Overview
The Kodak Easyshare C433 is a simple, inexpensive digital camera. It has four megapixels. I can see this camera appealing to anyone who would like a really straightforward camera and does not want to spend any more than they need to on one.
Main Features
Megapixels:
Zoom:
LCD Screen:
Dimensions:
Weight:
4
3x
1.8 inches
91 x 69 x 35mm
130g
Macro:
HD Movies:
Manual Controls:
Batteries:
Memory Cards:
10cm
No
No
AA
SD/MMC
Image Quality - See Sample Images Below
When assessing my test shots it is important to keep in mind the low price of the Easyshare C433. I certainly don't expect perfection in a camera in this price range and it is normal for this type of camera to struggle in lowlight and in some other more challenging situations.
Running through the outdoor photos there are a few points worth making. The first is that levels of sharpness are a shade better than those produced by other similar priced cameras. Focusing is not perfect but overall the Easyshare C433 does an acceptable job. Even in the second photo where the zoom is not used at all focusing stands up well. This shot often causes problems to other cameras. Also in the second shot the camera handles the light better than many other cameras as less expensive cameras can have a tendency to allow the corners of this type of shot to become darker.
The biggest problem shows up in the first shot. This is where there is a significant loss of detail in the boats and in the wooden beams under the roof of the building. This is caused by the glare of the sun. With the sun lower in the sky at this time of year this is a common problem, but the Easyshare C433 struggles more than most cameras. A second problem is purple fringing. This is where a thin purple line is added to the edges of some of the lighter objects where they are caught by the sun. It is also noticeable that blue colours have a purple tinge in some instances as well.
As with other Kodak digital cameras colours are strong, but not overpowering. This is especially noticeable with blue skies. This view is also supported by the dedicated test for colours.
I find the outdoor portrait shot a bit dull compared to shots taken with other cameras. The photo produced does have a natural feel to it, but I would like to have seen a bit more of a glow to the picture with the skin tones being a few degrees pinker.
The artificial lighting used for the indoor portrait just pushes the Easyshare C433 beyond the lighting levels it needs to produce a sharp focus. This means that people shots in lower light is an area where the camera is likely to struggle. If this is an important consideration for you it is probable that you will need to spend a bit more to find a camera to meet your needs.
Once again with my second lowlight test the camera struggles to focus sharply. This is really a limitation of the camera and apart from ensuring there is as much light available as possible there is little you can do to overcome the problem.
It was not easy to take an acceptable macro shot. I just about managed in the end, but I had to try the camera in a number of positions before I was able to get a decent result. It is possible the camera would perform better outdoors in more natural light.
Although the shot taken at ISO 400 was not perfect the Easyshare C433 put in a credible effort.
Style
The Easyshare C433 is a fairly typical entry level model. Having said that the build quality of the camera compares well with other, similar models. This type of camera is a bit too large to slip into a pocket easily, but is still fairly compact. It comes in silver.
Shutter Lag Times
Single Shot
Five Shots
0.33 seconds
12.73 seconds
Ease of Use
Ease of use is probably the biggest attraction of this camera. It may not have all the features that other digital cameras have, but Kodak have made an effort to make the menu system accessible and easy to follow. There are very few control buttons and dials on the camera itself and while this can help to keep the camera straightforward you do need to dip into the menu to access features such as the self timer.
Points I Like
Ease of use - Shutter lag times - Build quality
Where it Could Improve
Lowlight photos
Verdict
Taking the price into account I think the Kodak Easyshare C433 works pretty well. It is not perfect and is weaker in lowlight. A lot of people will find its ease of use a very big plus point.
Product Shots
Front View
Back View
Top View
Sample Menus
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Related Pages
Kodak Easyshare C433 Review Kodak Easyshare C433 Specification Kodak Easyshare C433 Sample Images
Review Date
December 2006
