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| Kodak DC3200 |
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Hardware Reviews December 2000 • Vol.3 Issue 12 |
Kodak DC3200 | ||
 The megapixel quality the DC3200 digital camera from Eastman Kodak offers for under $200 is the camera's most appealing characteristic. That aside, there's little else that differentiates this camera from other entry-level models on the market. In general, we are usually enthusiastic about getting our hands on new cameras from Kodak, but the DC3200 left us feeling lukewarm. The camera produces decent enough images for a model in this price range, but our shots lacked the fine focus and vibrant colors we've come to expect from Kodak cameras. Overall, the images are probably suitable for 5- x 7-inch prints, but nothing larger. The camera shoots at resolutions of 1,152 x 864 pixels and 576 x 432 pixels in Good, Better, and Best quality settings. Kodak keeps the camera's price down by bundling it with just 2MB of internal memory, which can store only 22 shots. The DC3200 does include a card slot at the bottom of the camera for inserting an optional CompactFlash card. Kodak also sacrificed a durable outer shell. Instead of using a metal frame, the DC3200's outer shell consists of plastic. The camera's 5.4mm fixed focus lens (equivalent to a 39mm lens on a 35mm camera) focuses 2 feet to infinity. There's also an integrated flash and 2X digital zoom, although there is no optical zoom ability. In addition, the DC3200 uses a slower serial connection; it doesn't offer a USB (Universal Serial Bus) connection. Manual settings are limited to switching between daylight, fluorescent, and tungsten white balance settings. More positive are the included 1.6-inch LCD (liquid-crystal display), an intuitive menu, and the overall manageability of the camera. Also, you can use rechargeable batteries (though Kodak bundles four AA alkaline batteries with the camera). The camera's design is good, although it's too large to fit into a shirt pocket, and the lens and LCD are located a bit too far to the side of the camera, leaving little room for the left hand to support the camera. There is an optical viewfinder directly above the LCD and a lever to move between Play and Camera functions. You'll also find up and down navigational buttons and menu, flash, and select buttons. The DC3200 is flawed, but it's still a few steps ahead of most of the pack of models priced under $200. The camera isn't everything you might expect from a Kodak model, but it is incredibly easy to use and won't intimidate newer users. by Blaine Flamig
$190 Eastman Kodak (800) 235-6325 (716) 724-4000 http://www.kodak.com
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