Kodak EasyShare P712

Opinion: I've owned or own all of the P Series cameras from Kodak.
I have not yet been disappointed. The P712 is an actual upgrade from the P850. It's better in every aspect. It's faster (focussing, writing, general operation), better in low light situations. And the picture quality is great. It's the only P camera that features a RAW burst mode and it uses all of the P850 accessories. I sold my 850 after I bought this one...didn't need it anymore.

Opinion: Delighted but......

Opinion: I purchased the P712 as a clearout when the Z712 was introduced. I was not in a position to afford an SLR so I thought this camera would suffice. I was absolutely correct.

This is my second digital camera. I bought a re-furbished HP (2 megapixel) 318xi as a toy when the first digitals were introduced. I was a staunch film guy with several cameras (a Canon FTB, a Pentax espio and a Nikon) and didn't think I'd make the switch. After using the HP, which I really began to like and turned out to be a great little camera, I discovered the benefits of digital. After searching for a more advanced digital, and reading review after review after review after review, I chose the P712 based on its great write-ups. I always thought of Kodak as a department store brand but after some investigation, found that they produce some great cameras.

The images from this camera have never disappointed me one bit. I am amazed at the clarity of the pics. It has a fantastic lens. The camera is relatively easy to use for anyone with a background in photography but could be complicated for a beginner, though the automatic mode can take care of this.

The camera is quick. The hot-shoe is a bonus. The Z712 is priced lower than the P712 but I don't think it is as good as the P712. It lacks some features as well as the hot shoe. If you can still find a P712, and are in the market for this type of camera, I would highly recommond it. There are many accessories available for this camera that make it work almost as well as an SLR without the price tag.

The battery life is very good and a replacement battery to keep a fully charged power source seems pretty inexpensive. The only negative is its size, which I state below.

All in all, I love this camera and think that dollar for dollar, it is probably one of the best buys on the market. I am amazed by its performance and have no regrets about my purchase.

Opinion: I have now owned and used this camera for nine months, and used it to the tune of some 2500 photographs.

The picture quality is excellent, especially at the lower ISO settings.

The lens is of very high quality, having little distortion at either end of, and good results throughout, the zoom range.

This camera will appeal most to those who do not wish to go to the expense of a digital SLR, but who do wish to have the option of precise manual control -- along with the option of several programmed settings. It is not for people who have no photography experience, or even for those who have some experience, but who have no interest in doing other than aiming and shooting.

The learning curve is steep, and for those who do not have film SLR experience, considerable time will be needed to learn the hows and whys regarding settings. The results, however, will be worth it.

This camera, and the sister camera (P880) together make an excellent combination and cover almost all conceivable shooting needs. The fact that the two take the same battery, the same cards, the same flash and the same add-on lenses/filters (with appropriate adapter rings) is a bonus. Owning the two of them (I do.), and adding on the dedicated Kodak 1.4 zoom lens, the shooting range goes from 24 mm up to 605 mm. All this without the problems associated with removeable lenses, and at half the price of a DSLR. It is lighter to carry around the two cameras as well, even with the extra attachment zoom lens.

Comment: note that while the range is supurb with the cameras, they are not a replacement for a DSLR if that is what someone really wants and/or needs. I speak/write this as a Nikon user, as well.

At 7.1MP this camera produces large files, with quite small compression issues. The fact that it shoots RAW as well is a bonus.

The image stabilization (lens based) is effective, and can be set to continuous or only at shot time. I recommend the latter. The stabilization grants about a 2 stop advantage.

The issue of slow write time, which was a nuisance with the P880, has been resolved.

Opinion: I like everything about this camera. I added a Canon 500D close-up lens and take great macros with that.

Oops I have the Z712, not P712 so this review is for the Z model.

Opinion: This camera takes excellent pictures, features are excellent , just like the P880 and P850 . I've compared these three P Kodak cameras to Nikon, Canon, Sony and Olympus DSLRs and only the Olympus is equal to the image quality of the P series of Kodak. Even my Kodak DX7630 had better image quality than the Nikond80, Canon rebel, and the latest Sony dslr. My Olympus E330 and E510 matched the image quality of the Kodaks I own.

Opinion: I am a returning photographer from the days before digital: f stops, ASA, stop bath, Kodachrome 64, etc. I purchased this camera as a replacement for an automatic point-n-shoot digital that failed. I have owned this camera for three weeks now and I have taken about 750 photos. Wow, I am glad to use a "real" camera again!!

While the P712 can act as a typical point-n-shoot, it can also be used as a creative tool and compose thoughtful, artistic photographs.The general layout of the camera is intuitive for the most part. It is easy to operate and understand. The controls include a classic top dial with PASM, movie, automatic and custom modes. There are many buttons for various controls. Two of them are programmable. There is an easy to use toggle that controls the menu functions. Some of the buttons on the camera are awkward for me to operate but that might be due to size of my hands (glove size 8). It has a hot shoe that has been invaluable for pictures during a performance of my children on a stage.

The images are stunning. I have a high resolution, UXGA LCD computer screen and the photos on the screen are gorgeous as long as I stay with low ISO numbers less than 200. Above that, they start to get grainy - oops sorry, noisy. The image stabilization is heaven sent when using the zoom. Without it, tele photos without a tripod would be blurry most of the time. The zoom is a bit tricky to use and is not exact. The colors are excellent. Contrast and Sharpness are very good. Occasionally, I get a photo that is not as sharp as it should be using the automatic focus, evaluative mode. The manual focus mode is very interesting and fun to use. the movie mode is good but the zoom is a noisy annoyance while filming - sorry recording.

All in all, I am happy with my new P712. I am glad to have returned to photography with this camera. It provides a good mix of old fashioned photography and cutting edge digital technology in an attractive, usable and highly affordable package.

Opinion: I bought this from a Boxing Day Sale and I am very happy with this camera. It has great image quality if you know how to use the proper settings for the appropriate lighting situation. There are a lot of features, and getting used to it takes a fair bit of manual reading, but it's well worth it. 12x zoom is great. No manufacturing defects encountered yet. This camera is serving me well, and I will keep it for a while.

Opinion: I've had this camera for 2 weeks now, after replacing broken Pana Fz5. Great exposures 99% of the time with unmistakable Kodak color. Very easy to use but has so many features that a learning curve is needed. Macro isn't very good, but bought a Raynox 2.5 macro and really works great now. Very fast focus and virtually no shutter lag. Love the Raw option.