Expert Camera Reviews

The Kodak EasyShare Z710 is a trendy bridge-style camera with a 7.10 megapixel sensor, colossal 10x zoom lens covering 38-380mm, 2 inch LCD monitor and a complete range of creative shooting modes including a fully manual mode. Other features of the Z710 designed to appeal to the photographer include three types of exposure metering, ISO ranges from 64 to 800, a fast aperture at the wide-angle lens setting, an electronic viewfinder and 17 scene modes to help beginners achieve the results they’re looking for without the need to understand much of the operation techniques.

Pros about the Kodak Z710:

• Massive 10x optical zoom lens with very little distortion
• Can capture 2.5 frames per second irrespective of image size

Cons:

• No Image stabilization
• Noise noticeable and significant loss of detail at ISO 400
• Slow performance during start-ups and shots
• Small LCD screen

Specifications:
Megapixels – 7.10
Weight (oz.) – 10.0
Optical Zoom – 10x
LCD Size – 2 inch
Flash Range (ft) – 2 to 16.1 ft
Image stabilizer - No
Battery type – AA (x2) or Lithium CR-V3 (x1)
Special features – 32 MB built-in memory, MPEG4 movie format support,

Summary:
After viewing this camera’s slow performance and limited ISO ranges, it makes no sense to recommend it, considering that Kodak has better-performing models to offer in its own line, such as the Z612.

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The Olympus FE-200 features a 5x optical zoom lens with a useful 28mm to 140mm wide angle. The FE-200 couples this with a 6.0 megapixel imager and 2.5″ LCD display that has 150,000 pixels and is the only method of framing images in the absence of an optical viewfinder. Autofocus is provided via contrast detection, while ISO sensitivity ranges from 64 to 640 under automatic control. The FE-200 determines exposures with Olympus Digital ESP multi-pattern metering. The Olympus FE-200 has numerous scene presets that help you prepare the camera for different shooting conditions.

Pros:

• Excellent 28mm to 140 mm wide lens
• Automatically sets white balance and ISO

Cons:

• Settings beyond exposure compensation and image size cannot be changed
• It lacks the TruePic Turbo image processor found in less expensive models
• Very disappointing image quality at even low ISOs
• No manual exposure modes

Specifications:
Megapixels – 6.0
Weight (oz.) – 5.4
Optical Zoom – 5x
LCD Size – 2.5 inch
Flash Range (ft) – 0.7 to 8.2
Image stabilizer – Yes, digital
Battery type – Rechargeable Lithium Ion
Special features – 24 MB built-in memory and xD card compatible, USB 2.0 full speed connectivity, 12 second self timer

Summary:
Since the camera has hardly anything to offer even with its low price tag, Its extremely difficult to recommend this camera when for the same price, one could find much better models with better features like the Canon Powershot A530 or the Nikon Coolpix L2. The entire Olympus FE series is directly targeted at the entry-level user who is looking for an affordable, easy to use camera.

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The Panasonic Lumix DMC TZ1 digital camera is based on a 5 megapixel imager coupled to a prism-folded 10x optical zoom lens with MEGA optical image stabilization technology. The Panasonic TZ1 is powered by the powerful Venus Engine III image processor. The TZ1 also offers infinite continuous shooting mode and a widescreen movie mode at 848 x 480 pixels. This camera is ideally for photographers who need a lot of zoom power.

Positive features:

• Good macro performance
• 10x Optical Leica zoom which ranges from 35-350 mm and maximum 50x digital zoom
• Dual-mode O.I.S which reduces camera shake in both long zoom and low zoom shooting
• Fast shot to shot cycle in continuous shooting mode
• Bright and beautiful motion pictures at 640 x 480 as well as 848 x 480
• Simultaneously record audio and still images

Negative features:

• Lots of noise in pictures taken at middle and high ISO levels
• Very little built-in memory
• Lacks manual exposure and Shutter/Aperture Priority modes
• Limited flash range
• No viewfinder of any kind

Specifications:
Megapixels – 5.0
Weight (oz.) – 9.2
Optical Zoom – 10x
LCD Size – 2.5 inch
Flash Range (ft) - 1.0 to 12.1 ft
Image stabilizer – Yes, Optical
Battery type – Rechargeable CGA-S007A Lithium Ion
Special features – Venus Engine III image processor, AF illuminator, 3 Flash modes, 16 scene modes with help screens, USB 2.0 interface, PictBridge compatible, SD Memory card storage

Summary:
The Panasonic Lumix TZ1 is a pleasure to use with a 10x optically stabilized zoom lens, high ISO scene mode and a large LCD, but the significant lens flare from middle to long telephoto raises concerns. Another failure of the TZ1 is the weak flash and lack of some manual exposure options. It misses our recommendation by a very narrow margin.

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