The CX7430 uses a 1/2.5 inch
CCD with 4.23 million pixel of which 4 million are effective
to capture an image with a maximum size of 2304 x 1728 pixels.
CCD sensitivity starts at 80 ISO, but can be increased to 100,
200, or 400 ISO. In addition, an Auto ISO setting (the default)
lets the camera automatically increase sensitivity between
80 and 140 ISO as the lighting conditions warrant.
The 3X Kodak Retinar Aspheric lens offers a focal length equivalent to
a 34 to 102mm lens with apertures that cover from f2.7 to f5.2 when the
lens is set to the wide angle end, and f4.6 to f8.7 at the telephoto end.
The CX7430 has a shutter speed
range of 1/1400 second to 1/2 a second, being fully automatic,
apertures and shutter speeds are set by the camera with one
exception. The LT (Long Time) exposure mode, available
in all shooting modes except Portrait, Sport, and Macro, allows
the user to select an exposure time of 0.7, 1, 1.5, 2, 3 or
4 seconds, which makes it possible to capture images at night. (See
the Test Photos section of the review for an example of a long
exposure.)
By default the CX7430 relies
on a multi-zone metering
pattern to establish the exposure parameters. However, an option
in the menu provides for alternative metering: centre-weighted or spot.
Likewise, the CX7430 uses a wide area AF system as the default, but can
be switched to centre-point focus in the menu.
Just like some other recent Kodak cameras, the CX7430 does not give the
user a choice of compression. Four image sizes are offered, and each is
linked to a level of JPEG compression:
Best: 2304 x 1728
pixels (4 megapixel)
Best 3:2: 2304 x 1536
pixels (3.5 megapixel — image dimensions compatible
with 4 x 6 and 5 x 7 prints)
Better: 1656 x 1242
pixels (2.1 megapixel)
Good: 1200 x 900 pixels
(1.1 megapixel)
These and some other camera settings are selected in the menu of the CX7430.
The menu is the same in all shooting modes, but only in the Auto mode
are all options available for change. Worth noting, any change made in
the menu other than the Picture quality and image storage, returns to its
default setting when the camera has been turned off:
Exposure compensation: provides a range of ±2
EV in 0.5 EV increments.
Picture Quality: as indicated above.
White Balance: allows changing the white balance
from Auto to Daylight, Tungsten (incandescent) or Fluorescent.
ISO Speed: to set the CCD sensitivity. Auto (
between 80 and 140 ISO), 80, 100, 200, or 400 ISO.
Colour Mode: allows capturing photos in Black
and White or Sepia.
Exposure Metering: as indicated above.
Focus Zone selects the autofocus area: Multi-zone
or Centre.
Long Time Exposure: sets the exposure time 0.7,
1, 1.5, 3 or 4 seconds.
Image Storage: selects whether photos are to be
stored in the 16MB internal memory or on a memory card.
Set Album: allows creating folders into which
photos or videos will be recorded.
Setup Menu: accesses the Setup menu. (See the Interface
and Software section of the review for an overview
of the options offered in the Setup menu.)
In the Playback mode the menu retains the same layout,
but it is overlaid on top of the image currently on the monitor (shown
here on a black background for legibility):
Magnify: to magnify an image under review up to
4X.
Album: to add an image under review to a previously
created Album.
Protect: to prevent an image from being accidentally
erased.
Image Storage: to select the memory location from
which to view images (internal memory or memory card).
Slide Show: starts an automated slide show of
the images stored on the camera. The on-screen time for
the photos can be selected, and the slide show can be set
to loop or not.
Copy: serves to copy images between the internal
memory and a memory card, or vice-versa.
Multi-up: to see captured photos as thumbnails
(9 photos per screen).
Picture Info: displays a few parameters related
to the image currently on the screen (file name, album,
date, time and image quality).
Setup Menu: access for the Setup menu.
Since the Kodak CX7430 is equipped with a 16MB internal
memory, it is not retailed with a memory card.
The camera is however, equipped
with a memory slot for SD (Secure Digital) or MMC (Multi Media
Card). The slot is located on the right side of the camera
and covered by a solid door. The chart below lists the number
of photos that can be stored in the internal memory and, as
an example, the number of photos that can be stored on an inexpensive
256 MB SD card:
Quality
Best
Better (3:2)
Better
Good
Internal 16 MB
10
12
18
29
256 MB SD card
190
236
336
552
Two connections are enclosed in the same compartment. At the top is the
Audio Video jack which can be set to NTSC or PAL in the Setup menu, and
at the bottom is the USB port.
As with all Kodak EasyShare
cameras, the CX7430 also has a connector underneath so it
can be docked to the optional Kodak Camera Dock or
to the Kodak Printer Dock 6000, both of which can also be
used to recharge the Ni-MH batteries that are included with
either the dock or the printer dock.
When purchased by itself, the CX7430 is supplied with 2 AA-size alkaline
batteries.
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Characteristics
