Customer Reviews

Kodak DC260 1.6 MP Digital Camera with 3xOptical Zoom

5 star:		(6)
4 star:		(10)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

I am an architect and have been using the camera for taking construction progress photos since it first came out. I have found that the battery life is best when I use NiMH rechargable batteries. I carry an extra set at all times. Using the highest quality image setting and a 30 MB flashcard, I can get about 45 shots. I use flash quite a bit for interior shots, and this of course reduces battery life just a bit. I don't quite trust the wimpy little wrist strap, so usually I use a camera bag or my pocket (One of the reasons I bought it was the compact size, compared to other digitals in the price range). I also purchased several auxiliary lenses - a super wide angle and a couple of close-up lenses - from Kodak, and find them quite useful. For my work, being able to date stamp is essential, although I suppose all digitals probably allow date/time stamping. My major criticism is the lack of recovery time after taking a shot. The longer the batteries have been in use, the longer the wait.

I have had my DC260 for about 9 months now and I have been very pleased with the results. The pictures are every bit as good as a good point and shoot...without the film expense!

I print a lot of 4x6 prints from the camera on my HP Photosmart printer and you cannot tell them from a good 35mm print. Well actually you can....the prints from my DC260 and printer are better!

I bought Ni-MH batteries and charger and they are a MUST. I don't have problems with the batteries draining too fast with the N-MH. Another must have is a USB ScanDisk compact flash card reader. It's lighting fast and saves camera batteries since you just pop the card from the camera and then download to your PC. You need the fast download you get from the USB because you will take a LOT more pictures with a digital camera. There is one last MUST have and that's MSPicture-it2000. I have just about all the photo programs...but the only one I loaded on my new computer was Picture-it.

The only negative to the camera is that it takes a little long to process mulitple pictures...this camera is not for quick action shots!

I have been VERY happy with my digital camera and my "digital darkroom" setup.

Yes, it takes great pictures, but there are several things I'd change about it. First, don't trust the wrist strap to hold the camera. My broke in a matter of days and the camera plummeted to the ground. It's extremely flimsy for and $800 camera. Second, there is a one-second delay between the time you push the shutter button and the time the camera takes the picture. This is extremely annoying for users of traditional cameras that respond the instant you activate the shutter. It makes candid shots nearly impossible. Third, the camera is ridiculously clumsy to hold. It's not built to fit the human hand at all. The user's thumb naturally lands on the LCD screen, which is very difficult to clean after ; the camera fall over too easily when standing on its base; it's very easy to drop. Fourth, the LCD screen is hyped as a great feature: well, what Kodak fails to tell you is that using the LCD screen while the camera's running on batteries causes the batteries to overheat and freeze the camera until the batteries return to normal temperature. Yes, the camera takes great pictures, but you'll probably be disappointed by everything else wrong with it.

I have been using the DC260 for almost a year and the pictures are 100% fabulous! no complaints there... But the AA battery life is terrible (good for maybe 10 shots) and the delay in pressing the actuator to taking a picture is rather long... As with all digital cameras the USB and serial connections are slow... But if you can (and your PC has FIR), try the built in infra red connection... it will more than double image transfer speed!

This camera replaces my Sony MVC-FD88 digital camera. There is no comparison. The DC290 takes true photographic qualitiy pictures. I tried the camera in a variety of difficult lighting situations. It took perfect pictures every time! The software interface is great. It makes the camera look like another drive letter in your computer. When the camera is plugged into the computer (USB port), the drive letter appears in windows explorer. You can then simply navigate and use the standard cut and paste tools to move the files. I am extremely impressed with the qualitiy of the pictures, ease of use, and clear instruction manuals. The camera does eat the batteries. It comes with a set of disposable (so you can use the new camera while the others are charging) and rechargeable with charger. I purchased a second set of rechargeable batteries. I simply charge one set while the other is in use.

Great picture quality and color balance. Easy to use, but slow between shots. It does eat batteries when the LCD screen is on, but using it only when you need it and getting N-Mh batteries (two sets) cures this problem easily.

This camera is the best digital camera that I could find on the market when I bought it last June. The quality of pictures in the best mode is astonishing. In fact, even in the lowest mode, the quality is great. The rechargeable batteries that it comes with aren't great, but if you don't spend too long looking at the LCD display, you'll be fine.

The best thing about this is that you won't be disappointed with the picture quality. I got it to take pictures of my new baby, and they're better than the ones I've taken with my 35mm.

I've had this camera for 8 months and I'm on my THIRD one from Kodak. Each has the same problem, it eats batteries like crazy. You CANNOT use conventional alkaline batteries - not even KODAK brand PhotoLife batteries - they last less than a dozen or so shots! And it freezes up on occassion and the only way to reset it is to open the battery compartment and release the batteries then reset it by closing the battery compartment. Three cameras and all have the same problem - not good! Not exactly the best design either - clumsy to hold and awkward to use - not much thought went into the design of this particular model while other Kodak models seem better designed... not smart for the "top of the line!"

No wonder Kodak discontinued this model. Now if they will only take it back and give me one that works! (in defense of this model - it does take great shots and while the download via USB is sluggish at best, the outcome is the best I've seen in any digital.

I found the high resolution images make this camera more versatile. Not only can I can share photos with friends by e-mail, but I can crop small parts of the photos and these parts become great images in their own right. For example, from an image of a croud of people at a graduation party, I was able to print an excellent 8x10 of a couple that had just become engaged. I recommend buying and using a 32 meg flash memory with the 8 meg as a back-up. I also like that the camera can connect to my computer's USB port because my LPT1 port was already over-used. The only downside is that this camera EATS batteries (but probably no more than other digital cameras.)

I take mine scuba diving, and one of the things I love about it is using the "Instant Fix" button in Adobe PhotoDeluxe to bring up all the "hidden" colours (everything appears blue or green underwater). But the one thing I hate is the delay between pressing the button, and taking the picture. It can be very hard to stay still for that long when there's a swell! I use NiMH rechargable batteries, and they last for 2-3 dives/day if I don't use the LCD screen.