Customer Reviews

Kodak Easyshare C743 7.1 MP Digital Camera with 3xOptical Zoom

5 star:		(27)
4 star:		(16)
3 star:		(8)
2 star:		(10)
1 star:		(10)

 

 

I've been very happy with Kodak digitals ever since I got my 3mp EasyShare about three years ago. That camera was a workhorse that never failed. But when I dropped it into a river this fall, I knew it was time for an upgrade.

I was a bit wary of this new model, since it's predecessor (the 6.1mp model) was known to have some issues. But so far, this camera has been completely problem-free.

Not only that, but it TOTALLY BLOWS AWAY my old 3mp---and I was VERY happy with that camera! Incredibly, this camera has TWICE the power and TWICE the features at HALF the price. Now, some might say that's just due to perpetually advancing technology in general; but even when that factor is considered, I think Kodak is still significantly ahead of the curve when it comes to "bang-for-the-buck" functionality. I've met "professional photographer" type snobs who laugh at these Kodak digitals because they look "cheep" and "simple" compared to their $2000 SLRs. But the picture quality is what matters, and these little things come pretty darn close to matching the quality of cameras FOUR TIMES the price in 90% of your common applications.

I won't go into a feature-by-feature breakdown, but I'll mention my favorite three noticeable improvements over earlier Kodaks in this line: First, the self-closing lens protector is such a welcome improvement. Second, the natural color balance seems to be somewhat improved right out of the camera, reducing my need to tweek my pictures with PhotoShop (I'm a perfectionist about that). Third, these new intelligent shooting modes REALLY WORK! One of the most troublesome shots with a digital is a BACKLIT lighting situation; but this camera's "backlight" mode compensates incredibly well (saving me a heck-of-a-lotta PhotoShopping as well!)

If you're looking for a relatively inexpensive camera that's durable and easy to use---and takes great pictures---this is your choice. But... don't drop it in the water!

Here's my recent camera check list:

Under $200 - check
Uses AA Batteries - check (I already use NIMH for almost everything)
At least 6MP - check (it's got 7MP)
simple to use - check
Small - check (It small but not to small for my fat fingers)
USB connection - check (with easyshare plug it in and it takes off)
SD media - check (I got 1G 30fps that's over 700 pictures @ 7mp)
Weight - check (a little over 5 oz empty)
viewfinder - check (most small cameras don't have one)
LCD - 2.5 indoor/outdoor viewing better than my last camera
Panoramic - NO ( the only thing missing)


I looked at a lot of cameras and I could not find any under $400 which meet all of my criteria. I really liked some other cameras better but they didn't have AA NIMH support or didn't have a viewfinder and sure don't need a $50 battery even if it rechargable. My wife likes it, too. Easy to use so I'm not stuck being the only person able to use it(not meant to be sexist) even my kids can use it and so I'm not to worried if they break it because it under $200. not including the $50 SD card
I love it.

I decided to move from film to digital and after much consideration I decided on this one. This is a great little camera! The pictures are wonderful on camera and when printed with the G600 or my home printer. The camera and printer dock are extremely easy to use. It also comes with a program that allows you to post your photos online and e-mail the to friends and family. This worked out great for me with distant relatives. I also bought a 512mb memory card to go with it.
***I do recommend that you use the lithium batteries. The alkalines that came with the camera went within 48 hours of me receiving the camera. (camera would not turn on after being shut off and would shut off on its own before preset shut off) The camera works great with the lithium battery.
This is a great choice if you want great photos (of the kids) with little effort!

I wanted a small easy to use, inexpensive camera that I can keep with me. I have a couple of other digital cameras that are very nice but a bit too bulky for carrying everywhere. This camera takes very nice, crisp pictures and I am very happy with it. It is very easy to use, the controls are placed perfectly for me. My other cameras have a lot more manual adjustments but I didn't want that this time. I wanted something very simple to use, mostly point and shoot with different scene options. I first bought it on HSN with a printer but the printer didn't work so I had to send it back. I really like the camera though so I bought it here at Amazon. Before I found this one, I had tried a Pentax 7 megapixel camera but the pictures were not as sharp as I wanted. I would recommend this camera for anyone who wants a nice little camera that takes great pictures. It is so easy to use, even a novice ould easily master it, right out of the box.

I bought this camera for someone as a gift. Before buying it I did some research and read reviews at different sites on the Internet as well as here on Amazon. The negative reviews really scared me, especially the ones here on Amazon, but my goal was to find an under $200 camera, so I followed through and bought it. I tested the camera out and my impression is that is an adequate point and shoot camera. I think some of the reviews here are much too harsh and I think some of those folks were looking for something more than a camera at this level can provide. I charged the batteries and fired up the camera and started taking pictures and video. I found the camera very simple to use. One review I read complained that the user's manual did not have much information, but the camera is so easy to use, what else do you need to know?? I don't know what else they could put in the manual. The controls are self explanatory as well as menu settings. The camera did not feel like a toy yet it did not feel solid like a full bodied SLR either, but I didn't expect it to. the pictures I took looked fine. The pictures weren't pro quality, but again, I didn't expect them to be. But the pictures were good and showed more than enough sharpness for this level of camera. I took pictures in bright sunlight, indoors, in the dark and they all looked fine. One review I read said that the camera sucked the life out of the batteries, but I didn't find that to be the case at all, however, I tend to take pictures using the view finder anyway. Another review said the pictures were blurry with this camera, but I had to really be moving the camera to make my picture blurry. All in all, I think the C743 is more than adequate as an under $200 point and shoot camera. The only thing I didn't like about it was that it was a little slow taking the pictures. Other than that, I am very pleased.

For the price, it can't be beat. I like to take a lot of indoor pics with low lights, like at a club or something and the camera takes very good pics for low lighting. On automode, it takes rapid fast pictures, exactly what I was looking for. During the day, the pictures are crisp and clear. I've had the occasional blurry picture, but that was due to my hand or that i turned on my camera right away. No real major complaints except that it can eat up batteries (I just ordered rechargables) and it can take sometime to load on the computer. (in the camera's defense, I have a 2 gig sd card in it with over 800 pictures). The movie mode is one of the best I've seen. Highly Recommend !

Picked up the Kodak C743, advertised at $159, but in store at Circuit City for $139 with a 512MB SD card. Camera fits in pocket, has all basic features and 7 megapixels! Menu on this Kodak is simple, LCD screen is very bright and non-reflective, but since there is a viewfinder as well, there should be no problems when the LCD is unusable in bright sun. Main operation buttons are good sized, clearly marked, and this camera is as intuitive/user-friendly as digicams get. Took some shots through my spotting scope and they turned out surprisingly clear. Flash is a little weak, but the price is definitely right on this model and the phrase "Why pay more?" comes easily to mind...

Perfect for our teenage daughter. Takes very good pictures. The different settings for low-light, bright light, etc., are very useful. Easy to manipulate the various settings.

Software is easy to use, but I have disabled it from auto-starting in Windows because it is then always running, consuming cpu time (waiting for a camera to attach, and always checking for updates to the software) when, in fact, it *only* needs to be running when you are uploading pictures from the camera - technically, you can upload photos from the camera without the software even installed - but the software makes a nice organizer, editor, and viewer.

Wish there was a little more memory on it - 32 meg - we will be getting an SD card to go with it.

Highly recommend this camera for a very good starter digital camera.

I am fully satisfied with this little camera! It's worth the price which isn't very high for what you get. Takes great pictures outside and inside dark and light. I am a lighting designer so I needed to take dark pictures for a portfolio and the camera did well once the right setting was chosen. I don't usually take pictures at the full 7.1mp. I have it set at the 6.1 setting so I can take more photos on my card.

I have owned a Kodak DX7630 for the past 2 years. It takes excellent pictures outdoors and OK pictures indoors. I was looking to upgrade to a higher megapixel camera with a sleeker design. The other model is a little bulky. I used the C743 for the first time on Christmas Day. Out of 120 pictures, 3 were worth the ink to actually print. 75% of the pictures rated from slightly blurry to completely blurred and grainy. This even occurred when holding the camera completely still and taking a picture of an inanimate object. Blurred!! I even asked guests to see if my hands shook (maybe I had a nervous twitch I did not realize), but no! I have already returned this product. I seen only one other negative review listed with similar problems of blurred and grainy pictures, so maybe the two us us just got stuck with a bad product. Either way I am purchasing another camera that is not made by Kodak.