Customer Reviews

Kodak Easyshare Z1015IS 10 MP Digital Camera with 15xOptical Image Stabilized Zoom

5 star:		(28)
4 star:		(15)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(6)
1 star:		(6)

 

 

I recently purchased the Z1015 IS mostly for it's HD video and mega zoom features and I'm pleased with the results. The zoom feature is available while in the video mode which was what I was looking for. The sound is recorded in stereo and is good although it's compressed. Kodak using .MOV (QuickTime codec). The 720p widescreen video is quite impressive and you can film up to 29 minutes, if you have the memory. I find making videos with digital cameras convenient and easier than using a camcorder.
The picture quality is excellent too and the smart capture mode works well. It is true that there is a delay in processing the photos as another reviewer mentioned but this is not a problem for me. There may be a firmware upgrade for this in the near future. You can avoid this by using the program mode according to another reviewer.
The Z1015 IS may be a better value then the lower model Z1012 IS as the Z1015 IS comes with a rechargeable battery and charger. The Z1012 does not. Also the Z1015 has a 3 inch screen compared to 2.5 inch screen for the Z1012. Lastly, the zoom is 15x compared to 12x for the lesser model.
I purchased the Easyshare camera dock which works well with this camera and is very convenient as it's always connected to my computer. It also works as a charger too.
One minor complaint. The screen could be of higher resolution like I've seen on the Panasonic models but that's about it. For the price, this is an excellent camera.
Update (Oct 12, 2008): Kodak has a 1.02 firmware update that addresses the slow processing speed when in Kodac's smart mode. I've updated my camera but don't see any significant difference.
Update (Nov, 2008): Kodak has updated their firmware again with version 1.03. This takes care of the processing delays. A Big improvement.
About the video: This camera does not film with stereo sound although the manual and online user guide shows two microphones. Zoom up on the photo here on Amazon and you will see two holes next to each side of the lense. These are the mic holes. Well, my 1015 comes with only one mic on the right side (if facing the lense). I called Kodak and they confirmed that this model records in mono. They have since updated their manual online but not the user guide. The Z1012 records in stereo but I think the Z1015 has higher quality sound (less compression)than the Z1012. I'm a little disappointed but this camera is excellent and most people should be very pleased with both the photo and video quality.

Consumer Reports camera ratings have recently improved as they now match my first hand experience. Several commercial sites are not telling the truth either as the Fuji f50fd received very high ratings but smeared close-up detail of pine trees. Terrible PQ. Now Consumer Reports finally gives the f50fd camera the low rating its always deserved. The same goes for the new Fuji S2000fd - still way too much noise, though I do like the feel of the body.
Actually all these smaller cameras (with their tiny sensors) have visible noise which CR takes pains to list for every point-in-shoot!
The Z1015IS has less than the older Z1012IS. The muted colors of the Z1012 are gone in the Z1015. The blues may be a bit too saturated (update: the camera was probably on High-color). Very naturally sharp with a bit of purple fringing with bright store lights off the central lens axis. No issues otherwise with color fringing. Nice pictures! Menu system is easy to figure out.
A rechargable lithium battery is now included. Kodak Easy Share software is designed for first graders. At least the RAW images can be saved to 8bit TIF format for Noise Ninja cleanup to make the PQ from the best superzoom camera even better. (Well there is no batch processing so a simple task becomes difficult.) The 28mm wide angle is most welcome.
Lastly its nice to see an American company effectively compete with the competition. Good show Kodak.
Update:
Consumer Reports just rated the Z1012IS as the best non-DSLR camera, which is why took the time to test it.
Because of the local 15% restocking fee (you know where) I took a Scandisk 4GB SDHC card into the store and shot there for the Z1015 and the Fuji 2000. Both cameras show a strong superficial resemblance.
I bought the Z1012 and also compared it to the Nikon D300. I set them both to ISO 100 and ISO64 (Kodak). At ISO 64 the 1012 exhibited excellent fidelity with low noise. Nice.
The $1800 D300 had improvements in fidelity and tonality in showing the fine texture and detail of surfaces. Images have more "pop" and life.

Vista's columns and and IEXIF 2 viewer shows the:
Fuji S2000HD noisy pictures shot at 1/60 sec, f/4.8 and ISO 125-400, quality set to Fine
Kodak Z1012IS - f/2.8-f/4.8 ISO 64-400. 1/30-1/100 sec
ISO64 shot on tripod for optimal clarity
Kodak Z1015IS - lost capture info with RAW conversion to TIF. Uninstalled Easy Share hoping for some better RAW software!
Will buy Z1015 when it goes on-sale at Amazon.

Update2: Received the Z1015 and have analyzed three days of pictures.
Recommendations:
Casual users should make exclusive use of the Smart Capture mode as it will properly expose pictures. Pictures are almost always in focus too. Its that simple if you want it to be! This is why my wife says the Creative Memories ladies like the Kodak Easy share. Add in the advanced controls and its a camera for everyone.

For advanced users the good-lighting strategy is to take Aperture controlled RAW then quickly switch the top Mode dial over to the red color/Smart Capture/Perfect Touch setting. Between the two pictures you will get the best picture 99% of the time. In RAW mode set the sharpness to low and use noise reduction and unsharp mask on the TIF images with computer based processing, as the normal sharpness is a bit grainy. The improvement is worth the effort. Indoors use the Smart Capture mode as the Kodak technology does pick the best compromise. I use IrfanView software with 420 plugin for RAW batch .KDC to .TIF conversion.
Lastly Noise Ninja allows for quantitative noise analysis and direct comparison between different camera sensors. (But watch out for unadvertised manufacture noise reduction which decreases detail). Bigger sensors are better as the Kodak Z1015IS at ISO 80 has as much noise as the Nikon D300 at ISO640!
The situation is complicated by the the TI/Kodak image processing chip skewing of the Z1015 noise readings. The ISO 100 and 200 noise measures lower than ISO 80. You see evidence of this unadvertised image processing at work in the low-gain and high-gain being set in the EXIF data.
Telephoto (420mm) image quality degrades a bit. Best to use a tripod and low ISO settings here.

Background: The KODAK Color Science image processing chip was first introduced in cameras in 2006. This Perfect Touch technology results in fewer dark shadows and increased detail. (Since then many other post processing programs mimic Kodak's leadership. Most of the major name camera manufactures quietly pay Kodak royalties.)
Significantly this technology was not available with the P880, Kodak's last enthusiast camera. This camera was twice the Z1015 price too. So we have a bargain priced, intuitive and fun to use camera.

The camera can produce top notch images in RAW, with exquisite detail. Jpeg images are fine also, although RAW is superior because of uncompressed files. Either way the images are full-colored (no-one does color like Kodak), clear, dynamic and detailed. I haven't tried the video functions.

The RAW capability is the great strength of the camera and also a source of some weakness. DO NOT USE THE AUTO MODE (or SCENE MODE)if you intend to take several shots in rapid succession. In these modes the camera takes an inordinate amount of time to process the shots. The camera takes time to apply Kodak's Perfect Touch editing to the shots. It is not defeatable in Auto and Scene modes. I use the P mode. Perfect Touch is not applied here. In P mode the camera takes a bit longer with RAW than it does with jpeg in writing to the card.

Another drawback to RAW is that few programs read the Kodak RAW files from the Z1015IS. Kodak's own Easyshare software that comes with the camera does. Personally I don't like the software--too basic and clumsy for my taste. Irfanview, a free editing program, does read and edit Kodak Z1015IS RAW files and allows you to save in lossless TIF or BMP, along with jpeg and other types. My hope is that Adobe and others will soon add this camera to their list of readable RAW files.

I already had a 12 times optical zoom camera (the Z1012, a fine camera itself), so the 15 times zoom was not a big attraction for me--the RAW was and it has proved to be a real winner in image quality. Anyway, the 15 times zoom works as intended. There is occasionally a bit of purple fringing, but it is not noticeable on normal-sized prints (up to 8.5x11). Macro focusing distance is moderate.

Ease of use is excellent. The buttons are well located and handy to manipulate. You can change exposure, flash compensation and other functions quickly and easily. The grip is very convenient. It has a viewfinder and the LCD is large and of very good quality. With moderate flash and LCD use I got about 300 shots off the provided rechargeable battery. The battery recharges in the camera via the provided external power connection--reasonably quick and handy.

In summary, the camera does what I want and does it beautifully--produce first-rate photos. I have posted a large number of large-sized photos at http://www.pbase.com/tgaf/kodak_z1015is. Feel free to visit there to see what the camera is capable of. It is easy to use, reasonably-priced and produces first-rate photos. I heartily recommend it.

P.S. November 2, 2008. Automatic application of Kodak's Perfect Touch editing to every picture in the Auto mode is what slows down the write time for the camera in Auto mode (it doesn't happen in the other modes). Kodak has issued a firmware update (1.03) for the camera that now lets the user disable this feature. With the Perfect Touch disabled the camera is very fast in writing in Auto mode. I imagine that new cameras will come with this firmware installed. If not, just visit Kodak's web site to download it for free.

Adobe has updated their RAW plugin to include the Kodak Z1015 IS in the cameras covered.

Update: Kodak fixed the perfect touch speed issue in their 1.03 firmware update, so I've adjusted the star level from 1 to 5. It's rare that a company listens to their customers, and I was impressed to hear of their firmware patch.

This camera seems to be end all, nicest Z series camera produced, and Kodak is flaunting very fast capture speeds. They do however leave out a detail that will surely convince you, as it has me, to return your Z1015: For every 4 to 5 pictures you take in smart-scene, there is a 20-50 second pause for the Kodak Perfect Touch post-processing...let me repeat that, you take 4-5 pictures and then the camera locks up completely for a half minute (using RAW files), up to almost a full minute if you're using jpg compression. Call Kodak about it and they'll tell you that this long delay is "normal," that a firmware upgrade is coming, and that you should "return your camera for repair." This camera is a disaster and Kodak needs to pump out a major Firmware upgrade eliminating the post-processing. I was a fan of the Z series, having owned a Z612, and Z712, and recommended the Z812 to my mother as an easy to use, point-and-shoot camera. They are all excellent, fast cameras. The Z1015 is a major, substantial downgrade. It's no longer fast, in fact it is downright SLOW, thus making it a loser in the point and shoot field.

When using the PASM manual settings, you can skip the post-processing freeze. Only Automatic and all scene setting modes (everything that makes the camera point-and-shoot), are affected by the processing lock-up.

I have used the Z1015 for about 5-6 weeks now, and I think it's a wonderful camera. Strengths include:

* Most important, it takes wonderfully sharp, well-exposed pictures. I have been amazed at how consistently good the photos are.
* Wide zoom range is a big advantage. This is my first superzoom, and I did not appreciate how much extra flexibility it gives you when composing a shot. The Z1015 zooms in and out pretty fast, but I find I can tap lightly on the +/- control to get what I want.
* Image stabilizer works surprisingly well, even at extreme telephoto (although it cannot work miracles)
* Layout of controls is more convenient and intuitive than on any digital camera I have used. Playback, delete, flash, focus options, and self-timer can all be set quickly with one button. A lot of in-camera help is also available if you need it, which I find handy to remind me what the many Scene modes do.
* Electronic viewfinder shows just what the camera sees. It can be used in any light, gives info about the settings as well as the image, and saves power. I now use it most of the time, saving the LCD just for playback.
* Comes with a rechargeable lithium battery and charger. I find the battery lasts about 125-150 shots, so I carry a spare battery. It charges quickly in about 2-3 hours.
* Shooting modes all work well. My favorite is P, which gives good control over flash, exposure adjustment, and focus modes if I want them, letting the camera set the rest.
* Ssurprisingly light in weight despite the large, superzoom lens, due to the plastic (not metal) body
* Very quiet

Comments about weaknesses (and rebuttals to those mentioned in other reviews) include:

* Very few weaknesses. Many of those mentioned in other reviews suggest that the writer did not do much research before their purchase or did not take the time to read the instructions. The Z1015 can be used as a simple point-and-shoot, but it is not really an entry-level camera. It has a lot of features. Investing a couple of hours in learning about them really expands what you can do with it.
* Processing speed is not a problem with current firmware.
* LCD screen is indeed a bit grainy, but adequate. I find that pictures look much sharper when viewed on a computer or digital TV later than they do on the camera's LCD.
* Lens cap does pop off easily, but I think it was designed that way so that if you turn on the camera without first removing the lens cap, the extending lens pops the cap off harmlessly without damaging the internal zoom lens motor.
* Warning: the Kodak 1348762 camera case that Amazon says many customers buy along with the Z1015 is actually NOT big enough for this camera. After returning it, I bought a Tamrac 5693 case, which is well-made, compact, inexpensive, and accommodates the camera and an extra battery perfectly.

In sum, I have found the Z1015 to be a remarkably versatile camera that makes me look good as a photographer--well worth the mid-range price. I would buy it again in a heartbeat and recommend it to anyone interested in a high-quality superzoom digital camera.

We have owned several Kodak Easyshare cameras and this one was by far the most disappointing. There are a few good points: the zoom is great and the camera takes good quality pictures with plenty of settings for both the novice and the professional. It also comes with a rechargeable battery. That's were it ends. The camera has a processing feature that slows this thing up big time. After every picture, the camera processes the photo. After taking 4 pictures, the camera locks up in "Processing" mode to finish processing the photos onto the memory card. This gets very frustrating when you are trying to capture the perfect picture of the kids in various activities (like their first trip to Disney!). Also, on the action setting, the camera needs to charge after every picture, resulting in a 30 second delay. I would not recommend this camera to anyone - I'm returning it and looking for something that doesn't lock up.

I have been the proud owner of a Kodak Z710 for 2 years. It is a great camera especially for outdoors shots. I was able to stand on the sideline of my son's high school football games, snap random shots (not really focusing on anything in particular) and then zoom/crop the shots for some spectacular images. I've uploaded some of those under the Z710 review.

But, I was ready to upgrade since the trusty old Z710 wasn't great indoors at the basketball courts. I could never figure out the PASM settings so that I captured the fast action in dreadful gym lighting. I actually broke down and ordered a digital SLR from another retailer and gave it a try for a good month. I was surprised that the results weren't that much better than the Z710 so I have returned it.

Today, I headed off to try the Z1015 and I was very happy. The firmware upgrade on Kodak eliminates the wait time between shoots and if you turn off the automatic preview after each shot, you cut down on more time. I have just a 2MP memory card in it and I think that is slowing it down a bit, too.

However, tonight I played around with the camera. While sitting on my couch, I used the 15X optical zoom to zoom in on ornaments on the Christmas tree. Then, I cropped them further. Was I shocked! I only have the Christmas tree lights on and the images are stunning. You can see the detail as if I were standing right next to the tree (the couch is about 12 feet away from the tree).

For the regular photographer, this is a great camera. If you are considered a digital SLR, you might want to give this camera a try first. I would never have bought it but my older version Kodak just couldn't achieve good pictures in poor lighting conditions. This camera's higher ISO capability just might solve my dilemma. We'll find out...between 3 sons, we have 6 games in the next week. I'll post an update after I test my new Z1015 at the courts!

I bought this Camera a Week ago from a local dealer ,
The Latest software was already installed ( Vr 1.3 ) and the smart capture option eliminates completely the delay problem every one is talking about .
I had a Sony T20 8.1 MP but unfortunately I lost it during my last vacation , I can admit that the Z1015 takes better photos in all light conditions , The Zoom option is awesome and using a tripod in Digital Zoom range creates stunning photos , Actually I took an impossible photo just to test the auto focus at max digital zoom range and the results ware awesome . also the HD vedio is stunning on a 32 in. TV .
The Smart Capture mode is still there if you need the best possible photo you can get since the camera runs all tests on each photo But the result is more than great .
I compared the photos taken with the Z1015 with other SLR cameras ( Nikon & Canon ) and they ware almost same quality and the deference did not justify the price diff. which is more than $400.
Actually I recommend this camera for any one seeks a semi professional camera with high auto capabilities and also Manual features for personal creativity .

full disclosure: I am not a pro, but I know what a good picture looks like.

Based on CR's strong rating on the Z1012, I bought the Z1015 thinking "It has to be an upgrade, right?" Either CR doesn't know beans or it is definately a step down from the Z1012. The only redeeming feature is the in-camera image stitch feature, allowing for panoramic shots with no external processing necessary.

Pros:
Long Zoom
High resolution
Acceptable outdoor photo quality in sunlight
includes rechargable battery

Cons:
image stabilization? what image stabilization?
firmware needs updating out of the box
unusable low-light shots due to excess noise
EXTREMELY SLOW autofocus

For the most part this camera let me down in every way that I had hoped it would excel. I had to return it and got the Fuji Finepix S2000 instead; it is superior to the Z1015 in that it takes superior low-light shots (in every way), needs no updated firmware to make it work well, has much faster autofocus, and superior results using "scene" modes.

I am not someone who wants to spend 5 minutes framing each shot and taking 10 garbage pictures to find the exact settings necessary to make a picture look good. It's 2008; I want the camera to be smart enough to make colors look natural with regard to the world around us. Is that too much to ask? Apparently for the Kodak Z1015, it is.

Absolutely love this camera! At first I was a little unsure if I wanted this Kodak or the Kodak Z1012IS. I went in to a local retailer and played around with the Z1012. After that I was sold on the Z1015. For just a few dollars more I was you get a larger LCD screen which is really nice, and a few other features. I had read reviews prior to my purchase of the Z1015 that talked about the processing time after taking the pictures. I noticed it with the Z1012 when I was in the store, and felt that I could deal with the issue. However when I got my Z1015 from Amazon and started to use it, it was really annoying. Although many reviews said that the free update that Kodak offers for the camera didn't do much I decided it was worth the try. It was more than worth it. No more processing time issues. I was able to shot over 20 pics back to back with no problem. The update also revised a portion of the smart capture mode. All and all this is an amazing camera that takes wonderful pictures honestly. I would highly recommended. It's light weight and easy to use, and I didn't even mention the zoom. If you are considering buying a Z1012, don't get this one. The extra money is worth it!