Kodak's EasyShare V610 10x ultra-zoom reviewed

The EasyShare V610 is Kodak's ultra-zoom followup to their world's first, dual-lens digital cam, the V570. Unfortunately, just like its wide-angle bro, the V610 is getting a mixed reaction from reviewers. DCRP got their hands on the V610 and were certainly pleased by the slim design, MPEG-4 movie recordings, new Perfect Touch feature to brighten and generally improve shots at the touch of a button, decent performance, and Bluetooth 2.0 wireless transfer capabilities. However, the cam had "more than its share of annoyances" with "so-so" picture quality including above-average noise, a "miserable" 135 shot capable battery, and a poorly designed four-way navigation control around back. But this cam's all about that fat, 10x zoom right? Well, those two lenses result in a slow, non-continuous zoom with a 16-millimeter "jump" in focal length when switching between lenses -- this was especially "jarring" when zooming in movie mode. And the lack of image stabilization in this expensive cam makes it "awfully hard" to produce a sharp photo on a camera billed as an ultra-zoom model. Bottom line: forget the V610 and pick up the 10x Panasonic Lumix DMC-TZ1 for $100 less.

[Via Digital Photography Blog]

[Morton Salty @ Jul 3rd 2006 9:46AM]

The panasonic won't fit into my pocket.

If you want a nice looking camera in Black get the newly released CASIO Z70 a friend of mine just picket one up in Budapest. Great Curves like a young Chaka Kahn, nice digital zoom to 12x(though 8x is about max unless you have a tripod) Great Battery life 520+ photos and I think we had like 10 minutes of movies also. Some of the best navigation and GUI on a digital camera(best shot is great when you have no clue what your doing) This is what a point and shoot pocket camera should be. and at 8 million pixels it takes some nice pictures too.

[808 @ Jul 3rd 2006 10:18AM]

In reply to Morton Salty, this camera is more or less compact size with a great zoom - nothing else comes close, not sure how you can compare to the Casio with 3x optical zoom. Of course there are comprises and from reading the reviews Kodak has a little way to go before this is perfect but the idea is there. As with any new technology there are hurdles to overcome!

[808 @ Jul 3rd 2006 10:20AM]

meant compromises - damn uk heatwave...;>

[Clem @ Jul 3rd 2006 10:49AM]

I have had this camera for a while. I have to say the images are lackluster. The features on the other hand are amazing esp the 3 shot panaroma. The video is good. the bluetooth is just a cool trick to impress friends but really not all that usefull when u need to transfer a lot of Pics.The !0x zoom is a great feature.

i think this would be a slam dunk if the picture quality was better.

GDUB trying to have it all.

[dogarms @ Jul 4th 2006 2:25AM]

@Morton Salty

"...nice digital zoom to 12x..."

You're comparing a camera with x10 optical zoom and image stabilization to the crappy digital zoom on a x3 optical camera? Good luck with those blocky, blurry images, bucko.

[w foster photo @ Jul 10th 2006 10:39PM]

Sometimes you have to wonder if anyone at Kodak actually tried out the camera before putting it in the marketplace.

--Bill

[rai 50 pcs @ Feb 7th 2008 2:06PM]

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RAI MANDER
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