Following the runaway success of recent super-zoom cameras, Kodak are hoping to take a slice of the action with the introduction of the kodak z990. The kodak z990 is complete with a Schneider Kreuznach 30x zoom lens, 12 megapixel CMOS sensor, full manual controls with histogram and 3 inch LCD screen. The kodak z990 looks to be all the camera that a keen photographer would need if a DSLR isn’t a viable option. Designed like a DSLR, the kodak z990 sports a large grip and command dial but also throws in elements of being a compact camera such as the zoom rocker around the shutter release button and the direct record for the HD video.
In terms of built but the same image quality, the Konica Minolta X60 is also a choice. Compared to kodak z990, Konica Minolta X60 is a tenth of an ounce, weighing a light 4.9 ounces (139 grams) with the battery and SD memory card. With this extremely compact design, there’s no excuse for leaving it behind, as the camera can tag along in even the smallest shirt pocket, or be quickly tucked into an evening bag or pants pocket. The Konica Minolta X60 unique “folded” optical design means that there’s no wait for a lens to telescope out of the body when the camera is powered up, resulting in very fast startup and shutdown times. With its prism-folded lens design, Konica Minolta X60 has a tiny, extraordinarily thin all-metal body. Konica Minolta X60 lens is horizontally mounted near the center of the camera’s body – providing better separation between the front of the lens opening and your fingertips when in use than previous X-series cameras that placed the lens vertically at the very left-hand edge of the camera. It also replaces the other models essentially useless bundled SD card with 15MB of built-in memory – much more useful since it is always in the camera in addition to your own flash card. Although there have been a lot of hardware changes made, the Konica Minolta X60 will feel very familiar to owners of earlier X-series models. Konica Minolta X60 offers high resolution, and good color as well. To get this great features of Konica Minolta X60, click here.
When Kodak introduced the Easyshare system in 2001, the idea was that everyone should get a Kodak, then the cameras would be loaded onto any Kodak Easyshare dock so that pictures could be seen and adored by anyone like the kodak z990. The dock is now out and there’s a three step technique. When you’re viewing the pictures on the rear screen, press the Share button, choose the way you’d like to share the picture from email or Kodak digital picture frame and connect the camera to the computer. The kodak z990 will automatically upload your pictures to your desired location. Click here to try this amazing features of kodak z990.
Here is a summary of kodak z990 review from a satisfied customer:
NOT PERFECT BUT TRULY GREAT
As a mechanical engineer I particularly appreciate good design. This camera is loaded with it. It can be used easily as a “point and shoot” camera, or maually by a more experienced photographer. The 30X OPTICAL zoom lens is spectacular. Sure, it might not be quite up to SLR standards, but the pictures I get while SLR owners are struggling changing lenses make a big difference. I have been taking photos for decades, and virtually any lens with the name Schneider has always been a good one. Important to me, since I take lots of photos of kids and animals, is the short time between shutter push and the photo being taken. It adapts well to changing situations.
With this simple structure of kodak z990 to sharing pictures, it would be nice to see Kodak take a similar approach to the rest of the menu system, but that’s not the case. There’s no strict menu which is something that everyone is used to. All the settings of kodak z990 are on display on the screen and they’re accessed from here with the exception of the Settings menu which has a new area to go into. The kodak z990 has an electronic viewfinder which switches on if you press the EVF/LCD button on the back but this is quite dark, although it’s better than trying to use the screen in very bright sunlight. The Kodak have opted for a BSI CMOS sensor with the kodak z990 camera. BSI stands for Back Side Illuminated and has nothing to do with the derriere. On a standard sensor, pixels of kodak z990 are surrounded by circuitry which transfer the information that the pixels collects through the processor and stores them on the memory card.
The kodak z990 has the following features and specifications:
- 12 megapixel Back-lit CMOS sensor
- Kodak’s first BSI CMOS sensor
- 30x optical zoom lens with image stabilisation
- Wide-angle lens, range from 28-840mm in 35mm equivalent
- f/2.8 (wide) – f/5.6 (tele) lens
- 3 inch screen HVGA 460k pixels / EVF
- HDR (high dynamic range), Dramatic, Night scene long exposure, Intelligent portrait
- Film effects: KODACHROME, KODACOLOR, EKTACHROME, TRI-X, T-MAX, Sepia
- 1080p (1920 × 1080 @30 fps), with stereo sound
- High-speed burst mode: capture up to 60 fps @ 2 MP (max 20 shots)
- P,A,S,M Modes, Face Detection, and Histogram Display
- ISO125 – 6400
Click here to watch a video of kodak z990 and view more of its features
The kodak z990 has the following Pros and cons:
Pros:
- Full HD video, stereo sound and optical zoom
- High speed 9fps continuous shooting for 4 shots
- Full manual controls and RAW support
- Huge amount of zoom
- Built in optical image stabilisation
- Very good 3inch screen
- Low noise upto ISO400
cons:
- Slow writing photos to memory
- Sluggish menus and controls
- Screen overlay makes framing shots more difficult
Conclusion:
Overall, the kodak z990 BSI sensor also allows for a new HDR feature which creates a HDR image in the traditional way. Designed to reflect a DSLR with its large grip and command dial sporting manual commands such as aperture and shutter priority, the kodak z990 has a large 30x optical zoom which stretches from a wide-angle view of 28mm to an eye-watering 840mm. This kind of range is great for really distant subjects such as ships at sea or people on cliff-sides. It also means that you don’t have to walk as far. Click here to get this exciting features of kodak z990.
