042407: Kodak scores in mid-priced camera segment with v803

April 24, 2007
Updated 10:10:20 (Mla time)
Lawrence Casiraya
INQUIRER.net

MANILA, Philippines -- The Easyshare V803 follows the dual-lens v570 and v610 models introduced locally by Kodak last year. Unlike the squarish, rectangular form factor of the earlier models, the v803 has rounded edges but likewise features a high resolution 2.5-inch LCD display.

Like the other vSeries models, the v803's buttons are similarly placed: five buttons on the left and a toggle on the right. The left buttons allow instant review/deleting of photos, activating the flash , access to he camera's menu and a "share" button that allows for printing of chosen photos to email when connected to the EasyShare software on a PC.

For me, the most interesting feature in the vSeries is Kodak's attempt at making its cameras user-friendly.

When switched on, the v803 shoots in auto mode but press the SCN button on top and out pops more than 20 different settings on the screen -- including beach, panoramic (the v803 retains the "stitch" mode of the v570 and v610), sunset and even settings for taking pictures of flowers, "children" and text.

The v803 adds an anti-blur setting that features Digital Image Stabilization, which I assume was meant for those with extra clammy hands.

But like the previous dual-lens models, taking pictures in low-light situations using the auto mode offers less than ideal results. Personally, I would advise using the "candlelight" setting that chucks out the flash and produces the best result.

What makes up for those dim shots, though, is the v803's Perfect Touch feature, which "corrects" (more like brightens, actually) pictures in a single press of the toggle button. For people averse of tinkering with the camera's exposure setting and the like, this should be an attractive feature.

At an SRP of P16,995, the v803 is a less expensive alternative to its dual-lens siblings that are priced at P20,000 plus. It comes without the Bluetooth; but really, why need that when you can readily pop in a memory card in most laptops these days?

Unlike the v570 and v610, though, the camera's lens does not when reviewing pictures; hence, forming an irritating and unsightly protrusion.

The v803 packs 8 megapixels but it's wise to buy an extra SD card since using all those pixels will eat up the camera's 32Mb internal memory in a jiffy.

Bottomline, the v803 makes for a good mid-priced digital camera. It comes in eight eye-candy colors -- my review unit is described as "white glaze" and looks like an old-generation iPod -- that's perfect for the summer season. "Pink bliss" or "mystic purple," anyone?

Link:
More Kodak EasyShare v803 product specs

http://services.inquirer.net/express/07/04/24/html_output/xmlhtml/20070424-62143-xml.html