Z712IS - How does it compare?

[dig-it-al]

I recently purchased my 1st digital camera to replace a film SLR. I did not want to buy at SLR prices so I purchased a refurbished Kodak Z712IS from Kodak.com. I find it to be very easy to use and I am pleased with the photo quality as well as the performance and zoom lens. The only negative I have found thus far is battery life - even the Lithium CRV3 batteries seem to go fast (and I have the LCD brightness set at 1, use the viewfinder, and have continuous AF turned off).

My plan is to eventually get a digital SLR but for now I am quite satisfied. How does the Z712IS compare with other ultra zoom cameras in image quality?

[swpars]

I have the Z612. If you keep ISO under 200, image quality is fine.

Bottom line - these ultrazoom P&S cameras aren't for low light shooting. But the 12x zoom lens has good optical quality for how cheap the camera is, along with in-lens stabilization.

[wilson44512]

i have a Z710 and i use the energize lithium e2 AA battery and they last a long time they even make the Energizer e2 CRV3 Lithium

[sw2cam]

1-Digital cameras eat batteries like the fat kid eats cotton candy at the circus, get rechargeables and be done with it.

2-I like the KODAK dock system, printer dock or camera dock, it dl's pictures, and charges batteries all in one.

3-I have some KODAK KAA2HR that are over eight years old and a few KLIC 5001's that are 5 years old so I'm guessing they are worth the few extra bucks. Oh and I don't have to walk around with battery packs and cords sticking out of my pockets, or have a pocket full of AA's.

4-The Z712is,812is, and 1012is are outstanding in ZERO to low light in the AUTO mode within the flash range.

[stiphy]

Wow, I went into our Kmart appliance center trying to see if the Cannon SD1000 pocket cams finally were on clearance and walked out with a 712IS. I had no idea if I was being scammed but it appears that this is a pretty solid camera. The sales clerk told me that I had to buy one, for some reason the store was having a sale on them from $300 down to $56 (I live in St. Croix, USVI so our prices are very high on things). I couldn't believe it...and still can't. They have 5 more, I'm tempted to buy them and put them up on Ebay or something :)

So far seems pretty cool, I'll post more as I get to play over the weekend.

When they put the SD 1000 on clearance I'll be buying that one too as I love to have a pocket cam for everyday situations. In the meantime this superzoom appears to be a great alternative.

Sean

[sw2cam]

Hey for $56 bucks .......... I'll take them all