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"Sharp pics, easy controls, shockingly bad video performance"
2.5 starson by elaine31347Pros: Pictures are sharp, macro is excellent, controls are intuitive
Cons: Bad video performance, color is a bit off, and did I say the video performance was awful! Color a bit off- dull color with landscapes, and too vivid with some macro shots [like of outdoor flower].
Summary: Brought my Panasonic Lumix LZK5 back to the store, {and wish now I had kept it} because of clumsy controls and erratic performance at higher ISO. Then I bought the Kodak c875 at Sam's Club for $229 after trying out a few test shots in the store with my SD card. It has turned out to be a gigantic headache for me.
I was very pleased with the ease of use and the handling of the camera. Pictures are tack sharp, macro is wonderful, sharp with detail. Portrait shots are good. Flash is excellent. "Party Shots" in a darkened room come out with minimal blur if the camera is held rock still; otherwise there is blurring. Camera does not have IS.
Then I took sample video shots...The resulting video was jerky with ill defined images...Then it would not play in my Quicktime player [I have Windows XP], except for audio. It did play in the camera LCD, though.
The instruction manual is VERY basic and it was hard to figure out the problem. Got on Kodak troubleshooting site, and again, just basic information on it.
Called the outsourced troubleshooting experts in the Phillipines and was told my problem was using the battery that Kodak had supplied with the camera!
Changed batteries, took more videos, inside and outside, and could now play them in the Quicktime player just fine. However, the problem with jerky, blurred images [it plays like a 10 frames per second player] remained.
Went back on the Kodak site after 8 p.m. to find that the whole site is no longer functional...Will have to call again tomorrow morning, but I fear that this problem will not be corrected.
Video is important to me, and the Panansonic Lumix LZK5's video was awesome, with the same specs as Kodak.
I am taking back this Kodak tomorrow if the video can't be improved.
Will further update.
I am wondering if other Kodak c875 owners have had this problem??Updated
After days of tearing out my hair about the terrible video performance and having to deal with the Kodak software [a preditor in my computer}, I found the problem with the poor video performance was due to the batteries. Lithium Alkaline batteries couldn't cut it, but when I added NIMH rechargeable batteries, suddenly the videos sharpened, the jerking was gone, and I was amazed as to how good they were. I will change the rating from a 5 to a 7, with one point deucted for Kodak's inconsideration in advising the consumer of the headaches caused by batteries that might be fine in another camera, but not in this one. A suggestion: the camera probably needs a space for 4, not 2, batteries. I'm afraid that even the rechargeable might start to cause problems before I am aware of it, as there is no gauge of the strength of the battery juice left.
- 3 replies to this review
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This is an excellent report with its follow-up. Elaine is articulate in describing the performane of the camera and the semi-cure she discovered with her persistant persuit. Hopefully Kodak will build in more batteries in a future model. Standard AA's come in with 3.O volts for a pair. Rechargable nimh batteries are 1.2 volts and 2.4 for a pair. It is amazing Kodak couldn't pick up on this lo voltage induced performance flaw and add a 3rd battery or 4th. How many new cameras do I have to buy to get a good one??? I've about given up on Kodak because of the 2 stuck lens problems I've encountered one just before 1 year and one just after. And not this battery design flaw.
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I've owned my C875 since early December and have not used the video once. Frankly I don't know why they even bother because if I want to take video I'll use a video camera.
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I bought this camera, and it does take four batteries. I was confused about the comment that it needed four instead of two...
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