A85 v DX7440 v ???

[Euan]

Has anyone used the A85? If so, what are their opinions of it. I've looked at the A75 but don't really like the the swivel lcd screen.

I've seen a DX7630 and it looks nice but I've yet to see the DX7440 which appears to produce better pictures.

I'll be using it for all sorts of photographs but probably not as many in very bad light conditions (eg clubs/pubs) although I will use it indoors.

I really want something that will provide me with excellent all round photographs for printing upto A4 size. I also want something that can be point and shoot pretty easily for various settings (outdoor, sports, night shots, etc) but also with manual controls so I can learn as I photograph.

A85 appears to have more manual controls.
They appear to be similar sizes/weights.
DX7440 is a 4x lens compared to the A85's 3x.
Which lens is better?
The DX7440 uses SD (which is handier for me but no real difference)
DX7440 has lots of scene settings... what does A85 have?

Which one produces the best photo quality?

Any other suggestions?

Thanks
Euan

[speaklightly]

Hello Euan-

Well let's chat about these two digital cameras, in as much as you have extended your explorations further to include the Canon A-85.

Manual Features: Both digital cameras contain the same amount of manual features. The Kodak 7440 does utilize a command dial which I find more convenient than the Cannon A-85's Function Switch.

Scene Modes: The Canon A-85 has a very limited scene mode selection. The Kodak 7440's scene mode selection is more substantial.

Size: Both digital cameras are just about the same size.

Zoom Capability: The Kodak 7440 has a very nice 4X optical zoom, while the Canon A-85 has but 3X optical zoom.

Camera Menus: The Canon A-85' menu structure is rather complex when compared to the Kodak 7440's nice simplfied menu

Lens Quality: The lenses on both cameras are quite close in quality. personally, I prefer the Schneider lens on the Kodak 7440.

Flash Media Used: The Kodak 7440 uses the SD card and the Canon A-85 uses the CF card

Pricing: The Kodak 7440 will probably cost less than the Canon A-85 in the UK. In the US the 7440 is $US 255, and the Canon A-85 is $US 280.

Shot to shot times: Both digital cameras are just about equal.

I took the liberty of forwarding you a link to a Canon A-80 Gallery, as I do not own the newer Canon A-85. Both digital cameras are quite good. If ease of use is your criteria, then the Kodak 7440 is the winner. If zoom capability is the criteria, then it is the Kodak 7440 once again. If a big name in the camera industry is your criteria, then perhaps the nod goes to the Canon A-80. All in all, these cameras are extremely close and you could not go wrong with either.

Sarah Joyce

[George Riehm]

Hello Euan-

Well let's chat about these two digital cameras, in as much as you have extended your explorations further to include the Canon A-85.

Manual Features: Both digital cameras contain the same amount of manual features. The Kodak 7440 does utilize a command dial which I find more convenient than the Cannon A-85's Function Switch.

Scene Modes: The Canon A-85 has a very limited scene mode selection. The Kodak 7440's scene mode selection is more substantial.

Size: Both digital cameras are just about the same size.

Zoom Capability: The Kodak 7440 has a very nice 4X optical zoom, while the Canon A-85 has but 3X optical zoom.

Camera Menus: The Canon A-85' menu structure is rather complex when compared to the Kodak 7440's nice simplfied menu

Lens Quality: The lenses on both cameras are quite close in quality. personally, I prefer the Schneider lens on the Kodak 7440.

Flash Media Used: The Kodak 7440 uses the SD card and the Canon A-85 uses the CF card

Pricing: The Kodak 7440 will probably cost less than the Canon A-85 in the UK. In the US the 7440 is $US 255, and the Canon A-85 is $US 280.

Shot to shot times: Both digital cameras are just about equal.

I took the liberty of forwarding you a link to a Canon A-80 Gallery, as I do not own the newer Canon A-85. Both digital cameras are quite good. If ease of use is your criteria, then the Kodak 7440 is the winner. If zoom capability is the criteria, then it is the Kodak 7440 once again. If a big name in the camera industry is your criteria, then perhaps the nod goes to the Canon A-80. All in all, these cameras are extremely close and you could not go wrong with either.

Sarah Joyce

Let's not forget the AF Illuminator for those pesky indoors shots. The A85 has one. Canon is a lens designer/maker of some repute, so they don't have to rely on out-sourcing. I can't recall the last Schineider lens with a Nikon or Canon mount.

[Euan]

Thank you George and Sarah Joyce for your views... both very much appreciated, you both certainly seem to know what you are talking about.

I think I've got it down to a decision between the A85 and the DX7440... it's just a question of which one... more manual features with A85 or 4x lens with DX7440? Just one of the various decisions.

Zoom.... 4x on Kodak, 3x on Canon
Conversion Lenses... both support
AF Assist... only on Canon
LCD Screen... bigger on Kodak
Macro... 5cm on Canon, 10cm on Kodak
Movies... both although limited in time on Canon
Scene Modes... more on Kodak
Memory... Kodak SD (preferred), Canon CF

Manual Controls...
Exposure Compensation... both
Focus... Canon only
Shutter Speed... both
Aperture... both
White Balance... Canon only

Physical Size... similar
Weight... similar

Regards,
Euan

[Srosser]

I am currently debating between the same two cameras: Kodak DX7440 and the Canon A85.

Kodak has some additional lenses that can be used with the DX7440; a wide angle and a telephoto lens. I could not find any information regarding additional lenses for the A85. Does anyone know whether these additional lenses are worthwhile?

Reviewers have mentioned the quick response time for the DX7440. I have not heard anything about the A85's response time.

Any information is appreciated!

Thank-you.

[Euan]

I am currently debating between the same two cameras: Kodak DX7440 and the Canon A85.

Kodak has some additional lenses that can be used with the DX7440; a wide angle and a telephoto lens. I could not find any information regarding additional lenses for the A85. Does anyone know whether these additional lenses are worthwhile?

Reviewers have mentioned the quick response time for the DX7440. I have not heard anything about the A85's response time.

Any information is appreciated!

Thank-you.

Excellent to know I'm not the only person looking at these to cameras. All the reviews I've read tell me that the DX7440 is a very good camera, I've not read much on the A85, just past users comments on other A models.

My main decision is between more manual controls on the A85 or the ease of use (scenes modes/some manual controls) of the DX7440.

[Slnce-z-GSI]

Let's not forget the AF Illuminator for those pesky indoors shots. The A85 has one. Canon is a lens designer/maker of some repute, so they don't have to rely on out-sourcing. I can't recall the last Schineider lens with a Nikon or Canon mount.

Yes, A85 has an AF illuminator and DX7440 not, but Kodak has a hybrid AF which (according to my own experience) handles the lowlight focusing quite well. Even if the camera is telling you that it can not focus - the image you will take will be in 95% of cases sharp.

[Euan]

Well I took the plunge and ordered the Kodak DX7440 from Amazon.co.uk for £200 (instore price c.£250). Will be ordering a 512MB SD Card from Expansys.com for £50 tomorrow.

Battery currently charging and I am at work so will be playing with it all night! ;)

Will post a review once I've had a chance to see what it is like.

Thanks to anyone and everyone who has helped in responding to my earlier posts, questions, etc about digital camera.

Regards,
Euan

[mikeS]

Komplette.co.uk or Shop4memory.com aslo offer good value on lfash memory. Has anybody else used eXpansys own brand products?

[Euan]

Has anybody else used eXpansys own brand products?
I've a eXpansys MMC card in my mobile phone and it works fine.

Have ordered an eXpansys 512MB SD Card for my new Kodak DX7440 (£44!!!). I've no worries about it, all eXpansys branded cards have a 14 day money back offer if it doesn't work with your device - check out their site... www.expansys.com (UK) and www.expansys.us (USA).

Euan