Kodak EasyShare Z650 Review

April 2006 | Simon Joinson

Review based on a production Kodak EasyShare Z650

Announced at CES in January 2006, the EasyShare Z650 replaces the Z740 at the top of the Kodak's affordable super zoom range, and offers a lower cost, lower specified alternative to the 'professional' P850. The changes over the previous model are fairly modest; the pixel count increases from 5 to 6MP and the lens is now a Schneider Variogon (as opposed to the Z740's Kodak Retinar) - though it looks suspiciously similar. The new model also gets a bigger (though lower resolution) LCD screen, a few new scene modes and a live histogram. It may have a budget price, but the Z650 boasts a comprehensive set of shooting options and Kodak's famous ease of use, though it is one of the few models in this class not to offer any form of image stabilization.

Schneider Kreuznach Variogon (38-380mm equiv.) 10x optical zoom lens
6.0 million effective pixels
Exclusive Kodak Color Science Image Processing Chip
2.0" indoor/outdoor display
High resolution Electronic viewfinder
Manual and semi-automatic controls
High-speed, low-light auto focus
17 scene modes
One-touch simple sharing
MPEG movie recording

Kodak EasyShare Z650 vs Z740 (main differences)

Aside from the obligatory resolution and screen size increase the changes are minor - though some are very welcome (finer AE compensation steps, live histogram). Externally the two cameras are very very similar (save for the bigger screen and the different badge on the lens).

	EasyShare Z650	EasyShare Z740
Lens	• 10x (38-380mm equiv) • Schneider-Kreuznach Variogon	• 10x (38-380mm equiv) • Kodak Retinar
Sensor	• 1/2.5" CCD • 6.1 million pixels total	• 1/2.5" CCD • 5.4 million pixels total
LCD Screen Size	• 2.0-inch • 110,000 pixels	• 1.8-inch • 134,000 pixels
Scene modes	17	14
Live Histogram	Yes	No
AE Compensation	+ / - 2.0 EV in 0.3 EV steps	+ / - 2.0 EV in 0.5 EV steps
Autofocus	• Multi-zone • Center-Zone	• Multi-zone • Center-Zone • Selectable-Zone
Burst Mode	first burst: 2.5 fps, up to 4 pictures; last burst: 2 fps, saves last 3 pictures	first burst: 2 fps, up to 4 pictures; last burst: 2 fps up to 4 pictures

Kodak EasyShare Z650 key specifications

Street price	• US: $310 • UK: £190
Body Material	Plastic
Sensor	• 1/2.5" CCD • 6.1 million pixels total • 6.0 million effective pixels
Image sizes	• 2832 x 2128 • 2832 x 1888 (3:2 ratio) • 2304 x 1728 • 2048 x 1536 • 1496 x 1122
Movie clips	• 640 x 480 (11 fps) • 320 x 240 (20 fps) • up to 120 mins depending on the size of the memory card
Lens	• 38-380mm equiv.(10x zoom) • F2.8 - F3.7
Focus	• TTL-AF: auto, multi zone and center spot • Normal: 0.6 m - infinity (W) 2 m - infinity (T) • Macro: 12 - 70 cm (W) 1.2 m - 2.1 m (T)
Shooting mode	• Auto • Landscape • Portrait • Sport • Night • Close-up • 14 Scene modes • PASM modes
Sensitivity	• Auto ISO 80- 160 • ISO 80 • ISO 100 • ISO 200 • ISO 400 • ISO 800 (only available in 1.7MP picture quality)
White Balance	• Auto • Daylight • Tungsten • Fluorescent (available only in PASM) • Open Shade
Metering	• TTL-AE • Multi-pattern • Center-weighted (PASM modes only) • Center-spot
Image parameters	• Color: High, natural, low (saturation) • B&W
Continuous	• First: 2.5 fps up to 4 images (AE, AF, AWB executed) • Last: 2.5 fps up to 3 frames
Flash	• Built-in pop-up • Modes: Auto, Red-eye reduction, On/Off • Range: (wide) 0.6 - 4.9 m, (tele) 2 - 3.7 m • +/- 2.0 EV in 0.5 EV steps
Storage	• SD/MMC card • 32MB internal memory
Viewfinder	• EVF • 201,000 pixels
LCD monitor	• 2.0" TFT LCD • 110,000 pixels
Connectivity	• USB 2.0 • NTSC/PAL • EasyShare camera dock or printer dock
Power	• CRV3, Kodak NiMH battery KAA2HR or 2x AA NiMH
In the box*	• Kodak EasyShare Z650 camera • Carry strap and lens cap • lens adapter • CRV3 battery • USB and video cable • Getting started kit with software • Insert for optional Kodak EasySHare docks
Other features	• PictBridge • Self-timer 2 or 10 seconds • 1/8 - 1/1700 sec shutter • +/-2EV with 0.3EV steps • Optional Schneider-Kreuznach 0.7X wide lens ($150) • Optional Schneider-Kreuznach 1.4X tele lens ($150)
Weight (inc batt)	287 g (10.1 oz)
Dimensions	97.8 x 77.5 x 72.6 mm (3.9 x 3.1 x 2.9 in)

* Supplied accessories may differ in each country or area.

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