Product Review: Kodak 12 MP Easy Share Camera (Z1285)

We are in the process of shopping for a new digital camera because our older Kodak Easy Share is getting worn out. As part of that process, we decided to try upgrading to the 12 MP Easy Share (model Z1285). I wasn't overly impressed.

I won't go as far as to say the Z1285 Easy Share camera wasn't a good product. It's just it's more expensive than the smaller Easy Share cameras and I don't think it's worth the money.

When we bought the camera, we believed the reviews that said the quality was as clear as a film camera. I don't think that description fits. Before ultimately returning this camera, I compared the photos I took with it to the photos we took with our 5 mega pixel camera. I didn't notice any significant difference between them. Both sets seemed a bit blurry still (I have a small problem with that when I take photos) and the pictures from the 12 MP camera didn't look anything close to what I would expect from a film camera.

I did like the fact we could film a short video with the camera and manage to get a snap shot from that video. But, again, the quality of that wasn't very good so it turned out not to be a major selling point for me.

If I had anything really good to say about the actual picture taking, I think it probably would be related to the zoom; which I feel does a better job than our older model. I also did like the display area on the back of the camera. The pictures show up on that clear as day, even if we're in a brightly lit room or outdoors.

I think my biggest complaint about the camera doesn't have anything to do with the pictures it takes. I have never seen a camera go through batteries as fast as this product does.

When we purchased it, it came with two non-rechargeable batteries. They were dead after about five photos. We then replaced them with a Duracell camera battery and that lasted about 10 photos. Finally, we tried rechargeable batteries with it and found we didn't have to replace them but had to charge them constantly. That's just too much. I'm a person who never knows when he's going to need to use his camera and I don't want to risk the batteries being dead a week after I put them in the camera; or, in some cases, a matter of hours.