Kodak Z712 IS

Reviewed July 2007

Characteristics

The Kodak Z712 IS uses a 1/2.5 inch CCD sensor that has 7.1 million effective pixels. The Z712 IS is able to record images at any one of 7 image sizes:

Images are stored in JPEG format, at any one of three compression levels:

(Please note that the compression ratio can vary enormously according to the quantity of colours and the complexity of the subject. The ratios shown here are based on an average subject.)

ISO sensitivity with the Kodak Z712 IS starts at 64 ISO, but can be manually set to 100, 200, 400, 800 or 1600 ISO, or even set to Auto ISO (64-400 ISO) when the camera is set to one of the advanced modes (P, A, S, M). With all other modes, sensitivity is under the control of the camera and adjusted as required. In addition, with the Z712 IS set to its smallest image size, 1.2 MP, an additional 3200 ISO sensitivity is available.

The lens of the Z712 IS is a Schneider-Kreuznach 12X zoom with a focal length of 5.85 to 70.2 mm, equivalent to a 36 to 432 mm on a 35 mm camera.

Apertures start at f2.8 for the wide angle end, and f4.8 for the telephoto end, extending for both through to f8. This aperture range is combined with a shutter speed range that covers from 1/1000 second to a maximum exposure time of 16 seconds; and all long exposures are subject to noise reduction.

The lens barrel is internally threaded to receive an adapter onto which 55 mm filters, or a Schneider-Kreuznach 1.4X telephoto lens, can be mounted.

The available shutter speeds vary with the mode in use, the zoom position and the sensitivity setting. However, overall, the range covers from 1/1700 second to 8 seconds, and noise reduction is automatically applied to all long exposures.

The Z712 IS also offers a menu system composed of two sections that appears superimposed on the image coming from the lens. The first section of the menu is reserved for capture or playback options, depending on the camera mode, and the second is reserved for the Setup menu and is the same whatever the camera mode (see the Interface and Software section of the review for details about the Setup options). The menus of the advanced modes (P/A/S/M) contain the greatest number of options:

• Picture Size: to select the image size (see above).
• Video Size (only when the camera is set to the Video mode):
  • 640 x 480 pixels (VGA),
  • 320 x 240 pixels (QVGA).
• Compression: serves to set the image quality (see above).
• White Balance:
  • Auto
  • Daylight
  • Tungsten or halogen
  • Fluorescent
  • Open Shade
• Exposure Bracketing: serves to set the exposure bracket (±0.3 EV, ±0.7 EV, ±1 EV).
• Exposure Metering:
  • Multi-pattern,
  • Centre-weighted, or
  • Centre Spot.

• Auto Focus Zone controls how the AF functions:
  • Multi-zone (default) evaluates three zones to obtain an even focus.
  • Centre-zone focuses on a small area at the precise centre of the frame.
  • Selectable Zone: makes it possible to move the focus point to any of 5 points clustered around the centre of the frame.

• AF Control provides 2 options:
  • Continuous AF: uses both external and internal AF sensors and adjusts the focus continuously. This mode is the default setting for the Z712 IS.
  • Single AF: uses both external and internal AF sensors and focuses when the shutter release is pressed halfway.
• Colour Mode selects the effect applied to the image prior to saving it:
  • High Colour increases saturation.
  • Natural Colour is the default setting.
  • Low Colour decreases saturation.
  • Black and White.
  • Sepia.
• Sharpness: available exclusively when the camera is set to P, A, S or M, this option provides control over the sharpness of the recorded image (High, Normal or Low)
• Date Stamp: superimposes the date, permanently, on all photos as they are captured.

Set to the Playback mode, the menu of the Z712 IS appears superimposed on the image under review:

• Select All/Deselect All: serves to select or deselect all images and videos.
• View By decides how images and videos are played back: All, Date, Album, Storage (card or internal memory).
• Album: to select an album — albums which have been created with the EasyShare software previously and copied to the camera — to which images will be saved.

• Perfect Touch Tech: automatically brightens up the image, making it possible to save it as a new image, or save it by overwriting the original.
• Crop: serves to crop an image and save it as a new image.
• Protect: allows selecting images for protection so that they cannot be accidentally deleted. Note however that formatting the memory will erase protected images.
• Slide Show serves to review images as a slide show, selecting their on-screen time (3 to 60 seconds), and whether or not the slide show loops.
• Copy to: allows copying images and videos from the internal memory to a memory card, or vice versa.
• Multi-up: to display thumbnails of the captured images (9 per screen). The same display can also be reached by pressing the zoom control twice on the side in playback.

The Kodak EasyShare Z712 IS is compatible with SD (Secure Digital) and MMC (MultiMedia) memory cards, but since it comes with a 32 MB internal memory — of which 27.7 MB are available for image storage — the camera is retailed without a memory card. The card slot is located underneath the camera, behind the lower right controls on the camera's back, and covered by a flexible plastic door.

The chart below provides storage capacities for both the internal memory and an inexpensive 1 GB SD card at all three compression levels:

The Kodak Z712 IS has three external connections. The first two are located on the upper right side of the camera, near the back. Both connections are covered by a flexible rubber cover, much like the memory card door. The cover door is tethered to the camera at the bottom, allowing it to swing out of the way.

The top connection is dual purpose, its function depending on the cable used: USB 2.0 Full Speed, or AV out. The lower connection is to plug in the optional 3V AC Adapter that allows the camera to be powered from household current.

The third connection is intended for use with the optional EasyShare Dock (Series 3), that can be used to transfer images automatically and recharge the optional Li-ion battery.

The Z712 IS is supplied with a non-rechargeable but long-lasting CRV3 Lithium battery. The battery is housed in the camera's grip. The Z712 IS can also be powered by Kodak's Li-Ion Rechargeable Digital Camera Battery (KLIC-8000), or AA-size Lithium batteries. Ni-MH or other types of AA-size batteries are not compatible.