Kodak EasyShare DX4330 3MP Digital Camera and Docking Station

Title : Kodak EasyShare DX4330 3MP Digital Camera and Docking Station
Author : Kodak
Release Date : 20020927
Binding : Electronics
Regular Price : $399.99
Amazon.com Price : $ ( %)
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Editorial Reviews :
Powerful and packed with advanced features--yet decidedly easy to use--the Kodak DX4330 offers a 3-megapixel CCD sensor and a 3x optical zoom lens. The DX4330 also features automatic scene modes, a 16 MB internal memory, and a new indoor-outdoor LCD for reviewing your shots in even the sunniest of conditions. This version of the DX4330 also comes with the Kodak EasyShare Camera Dock II.
Optics and Resolution
The DX4330 delivers vivid and consistent color images up to 2,160 x 1,400 pixels, which produces print sizes up to 11 by 14 inches. Zoom into the action with a 3x optical zoom, equivalent to 38-114mm in a 35mm camera. When combined with the 3.3x digital zoom, you get a total zoom of 10x. It has an aperture range of f2.8-f5.1 and a shutter speed of 1/2 to 1/1,700 of a second.

Storage and Transfer
The DX4330 is always ready to go with its 16 MB of internal memory, and it can be expanded via MultiMediaCard (MMC) and Secure Digital (SD) memory cards.

The share button on the back of the DX4330 enables you to tag pictures right on the camera for automatic printing or e-mailing after transferring to your PC. You can even store up to 32 e-mail addresses in the camera. With the included Kodak EasyShare Camera Dock II, transferring your pictures from camera to PC is as easy as pushing a single button. Also, when docked, the DX4330's batteries are recharged in 2.5 hours or less.

Movie Mode
In movie mode, the DX4330 captures continuous video and audio, which can then be played back via the camera's LCD and built-in speaker. The limited resolution of your movies guarantees that this feature won't replace your camcorder, but it's perfect for when you just want to capture a quick movie and e-mail it to a friend or relative.

More Features
You can preview and review your shots easily on the DX4330's 1.8-inch indoor-outdoor LCD, which lets you maintain exceptional viewing quality even in bright sunlight. You can also magnify shots that you review in the LCD by 2x or 4x.

From landscape to sports, easy-to-access scene modes take care of the details so you can consistently get the perfect shot. Use the DX4330's creative modes for even more photo flair.

Power, Size, and Contents
The DX4330 is powered by a CR-V3 lithium battery (included) or optional NiMH rechargeable batteries that are charged by the optional EasyShare dock. We recommend getting a set or two of rechargeable nickel metal hydride (NiMH) batteries and a charger.

The camera measures 4.4 by 2.6 by 1.9 inches and weighs 7.4 ounces without batteries. This package includes the DX4330 digital camera, CR-V3 lithium battery, AV and USB cables, wrist strap, lens cap and strap, and the Kodak EasyShare CD-ROM.

Buyer Reviews :
Digital photography is my realm. I'm avidly using Photoshop and my photo scanner and printer to make surrealistic artwork and make digital prints. However, I, the digital photo enthusiast, was missing a critical tool: the digital camera itself.

After doing some research on digital cameras and decided that I didn't want to spend a lot of money on a camera, I settled on the Kodak DX4330. I went to Best Buy with my friend and picked up the camera for about $$$ and also got a 128MB SecureDigital card.

Ease of Use
After getting the camera at Best Buy, my friend and I both got into my car and went to the mall. Without a peek at the manual, we figured out how to work the camera during the car ride there-- no joke. The camera is very intuitive and simple to use. You choose the shooting mode with the master dial on top of the camera, and press the shutter. It can't get any simpler than that.

For those who can't quite get started that quickly, the camera includes a quick-start guide separate from the manual that outlines everything you need to do to get set up right away.

Features
The camera features a 1.8 inch LCD screen, a screen larger than most digital cameras out there. The screen is very bright and easy to see in bright daylight. It also has capability of recording video with audio. There is a 3X optical zoom and a 3.3X digital zoom. All these features at a price of $3$$ made the camera quite appealing to me.

Design and Durability
The camera feels pretty solid and easy to hold. The hand grip comfortably contours into your hand, making it that much more easy to use-- all buttons are within reach. It is also moderately light for a camera its size. However, it is also slightly on the bulky side due to its odd shape. It is barely a camera that will fit in your pocket.

Image and Print Quality
Overall, the image quality of the camera reproduces colors vividly. Reds are extremely red and skin tones are very accurate. You'll only run into problems in low light situations, where everything seems to take on a muddy appearance to it.

The print quality of the DX4330 is something to be desired, however. Since the camera uses JPEG compression, when you zoom look closely at an image, you can see artifacts of roughness, one of the cons of JPEG compression. This makes enlarging an image to a large size quite undesirable.

With that said, with my photo printer, printing an image at 4x6 yielded great results-- fantastic color and accurate skin tones without any signs of flaws. However, printing at 8x10 showed some slight signs of the JPEG roughness described above.

Battery Life
The battery life is somewhat substandard as well. I shot about 70 images in broad daylight before needing to switch out the battery. Mind you, I rarely use the LCD screen when composing the picture, so your average Joe with his first digital camera with the LCD screen on all the time, will experience even lower battery life.

However, the camera accepts lithium and rechargeable AA batteries as well as the proprietary battery size Kodak supplies, so it is quite easy to run to a store and replace the batteries when needed. I keep a spare pack of lithium AA batteries in my car-- just in case the batteries die on me at a bad moment. (Kodak does not recommend the use of traditional alkaline AA batteries.)

Something that I would have liked is if the camera had some type of indicator showing how much battery power is left. That way, I could accurately predict when the camera would die.

Bottom Line
This is a great camera for someone starting out in the realm of digital photography and is looking for something basic and easy-to-use. However, if you're a more seasoned digital enthusiast, it's a better idea to hunt around for a better camera. Even with 3 megapixels, the JPEG compression will ruin your ability to make fantastic enlargements.

The only downsides were:
- Average batter

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