A Real Contender

Author's Rating:

Pros: Ease of Use, Cost, Size, 10X Zoom, 5MP

Cons: Electronic View Finder, Lag Time

The Bottom Line: 
A great easy to use camera for those who don't need a "prosumer" level camera.

Author's Review
Introduction & Overview
I have been looking to upgrade my Olympus Camedia D-40 Zoom (see earlier review) and found the Kodak Easy Share Z740 for $450. It is a great camera and by far the easiest to use that I have ever come across.

A good looking camera, it weights 10 ounces without the batteries, has 5MP resolution, 10X optical zoom, and plenty of features to keep the average user happy and busy.

Pixels
Pixel Propagandists will tell you a 5MP camera can produce 20” x 30” prints. Others tell you to expect only 11” x 14” prints. However, this may be a moot point for most home users don't have photo printers that can handle 20” x 30” prints and most people using a photo lab only purchase 4 x 6 or 5 x 7 prints. But it is nice to know you can get larger prints if you want them for special occasions, like maybe sending the grandparents a holiday picture.

Digital Zoom
While the camera boasts a 5X digital zoom, it is best to ignore this feature when comparing cameras. All the digital zoom does is increase the picture size electronically, which produces a grainer picture that is easier to blur. A 5MP camera is going to give the ability to zoom in and crop a picture with photo editing software.

For digital zoom fans, the Z740 smoothly switches between optical and digital zooms quickly and easily. The zoom line in the EVF (Electronic View Finder) changes colors from green to red when you cross from the optical zoom to the digital zoom. There are even menu options so you can have the zoom pause between the optical and digital zoom or be smooth and continuous.

LCD and EVF
The Z740 has an LCD screen and an EVF (Electronic View Finders). I dislike EVFs because the screen looks like a grainy TV set and on digital point & shoot cameras, and is blacked out longer after taking a picture. I prefer to keep track of what the subject is doing through an optical view finder. The LDC screen is embedded in the back of the camera and does not swing out and rotate, which is an important consideration to some people.

Creative Modes
Many times people use the “automatic” mode because the other modes are too cumbersome to use. Not so with this camera. Even the casual user will be able to select the mode that best suits the situation, like Children, Party, Beach, Flower, Fireworks, Snow, Backlight, Close-Up, Night Portrait, Landscape, and Night Landscape. Easy to use modes results in using the right mode and better pictures.

Transferring, Docking & Recharging
Kodak gives the users the option to recharge the camera with the included power cord, transfer pictures with the included USB cable that connects to a USB port on the camera, or to use transfer pictures to the PC and recharge it at the same time with the included docking station.

I've worked with computers for many years, and am comfortable with them, so the docking station has never been a big selling point for me. However, I must admit, it is easy to use and install.

Kodak included power and USB cords for the camera and docking station. I was also impressed that both CVR3 and rechargeable Ni-MH batteries were included.

There was also a dock for putting on top of EASYSHARE printers. The idea is you put you’re this dock on a printer, the printer on the dock and you can print photos with the touch of a button. I’ve never used that feature.

A Dock Adapter kit is also included that allows you to connect the Z740 with different types of Kodak Docks.

Video Camera
Personally, I don't care for "mutli-tasking" electronics, because it usually can only do one thing well. For those interested, this camera does have a video camera mode. I did not test it.

Miscellaneous
It may seem like a small thing, but I really appreciate the option to have the picture stamped with the date.

While the lag on this camera is only about 2 seconds between shots, it is still enough to annoy me.

It came with all the cables and software I need to start taking pictures and uploading them to a PC.

While the camera could use 2 AA batteries, the manual says that is not recommended or supported.

Package Contents
• KODAK EASYSHARE Z740 Zoom Digital Camera
• CRV3 lithium battery or equivalent
• Rechargeable Ni-MH batteries
• USB cable and audio/video cables
• KODAK Dock Adapter Kit D-22 (for a limited time only)
• Wrist strap
• Lens adapter/hood
• KODAK EASYSHARE Software
• Getting Started kit
• Custom camera insert for optional KODAK EASYSHARE Camera and Printer Docks

Features & Specifications
Standard Features
• CCD Resolution: 1/2.5" type (5.36 megapixels)
• Image Resolution: 5.0 megapixels (2576x1932 pixels)
• Picture Quality: 5.0 MP – best (prints up to 20" x 30"); 4.4 MP – best 3:2 (optimized ratio for 4" x 6" prints); 4.0 MP – better (prints up to 11" x 14"); 1.8 MP – good (small prints); Still format JPEG/EXIF v 2.21
• Lens: 38-380 mm (35 mm equivalent)
• Zoom: 10X Optical Zoom
• Advanced digital zoom : 5X
• Aperture: f/2.88-8 (wide), f/3.7-8 (tele)
• Shutter Speed: Automatic 1/8-1/1700 sec.; Manual 8-1/1000 sec.
• Viewfinder: Electronic, high-resolution 201K pixels
• LCD: 1.8" (4.6 cm) high-resolution indoor/outdoor color display

Creative Performance Features
• Still Capture Modes: Auto; Program; Aperture Priority; Shutter Priority; Manual Burst
• Scene Modes: Children; Party, Beach; Flower; Fireworks; Snow; Backlight; Close-Up; Night Portrait; Landscape; Night Landscape; Museum/Manner; Text; Self Portrait; Portrait ; Sport
• Color Modes: Color; Low Color; Natural Color; Black and White; Sepia
• Burst Modes: First Burst - 2 fps, up to 4 pictures; Last Burst - 2 fps up to 4 pictures
• Click to Capture: 0.42 sec. (Preview On)
• Video Capture: Continuous video with audio, capture and playback
• Viideo Resolution: VGA (640x480 pixels) at 13 fps; QVGA (320x240 pixels) at 20 fps
• Video Length: Continuous up to 80 min. based on memory capacity; or 5, 15, 30 sec. clips
• Video Format: QuickTime MOV (MPEG-4 compression)
• Auto Focus: Assist Lamp for low-light focus
• Auto Focus Selection: Multi-Zone; Center-Weighted; Selectable - Left, Center, Right
• Focus Range: Close-up wide – 0.12-0.7 m (4.7-27.6 in.); Close-up Tele: 1.2-2.1 m (3.9-6.9 ft.)
• Sensitivity: ISO equivalent 80-160 (automatic) and 80,100, 200, 400, 800 (selectable)
• White Balance: Auto, Daylight, Tungsten, Fluorescent and Open Shade
• Exposure Metering: Auto - TTL-AE; Selectable - Multipattern, Center-Weighted, Center Spot
• Manual Exposure Control: Aperture Priority AE: f/2.8-f/8 at wide, f/3.7-f/8 at tele;
• Shutter Priority AE: 8-1/2000 sec. at wide
• Long Time Exposure: 0.7-8 sec. 0
• Exposure Compensation: /-2.0 EV in 0.5 EV step increments
• Exposure Bracketing: Auto; 3 images with user-selectable brackets
• Sound: USB, A/V (NTSC, PAL)
Effortless operation
• Built-in Flash: Auto, Red-eye, Fill, Off
• Flash Range: Wide – 0.6-4.9 m (2-16.1 ft.) at ISO 168; tele – 2.0-3.7 m (6.6-12.1 ft.) at ISO 168
• Review Modes: Album; Slideshow; Multi-Up; Copy; Protect; Image Storage; Share Button to print or e-mail
• Auto Picture Rotation
• Storage: 32 MB Internal Memory SD/MMC Card Expansion Slot
• Software: KODAK EASYSHARE Software
• Connectivity: PictBridge, USB, A/V (NTSC, PAL)
• Self-Timer: 10 seconds

Additional features
• Dock Compatibility: Works with KODAK EASYSHARE Printer Dock Series 3 and KODAK EASYSHARE Camera Dock Series 3*
• Power Options: Optional KODAK EASYSHARE Docks with Ni-MH rechargeable battery pack; 2 AA KODAK MAX Digital Camera Batteries; 2 AA lithium batteries or 1 CRV3 lithium battery; 3 volt DC
• Lens Protection: 55 MM lens cap
• Tripod Mount 1/4 in. standard (metal)
• Weight: Without Batteries - 287 g (10.1 oz.)
• Dimensions: WxHxD: 97.6x77.5x72 mm (3.8x3.1x2.8 in.)
• Warranty: 1-Year

System Requirements
MS Windows
• WINDOWS 98, 98SE, ME, 2000 SP1, or XP OS
• 233 MHz processor or greater (300 MHz recommended for XP)
• 64 MB RAM (128 MB for XP)
• Internet Explorer 5.01 or higher
• 200 MB hard drive disk space available
• CD-ROM drive
• Available USB port

Apple Mac
• PowerMac or PowerBook G3, G4, G5; iMac; eMac; or iBook
• MACINTOSH OS X 10.2.3-10.2.8, 10.3 or greater
• 128 MB RAM for OS X
• 200 MB hard drive disk space available
• CD-ROM drive
• Available USB port