Kodak EasyShare LS420 2MP Digital Camera with Dock

by Kodak

Product Details

Product Manual [2.85mb PDF]

• Product Dimensions: 1.1 x 4.3 x 1.8 inches ; 5.6 ounces
• Shipping Weight: 2 pounds
• Shipping: This item is also available for shipping to select countries outside the U.S.
• ASIN: B000066CDG
• Batteries: 4 AA batteries required. (included)
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #29,451 in Camera & Photo (See Top 100 in Camera & Photo)
• Discontinued by manufacturer: Yes
• Date first available at Amazon.com: May 1, 2002

Product Description

Amazon.com Product Description

Kodak's LS420 represents something new in the world of digital cameras--it's the first quality ultracompact aimed directly at the point-and-shoot crowd. Its size and shape are appealing, and the simplicity of its controls makes it a great choice for those who like to take pictures but don't want to deal with the more technical aspects of digital photography.

Optics and Resolution
The LS420 features a 2-megapixel sensor that captures enough detail for crisp 8-by-10-inch prints. For the typical family photographer, 2 megapixels is a great balance between price and performance. If you want a camera with even more resolution, you'll need to step up to 3 or 4 megapixels--Kodak's 3-megapixel DX3900 and 4-megapixel DX4900 are designed to be as easy to use as the LS420, though they aren't as sleek or compact.

The Kodak all-glass aspheric focus-free lens has a focal length equivalent to 38mm in film cameras and an aperture of f3.9. To get closer to the action, there's a 3x digital telephoto zoom, but remember that digital zoom tends to reduce the sharpness and detail of your image, so it's best used sparingly.

To compose your images, either use the traditional camera viewfinder or the 1.6-inch LCD display (which is also used to review the shots you've taken). Having both types of viewfinders offers the best of both worlds: if you're used to using a film camera or want to conserve battery life, use the viewfinder. If you want to see exactly the picture you'll be capturing, use the LCD display.

Operation and Design
At a mere 4.3 by 1.8 by 1.1 inches, the camera feels similar in dimensions to a cell phone or remote control--it's long and slim, and it slips easily into a purse or pocket. Despite its light weight, the camera still feels solid and reasonably rugged in the hands. A sliding power switch on top of the unit simultaneously retracts the integrated lens cover and turns the camera on. After a few moments of "warming up," the camera is ready for use. Most functions are menu-driven and are selected by a joystick-style controller on the back of the camera.

Features
The LS420 is clearly designed for point-and-shooters. Adjustments are limited to setting features like resolution, flash mode, and the self-timer.

Power
Power is provided by the same slim rechargeable lithium-ion battery pack that has been showing up in more and more ultracompact consumer electronics, including the Minolta DiMAGE X, Pentax Optio 330 and 430, Panasonic's SV-AV10 mini camcorder, and the Sharp Zaurus handheld. It's a great little battery, holding the same amount of power as substantially larger packs found in some other digital cameras. Battery life varies greatly, depending mostly upon how much time you leave the LCD display on between shots and how much you use the flash. Even with the LCD on and frequent flash pictures, a typical user should be able to take 50 photos without any problems.

Because the battery charges automatically whenever the camera is docked, the typical owner will never have to think about it after it's inserted in the LS420 the first time. Just leave the camera in the dock, and you'll always have a full charge when you're ready to shoot. The dock also provides power when you're transferring pictures to your computer.

If you're going on an extended vacation or take more than 50 pictures at a time, you'll want to pick up a spare battery and, for more convenient charging, a separate battery charger.

Movie Mode
In movie mode, the camera captures video clips with sound. Most cameras can only shoot for a limited amount of time (often 30 seconds) before filling the buffer, but the LS420 lets you keep shooting as long as you have memory available. Movies are shot at 320 x 240 pixels (approximately VHS quality) with a frame rate of around 19 frames per second. Camcorders offer both higher resolution and faster frame rates, but this feature is perfect for when you just want to capture a quick movie and e-mail it to a friend or relative.

Storage and Transfer
The camera stores images in its 8 MB of internal memory. Memory capacity of 8 MB is enough for 12 high-resolution pictures, 49 low-resolution pictures, around 35 seconds of high-quality video, or some combination of each. Since most people will use the included dock to transfer photos to the computer, internal memory works as well as a removable card. If you plan to use a dedicated card reader (for example, a USB reader to let you put pictures on your laptop while on the go), or plan to take more photos than the internal memory can hold, an expansion slot lets you add an MMC or SD memory card. A 64 MB card holds around 100 high-quality images, four minutes of highest-quality video, or a combination of the two.

Size
The LS420 is just 4.3 by 1.8 by 1.1 inches and 5.6 ounces, making it one of the smallest and lightest digital cameras on the market.

Contents and Recommended Accessories
The package includes the camera with 8 MB internal memory, EasyShare docking station, AC adapter/charger (for use with dock), battery, carrying case, cables, neck strap, and software on CD.

Everything you need to get started is included in the box, but we recommend a higher-capacity card to make the most of your camera. If you're planning to be away from the dock for extended periods, a spare battery is also a good choice. Compatible accessories for this camera are listed near the top of this page. --Shane Burnett

Pros:

• Tiny, lightweight, and easy to use
• Focus-free lens means fast startups and quick operation between shots
• Docking station makes image transfers and battery charging a snap
• Movie mode is better than on many cameras--includes sound and unlimited recording time

Cons:

• Lack of manual features could frustrate advanced photographers
• Internal memory is more limiting than removable cards, though the camera does include a slot for removable MMC or SD cards.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

33 of 33 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A very good buy, May 20, 2002

By A Customer

This review is from: Kodak EasyShare LS420 2MP Digital Camera with Dock (Electronics)

This is a great camera. Easy to use, stylish, sleek, and on the low end of the price range for a 2 megapixel camera. The best thing about it is its tiny size and sleek shape. It easily fits in a jacket pocket, making it a great accessory for impromptu or casual situations. Another cool thing about it is the ability to shoot Quicktime movies, limited only by available memory space. I recommend purchasing external memory card with at least 32 MB of memory -- 64 MB if you want to make extensive use of movie feature. The only possible drawback is that there is no optical zoom, just a digital zoom of 3x. (Unlike optical zooms, digital zoom reduces image quality, by the amount you zoom. Zooming 3x gives you 1/3 of the original picture quality.) This isn't a problem for most people. Typical optical zooms on digital still cameras rarely exceed 5x, which isn't much anyway. As with any still camera, you can just move your body backwards or forwards for the best shot.

37 of 38 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Think of the limitations., June 29, 2002

By 

Rheumor (New Orelans) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: Kodak EasyShare LS420 2MP Digital Camera with Dock (Electronics)

This camera has considerable appeal for several reasons. It is compact, simple to use (both for taking pictures and for loading them onto your PC), appears well made and has the familiar Kodak name on it. However....it has some real limitations that you must be comfortable with before you buy it. Primarily, it is a *fixed focus* lens (not autofocus) with no optical (meaning real) zoom feature. It is then the modern day equivalent of the old Brownie Box Camera. Now granted, a lot of great pictures were taken with those cameras, but they, like the LS420, were extremely limited in what you could do with them. The appeal of this camera is its simplicity, but learning to slide a memory card out of any digicam and into an inexpensive card reader (that will almost install itself on your PC, especially if the PC is running Windows XP and the card reader is USB enabled) is not too difficult. In exchange for that, a digicam like the Canon Elph S200 can be had for roughly the same money and yet offer lots more features and therefore better utility.

19 of 19 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great SMALL camera, June 21, 2002

By A Customer

This review is from: Kodak EasyShare LS420 2MP Digital Camera with Dock (Electronics)

I just bought the camera yesterday from [a local store]. The quality of this little thing is amazing. It feels rock solid in your hand and the narrow rectangular design is very nice to the eyes. The little joy stick you use to control the menu options is very nice. The software that comes with the camera is very easy to use. Normally, the docking station doesn't come with the camera. In fact, most are an [$] option. This camera comes with the docking station and all you do is hit the botton on the docking cradle and then hit transfer and then its on the computer. I especially like the idea of the movie feature. I have a 128 mb card with the camera, which allows me to take a 25 minute video!! There is no other camera for [$] that allows you to do that. The sound doesn't always get picked up if there is a radio or many people talking in the distance. The menu is very easy to use. My friend just bought the Canon elph a for [$] more and he really likes mine. Although his is not a long rectangular, it is taller than mine. It comes with the cables to hook it up to your tv. I did this and you can use the tv as a screen to do all the deleting and sorting through the pictures. I watched the movies I made on the tv with full sound. A BEAUTIFUL camera and I am very satisfied with it.