Kodak's LS743 is equipped with
a 1/2.5 inch, 4 million pixel CCD that produces a maximum image
size of 2304 x 1728 pixel.
CCD sensitivity starts at 80 ISO, but can be increased to 100, 200, 400
and even 800 ISO when the camera is set to its lowest resolution of 1200
x 900 pixel. In addition, the LS743 also has an Auto ISO setting that covers
a range of 80 to 160 ISO, automatically increasing as the lighting conditions
warrant it so as to maintain a reasonably high shutter speed and avoid
camera shake.
A Schneider-Kreuznach Variogon
2.8X zoom lens with a focal length that has a 35mm equivalent
to a 36 to 100mm lens is used on the LS743. Apertures begin
at f3.0 at
the wide angle end of the zoom, and f4.9 at the maximum telephoto
setting and end at f8, but are entirely controlled by the camera
This aperture range
is combined with shutter
speeds that run from 1/1400 sec. to 1/2 second generally, but up to
16 seconds when the LT (Long Time Exposure) mode is engaged.
By default, the LS743 uses a wide
area Auto Focus that finds the focus point at any one of 3
horizontal points located near the middle of the frame, and
which are within the bracket area shown on its LCD monitor.
And, should it be necessary, a menu option can be used to force
the focus to the centre of the frame (see further).
Similarly, the default metering system of the camera is a multi-pattern
system (averaging),
but it can also be switched to either a centre-weighted pattern
or a spot meter
in the menu.
The LS743 captures images at any one of 4 resolutions (image
sizes), and the JPEG compression applied is linked to the selected
image size:
Best:
2304 x 1728 pixel (4 megapixel).
Best
3:2: 2304 x 1536 pixel (3.5 megapixel), designed to avoid
cropping when printing on 4 x 6 in. (10 x 15 cm) paper.
Better:
1656 x 1242 pixel (2.1 megapixel).
Good:
1200 x 900 pixel (1.1 megapixel).
As we saw in the Ergonomics section of the review,
the LS743 does not have many external controls, and most settings
are made within its menu:
Self-timer: starts the 10 second delay.
Exposure Compensation: to set compensation over a
range of ±2 EV in 1/2 EV increments.
Burst: takes up to 6 photos at approximately 3 frames
per second.
Picture Quality (or Video Quality in the
Video mode): sets both image and compression (see above).
White Balance: Auto, Daylight, Tungsten, Fluorescent.
ISO Speed sets the CCD sensitivity Auto, 80,
100, 200, 400 or 800* ISO. This option is not available
with the Scene or Video modes.
(* only at 1200 x 900 [Good])
Colour Mode: Colour, Black and White, Sepia.
Exposure Metering: selects the metering mode (see
above).
Focus Zone: selects the metering pattern (see
above).
Long Time Exposure: starts the long exposure mode
which allows selecting the exposure time (1, 2, 4, 8 or
16 seconds).
Image Storage: to select either the 16MB internal
memory as the storage location or a memory card.
Set Album: to define an album before capturing
photos or videos so they can be tagged with the album name.
Setup Menu: accesses the setup menu of the LS743.
In Playback the menu has a similar appearance:
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: accesses the Setup menu.
The LS 743 has another menu which is called up with the Share button
and which serves to select images that will be transferred
automatically:
Cancel Prints: Cancels all DPOF tags that were
previously set.
Print All: tags all images for printing.
Print: select the image currently under review
for printing.
E-Mail: creates a 640 x 480 pixel copy of the
image under review so it can be e-mailed once the camera
is connected to a computer running Kodak's EasyShare program.
Favourite: selects the image as a favourite so
as to make organization and sharing easier.
The LS743 has a 16MB internal
memory and is retailed without a memory card. It is however,
compatible with SD (Secure Digital) and MMC (MultiMedia) memory
cards. A slot, covered buy a hard plastic spring-loaded door,
is provided on the right side of the camera in the same compartment
as the rechargeable battery:
Quality
Best
Better (3:2)
Better
Good
Internal 16MB
10
12
18
29
256 MB SD
Card
190
236
336
552
As mentioned above, the LS743 is powered
by a rechargeable Lithium Ion battery which is held in its
compartment by a latch so it will not slide out when a memory
card is inserted or removed.
The camera is retailed with
a charger that features an interesting design: the prongs
that allow it to plug in are removable, and can be changed
for prongs that match the electrical outlets of another country.
A stack of three external connections are positioned on the left side
of the camera. They are covered by a pivoting flexible plastic door shaped
to act as plugs for each of the jacks. At the top is the USB 2.0 port;
below is the A/V out jack; and at the bottom is a plug for an optional
AC-DC adapter.
The last external connection of
the LS743 is underneath the camera. There, a special connector
allows the camera to be used with Kodak's optional EasyShare
Camera dock system simply by placing the camera on top of the
dock, using a specially designed plastic adapter that is included
in the camera kit.
Compare Prices for Kodak LS743 Digital Camera Battery (DRF60RES)
Characteristics
Best:
2304 x 1728 pixel (4 megapixel).
Better:
1656 x 1242 pixel (2.1 megapixel).
Good:
1200 x 900 pixel (1.1 megapixel).
