Kodak DX3215 EasyShare 1.3MP Digital Camera w/ 2x Optical Zoom

by Kodak

Product Details

Product Manual [5.39mb PDF]

• Product Dimensions: 1.5 x 5.9 x 4.4 inches ; 9.9 ounces
• Shipping Weight: 2 pounds
• Shipping: This item is also available for shipping to select countries outside the U.S.
• ASIN: B00005OASK
• Average Customer Review: 2.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (18 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #42,543 in Camera & Photo (See Top 100 in Camera & Photo)
• Discontinued by manufacturer: Yes
• Date first available at Amazon.com: November 17, 2005

Product Description

Amazon.com Product Description

Kodak's DX3215 sets new standards for simplicity and picture quality in an entry-level digital camera. The 1.3-megapixel resolution captures plenty of detail for most needs, producing sharp prints at sizes up to 5 by 7 inches. A lower-resolution 640 x 480 (0.3 megapixel) mode is perfect for pictures you're sharing online, and lets you store four times as many images in the camera's memory.

The DX3215 is clearly designed for people who prefer a camera that's easy to use to one that's packed with manual controls--it's a true point-and-shoot. Turn it on, aim, and press the button, and the camera does the rest, selecting exposure and activating the flash when necessary. The photographer does have a few options, including a 2x optical zoom lens to aid in image composition, plus manual control of the flash (if desired).

Numerous battery options make it easy to keep the camera ready for action. For the longest life between changes, use a disposable CRV3 lithium battery (included). A more efficient solution is to use a pair of rechargeable nickel-metal hydride (NiMH) AA batteries, or the rechargeable battery pack that comes with the optional dock. If you're on vacation and you've run out of power, you can throw in any pair of ordinary AA batteries. Though this is a very handy option, it's also an expensive one, as alkalines have a relatively short lifespan in a digital camera.

Transferring images to your computer is also a snap with the included Kodak software and USB cable. Simply connect the cable between the camera and your Mac or PC, launch the software, and start moving your pictures.

For even simpler operation, pick up the optional docking station. Drop the camera into the dock, press the button, and images are transferred automatically. In addition, an included battery pack recharges automatically when the camera is in the dock.

Images are stored in the camera's 8 MB of internal RAM--enough memory for 20 high-resolution photos or 80 low-resolution snapshots. Memory capacity can be increased with the use of MMC MultiMedia memory cards, which is a smaller (and less common, though still readily available) format than either SmartMedia or CompactFlash.

To keep the price low, Kodak has omitted a few options often found on more expensive cameras. The lens is focus-free instead of autofocus, and the included memory is internal instead of removable. In addition, the 1.6-inch LCD viewscreen on the back of the camera is a touch smaller than the screens found on some competing models. For most people, these shortcomings are unlikely to have a major impact on image quality or overall enjoyment of the camera.

If you're currently using a basic point-and-shoot film camera, the DX3215 is a great way to get into digital photography. It's simple to operate, is a fraction of the price of more advanced models, and the pictures look great, both on your computer screen and at print sizes up to 5 by 7 inches.

Pros:

• Simple to use, with sharp prints at sizes up to 5 by 7 inches
• Versatile battery options
• Optional dock makes camera even easier to use

Cons:

• Focus-free lens instead of autofocus
• Internal memory less versatile than removable memory
• Optional removable memory is in a less-common format

Product Description

MD) KODAK DX-3215 DIGITAL CAMERA

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Not a great camera, December 26, 2001

By 

Victoria Lucas "wonderalice" (Lawrence, KS United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Kodak DX3215 EasyShare 1.3MP Digital Camera w/ 2x Optical Zoom (Electronics)

This was my first digital camera, and I'm sending it back. I was searching for a digital camera that would take good close up pictures. This isn't it. They get blurry and the pictures are not sharp and clean. It feels like a cheap toy. The buttons wouldn't work half the time and I would have to turn the power off and on again to make them work. The docking system was nice because it recharged the batteries, but it's not any more convienient than a plain USB connection. The one time I used the transfer button on the dock it completely restarted my computer. In every indoor picture I took, the flash made this huge, blinding white spot, no matter what mode it was in. Another thing that bothered me was that there is no lens cover. If you're looking for quality sharp, clear photos, this isn't the way to go.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Camera is without lens protection!!!, December 29, 2001

By 

Andreas Boelcke (St Joseph, MO United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Kodak DX3215 EasyShare 1.3MP Digital Camera w/ 2x Optical Zoom (Electronics)

Alltogether this camera is good.

Here the good things:

1. It makes clear pictures and it is very very very very easy to use. (After five minutes I could operate all menus etc on that camera)

2. It even has a macro function although the description at amazon.com says it doesn't. So, you can go 25 centimeters close to your object. (that's good if you want to photograph flowers, pictures and other close motives)

3. The lenses are all made of glass (which is important, never buy a camera with a plastic lens!!).

4. The battery lives long (300 pictures with one battery)

5. For only $30.- additional you can buy a 16mb card and so you can hold 60 pictures at highest resolution.

6. You can connect it to TV and watch your pictures there. It also has a slide show function, that means as you watch, the camera switches automatically from one picture to another showing all pictures that you selected.

7. You can add or turn off each of the three optional flashes (red eye, bright background, regular).

Here is the bad:

1. No autofocus. For that reason I would probably buy a different one today.

2. The highly celebrated special feature, the camera dock to recharge the batteries is NOT included.

3. Here is something for people who don't know much about computers:
A lot of computers (three years and older) DON'T have USB.
You need to double check if your computer has USB input, if it doesn't, forget buying this camera. I have a 266MHZ Pentium and I thought it must be new enough to use this camera however it doesn't have USB. Also you NEED to have Windows 98 or newer to use this camera, otherwise you can send it back....

4. Finally I want to say that nowadays cameras have so many features and are so sophisticated however THE basic thing, a simple plastic top on the lens for protection is not there anymore. Be careful not to get scratches on the lens with this camera. Even in my grand-greatfathers time this was a basic feature for all cameras, today it is considered as something special, isn't that sad?

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars A simple digital camera, simply annoying, April 25, 2003

By A Customer

This review is from: Kodak DX3215 EasyShare 1.3MP Digital Camera w/ 2x Optical Zoom (Electronics)

This camera was not what my wife and I expected when we bought it. After looking at several different "entry-level" digital cameras, we decided this one had the most bang for the buck, and it came with a free memory card and a rebate.

This camera is a sore disappointment from Kodak, and the overall performance was poor.

* Battery life is terrible, even with lithium photo batteries, and especially if you use the LCD screen instead of the viewfinder. Always have a few changes of batteries handy for this power hog. We ended up buying rechargable batteries and a charger because of it.

* The flash is terrible. Forget about taking any pictures in low light levels. This camera is suited to bright sunny days. We did get a few good shots from this camera at the beach.

* We had several problems with the camera recognizing the memory card. It would often display an error message saying that the (usually partially full) memory card was not formatted correctly and needed to be re-formatted. After trying unsuccesfully to reformat the card several times, we ejected and re-inserted the card and batteries and the camera a few time and the camera recognized the card (existing pictures intact). This happens a LOT and is very annoying!

* You have to hold down the power button for a long time to turn the camera on, and it takes forever for camera to boot up. The auto power off is pretty quick.

* No timer function.

* Transferring more than a few photos at once via the included USB cable, either with the included software or directly from the folder on the camera to the computer, caused the camera/transfer to lock-up. If it locks up mid-photo the picture file is lost and unrecoverable on either the camera or hard-drive. This occurs when using a memory card or the camera's internal memory. I have been told by other people that they don't have problems transferring with the optioning docking station, however.

* The Kodak picture transfer software is fairly basic and does not give you much control over how or where on hard-drive your pictures are transferred. It also automatically opens a poor quality image editor once it completes transferring photos. The menu bar "X" for closing the program is not availabe, and the program has closing splash screen that stays up for several seconds after telling the program to close. If I want the program closed then close it, don't show me a useless splash screen!

If you are considering buying this camera, don't! Save your money for a better quality camera that actually works.