The Age reviews Kodak EasyShare V610 dual lens digital camera and concludes that the dual-lens system works well on the earlier V570 where the zoom range is at the wide end (23 mm), but doesn’t work so well when the aim is to extend the telephoto range. Good thing is that when this model hits its sweet spot the picture quality is superb. Auto white balance, color, focus and image resolution are outstanding. It will render every vein on the petal of a flower. But sadly, this model doesn’t do it much. More often the picture is blurred. However, it’s inferior in term of no image stabilization, noisy LCD and very slow writing time to the SD memory card means a long pause between shots. The camera reverts to Auto every time it is turned on. Preferred setting can be stored in a custom Scene Mode and recalled with a couple of button presses, which is cumbersome.
Buy-n-Shoot concludes that this camera has a number of great features which will please many, such as near instantaneous start up, no shutter lag, plenty of resolution, blue tooth technology, MPEG4 video capability, a tough and stylish metal casing, a large LCD screen, panorama picture stitch and of course great image capture. Just one thing to consider if you’re going to buy this camera, get a second battery as you’ll get around 140 shots before you need a recharge.
PhotographyBlog concludes with 4.5 stars out of 5 starts that Kodak Easyshare V610 is a tremendously innovative digital camera that brings a lot of new, exciting and effective features to the consumer. Most obvious is the amazing 10x, 38-380mm focal range in such a slim body, making the V610 one of the most versatile cameras available today. Using such a small camera with such a large zoom range opens up lots of photographic opportunities that you just won’t get with similar sized models. Everything from mild wide-angle scenic to distant close-ups is possible, all from a camera that you can fit into a trouser pocket. The large 2.8 inch LCD screen is one of the best that I have ever seen, with a high resolution giving plenty of detail and also being visible even in bright sunlight. Bluetooth allows you to wirelessly send and receive photos with other Bluetooth-enabled devices, such as laptops or mobile phones, and it is very straight-forward to configure and use. The advanced video and panorama modes are similarly well-implemented – the V610 is generally an excellent camera for the beginner and more advanced photographer alike.
DigitalCameraInfo (dead link) concludes that Kodak also expects consumers to pay a hefty price in dollars. $449 to be exact. This retail price tag is way too expensive for a camera that doesn’t take absolutely beautiful pictures, lacks optical image stabilization, and only comes fitted with 22 scene modes, an auto mode, and a movie mode. The Kodak EasyShare V610 is a great concept with its 6 megapixels, 10x dual lens system, and Bluetooth compatibility, but it just doesn’t deliver.
CNet gives very good editors’ rating of 7.4 out of 10 that Kodak takes its innovative dual-lens camera design to its logical conclusion. The company pairs a typical compact-camera 38mm-to-114mm zoom lens with a second 130mm-to-380mm lens, for an effective 10X optical zoom range; a gap remains between 114mm and 130mm. Unlike most big zoom cameras, the 6-megapixel Kodak EasyShare V610 is small and made mostly for snapshooters, so it doesn’t include manual exposure controls. Unfortunately, it also lacks image stabilization, which would’ve made that long zoom much more useful, and its image quality doesn’t match its snazzy design.
The Imaging Resource concludes that “the Kodak V610 is a delight to use. The 40x digital zoom will take you places you haven’t been before with surprisingly little dropoff in quality. Bluetooth provides a handy wireless protocol you’ll never leave at home for sharing images between devices. The Kodak V610’s controls are easy to get used to and well laid out, the screen is large enough for immediate gratification, and the special features are actually useful, adding to the fun this camera delivers. Pop the Kodak V610 on a camera or printer dock and the fun continues, with easy 4×6 printing and image transfers to Kodak’s easy-to-use EasyShare software on your computer. We wish it had better high-ISO performance, and a bit sharper corners to its images when shooting with its wide-angle zoom lens, but overall the Kodak EasyShare V610 is an easy Dave’s Pick.”
ComputerAct!ve (dead link) concludes with rating of 4 out of 5 that with built-in Bluetooth to transfer and share photos wirelessly to compatible devices, the feature-packed V610 offers good value for money, considering what’s on offer.
TrustedReviews reviews Kodak EasyShare V610 digital camera and rates it 9 out of 10 with comment that “never again will Kodak not be in my short list when people ask me to suggest what digital camera to buy. The EasyShare V610 is a superb compact digital camera with an amazing amount of features squeezed into a slim body. The dual lens system gives you an amazing focal length without the usual problems associated with a very long lens. The panoramic feature is more than just a gimmick and works brilliantly, while the integrated Bluetooth makes sharing your pictures a breeze. Image quality is also well above average as long as you don’t push the ISO too high. If you’re looking for a feature rich, do it all camera but don’t want a digital SLR, the V610 is definitely worth considering.”
PC Magazine rates Kodak EasyShare V610 a good editor rating of 3 out of 5 and concludes that Kodak EasyShare V610 blurs the boundaries between ultracompacts and superzooms. But it needs to focus a little more on quality and it could focus better at extreme zoom settings, too. V610 is an attractive, wireless ultracompact superzoom that’s includes some very clever features. But it doesn’t quite compete with the Panasonic superzooms such as the Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ7 on taking quality pictures.
DigitalCameraReview concludes that the Kodak Easyshare V610 is in a very small club – micro-cams with 10X zooms. So the major question facing potential purchasers is this: does the V610 really offer a pocketable alternative to a bulkier long zoom digicam like the Canon S3 IS, the Panasonic FZ50, or the Sony H5? The answer, if Kodak had included IS, would have been a resounding YES. Since Kodak chose not to include IS the answer is a bit more complicated. The V610 is a truly unique camera and it will offer many users a level of convenience, capability, and pocketability that is available almost no where else, but this micro-cams pitifully weak battery and Kodak’s failure to include image stabilization land the V610 solidly in the “could have been” category.
RegHardware concludes that the camera’s noise control is good but not good enough at ISO 800, which is a shame because it’s the only option open to you to get faster shutter speeds at those longer focal lengths. Despite this, the Kodak EasyShare V610 is a remarkably compact camera with an impressive zoom range and produces the sort of shots most snappers will be more than delighted with. The addition of Bluetooth is well worth having in these days of share, share, share. Given its target market and its price-point, the “world’s smallest 10X optical zoom digital camera” is just about perfect.
Cameras.co.uk says “I think Kodak should be applauded for their ambition when building the Easyshare V610. In my view there are a few compromises when it comes to image quality, but if you want a pocket sized digital camera with a very long zoom lens this is the only camera available.”
LetsGoDigital recommends Kodak V610 with rating of 73% and concludes that Kodak EasyShare V610 is an interesting camera with a nice zoom range. The road Kodak took with the V570 has led to the Kodak V610, but it is a pity that Kodak forgot to improve a few aspects along the way. Especially typical camera characteristics such as ISO and image stabilization should be worked out again on the drawing board. At face value the Kodak EasyShare V610 stands for what it does, but looking at the competition we see that there are more possibilities.
DenGuru (dead link) concludes that Kodak EasyShare V 610 delivers on its promise of being the smallest 10X optical camera on the market. Indeed, the 10X zoom worked well. But unless you need the 10X optical zoom in a shirt-pocket size, the list price of $449 is a hefty price to pay for a 6 Megapixel camera.
DPInterface (dead link) concludes with overall rating of 6.7 out of 10 that Kodak EasyShare V610 is a compact camera with a 10X zoom range and big LCD. Despite being an “ultra-zoom” camera, the V610 has more in common with compact point-and-shoot cameras. The V610 is different from other cameras in some ways such as having Bluetooth and built-in panorama stitching. Other than that are the standard point-and-shoot features like a heap of scene modes, standard performance, a good movie mode and image quality which is almost on-par with others. Some things to ponder about when considering the V610 include its worst-in-class battery life, no manual controls, a little button clutter and having to live with very limited shooting information. Autofocus could be improved in many ways too. The Kodak V610 just doesn’t cut it to be recommended. The Panasonic Lumix TZ1 is better than the Kodak in many ways and has a single 10X lens which is faster and has optical image stabilization.
DPreview concludes with above average rating that “V610 is a beautifully designed camera that has instant appeal (everyone here loved it when it came out of the box), and the innovative twin lens/CCD system is a clever solution to the limitations of lens size that keeps most ultra compact cameras firmly in the 3x zoom range. As it stands, I’d say this; if you want a really compact camera that performs superbly in all conditions, forget about the 10x zoom; if you really want a big zoom in a compact package, look at the (cheaper and more capable, though bulkier) Panasonic TZ1. If you’ve fallen for the V610’s good looks, you really, really need something this slim and don’t find the issues mentioned here too much of a compromise I’m sure you’ll love it. Me, I’d wait for the V610’s successor, which will hopefully see Kodak iron out some of this promising but flawed camera’s more annoying problems.”
PC World (dead link) gives fair rating of 68 points and concludes that “The V610 fared poorly in our battery test, lasting only through 148 shots–the lowest among point-and-shoots we’ve recently tested. Still, what makes this camera shine–10X zoom, compact design, Bluetooth, photo-stitching, and ease of use–just may be enough to compensate for its shortcomings. It’s a reasonable choice for casual photographers.”
Photoxels concludes that Kodak EasyShare V610 Dual Lens is overall a fun digital camera that will allow you to take great pictures. Maybe not the best as far as image quality is concerned, but for a take-anywhere [where larger ultra zoom might be frowned upon] point-and-shoot, 10x optical zoom in your pocket is worth its weight in gold.
MacWorld has buying advice on V610 that says with a long-range 10X optical zoom, Kodak’s EasyShare V610 can bring the farthest subjects into full, detailed view. Unfortunately, this dual-lens camera also has a propensity for blurred photos at its highest zoom levels, plus disappointingly short battery life. What makes this camera shine—its zoom, Bluetooth capabilities, and large LCD screen—may be enough to compensate for its shortcomings.
ThinkCamera (dead link) has overall rating of 7 out of 10 on V610 digital camera and concludes that “this is a really nice camera and there is so much I like about it. I like the sleek metal finish, the black etched front, the massive range of features, the huge zoom range. Kodak have pulled off an amazing feat in getting a 38 – 380mm zoom in such a tiny body and then just kept on adding feature after feature. It is so nearly a great camera but something has to give in a design like this and a less than perfect screen and lack of image stabilization are the prices to pay for a sleek, fully featured camera you can take anywhere. If you want a huge zoom range in a compact body then this is the camera for you but if you’re going to demand absolute image quality or require image stabilization then you may have to settle for something a little larger.”
DCRP reviews Kodak EasyShare V610 and concludes that “I have mixed feelings about the EasyShare V610. I like the idea of having a compact ultra zoom camera, but I’d prefer one with better photo quality and battery life (to name a few things). With a retail price of $450, the V610 is expensive. For $100 less you can buy the vastly superior Panasonic Lumix DMC-TZ1, which is a little bigger, but offers a continuous zoom lens and optical image stabilization.”
Digital Trends (dead link) concludes with score of 7.5/10 that “this one is a toughie. The EasyShare V610 has a number of features that make it attractive: looks, thinness, a 10x optical zoom, built-in Bluetooth and Perfect Touch technology. I really have problems with the LCD screen and the hiccough as the camera “hands off” from one zoom lens to the other. And the camera is pretty slow saving images to the card; overall image quality was average, nothing to write home about with more noise that you should expect from a 2006 digicam. That said I’ll give it an 7.5 as a package but for pure photographic ability you can do better such as the Canon Powershot SD630. Bottom line: if it were my money, I wouldn’t buy it.”
For more features, specifications, sample photos and firmware updates, visit Kodak EasyShare V610 official homepage (no longer available).
