continuous recording, this limit is not mentioned on many Kodak Z612 reviews.

Of note, one of few flaws seen with the Kodak Z612 is that auto focus lens adjustment may be picked up by the microphone. Switch to single, rather than continuous, focus if this sound is a problem.

Image Stabilization: Equipped with an all-glass Schneider-Kreuznach Variogon 12X zoom lens, users will find the Kodak image stabilization technology a viable weapon against fuzzy photo syndrome.

For this writer, the Kodak Z612 passed the rigors of photographing vintage jewelry, including hard-to-read insignias. This equates to no flash, above average telephoto focus and no room for blur.

Trying both auto and manual modes, the Kodak Z612 did a very nice job in "flower mode" also known as macro mode, without the use of a tripod. A feature easily accessed with a click of a button.

Further promoting image stabilization is the fact that the camera is amazingly lightweight for a super zoom, weighing in at 10.6 oz. A molded hand grip allows for decent one-handed shots if desired.

LCD / EVF: With the Kodak Z612, concern about lighting conditions and visible subjects is nearly eliminated. The adjustable contrast, high-resolution 2.5" LCD functions well in bright light. Additionally, the option to switch to the electronic view finder (EVF) eliminates any LCD difficulties.

Stereo Microphones: Equipped with two microphones, the Kodak Z612 produces decent audio for a budget model that surpasses some higher-priced camcorders.

Photo Quality: Unless you require professional or extra large print images, above 8.5 X 11 inches, 6.1 mega pixels is more than sufficient.

In fact, until recently many SLR cameras were limited to this range. So, spending extra on a 7 or 8 mega pixel camera may be a waste of money.

Overall, the Kodak Z612 produces sharp and vibrant, yet natural, images in various light and focus conditions.

Low-light poses little problem for the Kodak Z612 and good motion shots are obtainable. However, at higher ISO speeds (400 to 800), image noise can be seen.

Some indoor photos evoke a bit of a yellow/amber hue that may benefit from light editing with the EasyShare software. Adding a florescent light also works, as it did when taking jewelry photos. Adjusting the white balance helps tremendously.

As for high-speed, 800 ISO images, these are limited to 1.5 mega pixel resolution - not photo quality but suitable for general digital use.

Options for better photos:

With a variety of focus, drive modes, including burst, and adjustable exposure bracketing, chances for capturing the image you want with the Kodak Z612 is increased.

Lens focal length is appreciable at 35-420 mm (35 mm equiv.) in addition to an aperture range of f/2.8-f/4.8.

If editing is needed, the EasyShare software is a significant improvement over past releases. The program allows for efficient, effective photo editing and one-click image compression and resizing. Even cropped images retain suitable print quality.

Not a replacement for Adobe Photoshop, the EasyShare photo editor works well for fast Web publishing, e-mail and everyday photo needs.

Auto and Manual Focus: With enough bells and whistles for advanced users, the Kodak Z612 kindly accommodates the less experienced who simply want good photos and less fuss. Simply choose from among 16 pre-programmed scene modes.

Scene Modes: portrait, self portrait, night portrait, backlight, candlelight, landscape, night landscape, fireworks, sport, beach, snow, children, flower, party mode (indoor setting in lower light) text mode, manner/museum mode (no flash, no sound);

Or try one of five auto focus modes, five color modes, and five white balance modes including:

Color Modes: high color, natural color, low color, sepia, black and white,

White Balance: auto, daylight, tungsten, fluorescent, open shade;

Though not a point-and-shoot camera, the Kodak Z612 interface is more intuitive than older EasyShare models. For general use little adjustment is necessary.

Experienced photographers will appreciate that most any setting, sans a manual white balance, can be adjusted and fine tuned conveniently with one of two wheels. Settings are viewable on both the LCD and EVF.

Choose between continuous and single frame auto focus as well as a number of manual modes, such as: aperture, shutter, and exposure priority.

A histogram is available via the press of a button to better judge exposure and light settings.

On Board Tools: Both basic editing functions (crop, rotate etc.) and several review options can be performed within the camera itself; and the Kodak Z612 is both Wi-Fi enabled and Bluetooth ready.

Style and Function: The Kodak Z612 is not only a very stylish, light-weight camera, it is practical. Frequently used buttons and dials are easy to access while digital navigation is more or less logical. Then there are fun but frivolous features such as "themes" for your camera sounds.

Speed: No long power-up waits for the Kodak Z612 or between shots. It takes less than 2 seconds to power up and capture the first image and about 1 to 1.5 seconds between subsequent shots. CNET notes that "in high-contrast situations, its shutter lag was a zippy 0.4 second" and burst modes are available, but continuous burst is not.

Price: Outselling many of the newer Kodak models, the Kodak Z612 can be found for under $250.00 new or under $200 for a refurbished model -- with a full warranty at the Kodak Web site. Other retailers maintain a variety of prices and warranties, but may also be worth investigating.

Drawbacks: One limit to the Kodak Z612 is that the focus is unavailable during zoom in video mode, though it adjusts rather quickly before and after. The 80-minute limit for continuous video and noise from the lens as mentioned.

Additionally, MOV format videos requires conversion if importing into Windows Movie Maker and other programs, such as Sony Vegas. Video conversion for the Kodak Z612 works well using the free Super Encoder program (click here for a how-to video). Convert MOV to AVI and enable Direct Show for best results.

As for photo quality issues with the Kodak Z612, they are not glaring except to those with higher-end demands and high ISO needs.

Conclusion

With a 7.2 CNET Editor's rating and an 8.9 user rating, the Kodak Z612 is a sleeper gem of a camera gaining momentum among its higher priced competitors.

If you can not afford or justify the cost of an SLR camera, but want to take advantage of high-quality photos, the Kodak Z612 provides a good alternative.

A review of online photos shows that a talented photographer can produce semi-commercial quality digital images with the Kodak Z612. Moreover, the Kodak Z612 is a digital camera a photographer can grow with, learn with, and use to record quality video, and do so all at a very reasonable price.