Consumer Review of the Kodak Z-980

[jcotton55]

Ah, dense fog would be nice, here in central Texas it's been a 100+ for around
50 days !

I figure the Z980 as well as the V-1073 had been handled and abused by the
customers at the store. The V-1073 zoom button was stuck ! Still makes me
wonder about the build quality.

James

[mtclimber]

James-

I agree putting out demo cameras such as Fry's does in our local area, has to be the ultimate torture test any camera can experience. I always steer clear of Fry's "open box, demo cameras."

Read the professional reviews, that is a much more realistic way to research a new camera.

Sarah Joyce

[jcotton55]

The "pro reviews" only tell me part of what I need to know. They never cover
the video features well enough and can't tell me how it feels in my hands.
I know a combo pic/video camera isn't important to a lot of people, but for
me it is and I will never buy a another camera that doesn't do both well.
The video users take tell me a lot, though there seems to be a lot of people
who can take bad video with cameras others get great video with.

If I can't find it localy to try and buy, I'll never own it. I never buy anything
without trying it out myself.

James

[gjtoth]

Originally Posted by jcotton55

The "pro reviews" only tell me part of what I need to know. They never cover
the video features well enough and can't tell me how it feels in my hands.
I know a combo pic/video camera isn't important to a lot of people, but for
me it is and I will never buy a another camera that doesn't do both well.
The video users take tell me a lot, though there seems to be a lot of people
who can take bad video with cameras others get great video with.

If I can't find it localy to try and buy, I'll never own it. I never buy anything
without trying it out myself.

James

I just learned this valuable lesson, James. The only thing other vital thing one cannot tell from buying locally is battery life. But, there are so many variables that affect it that it's impossible to get an accurate figure on it.

[meezer67]

Originally Posted by mtclimber

I just ran the Z-980 through its entire zoom range twice and I must say that it is no more noisy than any of the other super zoom cameras fro Nikon, Canon, Kodak, Panasonic, and Olympus, all of which I own.

Sarah Joyce

Hello Sarah,
I am researching all of the cameras listed above, which you already own. If you could only afford to buy one of these super zooms, which one would you choose? Presently I own three Kodak Easy Share cameras: my retired DX 6490, my trusty Z612, and my tiny V1073. Should I switch to Nikon or Canon? Or stay with Kodak and the new Z980? I've noticed that the price has increased on the Z980 in the past two weeks... does this mean it is becoming more popular and has overcome its unfavorable reviews? This morning on Amazon the price is $412.28! Thanks for your help... I value your opinion after reading many of your posts!
Best wishes, Meezer

[mtclimber]

Meezer-

Yes, in my opinion, the Kodak Z-980 is the camera of choice among the 24X optical zoom cameras on the market today because of the Kodak Color and the hot shoe for the P-20 external flash.

If you have done some research, you would find out that the following cameras were all produced in a single Chinese factory:

Kodak Z-980
Panasonic P-90
Penta X-70

Those cameras all share the same exact lens and very similar features. For me, at least, and I own a whole lot of super zoom cameras, the Z-980 comes first, followed by, the Olympus SP-590, and the Nikon P-90. The best super zoom in the last 5 years was unquestionably, the Sony H-2, but it is only 12X optical zoom.

Have a great day.

Sarah Joyce

[meezer67]

Thanks for sharing your opinion about the Z980. I like the RAW and live histogram features as well as the gorgeous Kodak color. I have a few more questions if that's OK.
*Why do you suppose the price has increased for this camera?
*Do you find the latch for the battery compartment to be a problem?
*Have you used the "document" scene setting? (I do genealogy research and think this might be very useful.)
Below is a picture that illustrates that Kodak color.... hope you like it!
Best, Meezer
PS I think you have the best job ever....

[mtclimber]

meezer-

Yes, I have used the Document Scene Mode on the Z-980 and it does a great job. the Z-980 is a master at macro/close-ups.The latch on the battery compartment is no big deal. I have never had a problem with it at all. i think that the small price increase happened due to a lack of inventory, which should be cured in a couple of weeks.

If you would like, you can have our job. After being "on the road" for 10 to 11 months every year for the last 14 years on cruise ships (606 total cruises!), we have decided to take a break. I just was re-hired today by our local Community College to start teaching digital cameras and software beginning in January 2010. I will also be doing some course for our State University as well. It will be fun to be back in the class room again, and after writing 7 books, there is another that we have already started.

Have a great day.

Sarah Joyce

[ac.smith]

Sarah:

Wow, really nice landscapes.

A. C.

[mtclimber]

Thanks very much, A.C.-

The Kodak Z-980 camera is pretty darned impressive camera with those luscious Kodak colors. i would like to see the Z-980 camera get the attention that it deserves.

Have a great Holiday Weekend!

Sarah Joyce