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Who is Z710 for?

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SheltieDog

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I see Kodak announced a new Z710 10X Zoom camera.

Check it out here, if you have not already.
http://www.dpreview.com/news/0609/06092503kodakz710.asp

After checking out the write up, I was wondering who exactly is Kodak marketing this camera for? Is it the upgrader from the C series cameras, or maybe first time buyers looking to get into a high zoom camera?

The Z710 has 10X Zoom and no Image Stabilization, so why would somebody interested in a new Kodak consider this camera over the Z612??? One would think that a Z710 would be an upgrade to a Z612.........but I believe that they would be wrong in that thinking...........All it has is one more megepixel, but lacks other important features.

And for those of us that already own a DX7590 or Z7590, this camera will not be an upgrade either. In fact, it looks like it doesn't have a Diopter adjustment, so it would be a step down in at least that regard.

Just curious who is going to look into the new Z710?
 
I was wondering the same thing when I saw it. My Z740 was a bit on the budget side with no image stabilization back in its day. Now you have basically a 7 MP Z740. I agree, what were they thinking?!

The Z612 is excellent competition to the other super zooms out there, but the Z710 with no image stabilization, and dare I say, a paltry 380 mm focal length at full telephoto, is a camera out of its time.

I hate to say this, but poor Kodak, you always try so hard, but always fail so completely. This time will be no exception.
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Buzz_Bomb
P880, V570, Z740
 
I went over to the kodak site and checked out the specs on the 710. I imagine someone might buy it who did not know about the Z612 and later be sorry.
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Fred

I don't necessarily agree with everything I say.

 
It is for megapixel crowd. Still Megapixel sells more camera than Image stabilization. People, I feel mostly go like this
1. MegaPixels
2. X-zoom
3. LCD screen size
4. Image stabilization
5. etc, etc (including wrist strap)
Atindra
 
Atindra said:
It is for megapixel crowd. Still Megapixel sells more camera than
Image stabilization. People, I feel mostly go like this
1. MegaPixels
2. X-zoom
3. LCD screen size
4. Image stabilization
5. etc, etc (including wrist strap)
Click to expand...
Wrist strap should be moved to third place.

--
Fred

I don't necessarily agree with everything I say.

 
Agreed. They are catering to the megapixel crowd. Little do they realize that if you increase mp on a similar sized sensor, there is more noise.

Seems that Kodak has more digicam models than most mfrs. I can see for someone who is buying Kodak where it can be confusing. Isn't this like the old GM days where they make so many models, are very similar that they cannabalizing their own sales.

I really rather see kodak make a few exceptional cameras instead of flooding the market with too many cameras. Quality over quantity, Kodak!
 
Thats what Panasonic did and they are very successful in very short time, ofcourse they have leica lens as another attraction.
Atindra
 
Kodak is selling 31 different digicams as advertised on their site.

Does any other mfr sell that many??
 
Some their cameras are being announced now without a bang or fanfare, this is what happens with releasing cameras everymonth. Kodak C875 is surprisingly good package but it just got sneaked into market without observation of majority. I think Kodak is still selling very good may be partly because they have lots of cams with appealing features for all. But I feel Kodak is not putting enough efforts in marketing and advertising. P880 is a great serious camera and I wish Kodak contine to work on that to improve.
Atindra
 
It is obviously a downgrade in the Z series.

But the official price is US$299 only

and the street selling price must be lower, probably down to $250,

so the target is clear.

--
Balance
Kodak Z612 & V570
 
I totally agree with you. I know a few people who buy inferior cameras based solely on how many mexipickles they have. I guess it is easy for kodak to stick more mexipickles onto a 1/2.5" sensor and call it a day, but it does a disservice to the kodak name.
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Buzz_Bomb
P880, V570, Z740
 
I've noticed that. Kodak is very well known in the budget crowd. They seem to be very good at releasing quality cameras on a small budget, but at the same time they lack many of the features that have become standard on most other cameras, things like IS and quality high ISO.

Kodak seems to be almost completely looked over by the "serious" photographer, and with stunts like this, I can easily see why. I'm not sure that you can survive making cameras solely for the budget buyer, but then again, it is much less challenging to design toward a price tag than toward quality or performance.
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Buzz_Bomb
P880, V570, Z740
 
I dont mind Kodak being attentive to common average consumer, but they need to strike balance. Kodak should come asap with an entry level dslr to stay in top serious camera manufacturer. Panasonic and Samsung even though very new in business launched their respective dslrs. Kodak surely can do this, they do have good sensors, very good color science and scheinder lenses are as good as competitors.
Atindra
 
I think it will be very challenging for Kodak to introduce an entry level dslr. The market is too crowded. And the recent entrants have partnered with established companies like Samsung-Pentax, KM-Sony and Leica-Pana.

Also what can Kodak offer to differentiate it from others? Not sure, but it does have to live with the perception that it does make quality buget type camera for the masses. And that is a perception it has cultivated. Not a bad thing, but if you are targeting the prosumer, it may be.

As I mentioned a few months ago, Kodak is the only mfr that doesnt have a dslr, and I think it's missed the window of opportunity on that one. Oh how I yearn for the days when the 6490 was first introduced and Kodak was ahead of its competition then.
 
Sorry to say that Samsung has the claim on schneider lenses for their line of dsrs. Interesting that the "Schneider" lenses are rebadged Pentaxes! And the new Samsung is the twin of the new Pentax K10d which has alot of folks salivating heavily, myself included, and should be the hit at photokina, which opens tomorrow.
 
I also think its also unfortunante that Kodak has not made an entry into the high level bridge camera market, and the DSLR market.

I will use myself as an example. When I purchased my first digital camera, I looked around for something with standard sized threads, and one camera I came accross was the Kodak Z740. I had everything I wanted at the time, and in the year and a few months since I have found myself wanting a winder lens, a hot shoe, Image stabilization, and raw shooting (a need largely satisfied by the P880 I now own). I could not be happier with these cameras. THe Z740 has definintly withstood the test of time proving itself capable of allowing me to grow from neophyte photographer, to enthusiast/amatuer photographer. But in contemplating its replacement, I see nothing in Kodak's selection of cameras that satisfy what I've been wanting in a camera. I see more of what I want in the likes of Olympus and Panasonic. I don't think it is a good market strategy to be just a stepping stone to other companies.

Most serious photographers I know don't give Kodak a second thought. If Kodak were to make a good quality DSLR, then it might make a name for itself, and add to its prestige in the serious amatuer/professional market, and if they did, perhaps those people would think of Kodak C,Z, and P cameras when recommending consumer cameras to their spouses, friends, or family.

And as for what Kodak could bring to the table, they are already part of the 4/3 system, and if I am not mistaken, they were instrumental in designing it along with Olympus. Surely they could make a 4/3 compatible camera (joining Olympus, Panasonic, and Leica) but add to it their creedo of making the camera as simple to use as the pencil. That is one reason I like Kodak cameras so much, and have recommended them to my friends and family, and even purchased a few as gifts for friends is because they are so easy to use. My dad's Nikon's menu system is so cryptic and hard to navigate it is near impossible to use, but my Kodak cameras have menu systems that are so well planned its almost a joy to use them. Kodak can its "Kodak Color" and its "Easy to use as the Pencil" creedo and take it to the DSLR market and attract a lot of people from both other brands, and dare I say, a lot of people who would not ordinarily buy a DSLR.

But whoever said that the window is closing fast has it right. The market is still young, but it is maturing fast. It easy to break into a wide open field, then to try to break into a settled mature market.

Kodak needs to decide whether they are going to be a peddler of budget consumer cameras, or the premier name in photography before the consumers decide for them.

Just my two cents.
--
Buzz_Bomb
P880, V570, Z740
 
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