Kodak Easyshare V1253 12MP Digital Camera with 3 x Optical Zoom

Manufacturer: Kodak Availability: Usually ships in 24 hours List Price:$249.99 Our Price:$216.31 Features: 12.1-megapixel CCD captures enough detail for photo-quality poster-size prints 3x optical zoom lens; 3.1-inch LCD screen Face Detection technology; locates faces and automatically adjusts camera settings Panoramic stitch mode; digital image stabilization Stores images on SD/SDHC memory cards (not included); 32MB built-in memory Description:

Reviews:

Ergonomically Uncomfortable
I have obtained today this camera from Costco. The package has included all the affinchè entire things functions. Much people have protested that they have not obtained the adapter, but. There moreover they were one case of the camera (made of woven), a plastic river basin and all the others to tie and necessary parts. Moreover I was satisfied from the price. It is up to now the price that better it has found for this camera. Quality of the images general and much good one. The only thing that I makes them frustrated (and could call it an antiquated person) is like loses weight this camera is. I mean, that cold sound, on until that you really do not hold the camera in your hands. He is enough heavy for being therefore thin camera. Naturally, if wished a camera stylish or classic is your personal choice. But as far as me, I prefer the design that Kodak Z712 has. I pray google it, affinchè understand that what I mean. The screen of the LCD is fantastic, without doubt!


The first camera I've ever owned that crashed on me ...
Sink... I have bought the Kodak v1253 with the high hopes to possess a camera that could above all block to the reasonable video 720p. Uso my old T1 of the SONY as video camera and was waiting for with eagerness to improve the quality of my domestic films. Well, this camera CAN block the HD video. Unfortunately, Kodak has saddled the device with a video disposition highly flattened, ulterior complicated moving the disposition in a container of the movements, that it demands a supercomputer to playback. I have tried to play the video is on my XP (nucleus double of Athlon 3000) that on it blots some of the Sight (Duo-Nucleo) and nobody of these systems can play behind the video without to stutter... mólto. They have been forced to convert the video in dispositions of the MPEG of easy-$$$-PLAYBACK being used Before the adobe, a process conversion boring that is necessary approximately 30 minuteren of time-machine for every minute of the video. The final result is "technically to high definition," but it does not observe enormous improved from the video standard of definition of my camera of the SONY once played behind on my television 1080p. Is better... but to guarantee all the convertina of the job and the publication not enough it. That is my first attempt using a camera of the Kodak and has found the experience frustration graceful. It is a slow camera, with ago delaying after that every photography poichè watched a screen gray while the image is written to the shunting line card standard. That seems to happen also with the fast cards and with the last ones to even firmware. I have not perceived never this kind of I make to delay with before blots some to them photographic of the Canon or the SONY, so as to he seems very uneven to me. Perhaps customers of the Kodak you are used to this? Pricipalmente I have used the canon and it blots them of it photographic of the SONY in the past and the used one to this. Moreover, us it does not seem to be a sense of riesaminazione of the photos on the lcd without to extend the objective... therefore, if wished as soon as to show to a friend some photos directly from the camera, you your hand improves the vigilance because that objective is going to extend to if the wished ones or not. The LCD on the posterior part seems just, but the greater part of the time that wished to block the highest megapixel possible and disposition 12mp is not in compliance with the relationship 16x9 of the LCD. Therefore, a great part of the LCD goes made unusable. Real "the used" resolution of the lcd does not seem to be good how much the competition. In order to conclude, I have not never made to block one camera "in on" on me. The camera will freeze occasionally if hit of the keys while it is writing to the instantaneous card. The spazii in.bianco of the screen, the stays of the objective attack to you outside and you must remove the battery and replace them before that restorations. Really, really bizzarro. Fortune teller that I will attack with the SONY for hour, as I can publish the video of MPEG1 of the SONY in real time, without at all rerendering, with the direct software of impionbatura of the MPEG like Womble. More, video MPEG1 that the camera of the SONY generates will play virtually on all the calculating in the world without feeding of heavy elaboration and without it must install the software or the codecs special. of will playback also in PowerPoint without a legamento. I had studied the possibility to buy the camera of the Kodak for my parents as an easy one point-and-I talk nonsense with the ability to filmare the video. However, the video member of this camera has left it down, poichè is SURE that my calculating of the parents will not be able to handle the playback of the video. Therefore, it obtains the Kodak if you have a really fast system, not ripartiscono videos with the members of the family on the systems the more discs of a valve and they do not have to publish the video. The images that static blocked I have seemed to be of fine quality.


Will not focus
I've had this camera for two months. My last camera was a Kodak Easyshare which I loved and used daily. This one will not focus. On some things, but many many photos are turning out badly. I need to have excellent focus in order to take pictures of things to put on my blog, and I'm having to use my old camera to do it. Better focus with less pixels? Explain that to me, please. Also, sometimes the pictures just don't even "take" and there will be an unreadable something on the memory card.

Save your money, this one is trouble


Overall amazing camera IF you can keep the camera still.
This camera takes spectacular, highly detailed, vivid photos. However, you must 1)Master the features and settings in correspondence to the time of day if you are taking pictures outside and 2)Keep the camera as still as possible.

I was in New York City for vacation over the Holidays (Dec. 2007), and I took it least 50 photos of the city from the 86th floor of the Empire State Building. Out of those 50 photos, about 8 came out as "spectacular, highly detailed, and vivid" photos. I attempted to keep the camera EXTREMELY still on a ledge, and many of the photos still came out blurry. Keep in mind, this was at night, so perhaps I needed more fiddling with the features. I found the sunset and high ISO settings to work the best at night for cityscapes. Perhaps it was the memory card's flaw, but I doubt it since the day time pictures came out flawless. Many pictures at night on the picture viewer will look sharp until you upload them to the computer and you realize that many of them are blurred.

Master the settings. Keep the camera still as possible. Result: Enjoy quality images.

Otherwise, look elsewhere.


Amazing Camera
I have not had need of an other camera digita them but the fascination to possess a camera of HD has sucked it it. Happy it is happened. This camera is characteristic rich and one joy to use. Only the problem that I have had was that Kodak has not explained much good that you have had need of one card of shunting line memory standard of high rendering of high ability to take films beyond 30 second ones. My shunting line standard of the gig of champion 2 would be arrested between 23 and 30 second ones. The quality of the image and the observation hello on def a TV are narcotic. Mine elf 1000 of the Canon and Casio are hour on the external part that it observes within. I have bought this to Amazon and I have obtained in a day of transactions and to a better price that warehouse to it online of Kodaks that I will never still not use.


Blurry Pictures
My first 50 pictures turned out great. In week 3 when I would turn the camera on the lens would extend and the camera would power down with the lens out. I would have to turn the camera on & off and give the lens a gentle nudge to get it to retract. I'm not sure how or why but problem seems to have remedied itself. However, I cannot get the camera to take a crisp picture. The red blurry indicator is always on. I even put the camera on a solid countertop to take a picture and it was blurry. I'm about 1 week over by return/exchange date, so my only option is to send it in for repair. Also, it doesn't come with any accessories worth mentioning. The delay between taking pictures causes many missed shots. The video is great. I would recommend Sony Cyber-shot or Casio Exillum instead.


DON'T DELAY -- BUY IT TODAY!!!
If you are looking for a super simple lightweight camera then this is the camera for you! I have been purchasing Kodak Easyshare cameras for several years now and this is by far my favorite camera. I have had the bigger bulkier cameras with the higher zooms and lower megapixels. I wanted a smaller camera that was easy to carry along with me. (Almost a necessity when you are running around with 3 very active kids!) I decided to give this camera a try even though it didn't have a great zoom like my old cameras. I am so happy that I did! This camera is AWESOME! Besides being able to just slip it in my pocket or throw it into my purse, the clarity of the pictures is UNBELIEVABLE! I do wish it had a little more zoom but with 12 megapixels who needs zoom??? I would definatley recommend this product to anyone who wants a simple, easy to use, lightweight camera. DON'T DELAY --- BUY IT TODAY!


Two repairs - don't recommend purchase
Kodak Easyshare V1253 12MP Digital Camera with 3 x Optical Zoom

I purchased this Kodak Easyshare V1253 in October, when my old trusty Kodak Easyshare (much older version but very reliable) camera had its battery charger die on me. I bought the V1253 on a business trip when I urgently needed a camera. Sadly, I have been disappointed by it. I am a very savvy digital camera user. Here are the problems:

1. The camera is very susceptible to camera shake, and the shutter takes a few seconds to fire off. So you don't get the action photo you wanted first of all, and then the photos turn out very fuzzy if you have a third party take a photo and they don't know enough to hold the camera VERY VERY STILL as you wait the few seconds for the shutter to go off. This is therefore a bad camera for a teenager. And a very ineffective camera for a casual point and shoot type of user.

2. The quality of the photos are very good if you are lucky enough to not have camera shake when you took it. The digital video is high quality too. The longest video I took was about 12 minutes. I put in a 2 GB Sandisk and had no issues with memory storage to the disk.

3. Others have noted that it was a funky cord with a cheesy looking adapter to charge the camera attached to your PC. There is no AC charger so I had to buy one for about $10. It was worth getting. I would suggest to Kodak they include the AC charger in the first place and charge a bit more for the package.

4. At Christmas, the camera refused to charge. I did a bunch of troubleshooting with the manual and had to mail it in for repair back East. I sent it Dec. 10th and did not get it back until January 12. Thus, it missed the entire Xmas season. Luckily my old camera was fixed in time to capture our holiday photos . . .

So overall, it is not what I had hoped for given I spent $300 for it. I do not recommend it.

Addendum: Added February 2008. The camera failed again a month ago! It had the lens assembly jam. I had to mail it back AGAIN (second time) for repair. This time it took 3 weeks to come back. I have had it back only a few days, but I am holding my breath.

I do not recommend this camera. It is definitely full of problems.


Kodak -Top of the line
Top of the line product, Top of the line Specs, Top of the line company...


almost every picture is blurry
I upgraded from a 6 mp kodak camera. I take better pictures with the 6 mp than I do with this new 12 mp camera. I have tried every setting and I don't know what I am doing wrong looking at the other reviews I must be doing something wrong because other people don't seem to have have the blurry picture problem.


Awesome!
This camera is amazingly awesome. I absolutely love it. It has just enought features for it not to be complicated and has clear and crisp picture quality. It also has great video and looks great on HDtv!


A good HD digital camera
The video performances 720p of this camera is much good and easy. I wish that they have had 5x a zoom, 3x hardly to mala pain cut it. I have a problem to obtain to comfortable estate this camera. They have not planned in some taken of the rubber or the inch in order to help them to hold it. It does not have a true manual control where you can specify the iso, exposure and f-vi you arrest. I have had to make the debit with one of the ways preprogramma you of exposure. The loaded ones with the supplied cable of the USB. The calm images hardly observe a cut here under in the quality from that it takes with my Kodak Z730.


A Camera with an Identity Crisis



Price, Quality, and Features Make this Camera a Winner
Guten Tag!!

This camera is Awesome!!

The camera that I have came with the update already loaded.

This was compared in store to some other brands. The sales guy was actually pitching me hard on another brand and a lot more expensive camera. However, he was shocked, as I was, when we compared the video, the quickness of the auto focus, and the quality of the pictures.

The video on the other brand, in addition to not being HD, was very choppy looking compared to this camera.

Also, believe it or not this camera focused faster than the other cameras we compared it to.

And lastly, the pictures looked as good (if not better) to more pricier models.

The pictures' colors and sharpness seem very natural and they have a great pop to them.

And HD video on a $200 camera?!?! Wow!! The vids look great! I have had no issue watching the vids on my computer.

I hope Kodak adds even more video features on the next iteration.

Great Camera with hard-to-beat Price and Features.


Kodak Kamera is Kool
One of the better point and shoot pocket sized cameras, this Kodak machine has features galore, all at a great price !


Great potential so far unfulfilled



Just in a month serious Shutter Cover Problem
I have bought this camera for mine vacation race before thanksgiving. Endured after a month, during our travel of vacation of the family we have taken some large instantaneous photographies in the beginning and then suddently the objective cover will not be opened. The camera was completely useless in how much declares. We were to the scenico place during our travel when the camera has shown this problem and could not take the images of that narcotic place. Not only that but we have not had other means in order to take the images during the rest of the race days. This part of left that we have frustrated. I have already used blots some to them photographic of Nikon, of the Canon and of the SONY and I have not never seen such edition kind. I really hated this camera. After the return from the vacation they are put to me in contact with Kodak and have wished the camera to be transmitted they for service. I have already transmitted it camera to they. I will try to maintain dawns it to you.


Picture exposure
Recently I have bought this camera with the Kodak 5100 all in one printer. (I have attacked with Kodak because of the made unusable cards of memory and the frame that digita already I have had them). First thought approximately the camers... Scentro trades them, great visibility on the screen, lotteries of the options of the image until to lighting system and color, much easy to use and car explainitory. The problem...... when stamp my images "on the Compatable" "has suggested that" the accessory printer of AiO the images are not 4x6 like is declared clearly is on the printer who on the camera. (I know that relative the printer b/c I has not exited my old camera and has printed the great images with it on the new printer). The edges are all approximately 1 - 3 centimeters pruned. Hour I am fighting with obtaining in touch with these shocks of the Kodak. 2 email, 30 minuteren of being on the grip and then to obtain hanging in on over and on 1 1/2 that the hours that wait for an answer on the chat in presumed tension align, Kodak probably will not be following mine buy. But in the meantime if anyone has prays de council, I must have not waisted my moneies.


Kodak Easy Share Camera



Best Camera at a Good Price
Let me start off by saying that I am a Sony HDR-SR1 owner, and I was looking for something that was a cost effective back up where as I didnt want to always log a $1,500 camera around.

I wanted to leave the days of standard definition behind behind and record in HD only..all the time.

Let me tell you folks, do even hesitate, buy this camera now!! This is the first digital camera that records video and photos in HD!!!

If you have control over the lighting, you will have be very pleased to see the output..If you don't have control over the lighting, then of course the quality of the recordings will down and there is no where to add any attachments.

If you want a great HD Camera that records HD video and Photos then you can't go wrong with this.

The weaknesses of this camera are:
noticeable drop in clarity in low light situations
only 3x optical zoom
You have to buy the HD base to see on your HDTV
You have to buy the Wall Charger (comes with only computer charger)
Comes with Weird proprietary usb solution that breaks easily.

The Strengths of this Camera are:

Excellent quality shots in outdoor, well light situations
Price: I paid 229 (350 with all necessary accessories)..Excellent for a pocket sized HD Camera.
Fits right in your pants pocket, like a cellphone
Above average to almost very good quality HD video in well lit situations.

In Conclusion, no this will not take the place of your full sized HD Camcorder, but this is an excellent backup and a very reasonable price.


Kodak Easyshare V1253 12MP
Easy to use. A shooting option for every condition. Several framing formats from which to choose. Excellent photos with loads of detail. The movies really are high definition. If the camera had a 5X zoom I'd give it 5 stars.


I like it.
Finchè gone to the Web site of the Kodak and down cargos the new modernization of firmware for this camera that is large! Before that it modernizes never firmware other image was blurry. Therefore not tasks that are roba of refusal until that you do not modernize that software on the camera, the images are pleasant and the HD video is pleasant excellent! 4 stars only because the good ones firmware was not on the camera from the box it.


Overall very strong camera
Good points about this camera:
- high res for low price
- panoramic feature is cool
- colors look great
- responsive (seems to start fast without a long delay)
- HD video with great colors

Negatives
- If you want to take video at 720p, you are limited to 16 minute shots. I have a 2GB and 4GB card, and with each, it limits you to 16 minutes; must be a file size restriction or something...very annoying.
- On some of the videos that I've captured (while using zoom) the video capture slows down and people look like they're in slow motion. :(
- NO DOCK! This wouldn't be so bad except it's really hard to find a dock to buy for it. I bought one but it doesn't fit firmly on the dock. :(
- I don't know why they went with Quicktime format...my first impression was that the video from my old Casio Exilim was less pixelated. It may be a higher resolution but some of that effect is taken away by the fact that the compression isn't as good as some other cameras.
- The camera interface isn't as intuitive as I hoped it would be.

-Overall
This is a very good camera at a great price. It has great colors and some really neat features. It's not perfect...but I'd still recommend it.


Already problems after 6 months
We have had ours beyond 6 months and beyond HATING it must connect it to the calculating to loads, we have appreciate the video and the photos because it is bought for our daughter of 13 years and all were large for its first digitalis them. BUT..here is the festivities and is jammed, will not ignite, to load itself or to work and Kodak says that I must transmit it within where it will not be behind until after to the festivities. MUCH disappointing one! We have not taken it from no part or we have not used it excessive so as to this will maintain our low sign on this. THEREFORE NOT MADE AN IMPRESSION. It will dawn more subsequently on service of the Kodak....


Excellent Camera at an excellent price
Let me preface this review by stating that this camera must be updated with the latest firmware in order to truly enjoy the features and capabilities. The camera is extemely user friendly. The 3.1" screen works well even in direct sunlight. The onscreen menus are very easy to navigate and easy to read. The shots taken with this camera come out stunning and can be enhanced using Kodak's Photo Touch technology and cropped right in the camera without the aid of a computer! I find this to be incredibly convenient especially if you are away from home but want to produce some pictures at the nearest printer or photo department. At this point I do not have experience with capturing video. This camera will charge when connected to a computer with the included USB cable. A standard wall charger must be purchased separately.



Good idea poorly executed
This camera has two enormous things to go against of it... facility of use and amount (unchangeable) of jam. Tasks not to take to this thing the box it and to shoot the good images. There is a learning curve serious here before that you are taking to the images non-blurry (tasks to not using this to the night without a treppiedi.) Also after one hundred blows, I have controlled but a dozen the blows approximately decent. If left the iso to the automobile, the darker blows will be concluded in on with noise a lot. In making the photos of the exposures of the festivity light, I have uncovered in an exposure of the animals made from the lights that it is possible to completely confuse this camera in being sfuocato with some things. After uploading archivia to my hard drive, I it has noticed that the lime of the image of the Kodak (to the 9MP regulation 16x9) were formed of lima nearly equal like images 5MP from my Canon trusty Powershot S50. That one is jam a lot and extension. To confront the photos to the real format has provoked to the defects a lot in the images regarding my Canon. The 720 "video of the HQ" are different. I must wonder the how much better quality than image it would be if they dismissed the compression ratio. The video can decent if be attacked the camera on a treppiedi and your objective is not muovendosi mólto. Still it resembles mainly the video standard of the camcorder in the video of the camcorder of the extremity... hardly that HD screen seems to fill up one. I suggest to the regulation of the fire car "to the single ones turns out to you of AF"Continuous of the video of AF "for..." in the camera that continues to try to put to fire on the things, rendering all the sfuocato greater part of the time. Moreover I suggest to regulate the stabilizer of image outside... of it I seem to break off in on the image when it leaks... but you cannot permanent regulate that one, you I must make it every time you ignite the video function. The duration of battery is less ideal and not there is viewfinder and therefore no option in order to extinguish the LCD. The camera moreover has a green diode valve annoying on the front part that comes over in the degrees of variation of brightness second that what been making (in the case of the images, people in neighbor declares would have to be able to see it), but one is put heads so as to I am hoping to find a sure riempitore of the warehouse of hobby in order regarding it. I appreciate the screen of the LCD, the greater part of the disposition of menu and the format and the tact of the unit. And task that could repair some of my jam of the lima of editions... especially... in the modernizations of firmware. And reasonably it is estimated for that what. It does not make it enough good affinchè me hardly suggests.


Just got it
Hello. I have obtained hardly this camera like gift for my birthday. A my camera is not accepting card of the pair of the disc of Saint FOR that has bought hardly today, neither old from an other camera. It says "the inner memory in full load" and the lascerà one not to take an image. I have only 14 images, entire undertaken the inner memory, of way that the inner memory Is full. But she is not not noticing acceptor or the card that of memory puts in it. I appreciate the formed small, the great screen and that one is light. They are not neanche in HD technology and I do not possess a HD TV, because I do not watch the TV. Havent taken a video still, but I it has read that you have need of a processor strongly to play them on your calculating. I have a calculating much weak person and that it does not plan on the modernization, so as to this is disappointing to me. I have had difficulty a lot with the images blurry, hardly over the braces of the où days I have tried this camera. They are not used duty to hold the bottom to half road of the key for dargli the time to put it to fire I was not informed that I have had to make therefore until that has not read the observations on this place. It has taken two tests to me in order to convince my camera in order to recharge succesfully. I appreciate that the camera comes with a case. My camera has been bought outside of one rabbet of shopping of the TV. I have not seen their publicity, but they are felt to me that the main point of sale was the particular amount that you can see. Some of mine phots seem to be A LOT detail to you (better than others it blots some photographic) and this is beautiful, benchè does not have to them outside printed publication still, so as to they are not sure as they will turn out. But a lot they have not been puttinges to fire from the camera, you can say to. My camera moreover has that ago to delay of the program of some second ones on the transfer from the system they centers towards the satellites "of firmware from the system centers them towards the satellites" - any those means from the Web site. Therefore dò the 3 stars because not there is CA adapter and I do not have a fast calculating in order to play the videos; but it will go until 4 stars if I learn like pushing the sense half of the stopper to resolve the problem of the sfuocatura and if the transfer from the system centers them towards the satellites of firmware accelerates of length the second ones ago to delay.


Nice features... so-so on execution
I've owned the V1253 for about a month now and while I'm certainly no professional photographer, I'm not absolutely sold on how amazing this camera is. In fact, if I had a 30 day return policy on my camera and not a 14 day return policy, I may very well have taken it back. Not 100% sure, but maybe.

In short, the camera does take excellent pictures and yes, the video, in HD quality, is very impressive. But there are a few personal observations that detract from that general statement. For example:

1] HD video. Impressive, no doubt. Now try to watch that file on anything less than a new computer. I have an AMD Athlon 64 3000+ with 2GB RAM and a Radeon 9700 PRO video card and I could NOT play the video back using the included Quicktime software!!!! The video and audio would stutter all over the place. I was astonished. I literally thought I had a defective camera. I tried it on my IBM R51 laptop at work. No good either. Now admittedly, a Core 2 Duo processor would not have an issue with this. But that's not what Kodak's website says. It says you only need a 600 MHz processor or better. Not true if you are talking about video playback. No way, no how. I finally downloaded GOM Media Player and installed QTLite and I was able to play back my video on a few different computers including a Fujitsu P1610. But that was a very disappointing experience. Kodak technical support was not helpful on this matter and told me that they were beginning to receive complaints and were considering a change to their "recommended minimum" description. I'll believe it when I see it. On the other hand, if you have a reasonably new system, you shouldn't have an issue with this.

2] Speed between pictures. There is no doubt that this camera is simply slow going from one picture to the next. The delay is 2-3 seconds per shot and it quickly becomes noticeable. The firmware update to 1.01 does little to nothing to resolve this. I wondered if this was a result of the memory card. Maybe it needs a class 6 card to move the pictures quickly. Well, don't ask Kodak. They can't even tell you if their own camera supports the higher speeds. In fact, it took a 30 minute conversation just to find out they the camera currently supports a 4GB SDHC card as a max. They offer no information on what class is supported or recommended other than to recommend their own Kodak 2GB SD card. I have a 4GB Patriot SD card that came out before the SDHC specification was set. Its performance speed easily meets a class 6 memory card. So unless there is something very particular about the Patriot 4GB SD, the fault remains with the camera.

Other minor negatives that have been mentioned by others:

- Lack of an AC adapter. It really is stupid. That's just being horribly cheap.
- The camera does freeze up at times. The only way to undo it is to remove the battery and then you have to reset the date and time again. Minor, but annoying.

That said, the camera does have some impressive specifications and I personally find its user interface to be clear, uncluttered and simple. That's one of the main reason I wanted to buy a Kodak. They have a good reputation (to me) for providing the consumer with a high quality camera that is not overly complicated. In that, they succeed.

I still consider myself a novice in picture taking though and I need to learn a lot more about how to better setup shots, how to make effective use of the ISO settings and flash, etc. I've owned several digital cameras over the years, so I know the real power still resides on the person behind the camera, not simply the camera.

I will say that I was originally looking for a less expensive camera. Several of the Canon cameras caught my eye. But the fact that this Kodak unit could handle HD video really caught my attention.

I'm not completely disappointed in the purchase. I like the camera and remain impressed by its picture quality. But in hindsight, I may have reached a bit further than is yet necessary.


Quick note on SDHC Memory
I bought an Adata class 6 8gb SDHC to use with this camera. While the camera does not accurately report the number of photos or video time left with the 8gb card inserted, it can use all 8gb. Recording HD video it has a 2gb file size limit (most likey due to the FAT32 file system). So the max you can record at one time without stopping to create another file is 19:12. I was able to record a grand total of 77 minutes at the highest HD 720p resolution without problems, other than it was in four files. This review is based on my experience with the V1233, but I believe they share the same specs and firmware.


Some striking design flaws
I purchased a Kodak V1253 digital camera and was instantly dissapointment with this product.

Upon receiveing, the first thing I did was download the most current version of Quicktime, EasyShare and firmware for the camera (v1.01) and installed them. After installing I began to test the camera's features, most notably the HD video. Unfortunately I was instantly disapointed. The level of visible noise while filming in standard 720p was terrible. When switching to HQ 720p, the quality improved, but the alloted time on a 2Gb memory card dropped to a paltry 16 minutes. A SDHC card could boost it up to 4Gb or even 8Gb and a much more acceptable 32-64 mins. Please note: Unless you update to the latest version of Quicktime, you will get choppy video playback, as it needs the most recent codec. I updated, and the video quality was still far below what I expected.

My dissapointment continued when I discovered that one of the most prized features for me, being able to zoom while recording video, was completely negated upon the discovery that the audible noise from the zoom lens extending and retracting is picked up by the stereo microphones. On the video playback, you can hear a VERY loud buzzing of the lens as it zooms.

Needless to say, although this camera's specs look good on paper, it's actual performance is subpar in the video field. As far as the photo quality goes, I didn't look to much. The video was such a turn off, that I knew I would be returning it for another model or brand.

One thing I did notice while trying out the photos, was the face recognition software is still getting worked out. Basically I felt that the camera was forcing itself to find a face when one was not there. Like when taking a picture of my living room, it found faces in the couch and lamp.

Kodak flaunts this as a great camera for video (that's what the "V" in V1253 stands for), however, if you are looking for a good photo camera, this might be good, but if you are like me, and were looking for a digital camera that could act as a camcorder also, you will be dissapointed.


Very good Camera
I am completely satisfied with camera. First thing I did was to upgrade the camera's firmware. Picked up the AC adaptor for $10. For the first HD video pocket cam, this camera is a hit. Easy to use takes great pictures.


Great Camera
I was leery to purchase this camera one month ago after some negative reviews that cited issues such as slow picture time, blurry, no A/C adapter and that it does not come with a memory card but instead with internal memory storage (with option for SD memory card). However, I figured the best review I could get was to open the box and use it for a month myself. The time to take a picture is not slow. I have a new baby and I push the button down half way to focus wait for the perfect moment and I get the perfect timing every time as opposed to prior cameras. So I am happy with that. Only one out of fifty pictures are blurry and that may be because of a poor focus or other issues. I am happy with that. It doesn't have an A/C adapter but that cuts the price of the camera for those who don't need it. If you want one pull out ten dollars and get one. It does not have a memory card include however that too reduces the cost up front for those who don't need one. Most people are upgrading cameras now days and already have a memory card from a prior camera. I love the operation system. It is very easy to navigate and to download onto your computer. I also like the software that it comes with. It is all very simple and user friendly. The weight and design are nice. It has a large picture viewer. I have used it for every day around the home and traveling for a day use and have not yet noticed any battery drain. (I suppose that could change with more frequent use)

My pictures are taken in wide format with 9 mega pixels and that is the format and detail that I have become to use. However I do change to standard 12MP at times and I took some close up pictures of my wife's flowers at that level and the picture quality was perfect.

The negatives are that after taking the picture, my camera takes about 1 to 5 sec with gray screen to record the shot. I have found that to be okay though because we already got the shot we wanted by holding the focus and taking the picture at the right moment. After the gray screen the picture shows up for view for 3 sec but can be easily by-passed by clicking the action button half way.

Good camera... Good price.



Kodak Easy Share #V1253 Review
I bought this camera a week ago but I didn't open it up until I did the research on it. Seems backwards but indulge me and I'll explain. First of all, I rely on the Amazon reviews when choosing a product. So far I have not been disappointed, for the most part people are responsible with their comments. I initially went to buy a different camera. However, after reading the reviews on it, the only negative review on that camera was the camera jammed. When I went into the store to ask if this was an issue, the demonstration model was jammed. Since, I had a coupon that expired that day I picked the brain of the sales people and found that the Easy Share V1253 exceeded the minimum number of options that I wanted and was well within my price range.

Well, I just can't be more pleased with my selection. Kodak loses a star for not including a useful manual or an adapter that can be purchased for $10. My concern was that I'd never figure out how to operate this camera. It wasn't the challenge I thought it would be. Also, when I picked up my 16 year old grandson, he had expanded my knowledge base in a few minutes.

Love the large screen!!!!

Also, I was given a firmware chip upon purchase. That upgrade resolves the speed issues and then some. You can view what version of the firmware that is in the camera and compare it to the latest version on the website for a free download.

Battery----anything you buy can have a defective battery. If it takes three hours to charge a battery and the battery doesn't seem to hold a charge, that should be a big clue.

Memory ---the earlier cameras came with a memory card because the camera didn't have internal memory. This camera holds about 10 pictures in the internal memory. The nice feature is unlike some of the other brands that require a special memory card that you can't find just anywhere, it uses the SD Card which is more popular and always on sale somewhere.

Settings----I wouldn't want a camera to hold a setting for snow, moving subjects, panoramic etc. After I turned the camera off, I might forget that setting is on and take inside pictures with a snow setting.
The pictures are crisp and clear, download is fast and it has many options for the price that I'm looking forward to learning how to use.

I bought a small inexpensive case and it fits nicely in my purse so I'll be prepared to take pictures of my new twin grandsons.

I would highly recommend this camera--main reasons the large screen on a compact camera--it takes beautiful pictures--and you get more bang for the buck.




V1253 review
I have bought this camera a week makes and completely they are satisfied with it. I have read to the negative reviews a lot approximately this camera and they are really shaken to like people is see again it. They are expert of fotographia, but I have used blots them of it photographic digita them during the years and are reached the conclusion that this has ecceduto every camera that I have used. I hope that those that it gives the negative reviews In the first place have modernized firmware of the camera from the Web site of the Kodak, because all the editions and time DISCS OF A VALVE of writing between the blows have been address to you. Use 4gb a card of the code category 6 SDHC and I do not have editions between the blows. Even conserve the films of HD to the incredible speeds, I am communicating 200 megs within under 4 second ones, unheard of the thats of. Until the focalization and to the sharpness he is interested, people have protested approximately the images blurry. Could down be something simple how much the estate the stopper before taken to the image in the first place therefore it fires and locks over? When acquired mastery of this you can quickly take to a lot the free crystal images. The usb secondary of claims that are loaded, but you it can take the adapter of CA for 10$. For the first video cam of the pocket of HD, this camera it is a blow.


absolutely horrendous
In the first place, lascilo to say it a lot it has been excited approximately this camera. 12 megapixels and it shoot the HD video? A high-end point-and-it talks nonsense that I can control the functions advanced over? More less than $300 therefore I can leave my kidskin to use it? Impressive! Bought it to a launch of the world from a rabbet of shopping and said to my brother to this purpose also, since it and its moglie were acquiring for one. In the second place, they are a photographer of the seed-professional who has studied the fotographia to school. They are not debuttante and to possess several blots of it photographic advances, all canons. Mines equally are are left over to you and too much expensive affinchè my family uses, so as to I have wished qualche.cosa simpler but still high-quality. The Canon (a Powershot G5 and Rebel XT of Digital are not excited with mine digitals of), or digita them in a generalized manner, but the demo that in tension I have seen of this Kodak V1253 it was forcing and I have had to buy it. Therefore why is the my brother (intermediate customer of the camera) that I they hate it and both are transmitting it behind? Well, honestly, because it sucks. It is necessary several hours for the battery to loads, but door a lot quickly down. I have yesterday shot only 130 approximately images to pixel mega the 9 to the wedding of the friend and are died before that the reception really obtains begun. The greater part of they has had flash, but with unconcern, that he is unacceptable, period. Defective anchor, has taken in order always in order to write the images to the disc. In order at least 3 second ones after that it will take an image, the screen was gray and I could not take others. It is supposed in order to allow you to make bursts (the several pics in a row), but I could not I do not make one every 5 second ones. For the moment in which it is aspects still, I it was expectant to take to the image (the moments of wedding happen fastly and they do not repeat!), and it would not have time completely to put to fire. Therefore if you obtained the blow, he was not cutting. In fact, virtually NO of the images that I have taken were sharp, also with all we that lever in feet perfectly still. Not one. I had bought one SanDisk ultra II card of memory of 2 GB and initially I have thought that the high ability could indurla to being therefore slow, but have other ultra IIs for mine canons and are lightning bolt fastly. My brother has marked exact the same problem... could not make the bursts, it has had to attend in order always between the pics had the slow one writes the time and the images blurry. The lengthening of defect is a lot bizzarro pure. My images were to a relationship of 3.384"x of 6", the champion of 4"x not of 6". I do not know if that one can be recorded in the camera, but am not maintaining it enough long in order to discover. I have explored the special regulations, that they would come in much practical one for debuttanti: keys for the dark pics of the snow, beach, landscapes, etc. But if you extinguish the camera, it does not seem to conserve those regulations and the camera is extinguished in order to conserve the power of the battery. I could conserve it every turns some regulations, but not all and those more important, so as to really kind of the beginning surplus. Other one what to know, if still been considering this camera atrocious in spite of this review, is that memory card does not come with one. It has incorporated memory, but also to the lower resolutions, it only stores one manciata of images. Graceful a lot you must buy one card. Camera that defective I have never used.


Buyer beware......



Best Digital Camera in $300 price range.


While their are some bugs with this camera, that need a firmware update.
(Sep/NOV 07'contact Kodak) once this is done with the correcting
software, it is one of the best digital cameras on the market.

It features Smart scene mode which actually automatically selects the
best scene mode for you, if you don't have the time to choose it.

Actual video specs listed by Kodak are higher then what is stated.
(listed 1024x720)the actual is 1280x720 Full Frame Progressive at 30
frames per second. So the video on here with a large SD card is close to
and in some cases even better then many entry level HD Camcorders!

Sound on the video is in stereo which is also new to Kodak.
To playback HD video beyond the camera's high res 3" screen, you will
need to purchase the Kodak HD dock. ($99)
(This hooks directly to your HD TV and is essential to get for viewing
both Still images as well as the 720p video)

Note Sony's 1080i video on their digicams, does not come close to the
Genuine-Progressive full frame video @ 720 on this new Kodak camera.


Has an 3200 ISO. About 1600 without to much quality loss.

Bottom line while Canon & Nikon cameras may still have the nicest designs
this new Kodak is coming closer BUT with better detail and color acuracy
then many of them due to its new Kodak Color Science Chip.




Diappointed, unfortunately
I have been wanting to "upgrade" my digital camera for quite awhile and then I saw this one. Wow did it look and sound cool - especially the large screen.

It arrived yesterday and I have been unable to use it - it does not seem to be charging. I just spent 30 minutes on the phone with Kodak; they asked me to keep it plugged in overnight and see what happens. Ugh!

I do not like the USB charging; too many adapters to fuss with; less of a "connection" if you ask me. I located a Kodak USB/AC adapter at a local store because I do not want to use the PC. After at least 3 hrs., I turn the camera on, it quickly turns itself off. I really think something is faulty - I'm hoping it's just the Battery or the USB Cable that came with the camera.

Another reviewer described how lights came on during the charging process - NO lights are appearing for me; not until I turn it on. Now I really do think something is wrong with the USB charging. I am considering the AC Adapter and NOT using a USB connection at all; unfortunately will have to wait for its arrival in order to test.



Good things come in small packages - not always...
Camera of the Kodak Easyshare V1253 12MP Digital with a zoom optical of 3 x good, I have received mines this afternoon. Reaction begins them: it is smaller than the it' d of thought of it is. It thinks solid and compact and it observes classy. It only comes with "obtaining the guide begun" in terms of instructions or documentation. One heads disappointing for that one. To align, is a CD in the package, but I had taken the camera to the office and my company has limits on that what I can load on my calculating of the job. The guide dictates is enough skimpy, only 21 page if you do not include the information of the guarantee and legalese. I have tried the adapter of CA in order to load the battery. Us it is not one. You can only load the battery via an adapter with the USB. And since I could not load the CD with the software, I could not read some instructions beyond the guide. I have connected the camera to my PC and blue blinking has been ignited. All it seems JUST. After 90 minuteren or therefore, the blue light originates them has been transformata in solid and second (with a icona of the film camera) begun in order to flash. Calculation that meant to load itself has been made, but we face, it is only presupposed mine. I have detached the cable and I have ignited the camera. On purpose, it possesses approximately others 6 blots some photographic digita them, so as to I can say to that what the keys make from theirs icone or labels and can use the intuition in order to admit that what. The keys and the operation enough are intuiti to you and this is an accreditation to Kodak. The stick of joy for the selections of the menu is enough small and is easy to push scorrettamente and to select an undesirable option. People with large barrette or the will a lot dexterous do not have editions with this type of control. I have taken hardly approximately 10 images in order to try the camera outside. The greater part of the images was amazingly good, but I can dirmi I will have to before try the many different options of scene that it can take the images reliable. There was a sure one blurriness and visible confusion in several of the images, that I attribute to light of the inside and my hands shaky, I suppose. I will try tomorrow in the circumstances of solar light. The lack of adapter of CA in the package would have to be considered with attention from the people that travels, particularly if makes therefore without a calculating puts into effect them. To align, you can buy an adapter from Kodak, but you will have to pay prize and the hope is not an operation here on their action. The camera is not recognized like smontabile drive on your Windows.xp, therefore, you will have to use the software of the Kodak in order to take care itself of your images stored until that you do not load to them and you conserve elsewhere. Archivierò the additional information approximately a week or two from today, after that it becomes more expert with this new one "they cool" the giocattolo. Lasci the you' all to know....


Pretty slick little device
In brief, this camera is very cool - but not perfect.

Let us start with the downsides.

The first is Kodak itself. They have selected Quicktime MPEG-4 as the format for their videos. As a result, incorporating video with typical video editing software will require a conversion that can cause the quality to degrade.

Kodak has also made a small mess by choosing only a proprietary port on the bottom of the camera to connect it to a computer (without a base) and that little adapter is small enough you'll surely lose it within a year.

By the way, if you like Kodak's Frame Dock II you are out of luck - although it claims to support the V1253, there is no adapter available for it. I called Tech Support; I was embarrassed for them.

I am also a firm believer that the timer feature should be controlled by a physical button and on this camera, it is not.

Now, capturing HD quality is amazing, but be ready to train your mind to frame photos differently because you cannot print in 16:9 format.

12 megapixel is a little misleading, too. You will probably default to 9 megapixel because it is the only size that will support HD and the 16:9 format. Otherwise you get vertical letterboxing - wasting real estate on the beautiful LCD.

This camera is not a point-and-shoot. Although really it is, until you get the settings just right and understand how to use the flash, ISO and stabilization, your first few photos will likely be blurry.

If you are like me, you like to access your camera through Windows. When this camera is connected, only the Kodak Easyshare software can see it. That's a drag if you like Picasa. You could always read from your memory card directly but if you get the Extreme III card like me - because it is the fastest and largest on the market - most card readers can't see that either. So much for backwards compatibility.

The icons and such on the screen are fine, but for some reason they are fuzzy. Although the psychological effect makes you think your photos are even more clear, anything unclear on an HD camera seems lame.

Now, let's move to the positives (less negatives).

Any new camera without face detection is not a real camera, I think. This camera has it and does it as fine as any Canon camera I have ever uses. It can even detect two faces at once. It's great.

The video quality is the best video quality I have seen on a camera or even on a video camera. It's stunning, stereo, and in amazing HD. It's not like Monday Night Football good, but it's better than anything you have ever created before (for the price, I should add).

You know that delay digital cameras have when they start up and before you can take the first picture? Sometimes you even miss the shot (especially with kids). This camera has two seconds to first shot. In my opinion this is a far improvement from earlier Kodak cameras, but there's no question the Canon Sureshot's one second time is better.

Kodak reproduces the best color of any camera I have EVER used. I am dedicated to Kodak regardless of their lame software and the imperfect user interfaces as a result. The final product (the photo) is all that ultimately matters, and Kodak simply delivers. Canon is a far cry from the best. Sony's good, though Olympus is better. Kodak still rules.

If you are familiar with how to focus a digital camera by holding the shutter button half way down - then you will be able to overcome any delay that is classic with digital cameras. This camera has some delay but it also turns the screen to gray once it takes the photo which is a real disorienting feedback.

Switching between photos and video in review mode is amazingly slow. Although it is fast compared to how fast my mobile phone can do it, it's still a little slow. To be fair the resulting images are nearly 2MB and the video is terrifyingly large. So, I can give some mercy on this point.

It is not my preference to have the zoom as a shuttle control surrounding the shutter button. I prefer it in the top right of the back. It is also not my preference not to have a physical view finder. However, each camera is different and in the end it is just a preference I have.

Finally, it seems to me that the battery might not be as long lasting as I have seen the Canon Sureshots last. They really are a fine camera. Even so, it seems to last an all day excursion. Of course, without a base charging it requires a computer.

To be fair, Kodak has an HD base just for this camera. However, it is intended to expose this and other media to an HD television. A base that is not connected to a computer? Couldn't they have added WIFI or something? Dumb.

Conclusion

I bought this camera because I like cool things. This thing is cool. The video is amazing. The photos are great. The size is nice and small. I bought the IPod white one (which you have to get directly from Kodak) and I love the look of it.

However, I don't like Kodak's software and hate that it appears I am stuck with Easyshare. Even so, this appears to be the next big thing in photography - stunning quality, small devices, and cheap prices.

Right now, there's nothing else like it out there.

In this round of wanting a new camera for myself, this is my third purchase. I have sent the first two back. This one is a keeper. The quality, the color of the images, the small size, the big screen, the video, the cool factor (and color). And it's only $300 (Sept 07).

PS: I know the specs say this camera comes with a camera case. But just think "soft camera sack" and you won't be disappointed.

[UPDATE - late September]

My original observation about the battery life was correct. You might as well make plans to buy an additional battery (which is incredibly small for the size of the screen) and also buy a battery charger so when you are on vacation you can charge the camera up without toting your laptop all around.

Another down-side to this camera is that when the battery dies, the camera just freezes. It looks like it's a glitch to me. No warning, just black screen and no response - it doesn't even bring in the lens.

Yet another downside is that the above freeze issue seems to be recreatable. If you take many photos in quick succession, it seems to freeze pretty reliably. I am hoping for a firmware update to correct this craziness.

I would still buy this camera. However my previous comments on video quality might be adjusted since my recent experience. The quality is very good and the size is quite nice, but it does not seem to handle high action very well. There's likely no fix to that - it's likely a flaw in the quality of the MPEG encoder.

Even still, the quality of the stills is even more stunning that I initially thought. They are tremendous (even at 9MP) and the HD format really is cool.



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--end of Kodak Easyshare V1253 12MP Digital Camera with 3 x Optical Zoom