Even a child can use it! (Kodak Easyshare C300)

Member Name: ButterBear

Product:	Kodak Easyshare C300
Date:	07/02/08 (92 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Easy to use

Disadvantages: Minimal features

I'm a big fan of digital cameras, loving taking snaps of my children as they grow up, on special days together and generally capturing memories to look back on as we all grow older, my husband is also a photographer so I guess it was natural that at some point our kids would show an interest in cameras of some kind. Christopher is only 3 (almost 4) but we thought for Christmas that we would ask his grandma to buy him a camera, nothing fancy, we'd envisioned one of those brightly coloured, chunky plastic devices that he could take a few fun snaps with, you can imagine our surprise to find she'd bought him the Kodak Easy Share C300.


Kodak C300-
The C300 is from the basic line of Kodak Easy Shares, a 3.2 mega pixel camera aimed at beginners and newcomers to the world of digital photography, it's not overflowing with features making it simple and easy to use. You are able to take still photographs as well as moving images all of which are chosen by moving the dial on top the camera to the matching image.


Still Photo Mode-
The still photo mode is perhaps the most in depth giving you various set up options.

Via the "menu" you can operate and set the 10 second self timer, alter the exposure, choose from 4 levels of picture quality, alter the colour, assign photos to specific albums, choose the image storage mode (external disc or internal memory) set the date & time as well as choose your language.

The 4 levels of picture quality range from "good" 0.8 mega pixels which is great for images that are to be sent via email, "better" 3.2 high compression which is good for small prints, "best 3.2" which is the optimum choice if you like 6 by 4 sized prints and "best" which gives 3.2 mega pixels and is the best mode for larger prints. The C300 has a maximum 3.2 mega pixels which will not necessarily produce the most highly detailed and crisp images but provides a good enough quality image to make the camera worth owning, however you're unlikely to be able to print photo's any larger then 11 by 14 inches, with 6 by 4 and 7 by 5 sized photos getting the best results from the camera.

The camera does not come with a zoom lens however does have a digital zoom capacity, which is operated by pressing the directional buttons while viewing the scene you want to capture via the viewfinder or LCD, this does allow you to get much closer to the subject of your photo however too much zooming simply gives you fuzzy pictures, the pixels just can't handle the top level of zoom.

The "Color" function within the menu allows you to select from 3 colour options, you can take your pictures in standard colour, black and white or sepia (beige brown tones) The black and white option allows you to capture very contemporary feeling pictures and is great for city landscapes and unusual portraits, sepia provides a far more worn, old world feel to the pictures, giving the images a softer look. Naturally the colour option captures life just as you see it and is probably best for capturing day to day life.

The "Review" function allows you to view your previously taken photos and scroll through the images, it's this function which helps you choose which photos to keep and which to delete. The images are displayed on the cameras 1.5 inch LCD screen, by pressing the "Menu" button while viewing your images you are able to magnify them allowing you a closer look at the smaller details, assign pictures to specific photo albums, protect the images meaning they cant accidentally be deleted, choose where the image will be stored (internal memory or card) copy an image so it is on both internal and external memory sources, view the images as a slide show or even as multiple images in a grid form at one time. However using the LCD too much can quickly drain the batteries but the camera does have a form of shut off mode in that if you aren't taking a photo or scrolling through the images within a set amount of time the LCD switches off.

You are able to change your flash options and can have several different settings including Auto flash which decides if the flash is needed depending on the level of light present and Red Eye setting which will flash twice preventing the subject's eyes appearing red in the image.

The main body of the camera features a delete button, one of the appeals of digital cameras is that you can see the images as you take them and keep the best ones, deleting the bad ones, this not only makes sure you get great images but saves you spending lots of money on developing films only to find none of the pictures are any good. You can delete the images in 2 ways, either immediately after capture (the image flashes up on the LCD briefly allowing you to see what you've taken) or by reviewing the pictures you've taken. You are always asked twice if you want to delete the image which saves you from accidentally erasing an image you actually wanted to keep, you can also choose to delete images one by one or delete the whole lot (handy once you've printed them and quickly want to clear the memory space)

Other Specs-
KODAK lens 37 mm (35 mm equivalent)
5X continuous digital zoom
Focus range- 2.6 ft (0.8 m) to infinity
LCD- 1.5 in. (3.8 cm) colour display
Viewfinder- optical
Aperture- f/4.5
Shutter speed- 1/2-1/2300 sec.
ISO equivalent- automatic 100-200 (still); 100-800 (video); 140 (flash)
White balance- auto
Flash range- 2.6-7.9 ft (0.8-2.4 m)

Requires 2 AA batteries
Takes SD memory cards
Internal memory capacity 17 pictures

Video Mode-
As well as regular photographs this camera can also capture moving images. It's not a camcorder and the function is very basic, you get 30 seconds of capture time which can only capture images and not sound, the zoom function is also not available in video mode so if you want to film close up then you have to physically do it yourself. The video mode has a resolution of 320x240 pixels and captures at a rate of 15 frames per second. It's a nice little extra but with a maximum of 30 seconds being captured you really cant use it for capturing video of any worth and will be better off sticking with a separate camcorder unit.

Night Mode-
While Auto mode is great for general picture taking there is also a "Night" mode which is better for being able to capture both the photo's main subject as well as a good degree of background details. This is not however a night vision mode where you could take pictures in the dark with no flash or light source, it is simply designed to balance out both the subject and background giving a better photograph.


Price & Availability-
While we were given the camera as a gift it is still widely available for purchase in shops and online, while specific stockists will vary you can go to Kodak.co.uk and be able to bring up information on local stockist and online dealers. Retailing in the range of £70 you can often pick the camera up 2nd hand on Ebay at very reasonable prices often starting from 99p.


Overall-
As a basic starter camera the Kodak C300 certainly does its job, taking basic photographs while not being too confusing and overwhelming the user with options and features. It has some good options especially in terms of altering the pixels, colour and even having a brief self timer meaning it is a good introductory camera for someone looking to move up to more advanced digital cameras.

The pictures are clear enough although the low level of pixels means they aren't the crispest and I wouldn't want to swap my 7.2 Mega pixel camera for this one anytime soon. The flash provides good light but in indoor environments it can struggle to really light up the surroundings meaning some of the pictures are dull and grey.

Christopher has a good idea how to use the basic photo taking mode of the camera but none of the other features, he is only 3 and the camera is simply not designed with 3 year olds in mind, older children and adults will be able to operate the camera and make use of its functions well. It is fairly lightweight and modern looking and is a good size to fit well in the hands, it also has a basic wrist strap giving a little peace of mind as to the security of the camera when it's being used in precarious positions.

Certainly a good beginners camera, hey if a 3 year old can use it anyone can, but for more advanced features and better pictures try the Kodak C743.


















Review also found on Ciao.

Summary: A handy beginners digital

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