The Kodak EasyShare P850 is
the first Kodak camera to be equipped with a stabilized 12X
optical zoom.
Moreover, the other characteristics of the P850 are also
valuable. The camera offers a 5-megapixel resolution, TIFF
and RAW image formats, and is equipped with both a 2.5-inch
LCD monitor and a high definition electronic viewfinder.
Indeed, the P850 will likely strike
a chord with many consumers who recognize the value of a 5-megapixel
resolution — already a high resolution — combined
with a powerful and stabilized zoom.
The zoom, conceived by Schneider-Kreuznach,
corresponds to a 36 to 432 mm on a 35 mm camera. Its maximum
apertures are f2.8 at the wide angle end and f3.7 at the telephoto
end, making this a brighter lens than can be found on many
other current cameras.
To illustrate the magnification power available with the
P850, the image shown at right was captured with the zoom
set to the wide angle end, while the one below was captured
at the maximum telephoto setting. The red rectangle in the
image at right shows the area captured by the zoom.
Aperture: f2.8, shutter speed: 1/125sec., 50 ISO,
36 mm equiv.
With such a magnification a large
number of applications or shots become possible. And the 5-megapixel
image size is usually sufficient, especially since the telephoto
yields crisp and very detailed images.
And it is when using the longer
focal lengths of the zoom that the value of the stabilizer
comes through. With a non-stabilized 432 mm lens, a steady
hand and a shutter speed preferably around 1/500 second would
be necessary to guarantee a camera-shake-free image. Yet with
a stabilizer, the image shown at left can be captured at 1/60
second while the camera is handheld, even under the less than
ideal light of an overcast winter day, and is tack-sharp when
seen on a monitor at 100%.
At the widest angle however,
when the zoom is at its shortest focal length, images are
not as sharp as they are at all other focal lengths. At all
other focal lengths the zoom produces perfectly sharp images
from corner to corner. Moreover, barrel distortion is generally
imperceptible in wide angle shots, and remains light with
macro photos, while there is no observable pincushion distortion
at the telephoto end. Similarly, chromatic aberrations are
very well handled, and it is rare to see any even with high
contrast subjects.
The P850 benefits from a reliable
autofocus system, although it becomes a bit more hesitant
when the light is poor. Beyond this, the system offers the
option of selecting the focus point from 25 distinct positions
in the frame, a feature that can provide a level of precision
that is sometimes crucial. And even better, the focus point
can be linked to the spot metering, making it possible to
capture a well exposed image even when the subject is off-centre,
and not the best lit within the scene.
Aside from this very useful feature,
the other metering modes of the P850 are equally useful. The
default Multi-pattern metering is normally very precise, and
yields excellent results. The colour rendition, a result of
Kodak's Colour Science image processing, produces natural and
well-saturated colours.
Aperture: f2.8, shutter
speed: 1/40 sec., 64 ISO.
The P850's sensitivity range
starts at 50 ISO, a level that is effectively noise-free,
except in deep shadow areas and when the subject is poorly
lit. Interestingly, the CCD's sensitivity can be increased
in small increments — 64, 80, 100, 125, 160 ISO etc.
— which allows a gradual gain in shutter speed without
a causing a large increase in the noise content of the image.
But, when sensitivity is pushed beyond, to 200 ISO and more,
noise becomes obvious.
Likewise, while the P850 even
offers an 800 ISO level, it is limited to the camera's smallest
image size (1.2 MB or 1280 x 960 pixels), and noise makes
the image very grainy which, in combination with the small
image size, limits its usefulness.
As noted at the outset, the
P850 not only offers three levels of JPEG compression (Fine,
Standard and Basic), it also offers both TIFF and RAW formats.
The Fine JPEG image quality is excellent, and there
are no discernable compression artefacts when JPEG images
are compared to TIFF images, limiting the TIFF format's usefulness
to its greater colour information content.
The RAW format, on the other hand, saves the image without
any processing. But when it is developed in EasyShare,
a very good level of control is available to the user.
Yet another advantage of the P850
comes clear when shooting photos indoors: it is equipped with
a flash shoe. While the built-in flash performs well, it often
requires setting the sensitivity to Auto to make the most of
its lighting power. But, with the optional P20, it is possible
to light a very large room evenly and obtain excellent and bright
images.
The P850 should
be very popular and satisfy the needs of a wide range of users.
Not only does it offer excellent features and can it yield
excellent results with minimal user input, it is also able
to offer a sufficient level of control for more advanced users
and allow them to exercise their creativity.
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