With the DX6490 a 4 million
pixel, 1/2.5 inch, CCD yields a maximum image size of 2304
x 1728 pixels. CCD sensitivity starts at 80 ISO, but can be
pushed to 100, 200, 400 or even 800 ISO albeit at an image
size of 1200 x 900 pixel only. An Auto ISO setting is also
available, which allows the DX6490 to select either 100 or
200 ISO.
The 10X Schneider-Kreuznach Variogon zoom lens, composed of 11 elements,
3 of which have aspherical surfaces to minimize distortion, are organized
in 7 groups, producing the 35mm
equivalent of a 38 to 380mm focal length from its actual range
of 6.3 to 63mm.
Apertures start at f2.8 at the
wide angle setting and f3.7 at the maximum telephoto, both
closing down to f8; while the shutter speeds cover a range
of 1/1000 sec. down to 16 seconds.
As with other EasyShare cameras, the DX-6490 only provides very limited
compressed image formats, and no separate settings for image size and image
quality are available. 4 options are available:
Best
2304 x 1728 pixels (4 megapixel)
Best 3:2
2304 x 1536 pixels (3.5
megapixel for 4 x 6 in. prints)
Better
1656 x 1242 pixels (2.1 megapixel)
Good
1200 x 900 pixels (1.1 megapixel)
At the Best image setting, a 4 megapixel image which would have
a file size of 11.5 MB were it uncompressed, will have a file size once
compressed from 500 to 800 KB, compression ratios that varies between 1:12 and 1:19 and
can even go up to 1:25 depending on the complexity and brightness
of the subject. Interestingly, given the same subject, the compression
ratio decreases as the image size decreases.
The connection is a standard PC-type flash jack and accepts all standard
external flash cables, up to a maximum 500 volts. Used with a manual flash,
the results are quite good, and the pop-up flash can be used in combination
with the external flash.
All the other photographic controls
for the DX6490 are offered in the menu, and the P/A/S/M modes
provides the greatest degree of control over the camera.
Image Storage: allows choosing between Internal memory
(16MB) or Auto. When set to Auto, the camera will either store
images in the internal memory, or if a memory card is present,
store image on the card until it is full, then switch to the
internal memory.
Picture Quality: selects the image size/quality as
outlined above.
White Balance: offers the basic modes, Auto,
Daylight, Tungsten (incandescent), or Fluorescent. No user
setting which would allow the white balance to be set for specific
conditions — flash for instance — is available.
ISO Speed: sets the CCD sensitivity, and is only
available in the P/A/S/M modes. The options offered are
Auto, 80, 100, 200 or 400 ISO, and 800 ISO at the Good image
quality only. Note that if 800 ISO is selected the camera
automatically switches to the Good image
size/quality, but does not automatically return to the
previous setting when the ISO is reset to another value.
Colour Mode: Saturated colour (the default setting
in the Auto shooting mode), Neutral Colour, Black and White,
or Sepia.
Exposure Metering: provides control over the exposure
metering. The default is Multi-pattern,
an averaging system, or Centre-weighted,
or Spot.
Focus Zone: selects the focus mode. Wide,
lets the DX6490 select from 3 horizontal focus points in
the middle of the frame; Centre forces the focus
to the centre of the frame.
Sharpness: provides settings for Sharp, Standard (default),
and Soft.
Reset to Defaults: returns all P/A/S/M settings
to the factory defaults.
Set Album (Still): to select an Album name
into which photos will be stored. Album names must be imported
previously into the camera' s internal memory using Kodak's
EasyShare software while the camera is connected to a computer.
Date Stamp: marks the image permanently with
the date.
Orientation Sensor: On or Off. When On the camera
automatically detects vertical shots and presents them
that way on playback.
Setup Menu: accesses the DX6490's Setup
menu. (See the Interface and Software section
of the review for an overview of the options contained
in the Setup menu).
In the Auto or Scene modes, the menu presented
is a bit shorter than is available with the P/A/S/M modes. White
balance, ISO setting, Metering and Focus options
are omitted. In the Movie mode, the menu consists of 5
choices: Image Storage, Continuous AF (On
or Off), Video Length(unlimited, 5, 15 or 30
seconds), Set Album (video), and the access to the Setup
Menu.
The Play-back menu overlays its options on the image currently
under review:
Magnify: starts the image magnification mode which provides
a 2X magnification of an image currently displayed on the screen, then
4X when the joystick is pressed in. The joystick can be used to move
the image around.
Share: presents the Share sub-menu (see the Ergonomics section),
Cancel Prints, Print All, Print, E-mail and Favorites.
Album: makes it possible to attach album names
to stills or videos.
Protect: turns On or Off the image protection
for the photo on the screen.
Image Storage: offers Auto or Internal, as it
does with the Recording menu.
Slide Show: presents a slide show of
the images in the camera or a memory card. The interval
between each image is adjustable from 5 to 60 seconds.
Copy: to copy 1 or all images to the
internal memory.
Video Date Display: to decide if the date is shown
on a video clip and if so in what format.
Multi-up: displays 9 thumbnails per screen of
the images on the camera.
Picture Info: overlays some of the info about
the image currently on the screen (file name, directory,
Date, Time and image quality).
Setup Menu: accesses the Setup menu. (See the Interface
and Software section of the review).
In Playback the DX6490 is
capable of showing all the basic shooting data for still
images. The information shown include:
Date taken
Time taken
Quality
Flash on/off
Aperture
Shutter speed
Exp. comp.
ISO speed
White balance
The Kodak DX6490 is equipped with
16MB of internal memory, and is generally sold without a memory
card. A memory card slot is available though, for SD (Secure
Digital) or MM (MultiMedia) cards, located on the right side
of the camera, and protected by a hard spring-loaded plastic
door.
With its internal memory, the
DX6490 is able to store:
Quality
Best
Better (3:2)
Better
Good
16 MB Internal
10
12
18
29
But with a 256MB SD card, the DX6490 can store:
Quality
Best
Better (3:2)
Better
Good
256 MB SD Card
190
236
336
552
The three external connections of the DX6490
are located below the external flash jack, and are also covered
by a flexible door. At the top is the USB (1.1) port, and
directly below is the A/V (Audio Video) jack.
A DC-in jack is also provided, which allows the AC adapter included with
the Camera Dock 6000 to power the DX6490. Worth noting, the battery cannot
be recharged while in the camera this way.
The DX6490 is powered by a rechargeable
Lithium battery. The camera is sold in two configurations,
one that provides the battery and a charger, the other
that includes the Camera Dock 6000, and the AC adapter.
The Camera Dock 6000 allows recharging
the camera while it is in the dock, and transferring images
at the touch of a button through USB.
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