Expert Camera Reviews

The Kodak Easyshare Z612 is a super zoom digital camera. It contains both a six megapixels CCD imager and a branded 12x optical zoom lens. The Z612 records movie of TV-quality video, up to 30 frames per second using advanced MPEG-4 compression method. The built-in optical image stabilization technology reduces on-screen shaking. The Z612 has a larger lens compared with the other smaller, pocket sized compact cameras. The camera with its aperture and shutter priority modes as well as fully manual mode is built for experts as well as novice photographers.

Some Plus points of the Kodak EasyShare Z612 are:

• High-speed, low light auto focus system with AF assist lamp
• Camera uses Kodak’s “Perfect Touch” technology
• Shutter lag and shot-to-shot time is quite fast
• Long battery life
• 16 scene modes

Negative features are:

• Noisy while shooting videos
• No RAW file support
• No manual white balance option
• Very poor close-up capability

Specifications:
Megapixels – 6.10
Weight (oz.) – 10.5
Optical Zoom – 12x
LCD Size – 2.5 inch
Flash Range (ft) – 2.0 to 15.4 ft
Image stabilizer – Yes, optical
Battery type – Rechargeable Lithium Ion
Special features – Electronic viewfinder, 32 MB built-in memory and SD Memory Card support, USB 2.0 High Speed, NTSC/PAL video output

Summary:
The Kodak Z612 offers users a nice balance of advanced features, flexibility and point to shoot ease of use. Except for the close-up shot problems with pictures the Z612 delivers where it does matter the most for photographers.

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The HP Photosmart R927 is a compact 8.1 Megapixel camera filled with unique features like a 3X optical zoom lens, huge 3-inch LCD and lots of exclusive HP technology. These include adaptive lighting, HP real life, Instant image advice system, in-camera panorama stitching, HP Design Gallery, a well explained help system, and much more. HP’s automatic In-Camera red-eye removal technology is the best in the market so far. The entire HP’s Photosmart series has been well known their ease of use and functionality.

Strengths of the camera are:
• Large 3 inch LCD monitor
• Extensive help menus and features
• HP Instant Share technology makes sharing, printing and saving digital photos easy
• HP Adaptive Lighting technology automatically adjusts high-contrast photos
• Ample scene modes and manual controls for creativity

Weaknesses are:
• Low in-built memory which stores only 7 high resolution images
• Sluggish performance
• Very poor image quality for an 8.2 megapixel camera
• Images look overexposed, flat and lack crispness
• ISO sensitivity only up to 400 and noisy at ISO 100

Specifications:
Megapixels – 8.20
Weight (oz.) – 7.0
Optical Zoom – 3x
LCD Size – 3 inch
Flash Range (ft) – Built-in
Image stabilizer - No
Battery type – Rechargeable R07 Lithium Ion
Special features – 640×480 VGA Movie mode with sound, 10 second self and double shot timer, Voice memo recording for still images, HP real life technologies, USB 2.0 cable with software driver, 32 MB built-in memory

Summary:
The image quality is very disappointing and the HP R927 digital camera is not one for advanced photographers. Entry level users who need a lot of guidance and help while shooting will surely benefit with the many help menus and features available on the R927.

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