Many features, great price
I've been a 35mm SLR user forever and was a stubborn hold out from going digital. However, I finally decided to buy a digital camera but wasn't ready to fork over $1,200+ for a camera.
I then looked upon Kodak's Z710 advanced point and shoot. The wide array of features on the Z710, plus it's Schneider-Krueznach lens, and it's very reasonable price convinced me that this was a great "entry" camera into digital photography. I've had it for 2 weeks now and I'm very happy.
Simply put, the camera is fantastic. Amazing color rendition and ease of use. It's easy to handle and I like that it can be worn around the neck. The 10x zoom is also another strong point on this camera and I've used it to my great advantage. Kodak's Z710 has all the features of an SLR without the SLR price tag. I am happy to have it and I would recommend it to anyone seeking an advanced point and shoot digicam.
I'll hold onto to my old 35mm SLR's and maybe still use them from time to time, but I know my Kodak Z710 will surely be seeing heavy usage from here on out. I give it an A++++.
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Great camera!
I bought this camera for my boyfriend for Christmas. He just used it for the first time when he visited family in Florida. He came back with great still shots and even used the video option to record his daughters Pre-K graduation. The sound and picture quality were great and it seems fairly simple to use. The only problem we had is that you can't zoom in and zoom out once you begin recording. There may be a way to adjust that, we just need to figure it out. I think this was a great investment.
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Sending back. Good for outdoors, too many dark areas on inside shots.
Although this camera was easy to use and the zoom was ok, I returned it b/c the photos of people were not crisp enough. For outdoor photos it is good. For indoors - I did not have good luck. Also do not like that there is not a battery indicator. Flash did not seem powerful enough. I was hoping for more out of this camera. Sending back and getting a canon powershot S3 or S5.
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Great camera
The Z710 has so far proved to be a great camera for digital picture taking. People familiar with Kodak digitals should find no problem working with the menu settings. If you are interested in action photos however it is a little harder to find a good an appropriate setting in the menu as the "sports" setting is only just so effective. And be warned, the image in the view finder is the same as the one from the LCD screen and you can't use both at the same time. There is a button that allows you to switch back and forth. But the picture results are excellent.
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Excellent Camera
The Kodak EasyShare Z710 is very easy to use and produces excellent pictures. I am a novice when it comes to photo taking and so far I haven't taken a bad picture with this camera. The only downside is the lens cap which doesn't stay on at all.
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LOOKS GREAT_BROKE WITHIN 3 WEEKS
I did a lot of research before purchasing this camera. I was pleased with the camera when I received it. After 3 weeks the LCD screen went out and over the course of the next week everything else stopped functioning. I thought, no big deal this should be covered under warranty. WRONG!!!! I sent the camera in and was told I would need to pay $140 to fix it. THey said that the camera had been dropped. I want to add that I never dropped the camera or exposed in to extreme conditions. If I had I would not be this upset.
I owned a Nikon before for 3 years and never had any problems. I am extremely upset with Kodak and will never buy from them again. Now to get by broken camera back I have to pay them $30.
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AWESOME!
This camera is GREAT! It has excellent zoom, and takes high quality pictures. Whether you are an advanced photographer, or just a beginner, this is a wonderful product. The software that comes with it sucks, so it's best if you have a memory card reader that allows you to put pictures directly onto your computer instead of using KODAK as a middle-man.
One feature that kind of annoys me is the focus light. As the camera focuses, a bright green light is emitted from a bulb next to the flash. This feature is great when you're using the timer because you know exatly when the picture is taken (there's no guess work here). It's also good when you're taking group photos because the people know to get ready.
The only problem is that there's no way to take authentic candid photos. If you just want a picture of people in their natural environment you may find this frustrating.
Other than that, this is an excellent camera. It's small, compact, and very light. I have taken thousands of photos with it in the 6 months that I have had it. (I took it to Alaska, and the pictures I got with it where superb!)
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Terrible Software
Camera is okay, but the EasyShare software is terrible in my opinion. I've had nothing but problems downloading the supplied CD and the Web supplied whatever. My 12 yr old kids got the camera to transfer pictures to the computer, but as you know, they never tell the parents how to do it. The Kodak Website is worthless in this respect. I need this camera for my business, but so far its been worthless. I can't get the photos to download on Adobe, Picasa, or even the Kodak EasyShare itself. There's probably a good reason that the futuristic George Eastman committed suicide! This company is in the toilet.
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Great Camera - Great Price
I loved loved loved this camera.. Excellent zoom and crisp, clear pictures everytime. Only thing i didn't like was the kodak software that came along with this camera but you dont need to install it.
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Glad I waited for it
I bought this model after drooling over the 5 mp for a year. I love it! Right out of the box, I was taking great pictures. I wish I could figure out how to share some of the larger ones here and maintain the crisp details that I see when I view it on my computer. I have uploaded a few, though.
I love the battery pack and am planning on buying the charger dock. I purchased in January of this year and have replaced the battery once, and I use it daily. It is difficult to get the hang of some of the settings, since I'm a point-and-click gal, but once I did, I was very pleased. Cats and kids don't sit still for long, but this camera has given me some great shots. I like being able to pop out the disk storage and pop it right into my computer to download everything-I don't use the Kodak software that comes with the camera. I can take plenty of pics with an optional removable SD disk, but the camera does have internal memory, too. Night mode is great, but it does require some playing around. Be patient, and you will be well-rewarded.
My only complaints are, depending on how close the subject is, it can be difficult to get the zoom to cooperate and really focus, and it gets more difficult if the battery pack is slowing down. The video feature is great, but it's best to use it on a tripod if possible, and once you start filming, you can't zoom in or out. If you move, it can take valuable seconds to refocus. I had to send it in for repairs in April because the spring that keeps the disk in apparently broke, and it wouldn't go back in. Customer service was nice, but very slow (I was on the phone forever it seems), and had to ship my camera to a place in Rhode Island for repairs. On the bright side, I had it back in less than a week with no complaints, and, bonus, actually got MY camera back (they won't guarantee that).
I would definitely recommend this camera to anyone looking for something easy to use, versatile, and with a good brand name behind it.
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Great camera for the price.
Bought this as an upgrade to the Z400. The LCD screen is a little granier than I would like but the pictures are great. Works just like its supposed to, not much more you can say about any product. It's very easy to use right out of the box but also has tons of features for the discerning photographer. I've found myself wanting to learn more about photography just by using it. I can't wait to learn all of the features on it.
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Five stars from a die-hard film photographer
I bought this camera just before leaving on a volunteer vacation to work in Asian orphanages, and didn't have time to test it. An amateur photographer with a darkroom and expansive collection of 35mm cameras, I swore I would NEVER buy a digital. On a trip like this I wanted to take my best film camera(s), but got tired of agonizing over which ones I could lose and not necessarily die. Thus the last-minute purchase of this inexpensive, easily replaceable digital, which is also a good 3 or 4 pounds lighter than my best Nikon SLR w/motor drive. For back-up I also took a couple of 35mm point-and-shoots small enough to stick in a fanny pack. It was no contest: under the circumstances, the digitals turned out consistently better. I'm impressed that a camera in this price range can handle such a wide range of lighting conditions, so dragging a tripod around isn't essential.
It saved the day and made me an instant convert to the digital side. Constantly on the run, the language barrier, plus kids being kids, I never could have captured all I did on film. I could not BELIEVE the crisp, colorful quality of both portraits and landscape. The camera gave me nearly 100-percent high-res keepers, many of them extreme close-ups. Because I'm accustomed to using heavy, through-the-lens cameras, I can't hold it as steady, and still managed to get excellent results. It's very forgiving. And it couldn't be easier to use. Fortunately I discovered it could do video before I returned home: just because it's intuitive does not mean you can skip the manual like I did.
Buy a memory card or two before you even take this camera home, because there's not that much internally. A shoulder strap comes with it, also inadequate. The camera can slip right out.
I will always shoot film, but this Kodak is the everyday camera I grab going out the door. I have no regrets buying it instead of sinking hundreds into a digital SLR that could too easily get lost, dropped, broken or stolen on a trip like that. It got the job done, and got it done well.
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Wonderful camera for the money! Awesome pictures!
I got this camera to upgrade my 2.1 megapixel Kodak from 6 years ago. I love it!! It takes awesome pictures and has so many neat settings I haven't been able to use them all. I am a very amature photographer and enjoy having the ability to set my own settings. I have 2 young kids and need the ability to just grab a camera and shoot and this one offers that too. I have read reviews where it is stated that the screen is pixelated. Yes, it is a bit pixelated, but that is because the pictures are taken with 7.1 megapixels and the screen doesn't show nearly that man so the picture looks a little bad. This is true especially when you are looking to take your picture. The preview of the picture is MUCH better, but nothing compared to how the actual picture looks like. The lense cap can come off if you touch it right, but there is a very good reason for that. It is for people like me who forget to take off the lense cap before turning the camera on. When you turn the camera on, the lense comes out, so the cap is designed to fall off so you don't hurt your lense. Not that I learned this from experience or anything. :) I would definitely recommend this camera to anyone looking for a good digital camera. The only thing is, I have NOT tried the software provided by Kodak to download my pictures. Everywhere I read it said to not do that unless I wanted to devote my computer to the software and I don't, but all I have to do is plug the camera into my computer, open the memory and copy all the pictures. I then paste them where I want them and there is no software involved. We only paid $150 for this camera on black Friday, but I would've paid the $250 they are asking for it now. Definitely worth the price!
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Works well for the price
I bought this on Black Friday this year and have been using it for a month now. I have a Canon S2 (which is wonderful!!) and love the 12x digital zoom. I saw how cheap this was and thought I would try it out also because it had 10x zoom and motion setting. As soon as I began using it I noticed how the pictures appear grainy on the LCD so I put them on the computer to check it out, but they look normal on the computer. I like the fact that this camera has a setting for motion shots (the canon does not have one specifically for action). I took pictures of my dogs playing and they came out great...however, the shutter speed on this camera is SO incredibly SLOW compared to my other 2 Canons. When you push the button to take a shot, it takes the actual pictures about 1.5-2 seconds later so you do not get a shot of what you wanted-make sure you tell posed people to wait before moving. I am debating whether to take it back because I don't want to have paid money for action shots when my Canon is FAR better in every other aspect...the pictures are very nice, but I can't handle the shutter speed being so slow.
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Great Camera With Some Reservations
I bought a refurbished Kodak September 2007 and would recommend it for everyday use. Here is what I like:
- reasonably priced
- very easy to use (out of the box, I just pointed and shot)
- perfect weight
- 10x zoom lens
- needs just two AA batteries
Here are a few drawbacks:
- no zoom stabilization
- weak flash
- unless the light is perfect, picture quality is a bit grainy
- poor lens cap
Despite the drawbacks, I highly recommend this camera. Contrary to what has been written in other reviews, mine has taken a lot of wear and tear without breaking down. I would however recommend buying a refurbished camera with 1-year warranty.
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I'm going to have to get me one of these!
Since I've started my new career as a reporter for the local newspaper, I have had the opportunity to use the Kodak EasyShare Z710 and I have been most pleased with its ease of operation. This is the first digital camera that I have had any dealings with and I can wholeheartedly recommend it. It lives up to its name in price, function, and adaptability.
I can't compare it to other cameras because its my first dealing with digital but I'm glad that my first experience has been so rewarding.
Just this past weekend, I made my first video with that particular ability of the camera.
I was most impressed and can shout the product's praises as a great starter camera.
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Not for low lighting pics
I have had this camera for a couple of years now. I love it for daytime and great lighting situations. Prints great pics whether ordered or printed from a printing dock. However, I have children that play sports, sometimes at night (soccer, baseball) and in a gym (basketball). In a gym, I can not get good pictures at all, day or night. On the field at night, it may take an alright picture, but it very grainy when I print it. Very disappointed, as a lot of my pictures are of my children playing sports. It does take good action shots, just in the daytime, not at night. For this reason, I will keep this camera as a take along snapshot camera in my purse, however, I am looking at a digital SLR for quality pics of my children's sports.
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Beautiful Photos
I love this camera. I wanted a digital camera with a view finder in addition to the digital screen because, as some of you may know, on bright sunny days, it is very difficult to see what you are trying to photograph because of the glare on the screen. This camera allows you to switch between screen and view finder, and takes beautiful, crisp photos. Mine is an older model, but I love it nonetheless. The 10x optical zoom is great for closeups. It's really easy to download photos to a PC or to email them from the camera. I highly recommend this camera or a newer model like the Easy Share Z712.
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Nice camera but...
I liked the camera when I bought it; the zoom is awesome, it is very funtional and has a great look. The only thing that I find very dissapointing about it is that the flash is very poor. For instance, when taking a picture in a moderate dark location the pictures will look very dark, I hate it. As I said, the zoom is great and the camera is perfect for daylight. I don't recomend it as your main or only camera.
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Great pictures. One small complaint.
This camera takes terrific pictures. The zoom is great and the menu of settings for different lighting conditions is so easy to use. My only complaint is that it doesn't have an auto-close lense cap and the manual cap doesn't stay on. This drove me nuts on a recent trip.
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Had it since Dec 06
This camera is very simple to use and I can get some great shots very easily. It's so easy to use, I've never even read the manual. I've just started using the manual settings on it, and again they're very self-explanatory. I am going to read the manual soon so I can see if I can get even better pictures as my interest in photography is increasing-- before I take the plunge and get an SLR. I use it mainly to take pictures of my family/kids, close up shots of jewelry, and scenery.
It holds a charge forever. It can go weeks without needing a charge, as long as I don't use it too much. It's simple to upload pictures to the computer, whether by using the charger dock, or putting the memory card into the laptop. I have a feeling I'm forgetting all the positives of this camera because I'm spoiled by it after having it so long. The one thing I can complain about is sometimes the shutter speed is a little slow if the flash is on. The cap also does not stay on. It' no biggie, but a little harder to make sure the lens stays clean for good pictures. The video camera is decent but not the best quality. You have to play around with the settings to get nice light in a darker setting, but once you figure it out, you can get great shots in every light....Overall, I highly recommend this camera. I've used it very heavily since Dec 06, and have never had a single mechanical problem, and like I said, can get some very nice pictures without effort.
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Ode to my camera
I have had my camera for a year now and I just can't say enough about it. I have taken thousands of pics and in many cases on the same batteries. I love the view finder, especially when outside. It is hard to see the screen sometimes when it is very sunny so the viewfinder is a must. You can see examples of my photos on my myspace page.. www.myspace.com/carlasunflowers.
I really love that you can crop right on the camera. The color is so vibrant and beautiful you won't believe it. Never in my life have I taken a good photo .. but this camera really makes me look good.
My mother inlaw has a pricey digital camera, and I put her memory card into mine and coppied all her photos to my camera. She was not able to do that with hers. It is so much fun to discover all the different things you can do with this camera. 10 stars.. 20.
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Amazing
I purchased the Kodak Z 710 when I saw a friends pictures. This camera takes amazing pictures and videos and the color and zoom power is the best I have seen. I love taking pictures of my dogs and it does great with motion pictues. I am 100% pleased with the purchase of this camera.
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random blurred shots
When the shots are good, they're GREAT and when blown up VERY impressive!
BUT randomly a shot will be totally blurred (EVEN WHEN HOLDING CAMERA PERFECTLY STILL) it is so frustrating because it is seemingly always the best shots, which become unsalvageable. It is so random that it does this it is not worth the frustration, I find myself taking 2 to 3 shots to hope 1 of the 3 will not be blurred. I am moving on to something else. Of course most people gave this 5 stars which is why I purchased it, i think I got a lemon! Fingers crossed for my next one, I'm thinking of getting one of the newer ones that have image stabilization.
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