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| Kodak DC 3800 |
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Hardware Reviews December 2000 • Vol.3 Issue 12 |
Kodak DC 3800 | ||
 The DC3800 from Eastman Kodak has about everything you should expect from a digital camera priced under $400. It doesn't offer some of the manual settings a few other two-megapixel models do, but it produces images that rate way above average, it's especially easy to use, and it transfers images to a computer fast and easily. The camera is designed to be easy to operate, and that's why you won't find a great deal of manual controls that are usually more difficult to engage. Instead, the camera automatically handles white balance, exposure, and focusing chores. Resolutions are limited to 1,792 x 1,184 pixels and 896 x 600 pixels in Best, Better, and Good quality settings. And while there is no optical zoom ability for the 6.9mm (equivalent to a 33mm lens on a 35mm camera), there is 2X digital zoom (which lacks some precision). In addition, the camera has a built-in flash unit, macro mode to shoot objects from 8 to 28 inches, and an appreciated burst mode that snaps two pictures a second up to four shots. While those features won't overwhelm most users, you should find the camera's extreme ease of use comforting. Like other Kodak digital cameras, the DC3800 features an extremely intuitive menu that is a breeze to maneuver through with the camera's navigational buttons located on the back. Since there are so few options, the camera is basically a point-and-shoot operation. Shots we took with the camera stand up well against similar models. Like other Kodak models, the DC3800 produces images with extremely vibrant colors. We did notice an uncharacteristic lack of focus in some shots, but the brightness and exposure were good in most images. Overall, the shots are capable of producing quality 5- x 7-inch prints and decent 8- x 11-inch prints. The palm-sized camera makes for a wonderful traveler and has an optical viewfinder and 1.5-inch LCD (liquid-crystal display), though we don't like the placement of the LCD, viewfinder, and lens all on the same side of the camera. There is a comfortable oversized grip on the right, and the camera is solidly built with a metallic silver frame. Kodak bundles an 8MB CompactFlash card, which can store about 60 images, and two AA alkaline batteries for power, but it can also use NiMH (nickel-metal hydride) rechargeable batteries. Oddly, the camera doesn't include a USB (Universal Serial Bus) connection. Instead, a USB card reader is included, which makes transferring images especially easy and fast, provided your computer has a USB port. by Blaine Flamig
$390 Eastman Kodak (800) 235-6325 (716) 724-4000 http://www.kodak.com
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