Kodak Z1012 IS Review

The Z1012 IS in Smart Scene (Auto) mode is very simple to use. On screen the icons for auto flash, image size (10.0 MP) and number of pictures left (552) and the "A"uto flash. When the Shutter is half-pressed, faces are detected, the scene is analyzed, and the best settings are applied.

Here you can see the information present when you half-press the shutter release (program mode) to achieve the focus and exposure lock. Smart Scene mode only shows the icon in the upper left corner and the focus lock (the red "AF" appears if the camera cannot focus).

Scene mode lets you select from 16 different pre-programmed modes portrait, children, landscape, night portrait, night landscape, snow, beach, text/document, fireworks, flower, manner/museum, self-portrait, stage, backlight, candlelight and sunset.

Manual mode lets you freely set both the aperture and shutter speed, ISO, brightness and flash intensity. Porgram mode only allows for the last 3 (shown above). The thumb dial on the back of the camera makes selecting an option and changing it a breeze.

Program Menu Options:

Picture Size - 10 MP (4:3), 8.9 MP (3:2), 7.5 MP (16:9), 5.0 MP (4:3), 3.1 MP (4:3), 2.2 MP (3:2), 2.1 MP (16:9), 1.2 MP (4:3)
Compression - Fine, Standard, Basic
Color Mode - Natural, Low, Black and White, Sepia
AF Control - Continuous AF, Single AF

White Balance - Auto, Daylight, Tungsten, Fluorescent, Open Shade
Face Detect Capture - On or Off
Exposure Metering - Multi, Center, Spot
AF Zone - Multi, Center, Selectable
Exp. Bracketing Interval - Off, ± .3, .7, 1.0
Sharpness - High, Normal, Low
Red Eye Preflash - On or Off

You can record 1280 x 720 HD, 640 x 480 or 320 x 240 motion video with audio at 30 fps. The length of the movies is dependent on available space on your memory card. Unlike most cameras, the optical zoom can be used while recording. The addition of the HD (720p) mode is a feature not found on most digicams.

MENU options in Video mode:

Video Size - 1280x720, 640x480 or 320x240
AF Control - Continuous AF, Single AF