Kodak EasyShare CX7330

With its uncomplicated feature set and its foolproof photo-sharing system, Kodak's 3.3-megapixel EasyShare CX7330 breaks down most of the barriers faced by digital newcomers. Kodak has ensured that the journey from taking the camera out of the box to snapping a first picture is painless. And the CX7330 is priced very competitively, to boot. You'll just have to add the cost of an SD card. A set of rechargeable AA nickel-metal-hydride batteries is also highly recommended.

Loaded with batteries and media card, the CX7330 weighs in at about 230 grams, and even though it's a bit too bulky to be pocketable, it's quite easy to carry around all day. A built-in cover protects the retractable 3X zoom lens, while a grooved front grip and a rear indent ensure that your handhold remains firm, in place, and out of the way of the camera's flash.

Operating the CX7330 is easy, and you'll be aided by text notations describing the function of each of the shooting modes, which include Auto, Sport, Night, Landscape, Macro, and Video. Move to the clearly labeled control buttons on the back of the camera and you'll find direct access to the self-timer and burst mode, as well as to flash settings, image review and delete, and a tool for tagging photos to share via Kodak's EasyShare system. Southpaws will appreciate the four-way controller's position to the left of the small 1.6-inch LCD. Navigating the menu system is quick and easy.

Naturally, the EasyShare CX7330 excels at helping you share photos. Before you download them to a computer, you can tag your shots as favourites, mark them for automatic e-mailing, or designate albums to route them into. Then, with or without an optional docking station, a single button-press sends them on their way. It's just as easy to transfer video clips as well.

Although it takes almost 5 seconds to grab the first shot after powering up, the CX7330's shot-to-shot time is respectable for its class, at less than 3 seconds, both with and without flash. There was minimal shutter lag under bright conditions at about 0.6 second but double that in low light. Burst mode, although limited to a trio of shots, was quite sprightly at both high and low resolutions, averaging around 4fps.

Under most conditions, the CX7330 delivered appropriate exposures. High-contrast shots, however, showed washed-out highlights, but shadow capture was good. Colours were true and, when properly exposed, showed good saturation. Purple fringing and other chromatic aberrations were minimal, and though the CX7330 had trouble capturing fine details, they won't be missed in average-size snapshot prints.