Digital Camera Help? Kodak EasyShare Z1285 good camera?

Question

Ive been wanting a digital camera for a while now...so I started to search for one and stumbled upon the Kodak EasyShare Z1285

It looks good and looks like it has good specs even though I dont know much about digital cameras...I know its a good price for the performance.

http://www.walmart.com/catalog/product.do?product_id=8828147

This would be my first digital camera, besides cellphone pictures. I always like taking pictures with other people digital cameras, and I want one alot. My mom doesnt want to spend alot of money but, the thing that stood out to me is 12.1 mp + 5x optical zoom and 5 digital zoom...for 179!!!! I dont think you can beat that for the price...

I need some feedback from an experienced person with camera knowledge!

Answer 1

From what I read from ePhotozine review, Kodak EasyShare Z1285 is nice camera for that cost but I would recommend you to look more closely of what Canon has to offer. If you are concerned about resolution, that certainly isn't the most important issue about digital camera. It's more important to get camera with good and sharp lens so that picture will be sharp.

You can compare different cameras with tool made by dpreview that allows you to choose several cameras and put them side to side: http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/sidebysi...

I haven't used any of Kodak digital cameras (at least not during last 7 years) but whatever the brand is, you should choose what is good for your style of use. Also, it could be useful to go to test different camera models to local camera shop to find out how cameras feel in your hand. While they may have much more limited selection of cameras, it could help you to find what you are looking for.

Another thing to consider when buying camera is it's User Interface. Different cameras work in somewhat different ways and testing it at store is good way to find if you like to use it or not (you are using camera as tool to capture your life so that tool should to good to use).

Whatever you choose, all good to learning of photography. The most important thing is inside your head, not in the camera. Camera is just a tool to capture what you see and while it has limitations, it's the amount of thought you put to taking photos that matter most. Learn to find what kind of photos you like and after that try to emulate different photography styles to find out if you can do them also. All good things to your learning and may you have nice photos. :)