Customer Reviews

Kodak EasyShare DX4330 3MP Digital Camera and Docking Station

5 star:		(22)
4 star:		(5)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(3)

 

 

Digital photography is my realm. I'm avidly using Photoshop and my photo scanner and printer to make surrealistic artwork and make digital prints. However, I, the digital photo enthusiast, was missing a critical tool: the digital camera itself.

After doing some research on digital cameras and decided that I didn't want to spend a lot of money on a camera, I settled on the Kodak DX4330. I went to Best Buy with my friend and picked up the camera for about $$$ and also got a 128MB SecureDigital card.

Ease of Use
After getting the camera at Best Buy, my friend and I both got into my car and went to the mall. Without a peek at the manual, we figured out how to work the camera during the car ride there-- no joke. The camera is very intuitive and simple to use. You choose the shooting mode with the master dial on top of the camera, and press the shutter. It can't get any simpler than that.

For those who can't quite get started that quickly, the camera includes a quick-start guide separate from the manual that outlines everything you need to do to get set up right away.

Features
The camera features a 1.8 inch LCD screen, a screen larger than most digital cameras out there. The screen is very bright and easy to see in bright daylight. It also has capability of recording video with audio. There is a 3X optical zoom and a 3.3X digital zoom. All these features at a price of $3$$ made the camera quite appealing to me.

Design and Durability
The camera feels pretty solid and easy to hold. The hand grip comfortably contours into your hand, making it that much more easy to use-- all buttons are within reach. It is also moderately light for a camera its size. However, it is also slightly on the bulky side due to its odd shape. It is barely a camera that will fit in your pocket.

Image and Print Quality
Overall, the image quality of the camera reproduces colors vividly. Reds are extremely red and skin tones are very accurate. You'll only run into problems in low light situations, where everything seems to take on a muddy appearance to it.

The print quality of the DX4330 is something to be desired, however. Since the camera uses JPEG compression, when you zoom look closely at an image, you can see artifacts of roughness, one of the cons of JPEG compression. This makes enlarging an image to a large size quite undesirable.

With that said, with my photo printer, printing an image at 4x6 yielded great results-- fantastic color and accurate skin tones without any signs of flaws. However, printing at 8x10 showed some slight signs of the JPEG roughness described above.

Battery Life
The battery life is somewhat substandard as well. I shot about 70 images in broad daylight before needing to switch out the battery. Mind you, I rarely use the LCD screen when composing the picture, so your average Joe with his first digital camera with the LCD screen on all the time, will experience even lower battery life.

However, the camera accepts lithium and rechargeable AA batteries as well as the proprietary battery size Kodak supplies, so it is quite easy to run to a store and replace the batteries when needed. I keep a spare pack of lithium AA batteries in my car-- just in case the batteries die on me at a bad moment. (Kodak does not recommend the use of traditional alkaline AA batteries.)

Something that I would have liked is if the camera had some type of indicator showing how much battery power is left. That way, I could accurately predict when the camera would die.

Bottom Line
This is a great camera for someone starting out in the realm of digital photography and is looking for something basic and easy-to-use. However, if you're a more seasoned digital enthusiast, it's a better idea to hunt around for a better camera. Even with 3 megapixels, the JPEG compression will ruin your ability to make fantastic enlargements.

The only downsides were:
- Average battery life

- Decent quality for a 3 megapixel camera

You can't beat the price though-- I've seen the camera out there for $$$ to $$$.

If you've gone to all the stores, searched the web, read the rating and you're still confused. Stop! This is the camera for you.

I had no idea what I was getting into when I first decided to research digital camera's. There's so many choices, that after a while, I just wanted to throw in the towel. Then came along the Kodak EasyShare DX4330 Zoom Digital Camera with the optional Camera Dock II. This camera is terrific. I had no experience with a digital camera, but this system makes me feel like a pro. After the sales person showed me every in and out of the camera, I knew it was the one for me. I never felt apprehensive or buyers remorse about buying it either. The features are cut and dry and the user's guide is written in layperson's terms. It doesn't hurt that it's part of the Kodak EasyShare Series, which has been rated as a Consumer Reports Besy Buy. My only suggestion is that you purchase an additional rechargeable battery pack (approx. $...). All digital camera's eat battery power and having an extra pack handy is a good safe guard against unexpected problems. I also purchased the Camera Dock II. It not only works as the downloading tool, but as a recharging dock for recharging the batteries. With one push of a button, your pictures are downloaded to the EasyShare software package and you can start sharing your pictures with family and friends immediately. It doesn't take up much space and if you wanted to take it with you on vacation, just pack it in your suitcase and plug it in at the hotel for easy recharging. I'm very happy that I choose this camera. Every picture that I've taken have been wonderful, even the night time shots. I was worried that the camera wouldn't pick up dark shots, but it has gone above and beyone my expectations. If you're going to invest in something worth while, go for it! I have no regrets about the price or performance.

I bought this camera while expecting our first child...literally within weeks of delivery. We borrowed a friend's Olympus digital camera "just in case" the baby came before the camera arrived; after familiarizing myself with their camera, I hated it! Between borrowing our friend's camera and checking out others in stores, I found many other digital cameras to feel cheap, plasticy and as if they would just snap into pieces. Our Kodak Easyshare DID arrive in time for our baby and we have been thrilled with the camera. I'm a serious Nikon N60 user who "looked down" on digital cameras and I'm thoroughly impressed with the Easyshare. The pictures are very good, the software that accompanies allows you to edit and do whatever you'd like with the pictures. We literally jumped into using the camera without much getting to know it...the body and settings were similar to my Nikon 35mm which was comforting. I initially found the Easyshare recommended by Consumer Reports as a "best buy" and totally agree. Also, for any of you who feel the higher the megapixels, the better...read the Sept. 2002 Consumer Reports mag issue with article on digital cameras. It says (and I now agree) that a 3 megapixal digital is as high as you need unless you plan to blow up your pictures to poster size. The report that over 3 megapixels tempt people but that a good 3 mp is actually better than the higher mps for most because the higher mps don't produce as good quality pics in smaller sizes. Don't hesitate with this one...it's excellent.

I have this camera for about a month and can't say enough about its ease of use even for someone who is a novice with digital cameras. The docking station, which is extra money, is worth it because it not only keeps your battery charged but with the press of one button the pictures are automatically transferred into the Kodak software via USB. The camera is a perfect size and is quit rugged except for its lens cap. I have taken about 300 pictures with it in day and night settings and they came out great. Kodak software is adequate but certainly not anything to write home to mother about. I am using Adobe Photoshop which has many more editing features and the pictures come out great. Also, the camera comes with an Internal Memory card which is only good for about 10 pictures, so purchase at least an additional 64mb Memory Card which will give you about 50 pictures.
My advice, if your looking for a great 3mp camera for a good price, this is the one.

I've had this camera a week or so and love it. It is truly easy to use -- I (almost) didn't have to read the instructions for either the camera or the docking station, and there's a "quick start" set of instructions that answers all the basics. The camera is great; I already have some super pics. The software is really easy to use, too, and it has excellent editing features.

I would buy this one again in a minute.

I shopped all around before choosing to get this camera. I wanted something easy to use, that took good pictures, didn't come with complicated instructions to download, and that had features I'd need, and I am very pleased with my choice. The docking station sits on my desk and when I'm finished, I just set my camera down, push a button and away it goes. Couldn't be easier! I would totally recommend this camera to anyone who is a non-techy like me, but wants good quality pictures without a lot of aggravation.

Great featureslike matrix metering,easy instruction manual,software program, various modes including video with sound, and good quality pics. Easy to use and operate right out of the box. Upgrade to Kodak easy share 2.1 when you can. Buy an extra memory card.
You will enjoy this camera!
Shipping was a bit slow.

When I looked into digital cameras, I could see from all of the advertising that Kodak really wanted me to believe that theirs are the easiest to work with. I have to admit that I had my doubts, but with the dock you seriously just hit the button and your pictures zoom onto your computer.

What really impresses me is the picture quality. I have a 17 inch monitor, and when I preview my pictures on a screen that size they are still GORGEOUS. This camera takes better pictures than my Nikon point and shoot. Well worth the money.

I bought this camera pretty much not knowing anything about digital photography. Within ten minutes of opening the box I felt like a pro! This camera takes incredible pictures, and it's really easy to use. I highly recommend it!

Terrific to use--easy to set-up, intuitive, and great design. The docking station is wonderful--immediately begins charging the batteries and is so easy for file transfers. Great quality images as well.