What's Happened to Kodak???

IT’S BOUND TO HAPPEN

Well. My niece dropped her Kodak CD33 digital camera on concrete. Believe or not the camera is fully functional, the lcd display and lens still in tact, no cracks of any kind. But now the camera is basically useless. Although the camera survived the fall internally, the battery cover was not as lucky.

My niece purchased the camera little over a year ago but as you can guess (in technology terms) it's a dinosaur. Kodak's repair cost far out way the value of the camera.

The only logical remedy to this dilemma is take advantage of Kodak's upgrade option. They give 15% off with your old camera saving a few dollars on a new one when buying from their online store.

This was the option chose in this case replacing a Kodak CD33 with a C743. The cameras are almost identical with just a few variations. The Kodak EasyShare C743 Digital Camera sports a large 2.4 inch lcd display, allows for audio playback directly from the camera, firmware up gradable, and is a 7.1 mega-pixel camera. All of the other features are pretty much the same on the CD33.

I'm not going into the specifications of the Kodak EasyShare C743 Digital Camera here because there isn't enough variation between Kodak's C and CD models. The cosmetics are vary similar, features and easy of use are practically identical. And their cameras’ overall construction remains about the same.

KODAK A NAME WE TRUST

It's no doubt the Kodak manufactures one of the best point-and-shoot camera lines. Pack with easy-to-use functions and corrective features for the demographic price point. The sole reason for writing this review is to inform consumers of a design defect that makes Kodak cameras like a disposable camera.

My niece used her camera like a third eye and extra right arm. The camera was with her everywhere she went. Had she not dropped the camera. She would still be using the out moded unit.

IN THE BOX

One Kodak EasyShare C743 Digital Camera
One Wrist Strap
One CDROM with drivers and software
One Kodak adapter for easy attachment to Kodak dock/printer dock
Two ‘AA’ batteries
Two instruction manuals (each manual contains instructions in four languages.)

No SD (Secure Digital Card) However, Kodak EasyShare C743 Digital Camera supports one up to 1GB.

NO HASSLE ASSEMBLE AND OPERATION

The Kodak EasyShare C743 Digital Camera is child’s play to assemble. Attach the included wrist strap, insert the two provided ‘AA’ batteries and turn on.

The feature dial is also the on/off switch – super easy to find and use.

SPORTS OVER 13 HIGH END FEATURES

Kodak EasyShare C743 Digital Camera feature selection dial offers a choice for: review, on/off, movie mode with audio, auto, and preprogramed settings. The preprogram settings allow you to chose the type of scene you will be shooting: Snow, fireworks, night, beaches, landscape, portrait, etc... Just turn the dial and browse.

Each function offers a brief description on the large 2.4" lcd display. In most cases you should not even need the manual. The Kodak EasyShare C743 Digital Camera really is ready to use out of the box.

THE SOFTWARE

No comments on the Kodak EasyShare C743 Digital Camera provided software. I never install the included software or drivers for the cameras. I always use the media card with my media card reader. Saves a lot of hassle and software I probably won’t use to begin with doesn’t un necessarily reside on my computers hard drive.

If you don’t have imaging software on your personal computer that you like and use regalurly, then you might want to consider installing the software within the box.

HANDSOME

There’s very little difference from one model to another in the Kodak digital camera line. Slight changes here and there does offer a different feel and appearance but nothing super stylish. Their entire line is rather conservative though handsome. The contemporary silver on gray hue suits many discerning taste of men and women alike. You can not go wrong picking one up as a gift for someone you care about.

CAN I SEE INDOORS AND OUT

Sporting a nice large full color 2.4" LCD screen the Kodak EasyShare C743 Digital Camera you are bound to focus on your subject quickly. The advantage of the new screen on the Kodak line is its ability to display well indoors and outdoors equally. The non glare coating aids in this function tremendously. However, unlike the CD33, this LCD does not appear to have the protection the LCD on the CD33 model had. The display is a little more exposed and somewhat more susceptible to damage.

Note: the CD33 had a hard plastic lens protecting the LCD display. The plastic protecting covering was scratch resistant but not scratch proof. Though if had numerous scratches the images display were still remarkable clear. Unfortunately, this protective lens was not replaceable.

With moderate care the Kodak EasyShare C743 Digital Camera should last you for years.

THE VIEWFINDER

Yes, even a camera this small has a true optical viewfinder. It’s tiny and for me wearing glasses rather difficult to see through. Since battery life has increasing improved there isn’t a real need for the optical viewfinder when you have such a large beautiful display to focus by.

HOME MOVIES ANYONE

One can record movies with audio in record and playback mode. The amount of recording time is limited to the memory space within the card or your media card. Always opt for the largest media card your camera will support and will fit into your budget.

SECURED DIGITAL CARD

It’s undocumented but the Kodak EasyShare C743 Digital Camera will support up to a 2GB SD card. I used a Ridata 2GB Pro 120X SD card for testing, with this card the camera displayed the ability to hold 1379 images at 7.1 mega-pixels. Where a 1GB card holds around 800 photos at the same resolution.

Insertion of any Sd card into the camera’s SD slot felt a little stiff. At one time the SD card appeared to be stuck. I heard a click when inserting but the card was not completely in as it looked. Be sure to press it gentle because on a second pressing the card should eject.

RESOLUTION – OPTICAL AND DIGITAL ZOOM

Considering the price range of the Kodak easyshare lines you do receive a lot for your money. The Kodak EasyShare C743 Digital Camera in this review offers up a 7.1 mega-pixel image with a 3X optical and a 5X digital for a total magnification of 15X. Optical zooming is far superior to digital zooming and I high suggest you turn off the digital zooming and use only the optical zoom.

How to use resolution:

If you are mainly going to use your camera as a point-and-shoot with plans of printing 4"x6" stills. Change the resolution from 7.1 to 2 or 4 mega-pixels. Your camera will hold more photos and the images shoot will process faster in the camera. Typically, I use the maximum resolution for photos I know I will have printed to a 11"x14" or larger. At the 7.1 mega-pixel level you can easily have a photo developed to a 20" by 30" and be pleased with the result.

Use the hade shake feature sparingly. When your camera will be stationary or on a tripod be sure to turn off hand shake feature for a better overall image. Hand shake is a wonderful development in the photographic world but it does interfere with image quality in the above situation.

DIGITAL vs OPTICAL MAGNIFICATION

Optical is a true magnification that is unaltered in any fashion. This is the best result you will receive from any camera (digital or otherwise). If you know now that you will be needing to zoom in on your subject from a distance like a child in a school play and you are in the middle roll, go with the largest optical zoom that meets your budget requirements. In this case large is always better.

Digital zooming picks up where the optical zoom leaves off. Different manufacturers have different ways of manipulating the photo information to make this type of zooming functional. However, you will notice a degrading of image quality and even some pixelization. Some use interpolated pixels and cropping to achieve this goal. I suggest to family and friends regularly to avoid digital zooming by simply turning it off in the camera menu settings.
WHAT"S HAPPENED TO KODAK???

The battery compartment is the weak link in Kodak cameras. I have loved Kodak cameras myself for years. But every camera needing replacement or repairs have had issues with the battery door cover. Of course you are not supposed to drop your camera but it happens. In most cases the battery door cover isn't user replacable. Under ideal usage the Kodak EasyShare C743 Digital Camera and others are terrific for freezing those special moments that we so cherish as memories. However, in the real world accidents occur. If the rest of a Kodak camera can stand up to a hard fall shouldn't the battery compartment door too. It's a shame to replace a perfectly good camera due to a small piece of inexpensive EasyShare C743 Digital Camera battery compartment and covers are constructed in a very similar fashion. What a great way to keep sells steady.

SOME THINGS ARE CLEARLY GOLDEN

Kodak EasyShare C743 Digital Camera LCD display has drastically improved from the CD33 to the C743. The new 2.4" screen can be easily seen indoors and outdoors without glare. But doesn't appear to have the same protection as on the older model. The Kodak EasyShare C743 Digital Camera also sports a cleaner cosmetic appearance looking more attractive.

KODAK FOR EVERYONE

The wrap up. The Kodak EasyShare C743 Digital Camera along with Kodak's complete line is easily affordable for the masses. There really isn't any reason why anyone can not own at least one digital camera. Kodak has ensured ease of use that even technically challenged individuals should have no difficulty using and enjoying their purchase immediately. The Kodak EasyShare C743 Digital Camera includes several high-end features with high mega-pixel counts offer quality results at ever opportunity.

I'VE USED KODAK CUSTOMER CARE

Kodak still has one of the best customer care units in the country. Their representatives have always been polite, professional and understanding. I've communicated by phone, email, online and via written correspondence. Over the years have been extremely helpful as well. Replacement parts have been free or at a reasonable price.

DON’T WANT TO THINK

I recommend Kodak to individuals that don’t want to have to think about F stop settings. Adjusting for different lighting conditions and want instant results. Anyone at any age can pick up a Kodak camera turn it on, point, depress the shutter button and receive excellent results. Kodak’s reasonable pricing structure makes digital cameras easily affordable for the masses. Most of the Kodak digital camera line would be good for average users, students, real estate agents, ebay auctioneers etc.