Photo gallery: Kodak EasyShare Z712 ISThe Kodak EasyShare Z712 IS is Kodak's latest superzoom digital camera, engineered to deliver wide creative scope for your photos, yet intuitive enough for your parents to use. With a maximum resolution of 7.1 megapixels, 12x optical zoom, optical image stabilisation and 16 scene and 5 colour modes, the Kodak EasyShare Z712 IS has taken the rocket science out of reliably producing excellent digital photos.
After previously meddling with what seemed like the Kodak EasyShare Z712 IS's spitting image, the Fujifilm FinePix S5700, we were immediately disarmed by how simple a camera it is to use. Whereas your reviewer found herself falling into a melancholy of menus with the latter camera, the Kodak EasyShare Z712 IS was immediately accessible from the moment we removed the plastic wrap. To prove this point to ourselves, we pressed it upon this reviewers mother to take happy snaps one evening; despite her absolute inexperience with digital photography, she was off taking and previewing photos with minimal intervention. In so much as this is applicable when one of the automatic shooting modes is selected, those desiring a more interactive experience will not be disappointed with the Kodak EasyShare Z712 IS's inclusion of semi-automatic and manual shooting modes, and the flexibility achieved therein.
Design
In a market swollen with fashionably matte-black, chrome-trimmed cameras, the Kodak EasyShare Z712 IS does nothing to distinguish itself. With a pistol-grip design and button layout reminiscent of a variety of others in its price bracket, one can be forgiven for deriving all its strengths from its function over form. Its all-plastic body gives it a slightly cheaper appearance, also rendering it a little more likely to fall from one's clutches in a sweaty-palm moment, especially given its single-handed configuration. This is by degrees compensated by the ease with which the Kodak EasyShare Z712 IS can be operated- the shutter button comfortably rests under the forefinger, whereas the zoom, jog wheel and shooting mode wheel can be deftly manipulated using one's thumb; ideal for making adjustments when using the semi-automatic shooting modes.
The generously-proportioned, bright 2.5-inch LCD renders the electronic viewfinder (EVF) near-redundant. Using the discreetly-positioned EVF/LCD button, you can toggle between the two displays, however we found there to be few situations in which this was at all useful, and at no time was using the EVF the more ergonomic option.
Features
The Kodak EasyShare's most evident strength is its easy-to-use, intuitive button layout and menu display, complete with on-screen blurbs on each mode as you turn the shooting mode wheel. It is certainly a glorious feeling to be using a sophisticated digital camera to its full extent within minutes of unveiling it, such as experimenting with its 16 scene modes (catering for scenarios such as panoramas, night shooting and back-lit scenes), or the holy grail of manual mode.
Shutter speeds in the 16 scene and Programming Automatic, Aperture Priority, Shutter Priority and Manual modes extends from 1 / 1000 - 16 sec. Combined with ISO settings extending from ISO64 - ISO1600 (plus a High ISO shooting mode for low light) and automatic image stabilisation, the Kodak EasyShare Z712 IS makes the grade in a spectrum of lighting conditions, without relying too heavily on the flash.
Although you can manually set the focus, we could not find a way to change the position of the focal point from the middle of the image. This may be a bit tedious for those who like to place their subject off-centre, but at least the manual option is there.
Being able to record plus edit video (with audio) on the camera is a bit of a novelty, however recording time is limited if relying on the 32Mb of internal memory. Purchasing a Secure Digital (SD) or MultiMedia Card (MMC) memory card is certainly a wise investment for the Kodak EasyShare Z712 IS; our snaps averaged file sizes of around 1.15Mb at a resolution of 7.1MP, or about 20 photos using the internal memory alone. Alternately, you can turn down the resolution from the maximum 7.1Mp to 6.3Mp, 5Mp, 3.1Mp, 2.2Mp, 2.1Mp or 1.2Mp, reducing both file size and quality.
The Kodak EasyShare Z712 IS accepts Kodak lithium CRV3 (non-rechargeable), Kodak Li-Ion KLIC-8000 (rechargeable) and standard AA lithium batteries. An additional AC adapter or the Kodak EasyShare Dock can be purchased to charge batteries within the camera.
Performance
With a click-to-capture speed of 0.26 seconds, the Kodak EasyShare Z712 IS does not disappoint. The camera does pause for around a second between still shots, however the write speed is nothing to grimace at. Both the First Burst and Last Burst modes provide 6 photos in rapid succession; in bright light and mild shade this works very well (albeit producing slightly noisier photos), however in low light you're bound to get a series of blurred images.
We found this camera to be quite the trooper; after a night of flash-intensive party-shooting, many other cameras start to hit the skids, but not the Kodak EasyShare Z712 IS. Those not wanting to splurge the money on expensive Kodak rechargeables can opt for standard AA lithium batteries instead, which may make more sense considering the extra expense in buying either the optional charger or the EasyShare Dock.
Image Quality
The Kodak EasyShare Z712 IS produces excellent photos in bright light, with its image stabilisation feature ensuring crisp photos even at the maximum 12x optical zoom. Likewise for its macro mode, however the minimum effective range of 12cm is not that appeasing, considering that many similar cameras can take fine photos at around half that distance.
Noise does not come into play until around ISO800 and shooting at the maximum ISO1600 should be reserved for moments of desperation, as images soften and granulate considerably.
Worth noting is that the image preview you see on the LCD/EVF prior to shooting may not always match the outcome, especially in low light. You will want to may want to experiment a little with the different shooting modes in order to achieve the colour balance you have in mind, especially if you want to counteract the warm hue that permeates low-light shots without flash.
The Kodak EasyShare Z712 IS an excellent purchase for both casual photographers and those that want to tinker with the advanced shooting capabilities inherit in more sophisticated digital cameras. However its beauty radiates from within; those who can overlook its external sameness will discover both exceptional ease of use and reliability.
