Features:
- 4-megapixel sensor captures 2,448 x 1,632 images for prints at sizes up to 20 x 30 inches
- Autofocus lens with 3x optical/3.3x digital (10x total) zoom
- Store photos on 16 MB internal memory or optional Secure Digital/MultiMedia cards
- Connects with PCs and Macs via USB port; includes EasyShare LS443 camera dock
- Powered by Kodak EasyShare Li-Ion rechargeable battery
Description:
Kodak's 4-megapixel LS443 is so feature-rich and easy to use that it has the potential to appeal to nearly anyone. Kodak also includes a docking station that serves as a battery recharger and as an easy connection to the PC that lets beginners upload shots to the computer. Working in conjunction with the docking station, the EasyShare software enables you to easily print, e-mail, organize, and edit pictures. In testing, we were able to adjust everything from the white balance and ISO settings to focus zones and exposure controls. Beginners can simply set everything to automatic and snap away. Either way, the camera takes clear pictures with true colors, and close-ups look particularly good. However, taking quick action shots is virtually impossible because of the camera's relatively slow reaction time. The delay between pressing the button and the shutter release is long enough that we had to carefully anticipate every shot, and the recovery time as the picture is processed makes taking a quick follow-up shot impossible. Unfortunately, the camera's aggressive compression scheme robs large images of their quality. The LS443's highest-resolution setting yields pictures with enormous dimensions that are squashed into 1 MB JPEG files, resulting in a multitude of compression artifacts when images are viewed at full size. The good news is that the large pictures look fine when scaled down to smaller sizes. Unfortunately, Kodak doesn't include a low- or no-compression option. This compression does benefit this camera's target audience, though, as it enables users to stuff more large pictures into a smaller amount of storage space while also making it easier to e-mail the large pictures. But there is a lot to like about the LS443, a great choice for those looking for a 4-megapixel point-and-shoot camera. --T. Byrl Baker Pros: - Enough settings to satisfy power users, yet very easy to configure
- Internal memory doesn't take up a memory expansion slot
- Also expandable using Secure Digital and MultiMediaCard memory cards
- Included software and docking system make sharing pictures easy
Cons: - Extreme compression degrades picture quality
- Relatively slow response and recovery times
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