Hands-on with Kodak's new EasyShare lineup

Kodak has had some trouble producing true winners with its EasyShare lineup, but while we can't guarantee that the new V1253, V1233 and Z812 IS cameras will get the job done, they're at least a step in the right direction. The V models are slim and attractive, while the HD prowess of all three cameras is certainly a winner. We just wish Kodak would stop making us feel so bad about not wanting to buy into their whole printing ecosystem if we were ever to pick one of these up.

Gallery: Hands-on with Kodak's new EasyShare lineup

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[dfsdfsfsf @ Sep 2nd 2007 7:50PM]

Lol, why should I buy this when I can take pictures with my iphone?

[nate @ Sep 2nd 2007 8:10PM]

because chances are any one of them will take better pictures than your iphone? nothing against iphones but cell phones camera's in general can't compare to a real camera

[Ignacio @ Sep 2nd 2007 8:39PM]

He didn't bother to create a username, why bother answering such an obvious flamebait? ;-)

[uShak @ Sep 2nd 2007 8:50PM]

I just played with it today at Best Buy
720p video at 30fps with stereo sound!

[Sean DL @ Sep 2nd 2007 9:35PM]

mmm..Add a 32GB SD card to it and that is the death of camcorders...

[Sean DL @ Sep 2nd 2007 9:35PM]

mmm..Add a 32GB SD card to it and that is the death of camcorders...

[i_phoney @ Sep 2nd 2007 11:59PM]

HOTNESS!

[John @ Sep 3rd 2007 1:23AM]

my mother got me a kodak easy share last christmas, and it is an incredible camera. There person who wrote "true winner" put down has no "true knowledge" of this kodak camera, I dont think. I would recommend it to anybody who was a serious photographer.

[Dan @ Sep 3rd 2007 9:32AM]

You can't be serious, right?

[speedyrulz8 @ Sep 3rd 2007 1:05PM]

Serious photographers definitely do not use Kodak cameras.

[John @ Sep 3rd 2007 3:14PM]

kodak was here before u were born.

[Steveorevo @ Sep 3rd 2007 6:43PM]

Kodak abandom their flagship chemical processes and has moved 100% all of their effort to Digital technology. Shareholders got really scared. But as a result, the Kodak Campus (a HUGE research and product R&D arm of the company) has created many patents and leading/cutting edge development (CCD, OLED, etc). Their Digital Science Camera was one of the first megapixel cameras on the market that acted just like film -although very expensive. Since then, their costs have dropped, yet quality remains VERY HIGHT. Their CCD (not cheap CMOS -and don't tell me how far CMOS has come) still outperform and out do others for a fraction of the cost to boot! Compare a Nikon or Cannon $1300 to a $200 Kodak, and you'll realize Kodak is truely a the underated leader.

[atticus @ Sep 4th 2007 1:39PM]

laud kodak all you want, but the easyshare cameras are still consumer-oriented. there are several things you simply cannot do with an easyshare that you can with even a canon rebel xt. they may be leading innovators in the lab, but in the digital camera market, their product simply doesn't cater to professionals.

[Steveorevo @ Sep 4th 2007 7:43PM]

Sounds like a user problem. Have you tried manual mode? I have a Nikon, Intel, and the original Kodak Digital Science (and the new Z1275, very fast firmware menuing system). Pros are more likely to spend time with the camera to understand features, but not all professional photographers are tech savy to say the least. I've been able to pull off some crazy photos with an 8 second low light exposure in Times Square on my CCD Kodak that topped my very expensive Nikon. The Rebel is a nice camera, but couldn't withstand my travels (i.e. cheap plastics casing, cheap soldering jobs = broken camera).

[spiky32kobe @ Sep 3rd 2007 2:42PM]

kool =:)

[Andrew @ Sep 4th 2007 12:22AM]

Oh wow... is it better than the Lumix?

[Dan Bowlin @ Sep 4th 2007 5:04AM]

Don't you think Kodak has come a long way from the BROWNIE? I'll be happy to have one. I'll even invest in their print system!! I WIN! RIGHT?? LOL

[omar @ Sep 4th 2007 3:15PM]

I picked one of these cameras yesterday as my point and shoot. Already have a Lumix DSLR. It's the 720p video capture that really impressed me. The quality is REALLY good considering the small $299 pricetag (for the 1253).

[brett @ Sep 4th 2007 11:18PM]

cool camera and all gadgets are from engadget

[Nate the Prophet @ Sep 7th 2007 1:55AM]

So I hear mixed opinions on Kodak--I've had a couple of their EasyShare cameras and they have been okay but not easy for manual control.

So here's what I REALLY want to know--how does this thing look as far as the near-HD video goes? I'd like to buy a video camera (baby on the way!), but can't really afford a nice one. The idea of getting a pretty nice camera that also does good video is AWESOME to me.
If not this one, are there other digital cameras that capture video in such high quality?