Customer Reviews

Kodak Easyshare C315 5.0MP 5x Digital Zoom Camera

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

 

 

On my advice, my Mom bought this camera several years ago and she still has it and although she doesn't use it much (never thinks to and still hasn't totally mastered printing them yet)

But I got to use it when in between cameras for a couple of months back in the spring of 2007 to see what I could get out of it.

True, the digital zoom leaves a lot to be desired, but it can come in handy in a pinch, just don't expect much from it though.

Overall, the photos it takes are very good for the price and at 5MP, it's got enough pixels to blow up and still have good quality prints, which is a bonus. I found that with some thought to it's limitations (and there are plenty of them) one can get some really great shots, but the thing to keep in mind is cameras of this caliber tend to not do as well in lower light situations, will have fixed aperture and focal lengths as there is no prefocusing w/ the shutter button where you half press it to get it to prefocus it's take or don't, nothing else, the scene modes are very limited as well but if you know enough about photography, you CAN overcome many of these limitations to a large degree and for the more photographically inclined, that may mean, getting in closer with the camera to get a close up instead of zooming in and perhaps even there may still have to crop in post processing to tighten it up even further if you can't get in close enough while maintaining focus would be one situation.

I will agree that since it's a 5MP camera, the camera uses batteries like no tomorrow, especially with the flash so if you can, get high load batteries or use rechargeable batteries and keep the charger handy.

So if you need to give one to a kid, that's what this camera is best for, but for most adults, something a bit more expensive/feature ladened such as the mid priced P&S from just about any brand selling in the $150-250 range should do quite nicely as many of them now have optical zoom, many with image stabilization (neither which this little guy has), auto focus and generally better lenses than most of the super inexpensive models and you can get decent night shots (within reason for most P&S won't fair as well like a good DSLR will at night)

So in the end, be it this camera or others in the $50-100 range, don't expect miracles w/ any of them, some like this little guy will do better than others at basic picture taking and in image quality but their limitations are often going to leave people frustrated to want something better.

Again, a good little guy for the price but there are plenty of other, models for not too much more that are much more versatile.

This camera was my entry into the world of digital photography. I love it! And the 5 mp resolution is great for blowing up or for cropping what you need to.

There are a few things I'll do differently next time, though.

First, I got a camera without a microphone, because I assumed the video would be such a low-quality that we wouldn't use it. I was wrong, though. We have some terrific silent movies. :)

Second, I didn't think I'd need optical zoom, but that's because I hadn't thought about taking landscape and outdoor pictures. Next time, I'll get optical zoom.

Overall, this has been a wonderful entry-level camera. I'm so glad I bought it.

A friend of mine buys "throwaway" cameras when she is going to take important photos, such as a vacation. Why? A $5 disposible camera requires only that you point the camera at the subject and push the shutter. No decisions, no mistakes...very nice photos...at least on a sunny day.

The Kodak EasyShare C315 is one of the rare digital cameras that is equally easy. Just turn the power dial to "auto", point at the subject and press the very short and precise shutter release. Zero delay...zero shutter lag. The C315 has a fixed aperture and fixed focus. The camera automatically selects the best shutter speed for the lighting conditions...ranging from heavy overcast or twilight to bright sun at the beach. The result is photos that are in perfect focus, with bright, rich color.

The C315 was designed for AA Lithium batteries. Two batteries last for 800 photos with no flash, or 400 photos using flash for half of the photos. So, a set of four Lithium batteries can last for up to 1,600 photos...or a two week vacation taking over a hundred photos per day. And, of course, AA batteries are easy to find in virtually any city in the world.

My question is this...why have camera makers stopped selling cameras like the C315...a camera that permits even a four year old child to take great photos?

I bought this camera shortly after it first came out and since than, it always took terrible night pictures so, taking pictures of outside lit-up decorations around the holidays was very disappointing. However, this camera does take decent daytime pictures "if that is all you want to take". I also don't like the small screen since I love showing my pictures off or viewing them as soon as I take them so that being said, consider a bigger screen for immediate viewing or show and tell. Furthermore, I noticed in some reviews from other buyers who bought this exact camera only paying $50 and I personally feel that, that's all this camera was ever worth... I only wish that I paid that little.

At any rate, if you want a wonderful camera... consider a Samsung SL35 10.2MP Digital Camera - You will love it!

Pros: Price, Ease of use, No proprietary dongles or memory cards to operate, 5 Mega Pixels.

Cons: No sound for videos, Poor zoom, Flash eats batteries, Poor color levels.

Bottom Line: When I bought it, you couldn't beat the price for a 5MP camera. I bought mine about a year ago for $50 Dollars at Walgreens. There are obvious shortcomings of the camera, but there is only so much to be expected from a fifty dollar camera. Also, I have never experienced any mechanical issues with the device, and would challenge anyone to find a cheap electronic device that doesn't break down after a few years of steady use.

Good Camera for family photos. The digital zoom is pretty bad though. If you are planning on using the zoom in your photos, get an optical zoom so that you can keep the resolution. Also, dark photos somtimes do not turn out very well. But, overall, for the price it was a decent buy.

I enjoy taking pictures with this digital camera. I also recorded videos that I downloaded on the computer. It would make a great gift for a family member.

My afterschool teacher has one of these and she has affirmed me that it takes good pictures. I saw tem too. THe zoom really works. For this price, it is ver good.

I have had this camera for about two years. To turn on the camera there is a rotating knob on top. After about a year this began to stick and is very hard to turn now. I have played with the settings but taking pictures that require flash pretty much turns everyone in the photo ten shades paler than they actually are.
This is the kind of camera you give to a teenager as their first camera. Definetely not something to invest in if this is a camera for the family.
Not sure why it got such amazing reviews for its subpar quality.