Value and portability are strong points, but the extensive creative controls on the Kodak DC4800 (AU$1,999 list) are even more impressive. This 3.1-megapixel digital camera looks, feels, and in many respects operates like a conventional 35-mm film camera. The DC4800 delivers good quality in automatic mode, but its true value emerges when you use the many control features packed into its compact 6.85 x 12.19 x 7.11 cm(HWD) body. With its standard lithium ion battery, the unit weighs a modest 371 grams.
The DC4800's 3.3 megapixel CCD supports resolutions of 3.1, 2.2, 1.6, and 0.8 megapixels. You can save 3.1 megapixel images in uncompressed 9MB TIFF files or in JPEG formats (either the standard 960K or the highly compressed 480K). When using the included 16MB CompactFlash media, you can save 15 3.1 megapixel images in the default JPEG format. The DC4800 has a 3X optical zoom (the 35mm equivalent of 28 to 84mm), a 2X digital zoom, and a near-focus limit of 30.4 cms.
Many of the DC4800 settings offer an experience equivalent to shooting with different film types. You can change image capture characteristics by selecting 100, 200, or 400 ISO equivalents and by selecting neutral or saturated colour modes. In addition, you can choose black and white (with or without red or yellow filtering) and sepia modes. Mode settings are easy to select via an Options menu displayed in the camera's 1.8 inch LCD screen. You can also use a rotating button on the top of the camera to select aperture settings (f2.8, f5.6, and f8) manually.
Standard features include NTSC/PAL video and USB output (cables included), a tripod mount, a 3 metre range strobe flash, an external flash sync socket, a self-timer, a viewfinder dioptre adjustment, and a hefty neck strap.
The DC4800 responds quickly, ready for image capture within 2 seconds. You can take five full-resolution shots 2 seconds apart. When we took a variety of test shots indoors and out in 3.1megapixel mode, we were impressed with the image colour and resolution in automatic mode as well as the range of special-purpose settings. The only drawbacks were the 30 cm limit on close-ups, so we couldn't get full-screen shots of flower blossoms, and the 3X optical zoom limit, which prevented us from getting a good shot of a distant pair of nesting birds.
The Kodak DC4800 is a great value for the travelling enthusiast who seeks a high level of control over images in a lightweight, compact camera.
Kodak DC4800 Zoom Digital Camera
Company: Kodak
Ph: 1300 130 674; Fax: 03 9353 2092
Price: AU$1,999.
Rating: 4 Star
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