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Kodak Easyshare Z612 6.1 MP Digital Camera with 12xOptical Zoom by Kodak
Digital product summary informationManufacturer: Kodak Audio: English (Original Language) Release Date: 2006-06-12 Model: Z612 Product features: - Compact digital camera with a powerful zoom and precision optics, a 6.1 megapixel resolution, and easy-to-use controls
- Record VGA video at a resolution of 640 x 480 pixels at 30 fps with sound, and print multiple frames on a 4 x 6 inch print
- With 32 MB internal memory and the ability for expanded external memory via the SD/MMC card slot, you can keep shooting pictures longer
- Lithium-Ion rechargeable battery provides continuous and reliable power; can be recharged easily via the included battery charger
- 12x Optical zoom
Accessories:
Digital camera reviews of Kodak Easyshare Z612 6.1 MP Digital Camera with 12xOptical ZoomDigital camera Review: 4.5 Stars for a great camera Summary: 4 Stars
Update: I concur on the blurring issue. It doesn't happen frequently, but sometimes, particularly on close-ups, the autofocus won't focus no matter what I do. Then the next picture is fine. Possibly a firmware issue Kodak could address with an update?
Note: only a couple of tiny issues keep this from being a 5-star review. To me, "5" means "close to perfect," and the Z612 isn't quite there--but I still love this camera! The Z612 has all the ease of an EasyShare with features found in more demanding cameras.
Pro
Nice small size for its key features: 6.1 mexapixels, 12x zoom, and image stabilization
Brilliant, huge viewfinder--by far the best in this price range
Trademark Kodak color--pop-out clear and beautiful
Buttons and switches are clearly labeled and easy to use, particularly the huge, well-placed release button
Foolproof picture-taking, but easy to access advanced features
Easy to transfer pictures, either with the USB cable or the optional dock (you don't have to get the printer dock; there's a $40 series 3 dock that just charges and transfers)
Loaded with easily-accessed scene settings, including a separate toggle for three of the most popular
Accepts regular camera batteries in addition to its rechargeable battery--though on a four-day trip where I took a lot of pictures I didn't seem to get anywhere close to exhausting the juice
Con
The rubber boot covering the USB transfer port seems a little flimsy
The manual is cryptic on some features
As with all non-manual zooms, the Z612 zoom is a bit trigger-happy
I'm not quite as impressed with close-ups such as flowers as I was with my old DX6440 EasyShare... so I thought I'd buy a close-up lens, but:
To use generic 55mm lenses, you need a special 49 to 55 mm lens adapter made just for the Z612--but this accessory isn't available yet! Come on, Kodak.
Still, a lot of camera, both for the cost and for the ease of use. Oh, and it's rather attractive, too--I took it to a conference and a lot of people commented on my "nice camera."
Summary of Kodak Easyshare Z612 6.1 MP Digital Camera with 12xOptical ZoomThe 6-megapixel Kodak Easyshare Z612 Zoom Digital Camera is a compact camera with a 12X Schneider-Kreuznach Variogon optical zoom lens with Kodak's image stabilization technology for sharp shots and steady videos. The camera's easy-to-use performance features include a 2.5 inch display, PASM modes, auto-image enhance, on-camera cropping, histogram and advanced video designed to help aspiring photographers take better pictures with sharper detail. Video format - Quicktime Multiple scene modes - Sport, Portrait, Night Portrait, Landscape, Night Landscape, Self Portrait, Bright scene, Action, Close-up, Party, Text & Documents, Manner & Museum, Flower, Sunset, Backlight, Candlelight, Beach, Snow, Fireworks, Children Modes Sharpness - High, normal, low Tripod mount - 1/4 inch standard 5 color modes - High color, Low color, Natural color, Black and white, Sepia Shutter speed - 16-1/1000 sec. in 1/3 step increments ISO equivalents - (automatic) 80, 100, 200, 400, 800 Normal Focus range wide - 1.6 feet (0.5 m) - infinity Normal Focus range tele - 3.9 feet (1.2 m) - infinity Macro Focus range wide - 4.7 inches - 2 feet (12-60 cm) Macro Focus range tele - 2 - 4.3 feet (60 cm - 1.3 m) Flash mode - auto, off, fill, red-eye pre-flash Color modes - high color, natural color, low color, sepia, black and white White balance - Auto, daylight, tungsten, fluorescent, open shade System Requirements - Windows 2000 SP1, or XP OS, Internet Explorer 6.0 or higher, 600 MHz processor or greater, PowerMac or Powerbook G3, G4, G5, iMac, eMac or iBook computer, Macintosh OS X 10.3 or higher, Safari 1.1 or higher, 128MB RAM, 200 MB Hard Drive Space Available, CD-ROM drive, Available USB port Dimensions - Width 4.1 Height 2.9 Depth 2.7 inch (104 74 69 mm) / Weight - 10.6 ounces (300 grams) Kodak has raised the bar with the Kodak EasyShare Z612 6.1-megapixel zoom digital camera. With a powerful zoom and precision optics, a 6.1 megapixel resolution, and easy-to-use creative manual and custom controls, including video, the Z612 packs a powerful punch into one compact, handy camera. The Kodak Z612 features an all-glass 12x Schneider-Kreuznach Variogon f2.8 to f4.8 optical zoom 35 to 420 millimeter lens that delivers extraordinary performance and sharp pictures, as well as image stabilization that enables improved image quality at longer zoom ranges and slower shutter speeds. This camera includes a 6.1-megapixel sensor that delivers excellent resolution for prints up to 30 x 40 inches, and provides you with five resolution settings that give you the freedom to pick between quality and quantity per what suits you best at the time. The Z612 lets you view your pictures with brilliance and clarity on its high-resolution, indoor/outdoor viewable 2.5-inch color LCD display, or its high-resolution electronic viewfinder, whether you are shooting vertically or horizontally, both views feature auto picture rotation. You can also quick magnify up to 8x, fast scroll through images, or view multi-up in review mode. And with 32MB internal memory and the ability for expanded external memory via the SD/MMC card slot, you can keep shooting pictures. The Z612's Kodak Lithium-ion rechargeable digital camera battery has an outstanding capacity that provides continuous and reliable power and can be recharged easily via the included Kodak Lithium-ion battery charger. The simple-to-use video features on the Z612 let you record VGA video at a resolution of 640 x 480 pixels at 30 frames per second (fps) with sound, and zoom during the video for increased versatility. Image stabilization enables a steady capture, and you can lessen memory use via MPEG-4 compression. This unit also lets you print multiple frames on a 4 x 6-inch print, or save single frames for later e-mail to family or friends. The Kodak Perfect Touch technology on the Z612 makes your pictures as vivid as when you took them, with better, brighter images that show richer detail and clear up dark shadows to reveal brighter smiles. This camera features on-camera cropping, a histogram function that lets you verify the exposure of your picture on live view, quick view, and review. The Kodak Z612 provides you the option of eight different scene modes, including; portrait, landscape, bright, action, close-up, party, text and museum modes, as well as five color modes, including high, low, natural, sepia, and black and white. Kodak's Z612 gives you multiple choices in customizing your controls, such as Program mode, Aperture priority mode, and Shutter priority mode. This camera also lets you manually set your exposure compensation, aperture, shutter speed, and ISO equivalents, and includes auto and manual controls for white balance, flash mode, autofocus, and exposure metering. The exclusive Kodak Color Science image processing chip provides vibrant, true-to-life colors in every picture using advanced algorithms and hardware acceleration features that let it make instantaneous and advanced analysis of collected scene data to influence picture quality. Not dubbed the Easyshare for nothing, this camera lets you share pictures right out the back of the camera using its exclusive share button, or transfer pictures at high speeds to your PC or other devices via the built-in USB 2.0 connection. And with the included Easyshare software, you can organize your pictures to find them instantly, select from a variety of easy-to-use printing options, share pictures with family and friends, as well as get creative with or edit your pictures in a variety of ways. This compact unit weighs 10.6 ounces without batteries, and measures 4.1 x 2.9 x 2.7 inches (W x H x D). What's in the Box The Z612 Zoom digital camera, Kodak rechargeable Lithium-ion digital camera battery, Kodak Lithium-ion battery charger or equivalent, USB and AV cables, lens cap with strap, neck strap, Kodak Easyshare software, Getting Started kit, custom camera insert for optional Kodak Easyshare camera and printer docks.
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