Kodak Easyshare Z980: Stable long shooter

Perhaps the most interesting thing about Kodak’s new 12-megapixel camera Z980 is the super-large 24x optical zoom. The scope extends between 26 and 624 millimeters converted to the 35-millimeter format. However, it is not only the long zoom that makes the camera appealing, but also the considerably increased wide angle. Together, they make it possible to shoot both really wide views and close-up telephotos with one and the same lens.

A vertical grip is included that you can attach underneath. By changing a control, you make the trigger on the vertical grip work. I don’t know how much I would use such an add-on myself, but it is a feature found on many pro-use system cameras. It’s great for portrait photography and the grip is really comfortable.

Shooting modes P, A, S, and M make the camera versatile, 15 scene modes help it late, and the camera can film in HD quality. In addition, it can shoot in raw format, has a hot shoe and built-in electronic viewfinder which is helpful when the screen image is difficult to see. The camera is light and flexible in most situations.

Four rechargeable AA batteries with charger are included and can handle a few hundred exposures per charge.

The images that the Z980 delivers are really good, although the noise level starts to deteriorate already above iso 200. At iso 800, the noise and noise reduction have abused the images so that they are not particularly fun to look at – at least not in the enlarged mode.

Does not break speed records
The time until the first picture is taken is three seconds. Not record speed. The autofocus is not the fastest either. 0.38 seconds click-to-frame was the fastest time it could achieve in daylight in our test. With prefocus, however, the shutter lag was almost instantaneous.

We like the image stabilization, it was excellent to take shake-free pictures freehand in the longest zoom position.

24 frames per minute without flash and 20 with flash was the result in our frame-by-frame test.

Plus: 24x zoom, wide angle and optical image stabilization.
Minus: Somewhat short battery life.
Grade: (8 out of 10)

Manufacturer: Kodak, www.kodak.se
Resolution: 12 megapixels.
LCD screen: 3 inches.
Optical Zoom: 24x.
Focal length: 26-624 mm.
Start time: 3 seconds.
Shutter lag/autofocus: Instant/0.38 sec.
Number of frames per minute (without/with flash): 24/20.
Image to image: 1 image/sec (first four, then 3 sec wait between images).
Battery: 4 AA batteries, rechargeable included.
Battery life: 230-400 images.
Size: 9.1 x 12.4 x 10.5 cm.
Weight: 536 grams including battery and memory card.
Approx price: SEK 4,000. Click here for the best price right now.

Kodak Easyshare Z980