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Under 2 Megapixels

Kodak DC3400 2MP Digital Camera with 2x Optical Zoom

Kodak DC3400 2MP Digital Camera with 2x Optical Zoom

List Price: $329.99
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Product Info Reviews

Features:
  • 2-megapixel sensor captures enough detail to create photo-quality 8 x 10 prints
  • 2x optical plus 3x digital zoom lens with autofocus
  • Included 8 MB CompactFlash card stores 19 images at default resolution
  • Connects to Macs and PCs via USB or serial port
  • Uses 4 AA batteries (included)


Description:

The Kodak DC3400 was created to take the place of the DC280, one of Amazon.com's top-selling digital cameras of all time. Essentially, Kodak faithfully kept all of what made the DC280 such a great camera--2.1-megapixel images, 2x optical zoom, ease-of-use--and placed it in a new body with a more traditional shape. The DC3400 has enjoyed some great reviews from publications, which cite Kodak's trademark color saturation, the easy-to-use menu system, and its resemblance to the popular DC280.

The 2.1-megapixel CCD captures images at resolutions of 1,760 x 1,168 or 896 x 592 pixels. At both resolutions, Kodak offers three levels of JPEG compression to choose from. Files are saved to the included 8 MB CompactFlash card. The built-in flash features auto, off, fill, and red-eye reduction modes.

Kodak was aiming for the middle of the consumer market with the DC3400. Essentially a point-and-shoot camera, the DC3400 features a degree of customization not normally found in point-and-shoots. Exposure compensation (EV) can be adjusted in increments of 0.5 EV, from +2 to -2 EV. The user can select center-weighted or multipattern metering. Center-weighted metering allows the photographer to adjust for a backlit subject and helps portraits come out well. Multipattern metering takes samples from the entire frame and averages the light values. Image sharpness can be adjusted to one of three presets: Sharp, Standard, and Soft. Also, white balance can be set to auto, daylight, fluorescent, or tungsten.

The 2x zoom of the DC3400 is perhaps its weakest point, but even that can be overcome--if you don't mind the decrease in resolution required when you use the 3x digital zoom. All in all, the DC3400 is a good choice if you're looking for a point-and-shoot digital camera with good image quality, saturated color, and a certain level of customization.

Pros:

  • Easy-to-use point-and-shoot digital camera
  • Allows for a good amount of customization
  • Kodak color saturation

Cons:

  • 2x optical zoom is a bit weak
  • 8 MB memory card will need to be upgraded quickly
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