Kodak EasyShare Z7590

Pros: construction, ease of use, layout very good.

Cons: no manual focus--but not a problem for the most part.

Summary: I was looking for a extra and inexpensive camera that i could use for kicking around if U will.
After looking at almost every kind of camera that would fit my big hand with reasonable comfort and fit, there are only two such cameras, the Nikon D70 and the Z7590. The D70 is bigger and it's heavier (2.2 lbs), different imaging device, uses a better lens just to name a few. it is also a more "professional" camera, and a hell of a lot more money! Why do I compare the two? Well the two have very good layouts for one, and have somewhat similar ideas together, the jog dial comes to mind a big plus here... they fit in your hand unlike the Kodak P880 or the small bodied Canon Eos (they are not tall enough and feel lose in the hand) Sony's are a joke... the lens is crammed on one side the thin cheap hand grip on the other! It looks bad and not complete. what the hell where they thinking! The grip or hand grip on the Kodak fits with some meat like the Nikon, the body is thick, it's looks are very pleasing to the eye. The body, like the Nikon doesn't creak or give when twisted or moved. I have found that it is easy to hold and feels real good... U don't have to worry that it will fall out of your hand.
When I go out for a fast shoot I always grab the Z7590 over the Nikon because it is smaller in size. The lens does't stick out as much. (it's form factor, when not in use).
Both cameras have an ED lens (extra dispersion, this allows in more light in the objective lens, believe it or not both lenses are very good, chromatic aberration is to the min yet both lens have different lens group configurations, Nikon has the upper hand here, because they make their own crown and flint glass. I know this due to the fact I worked for Nikon fixing cameras. please I'm not bragging or complaining, just being truthful) . The Nikon will never replace the Kodak for other sophisticated photo shoots. But for the beginner or semi-pro, the Kodak is not lacking in anything but the manual focus (I do not use the auto-focus in the Nikon very much) as for the pixel size, 5m is more than enough for good to better picture taking without busting you and sucking up a lot of memory...despite what the Cnet reviews are. I for one will tell U that for the money, U would be hard pressed to find better. Put one in your hand and you will know what I am talking about. the features are all there ( the ones that U need to take great pixes with min fuss) and the best thing since "sliced bread" is the jog dial in front (try this in manual mode to select the speed,ISO,and f-stops w/out taking your eye out of the VF--NICE-- and the zoom lever toward edge of the camera...these little things don't seem like much at first, but when you do use them you will not use anything else! I hope Kodak will keep making this style but w/ manual focus...c'mon Kodak! you lead the way in imaging...tell your boys in Japan to put the manual focusing in will ya!