A compact dSLR type digital for advanced amateurs & semi-professionals

I reside in mainland Europe. I bought KODAK EasyShare Z7590 in June 2005. I have used a Canon AE-1 program with normal and telephoto 27-105mm lenses for the last 25 years. I have also used a digital HP C-20 1Mpxl. since 1999. I used to shoot on ASA100, 400 Kodak and Agpha films and on ASA60, 100 Agpha & Kodak slides. I mainly shoot portraits, landscape, close-ups. I consider myself an advanced amateur.

I have been waiting for digital SLRs to become cheaper as I did not want to reconcile my photo taking. I used HP C-20 for computer images only and therefore I carried both the Canon and the HP with me on trips.

What I liked in Kodak z7590 when I first read the specifications was its 10x zoom lense and its full auto and manual buttons. Theoretically it can not focus manually, however the auto focus motor along with the use of the zoom button have the same effect. But, tell me really, how many times have you focused manually with success on a multi-leaf flower. Kodak z7590 focused succesfully every single time with autofocus and macro mode enabled on a number of flowers in sunlight and the shade. I did not even have to change the focus area, which you can do on Kodak z7590.

The histogram is an added plus as you can see and adjust the exposure before hand and the battery that lasts for more than 2,5 hours with full use of the LCD is great. The big 2,2 inches (56 cm) LCD screen was my assistant in taking pictures under the harsh light of southern Mediterranean as it is a real bright screen and can been easily seen in a sunny day.

The 16 auto modes for almost any occasion will help you take nice photos the moment you want to. I have used them heavily and I rely on them fully. On the other hand change to any of the semi-automatic modes where you can adjust one of the parameters or to the fully manual or the custom mode and dial and save your own parameters for difiicult or peculiar situations. I repeat, although you cannot focus manually in the old fashion with Kodak Easyshare Z7590, you actually do not need it.

In the 20 days I owe and use the camera I have taken more than 150 pictures and in only 4 cases I had to refocus. I shot a variety of pictures: portraits, flowers, landscapes throughout the day and night with or without the flash. If you shoot close-ups you'll also appreciate an extra connection for an external flash as in some close-up cases of low light the big lens may obstruct the light from reaching the bottom of the image.

For successful everyday picture taking use the 16 auto modes and you’ll have no failures. However, for the semi-automatic and the manual modes and especially if you are not familiar with the latest photo digital technology, I suggest you read the Kodak Easyshare Z7590 manual from cover to cover. It is included in printed and electronic form in the package in a number of languages.

The only extra I bought was a 256Mb SD memory card (28 Mb of internal memory are available for images but you need a card for more than 10-15 pictures) and a spare battery (20-35 Euros, depending on the model) but you can get an extra wide lens for fish-eye photos. I did not buy their dock and/or printer.

I used though the free Kodak Easyshare software included on CD-ROM (I actually updated it from their site to version 5 and I suggest you do it as you can even manipulate the Qtime videos you shoot with Kodak Easyshare Z7590). Using the Kodak Easyshare software I printed 4 photos on an A4 page, 2 photos on an A4 page pictures and full A4 photos on an HP inkjeet 940c (600x600 PhotoReIII) and on HP glossy photo paper.

Well, it was very difficult to tell the difference between photos of similar themes I had taken with my analog Canon AE-1 and the photos I took with Kodak Easyshare Z7590. I like bright colors and contrast and this is how Kodak Easyshare Z7590 delivers the initial images. However, if your are for more pale colors and smoother color-wise images, the free Kodak Easyshare software will allow you to manipulate images to your taste in a very easy way.

Kodak Easyshare Z7590 is recommended with no hesitation for advanced amateurs or those who wish to become advanced amateurs and those professionals who want a second easy to use for all occasions digital camera.