Kodak EasyShare V610 6.1 Megapixel Compact Camera

Best compact 10x digital camera

Strengths: 2lenses allowed 10x zoom and lense do not pertrude while zooming in and out in video and camera mode.

Weakness: In video mode the zoom is too fast, not very smooth and focus is a little slow only in video mode thou.

This is the best small auto camera/camcorder there is. The panoramic stitching is flawless. You can not see any flaws where the 3 photos are connected even with Photo Shop zoomed all the way in. Amazing processing algorithm to connect the 3 photos in paranomic mode ! Photo quality is superb compared side by side with photo taken by a $2000 camera. The color processing is great and works great in...
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This is the best small auto camera/camcorder there is. The panoramic stitching is flawless. You can not see any flaws where the 3 photos are connected even with Photo Shop zoomed all the way in. Amazing processing algorithm to connect the 3 photos in paranomic mode ! Photo quality is superb compared side by side with photo taken by a $2000 camera. The color processing is great and works great in low light. Because it has a smaller flash compared to $2000 camera long range shooting is not satisfactory. To solve this problem I recommend a remote flash to sync with this camera. Also another problem like all other MPEG-4 camera is that it uses proprietary battery. I have to make a backup 4x AA battery pack to fix this problem. Only Samsung makes a MPEG-4 camera that uses AA battery but my 10x Samsung camera did not come close comparing to the v610. Samsung has poor image quality and you can not zoom in video mode and it also does not adjust aperture well enough resulting in over exposed video. The v610 takes very high quality video with excellent auto exposure and focus except zooming is too fast because it is designed for camera zooming and not camcorder. Because zooming is so fast in video mode auto focus often lags a little. Kodak should slow zooming down in video mode to allow quicker smother focus. This is my first purchase with Kodak and they got my confidence in their cameras. I have also purchased a v550 which works the same as this camera except it comes with less features but it is great for my wife who does not use the functions. From now on, I will seriously look at Kodak's cameras and not just Sony or Canon. Comparing a MPEG-4 camera features, functions and price, the Kodak v610 beats the Sony or the Canon hands down and the image quality matches with the Sony and Canon's expensive cameras. Two thumbs up for a new Kodak progressive 2 lens innovation ! It is not perfect but it is the best I have reviewed. You will be thrilled with the v610 purchase.

By jonathan9113 - Jun 15, 2006

Great Camera. Great Value.

Strengths: perfect size. well-placed controls. easy to use. sliding lense cover. large view screen. lots of preset scenes. 10x optical zoom.

Weakness: no external battery charging provided. felt bag provided is cheap and provides no protection.

I have been using this camera for 3 months and it has been great. It has good hand feel with easy-to-use controls. It is not too small to handle comfortably, yet small enough to fit inside my small purse, or even a shirt or pants pocket. The screen is a good size/brightness and the optical 10X optical zoom is a great value for the $$. I have had very good results taking photos at a baseball game...
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I have been using this camera for 3 months and it has been great. It has good hand feel with easy-to-use controls. It is not too small to handle comfortably, yet small enough to fit inside my small purse, or even a shirt or pants pocket. The screen is a good size/brightness and the optical 10X optical zoom is a great value for the $$.

I have had very good results taking photos at a baseball game using the optical zoom and action scene setting. It also has many preset scene modes that worked for indoor photos of waterfalls and flowers as well as night shots of Las Vegas lights. And when it was too dark to take photos on the aquarium, I was able to use the movie record and got some great shots of the fish, jelly fish, sea turtle and sharks. I was even able to capture unbelievable movie footage in a dark night club.

The camera worked flawlessly with my Mac computer and iPhoto, and also come with lots of software.

I highly recommend this camera for every-day use as well as special occasions and vacations. I would buy it again tomorrow. Be sure to check prices though. Some brick-and-mortar stores offer lower prices on their website and you can avoid shipping charges by picking it up at the store.

By darbetello - Oct 19, 2006

Well designed camera

Strengths: Small, sturdy, large LCD, well designed

Weakness: No image stabilization, wide-angle is narrow.

My wife wanted a "purse compatible" camera and I wanted a decent zoom. This is the compromise we reached. But the camera is really not much of a compromise. We liked the image quality of the Canon S3 and were leaning toward it until we tried this one. All the other pocket cameras we tried could not match the image quality of the S3. But the Canon S3 was too large so we kept looking. Also, most...
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My wife wanted a "purse compatible" camera and I wanted a decent zoom. This is the compromise we reached. But the camera is really not much of a compromise.

We liked the image quality of the Canon S3 and were leaning toward it until we tried this one. All the other pocket cameras we tried could not match the image quality of the S3. But the Canon S3 was too large so we kept looking. Also, most pocket camera have a very limited zoom. We found an Olympus Stylus (740?) with good zoom and image stabilization but the images just weren't as nice as the Canon.

I had been intrigued by this design and finally decided to give it a try. The images were as good as the Canon in our opinion. That is some looked better on the Kodak and some looked better on the Canon. The other pocket camera were not even close.

Unfortunately this does not have image stabilization and for 10x zoom that would be nice. When switching between lenses there is a slight pause but not a problem.

The Kodak starts at 38mm which is not great for some shots but eve the Canon starts at 36mm. Both could use being a little wider. But it depends on how you are going to use it.

Overall the Kodak is very solid and since the lens never protrudes, I think it will hold up well.

Finally, my wife loves how user-friendly it is. She claims she is technically-challenged so if she feels comfortable using it, then it must be.

By atrus5 - Dec 27, 2006

I LOVE IT!!!!!

Strengths: the zoom is wicked killer, the sleek design fits in my pocket or the small zipper of the purse, SO easy to use

Weakness: Back LCD screen smudges easy, the zoom is "interesting" in video mode, the front cover for the lenses doesn't have a lock, so it slides in and out by the merest accidental swipe of your hand.

I LOVE this camera. Not only does it look sleek and modern and nifty, but the buttons are SO user friendly (in the good way) and the options of scene shots are amazing. I did in the car shots doing 60+mph on seattle highways and it looks like I was standing still. I took pictures of lions on a cliff at the zoo a good 500 yards away, there was a telescope there for you to see them, I got detailed...
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I LOVE this camera. Not only does it look sleek and modern and nifty, but the buttons are SO user friendly (in the good way) and the options of scene shots are amazing. I did in the car shots doing 60+mph on seattle highways and it looks like I was standing still. I took pictures of lions on a cliff at the zoo a good 500 yards away, there was a telescope there for you to see them, I got detailed up close shots with my kodak. I've yet to have a problem with the battery, but I keep it plugged in a good majority of the time. The buttons are kinda small for most men to handle, but us girls will love them as they function well if you have or don't have nails. I honestly can't stop praising this little gem of a camera.

By ellie_mae5 - Aug 11, 2006

The darkness seems to be an issue...

Strengths: Its size and design are attrictive and trendy!

Weakness: Battery life and LCD image darkness at maximum zoom

The darkness seems to be an issue with many Kodak cameras at maximum zoom from my experiences. However, the design and 10X zoom are attractive; an adequate 150 shots on a fully charged battery seems to be enough for most individuals who would purchase a consumer point and shoot camera in this price range.

By jasturar1 - Jul 13, 2006