Kodak Z740

Reviewed May 2005

Characteristics

The Kodak Z740 captures images with a 1/2.5 inch CCD sensor composed of 5.36 million pixels of which 5 million are effective, and producing a maximum image size of 2579 x 1932 pixels. The CCD's sensitivity can be set to Auto when the camera is used in with the P, A, S and M modes, allowing the camera to adjust it over a range of 80 to 160 ISO. Alternatively, it can be set to 80, 100, 200, 400 and — only when the image size has been set to 1.8MP (see further) — 800 ISO.

The lens of the Z740 has similar characteristics to the Schneider-Kreuznach zoom that is used with the DX7590, but is Kodak-made.

This lens, a Kodak Retinar, has a focal length equivalent to a 38 to 380 mm in the 35 mm film format. Its aperture range starts at f2.8 for the wide angle end, and f3.7 for the telephoto end, extending for both to f8. The lens barrel is threaded to receive an adapter onto which 55mm filters or conversion lenses 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 Z740 is able to record images in any one of five image sizes, all of which are saved in JPEG format at a compression level that is tied to the selected image size:

• 5.0 MP: 2576 x 1932 pixels, with a compression ratio approximately 10:1.
• 4.4 MP (3:2): 2576 x 1716 pixels, with a compression ratio of approximately 9:1.
• 4.0 MP: 2304 x 1728 pixels, with a compression ratio of approximately 10:1.
• 3.1 MP: 2048 x 1536 pixels, with a compression ratio of approximately 9:1.
• 1.8 MP: 1152 x 1164 pixels, with a compression ratio of approximately 7:1.

A major modification introduced with this camera is a TTL (Through The Lens) phase detection AF, in addition to an external AF sensor. Moreover, with the Z740, the auto focus is assisted by a powerful green lamp when the ambient light is low, and the monitor or EVF's image brightness increases to allow seeing the subject.

Other important settings for the Z740 are available in the menu. And, as is often the case, the greatest number of settings is reserved for the more advanced shooting modes (P/A/S/M):

• 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).

• White Balance:
  • Auto,
  • Daylight,
  • Tungsten or halogen,
  • Fluorescent,
  • Open Shade.
• Exposure Metering:
  • Multi-pattern,
  • Centre-weighted, or
  • Centre Spot.
• 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.

• 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 Z740.
  • 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 options provides control over the sharpness of the recorded image (High, Normal or Low)
• Reset to Default: returns all the options available with the P, A, S and M modes to their original setting.
• Set Album: On or Off. This option serves to assign an album name before capturing images or videos so that they will be tagged with that specific name.
• Image Storage: Auto or Internal memory. Selects whether images and videos are stored on a memory card or in the internal memory.

• Setup Menu: accesses the Setup menu. More information on the Setup menu is available in the Interface and Software section of the review.

When in Playback the content of the menu changes to options that relate to the organization and display of images:

• 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.
• Slide Show: allows displaying images sequentially with a selectable on screen time that can be from 3 seconds to 60 seconds in 1 second increments. In addition the show can be set to loop or not.
• Multi-up: to display thumbnails of the captured images (9 per screen). The same display can also be reached by pressing the joystick towards the bottom in playback.

• Copy: allows copying images and videos from the internal memory to a memory card, or vice versa.
• Protect: allows selecting images for protection so that they cannot be accidentally deleted. Note however that formatting the memory will erase protected images.
• Image Storage: to select the source from which to playback images, either the internal memory or a memory card.
• Setup Menu: provides access to the Setup menu (see the Interface and Software section of the review for a listing of the Setup menu's options).

The SHARE button, placed at the top right of the LCD monitor only functions in Playback mode, and pressing it while the camera is set to a capture mode immediately starts the playback mode superimposing the Share options over the last captured image:

• Print: serves to select photos for printing as well as how many prints will be made of each. The Z740 is compatible with PictBridge and can be connected directly to a similarly compatible printer via USB, making it possible to print images without using a computer.

• E-Mail: serves to select images that will be e-mailed to one or more of the 32 e-mail addresses that can be stored directly in the camera. (Addresses are loaded into the camera using the software provided).
• Favorite: allows tagging an image as a "favorite," which stores it in a separate folder making it easy to transfer to a similarly named folder when the camera is connected to a computer running Kodak's EasyShare software.
• Print all: to select all images at once for printing.

• Cancel Prints: to cancel all print orders at once.

The Kodak Z740 is equipped with a 32 MB internal memory and is retailed — at least in North America — without a memory card. It is however compatible with both SD (Secure Digital) and MMC (Multimedia) memory cards.

The chart below provides storage capacities for both the internal memory and an inexpensive 256MB SD card:

The USB connection for the Kodak Z740 is located near the memory card slot, and covered by the same door. The port is USB-compatible (2.0 High-speed) and the cable to connect the camera to a computer, or to a PictBridge compatible printer is included.

Another jack is on the right side of the camera, allowing it to be powered from household current through an optional AC adapter.

Finally, a third external connection, different from the connection used on previous EasyShare cameras, is located underneath the camera and intended for use with the new EasyShare Printer Dock Series 3.

The Z740 can be purchased as a kit which includes the EasyShare Printer Dock Series 3, and a transparent plastic adapter shaped like the Z740 that clips on the dock so the camera can be seated on the dock.

The new connector is designed to provide the printer/dock with greater compatibility, including compatibility with non-Kodak cameras, so that they can take advantage of the printer.

The printer part of the dock is a 300 dpi dye-sublimation system that yields 4x6 inch (10 x 15cm) borderless prints in approximately 1.5 minutes. As with all current dye sublimation systems, the print is produced in four steps, each applying a specific dye (cyan, yellow and magenta), finishing it off with a protective layer on the fourth pass. Prints can be made with 1, 2, 4, or 9 images per 4x6 sheet; and the printer can be connected to a computer via USB.

The North American version of the Kodak Z740 kit includes a rechargeable Ni-MH battery (KAA2HR) which is housed in the compartment in the grip area, and the battery is recharged when the camera is placed on the dock. In addition, the Z740 can be powered by 2 AA-size non-rechargeable alkaline batteries, or a non-rechargeable Lithium CRV3 battery, or standard third-party Ni-MH batteries.