Kodak EasyShare DX4900 Zoom

Kodak's four-megapixel digital camera is awkward to use but it takes great snaps.

The DX4900 Zoom is the latest member of Kodak's EasyShare line, boasting an impressive four-megapixel resolution for £350. This equates to a maximum image resolution of 2448 x 1632 and should ensure that your summer snaps look sharp.

From the front, the DX4900 looks like a normal camera until you see the TFT viewfinder screen on the back. The 2x optical zoom is operated by a large circular button at the rear of the unit, which also acts as a navigation tool for looking at your pictures.

Users with small hands may find using the Kodak awkward due to its chunky dimensions. Mastering all the features is worthwhile though, particularly for advanced users. Tinkering with the manual settings allows for photo fine-tuning.

Good-quality snaps can still be had by simply pointing and shooting if you are lazy and a macro mode allows capture of close-ups of objects as near as 7cm away.

An extra £60 will buy you the optional USB docking station. Once the camera is placed in the dock, images are automatically transferred to the PC and the batteries are recharged. The supplied EasyShare software allows users to manage their pictures with just a couple of clicks.

All this is very impressive but we have a couple of reservations. While using the DX4900, we experienced a lengthy lag between pressing the button and getting a picture. This caused a lot of problems when attempting to photograph a moving object. Also, the 16MB Compact Flash card supplied can't hold more than 12 high-quality images. Factor in the cost of a larger card when you buy.

Still, the DX4900 is cost-effective and well worth considering.

DETAILS
Price: £350 (£60 for optional docking station)
Contact: Kodak 0870 243 0270
www.kodak.co.uk