The Kodak Easyshare Z612 is a super zoom digital camera. This type of camera has a much longer than standard zoom lens. This model has a 12x zoom. Long zoom lenses are obviously useful for zooming in on a subject when it is difficult for you to stand close to it. Typical types of photography where this may be the case are wildlife and sports. Although standard advice is to use a wide angle lens for landscape photography there may also be instances where a long zoom lens also comes in useful when photographing landscapes as well.
Cameras with long lenses are more prone to camera shake than other types of camera. Camera shake can cause a loss of sharpness in a picture and make the shot look blurred. To combat this Kodak have included image stabilisation with the Easyshare Z612. The stabilisation feature causes the camera to compensate for the tiny movements helping to reduce the impact of any shake and to produce sharper, clearer photos.
Most super zooms, including the Easyshare Z612 offer more advanced controls and features than a standard point and shoot digital camera. These features include a fully manual mode, plus both aperture and shutter priority modes. The camera can still be used as a simple point and shoot model if you prefer as it also has a fully automatic mode.
Despite the extra features I still found this camera fairly easy to use. Kodak seem to have found a way of making their cameras quite straightforward. This includes the menu system which is well thought out.
In terms of megapixels this camera has six. This should be enough for top quality 8 x 10" prints. For most people the quality right up to a print size of 16 x 20" should be more than satisfactory.
Not surprisingly with the length of lens this camera is larger than the majority of digital cameras. It is certainly far too large to fit into a pocket. It is 70mm wide and weighs around 300g. I always think a simple case is a good idea to protect the camera and make it that bit easier to carry the camera around with you. As the lens does not fold back into the camera body when the Easyshare Z612 is not in use a lens cap is provided with the camera.
When it comes to price this is a mid range model. You will find you can make a fair saving when compared with some of the cameras on offer from brands such as Sony and Canon.
A rechargeable battery and a charger are supplied with the camera. 32mb of memory are built in so there is no memory card in the box. Although 32mb is more generous than many other brands build into a camera it does not go far when you are taking six megapixel photos and shooting movies. It should be enough to give the camera a test run though. You may be able to find a better deal if you buy a memory card at the same time as you pick up the camera. As always shop around for the best deal. The Easyshare Z612 is compatible with SD cards.
