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Kodak EasyShare Z1085 IS

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By Joshua Goldman
Jan 29, 2009

The 10-megapixel Kodak EasyShare Z1085 IS is deceptively good. It doesn't stand out with a unique design and there are no overtly special features. It's a pretty straight-laced compact and comes in dark gray/black only. Also, its ridiculous and unusable high ISO 8,000 setting doesn't really qualify. Judging by its sub-US$200 price, you wouldn't expect much from it, either. However, the Z1085 IS rewards simply by being a decent camera that's easy to use and produces very good photos for little investment--of time or money.

Design And Features

The 164g Z1085 is relatively compact--89.5 x 64.3 x 39mm--and will fit in a large pants pocket, though the protruding lens surround and handgrip will keep you from sliding it out easily. That grip, however, makes one-handed shooting possible. Buttons are nice and big, clearly labeled, and well-spaced. On the top deck are buttons for drive mode, flash, and power, while a mode dial surrounds the shutter release. On the dial joining Kodak's auto mode--called Smart Capture--sit manual and program options, panoramic shooting (left to right or right to left), scene mode with 16 setting choices and movie capture.


The top deck of the EasyShare Z1085 IS. (Credit: CBS Interactive)
Smart Capture mode integrates scene and face detection, optimized auto ISO, and a broader dynamic range so you truly don't have to worry about the settings to take a decent picture. This mode also applies Kodak's PerfectTouch technology to help improve detail and contrast. In general, this system works, producing fine photos regardless of subject or lighting conditions, and is one of the better automatic modes we've tested.

The Z series is Kodak's megazoom line which currently goes all the way up to 24x. The 35-175mm F2.8 to 5.1 lens on the lower-end Z1085 IS doesn't even really qualify as a megazoom. It does have barrel distortion at its widest setting, typical of its class, but a bit much given its relatively narrow 35mm-equivalent angle of view. Still, it's nice to have the extra power above similarly priced 3x models, and you get optical image stabilization, too. For framing shots and photo playback, there's a 2.5-inch LCD on the back.



Tags: Mode, movie, Kodak EasyShare, dynamic range, CBS Corp.
 
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