Title : Kodak Easyshare LS443 4 MP Digital Camera w/3x Optical Zoom (Includes Dock)
Author : Kodak
Release Date : 20021106
Binding : Electronics
Regular Price : $550.00
Amazon.com Price : $452.00
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Editorial Reviews : Kodak's 4-megapixel LS443 is so feature-rich and easy to use that it has the potential to appeal to nearly anyone. Kodak also includes a docking station that serves as a battery recharger and as an easy connection to the PC that lets beginners upload shots to the computer. Working in conjunction with the docking station, the EasyShare software enables you to easily print, e-mail, organize, and edit pictures. In testing, we were able to adjust everything from the white balance and ISO settings to focus zones and exposure controls. Beginners can simply set everything to automatic and snap away. Either way, the camera takes clear pictures with true colors, and close-ups look particularly good.
However, taking quick action shots is virtually impossible because of the camera's relatively slow reaction time. The delay between pressing the button and the shutter release is long enough that we had to carefully anticipate every shot, and the recovery time as the picture is processed makes taking a quick follow-up shot impossible.
Unfortunately, the camera's aggressive compression scheme robs large images of their quality. The LS443's highest-resolution setting yields pictures with enormous dimensions that are squashed into 1 MB JPEG files, resulting in a multitude of compression artifacts when images are viewed at full size. The good news is that the large pictures look fine when scaled down to smaller sizes. Unfortunately, Kodak doesn't include a low- or no-compression option.
This compression does benefit this camera's target audience, though, as it enables users to stuff more large pictures into a smaller amount of storage space while also making it easier to e-mail the large pictures. But there is a lot to like about the LS443, a great choice for those looking for a 4-megapixel point-and-shoot camera. --T. Byrl Baker
Buyer Reviews : I use to take pictures with two other Kodak digital cameras, an early 2.2 MP model (very heavy), and the 4.0 MP DX4900. One of the most impressive features of both of these cameras is the great picture quality. I developed my prints from the Kodak ofoto website with superb quality. They are all very easy to set up and use. However,comparing with other similar cameras, I was a bit dispointed about a couple of things for DX4900: 1, it only has a 2x optical zoom instead of 3x., 2, the LCD is too small and can not see clearly at all in sunlight and 3, it did not have the feature to make short video. I was very excited when I saw the new Kodak LS443 and found that this model has all the features I wanted. Plus, it has a very sleek design and is light-weighted. So I purchased it, used it and developed prints from Ofoto. Overall, it is a great point and shoot pocket camera. One thing I noticed with this camera is that it needs a few seconds to record image onto the memory card after each shot so it is difficult to take quick shots in succession. Also, I wished this camera uses the same compact flash memory card like other Kodak digital cameras. This one uses the smaller SD card to save space, I suppose.
(by Frank Fan)
Features/Technical Specs : * 4-megapixel sensor captures 2,448 x 1,632 images for prints at sizes up to 20 x 30 inches * Autofocus lens with 3x optical/3.3x digital (10x total) zoom * Store photos on 16 MB internal memory or optional Secure Digital/MultiMedia cards * Connects with PCs and Macs via USB port; includes EasyShare LS443 camera dock * Powered by Kodak EasyShare Li-Ion rechargeable battery
