Kodak DC290

Kodak's latest entry into the high-end consumer digicam arena is the DC290 which they proclaim on the box as "3.3 Ultra MEGAPIXEL Resolution" in large lettering followed by smaller lettering that says "2.1 megapixel non-interpolated." This type of marketing was first used by the Agfa folks to sell their ePhoto line of cameras using the PhotoGenie program which software interpolated the resolution higher than the "real" resolution of the CCD imager. I do not care for this high-tech way of duping those consumers buying a digicam based solely on the resolution numbers. I hope Kodak does not stoop to this kind of marketing in the future. (I will now get down off of my soapbox and continue with the report.)

The Kodak DC290 captures images in 1792x1200 (high w/out interpolation), 1440 x 960 pixels (medium) or 720 x 480 pixels (standard). It has a 3X optical zoom lens with a 2X digital zoom option, a fast USB port for dowloading images, and its powered by the Digita Operating System that allows the user to run internal scripts to automate the image capture process. New Digita scripts can be downloaded over the Internet as can the firmware upgrades for the DC290 itself.

Images can be stored in one of three JPEG compression levels (Good, Better or Best) or as an uncompressed TIFF file. A large internal RAM buffer in the DC290 allows the user to operate the camera in Burst mode. Up to 4 pictures at high and medium resolution, maximum of 16 pictures at standard resolution, frame rate selectable from 0.1 to 3 frames per second. There is also a time lapse mode to capture shots at predefined intervals of 1 minute to 24 hours.

Jump to DC290 specifications

The DC290 has a 2.0" TFT color LCD for review and preview, plus a real-image optical viewfinder that is coupled to its zoom lens. As you can see, the menu system is very graphical due to the Digita Operating System - more on this later in the report.

The view from the top with the camera powered on and the lens extended. Most important camera information and settings are displayed on the top data LCD and can be easily changed using those two buttons on the left. On the right side is the shutter release, selftimer and the power switch.

Here's a closeup view of the top LCD and controls.

The only thing on the bottom is a tripod socket. Battery and flash card access is from the side so the camera does not need to be taken off of the tripod to change these.

The 3X zoom lens (38 - 115mm 35mm equivalent) with an aperture of f/3.0 to f/15.3 (wide); f/4.7 to f/16.0 (tele). 37mm filters and add-on lenses can be used via an optional lens adapter

The lens extends out from the camera body when powered up and retracts back into the camera when its powered down.