It’s truthful to say that the most effective digicam telephones have all however killed off the compact digicam in 2024, however there are nonetheless some segments of the market which are exhibiting indicators of life.
One such sort is the bridge digicam, which is interesting for supplying you with the shape issue of a “actual” digicam, an intensive zoom, and issues reminiscent of guide management by way of devoted buttons and dials, too – all of which you received’t get out of your smartphone.
The Kodak PixPro AZ255 has a 16MP 1/2.3-inch CMOS sensor – that’s truly smaller than some you’ll discover in smartphones now – nevertheless it pairs it with a 25x optical zoom. That’ll offer you an equal of 24-600mm in 35mm phrases. The aperture ranges from f/3.7 on the large angle to f/6.2 on the telephoto finish.
It’s unlikely {that a} mannequin like this might find yourself close to the highest of our checklist of the most effective bridge cameras, however one factor it has going for it’s its rock-bottom worth. At $179 / £179 / AU$349, you received’t discover a lot out there for cheaper of this kind model new.
Arguably due to this fact, this might make buy for these new to images, or who’re searching for one thing a little bit bit completely different from their cellphone, however with out the expense and complexity of a typical “correct” digicam.
Kodak PixPro AZ255: Specs
| Photograph Decision | 16.35MP |
| Video Decision | Full HD |
| Picture Sensor | 1/2.3-inch BSI CMOS |
| Selfie Lens | No |
| Battery Dimension | 4 x AA (so depending on model/sort) |
| Connections | Micro USB |
| Show | 3-inch, 460k-pixels mounted LCD |
| Touchscreen | No |
| Dimension (mm) | 113.6 x 77.7 x 69.7mm |
| Weight | 336g (physique solely) |
Kodak PixPro AZ255: Worth
You should buy the Kodak PixPro AZ255 now worldwide for $179.99 / £179.99 / $349. It’s possible you’ll discover some offers in numerous areas, a few of that are time-limited. Transport prices can even differ relying on location.
The digicam was launched in December 2022, so it’s a few years previous now. It stays on a budget facet for a bridge digicam, with it being very tough to search out a lot else for below £200 model new. In fact, you may discover some equally priced offers on second-hand gear of comparable, and even higher high quality.
If you happen to’re simply beginning out in images or searching for a digicam for household journeys and outings, one thing at this worth may be very tempting – nevertheless it’s price contemplating whether or not spending a little bit bit extra could be higher worth in the long term.
Kodak PixPro AZ255: Design & Dealing with
Maybe one of many causes for the continued enchantment of the bridge digicam is the shape issue. The essence right here is that the Kodak AZ255 is sort of a miniaturized DSLR or mirrorless digicam, with a piece grip and a standard management format.
Regardless of being moderately small and lightweight, the AZ255 feels fairly stable within the hand, with a textured part across the grip, which can be molded to suit your center finger snugly – together with your index finger sitting atop the shutter launch button.
Round that shutter launch is the zoom rocker swap, which you push left or proper to increase the digicam’s zoom. If you happen to carry on pushing it when you’ve reached the total 25x of the lens, you’ll enter digital zoom. The quantity you’ve zoomed is displayed on the display screen.
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The lens itself has a fake lens ring round it – it’s solely there for aesthetic functions and doesn’t flip or rotate. When absolutely zoomed, the lens stands proud fairly a bit however not a lot as to make the digicam unbalanced.
On the highest of the digicam, you’ve obtained an on/off swap, a drive mode button and an publicity compensation button. The mode dial comprises automated and scene modes, in addition to semi-automatic and guide modes, plus room for customized settings and video.
The overall operation of the digicam is fairly gradual, with start-up taking about 2.5-3 seconds earlier than it’s able to shoot, and even switching between modes you’ll want to attend a second or two.
If you wish to use the flash, you’ll must manually carry it up from the housing on the highest of the digicam, and snap it again into place if you’re performed.
Flip to the again of the digicam and also you’ve obtained the display screen plus a number of different operation buttons. All the buttons are grouped collectively on the right-hand facet, which is a bonus for one-handed taking pictures. Some notable buttons embody the macro button to allow nearer focusing, a video document button, and a menu button that takes you to numerous settings, together with metering, HDR, and a deeper menu for issues like selecting the standard of adjusting the date.
Menus are a little bit bit on the clunky facet, and it takes some getting used to search out the place all of the settings are saved. For instance, when you needed to vary the aperture in aperture precedence or guide mode, that you must press the publicity compensation button, then transfer between the completely different choices offered and use the up and down arrows to make modifications. It’s additionally price noting at this level that there are solely two apertures selectable at anybody given time anyway.
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There’s no viewfinder for this digicam – which is to be anticipated at this worth level. The display screen is an effective sufficient dimension at 3 inches, and though it’s obtained a fairly common decision for the price, it’s not significantly vibrant so it may be tough to view in vibrant and sunny circumstances. Every now and then, I primarily needed to take a guess at what I used to be composing.
A fast be aware concerning the battery – or batteries on this case. The AZ255 takes 4x AA batteries. The benefit of that’s that you may purchase them just about wherever, and it’s simple sufficient to all the time have spares, however the dangerous factor is that except you spend money on a chargeable set, you may find yourself spending some huge cash. On the plus facet, battery life is pretty affordable – you may actually anticipate it to final you at the least a few days of pretty heavy taking pictures, most likely nearer to per week when you’re utilizing it extra sparingly.
Kodak PixPro AZ255: Photograph Efficiency
Cameras like this was once really useful for these seeking to improve from the standard discovered on their smartphone. Nonetheless, in 2024, you’d most likely be hard-pressed to discover a smartphone that had such poor normal picture high quality because the Kodak AZ255.
When the sunshine is ideal, you will get some pleasing photographs. By good, I imply vibrant, however not too vibrant, and with nice circumstances (blue skies). In any other case, if the sunshine is even marginally low, or the sky has a variety of white in it, you then shouldn’t anticipate excessive picture high quality. The lens shows plenty of chromatic aberration in excessive distinction conditions, whereas element isn’t significantly good for doing something massive with – when you solely need to show photographs in your cellphone then it’s not so dangerous. In even decrease gentle, reminiscent of indoors, photos lack much more element and if there’s even the slightest topic motion you’ll be left with a blurry shot. You may activate the flash, however the outcomes then are on the tough facet.
On the plus facet, colours are typically fairly good. That’s, except you’re taking pictures in synthetic gentle and utilizing automated white stability – you then’ll be left with yellowish tones. You may kind that out by shifting to a guide white stability setting although.
Now, I’m speaking about normal picture high quality right here – so what concerning the USP of such a digicam? The zoom. Photographs are nonetheless not wonderful, with fairly a little bit of smudginess, however, when you’re affected person, maintain the digicam actually nonetheless, and primarily shoot static objects, you will get higher photographs at very lengthy distances than you’d do with a mean smartphone, most of which might typically solely offer you solely digital zoom past 10x. If you happen to want or need to take document photographs of distant buildings, for instance, then this may very well be a viable choice for you. I used to be even in a position to seize some affordable photographs of pretty placid swans and geese in my native park – once more good for document photographs, however are unlikely to win any awards any time quickly.
The explanation I reference endurance and taking pictures static topics is because of the focusing – the digicam takes a short time to lock onto focus, so if the topic is shifting, even barely, it might probably break your shot – particularly at very lengthy focal lengths. You may select between a single AF level within the heart of the body, or “multi-AF”, the place the digicam will resolve for you – it doesn’t all the time get this precisely proper, however with a small sensor like this, it’s not typically important for the main focus to be completely nailed in the best place. There’s a “monitoring focus”, nevertheless it struggles to maintain up with even very, very slow-moving topics, so I’d typically ignore this setting.
Kodak PixPro AZ255: Video Efficiency
You may document Full HD video with the Kodak AZ255. Once more although, you’re virtually actually going to get higher outcomes out of your smartphone.
Element is missing, stabilization is poor and autofocus has a tough time maintaining when you zoom in. If you happen to simply need to make fast video clips then it’s fantastic, however for something the place high quality is of the utmost significance, then I’d most likely keep away from utilizing this digicam for video.
Kodak PixPro AZ255: Verdict
In lots of respects, it’s tough to advocate a digicam just like the Kodak PixPro AZ255.
It’s fairly irritating to make use of, particularly when you’ve been used to working with something higher, which as knowledgeable digicam reviewer – I’m. Nonetheless, I’d additionally enterprise a guess that when you’re new to images and that is your first “correct” digicam it’ll possible frustrate you in contrast with the benefit, pace, and high quality of utilizing your smartphone.
Apart from the grippable kind issue, there’s not an enormous quantity going for this digicam – there are actual buttons, however there are not any dials, whereas some settings can’t actually be modified in any significant method (reminiscent of aperture).
Then there’s picture high quality. On the entire, the photographs are at finest mediocre. If this was a digicam from 20 years in the past, they could be acceptable, however in immediately’s local weather, the place even finances smartphones do a greater job, it’s onerous to be too impressed right here. That stated, when you do need a very lengthy zoom for photographing distant topics, as long as they’re both nonetheless or moderately static, then you will get some half-decent document photographs. So, it could be price it when you’ve got a selected want for that type of factor.
In fact, there’s the value. At below $/£200, it’s very low-cost. Definitely quite a bit cheaper than most cameras, and cheaper than most smartphones too. If you happen to actually need a “actual” digicam and have little or no finances to play with, then it may very well be price desirous about. Nonetheless, I’d typically advocate for spending a little bit extra, saving a bit longer, or maybe happening the second-hand path to keep away from a case of “purchase low-cost, purchase twice”.
| Options | A 25x zoom sounds interesting, however the digicam is marred by a small sensor, lack of correct guide controls and solely Full HD video. | ★★★☆☆ |
| Design | For the value, you get a reasonably chunky and durable little digicam, with a good grip. | ★★★☆☆ |
| Efficiency | Your common smartphone will typically take higher footage than this digicam – other than at lengthy zooms. | ★★☆☆☆ |
| Worth | It could be low-cost, however you may develop bored of this digicam’s efficiency fairly rapidly. | ★★★☆☆ |
✅ Purchase it…
- In case your finances is tremendous tight however you actually need a lengthy zoom bridge digicam.
- You need one thing that appears like a “actual” digicam way over your smartphone does.
🚫 Do not buy it…
- If excessive picture high quality is your precedence – your smartphone will most likely take higher footage.
- If you happen to can afford to spend a bit extra, do – there are many higher options on the market.