Kodak DC3400 2MP Digital Camera with 2x Optical Zoom
By: Kodak Average Rating: 4.5 Total Reviews: 80
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 On: 2006-11-11
I use this camera in my line of work...so I probably take more pictures than the average person. It is a good camera...and may be the best for the hobby shooter. There are 2 flaws with this model...first one being the battery cover door. They break easily...especially if you happen to put the batteries in backwards and try to force the door close as my grandkids attempted. The other problem is the flash. Im not sure if it is the flash strobe or the flash capacitor that goes bad....but either way...the flash stops working. At first its only a missing flash here and there...then complete failure...which makes me believe it is the capacitor going bad. Other than these 2 problems....they are really tough camera and can take a lot of abuse ( drops of 3 to 4 feet )without any damage other than batteries popping out.
 On: 2004-04-28
It gives absolutely great pictures, great user friendly menu
and its jsut take the best picture. I have used 3 more digital cameras noe. Canon, Fuji ..but this one is still the best.
I have almost shot 5000 snaps till now and they are jsut gr8Piyush
On: 2003-08-04
i have owned this camera for about 2 years and have taken thousands of photos with it. i take pics of everything, everywhere i go. pics of my 5 year old son and pics for work (we "trim-out" custom homes). i then download the pics, edit them, make photo groupings. email them to family. print them out and use them as scrapbook pages. i even have a "custom options catalog" to show customers and every photo was taken with this camera. i use the best setting, so i dont get many photos per disk, but i get great photos. and once i edit them with printmaster they still download in email within less than a minute-and that is with my standard 56K dialup connection. i have the 8MB card that came with the camera,plus a 32MB card that i carry for backup. it is so quick and easy that sometimes i take pics, download, edit, email, format the card and start over again in well under an hour. this is a great little easy to use, easy to carry camera that is Always with me!
On: 2003-06-02
...this is a great camera for the beginner, someone new to digital cameras or an "average" user of cameras in general. even for a 2.1MP camera, it takes great shots. granted, i have nothing to compare it to! uploading photos is easy on winXP, but i couldnt do it on win98; i had to buy a flash card reader.PROS: affordable (now, anyway!), easy user interface, with a 64mb flashcard, you can take 103 high quality photos. 3X optical zoom is nice. CONS: heavy. image viewer is kinda hard to see; images are fuzzy. 2X digital zoom is useless. sucks batteries like crazy. get rechargables.
 On: 2003-01-17
I have really enjoyed my Kodak DC3400, but it does have some "issues". After about two or three months of use the battery cover broke, and it does not close totally securely. It does close, but one jolt, it pops open and out fall your batteries. I have to be especially careful to hold my hand over it while taking photos. It also makes the "battery low" icon pop up occasionally, which in the beginning cost me a lot of money in replacements. My husband did temporarily fix it, but it still isnt perfect. Anyway, that was the only physical drawback. Another issue I have is the battery life. I got smart and turned off the display while taking pictures, which significantly increases the battery life. You can easily find a model that is just as easy to operate, but has a battery charger to accompany it.
by: Anonymous On: 2002-12-13
I compared this camera to the newer Kodaks, and I wasnt impressed. Oh yes, the new cameras are more powerful, but I only look at pictures on the monitor, and the quality really doesnt matter beyond a certain point. The 3400 is so easy to use, so fool-proof (and Im a camera fool), that it turns me into a total camera pest on vacations. Plus it takes standard compactflash cards, which I already had for other applications.The only drawback? The LCD screen is poorly positioned for right-eyed folk . . . my nose rubs against it. Oops. The bottom line? I wanted to buy a camera for my sister for Christmas, and instead of buying a new one, I bought a used 3400 instead!
On: 2002-11-26
I own this camera and Im very pleased with it.It takes beautiful pictures.Down loading is simple.Buy it you will like it!
by: Anonymous On: 2002-09-12
I sell on ebay and use this camera four to five times a week to list auctions. I love it. It is easy to install, simple to use, and takes great pictures. I did a lot of research first and wasnt disappointed in my choice. Battery life is good, nice size to carry. Ive been using it for over a year now. Highly recommend to anyone.
On: 2002-07-19
This is a great camera, the only drawbacks I have encountered while using it is that it is difficult to capture motion shots with it, the shutter is delayed and requires some pratice to get a shot. Also it is only a 2x zoom, and I have discovered that this is not enough for the pictures I am taking. Otherwise the batteries last about 2 days of regular use and the pictures are clear and the camera is simple to use and set up. This is a good camera for someone that doesnt need fast speed or zoom capabilities.
On: 2002-06-30
I use my Kodak DC3400 in my profession. I am a pet photographer and my camera performs great indoors or outdoors - automatically. I can focus on my subject and not have to worry how the camera is set. Love it!!!
On: 2002-06-10
I love all the functions on the digital camera which a regular SLR 35mm camera does not have, such indoor light filtering and instant preview.What I dont like about it is the autofocus function. It doesnt focus very well when lighting is not sufficient. I have to use tripod most of the time to take good, steady pictures. The 8Mb memory card was a joke. I went and bought a 128Mb card right away.
On: 2002-04-21
I got this as a Christmas gift and I really like it. It is great for the user that takes phots for fun.
FEW THINGS I SUGGEST:
Get a AC adapter. It uses batteries fast like every other digital camera. I bought the AC adapter for uploading my pics to my computer.
Get a few rechargeable batteries. Charge a few extras to take with you.
Get a bigger flash card if you are going to take it on vacation. That small card they give you fills up fast.
On: 2002-02-06
Ive had this camera almost a year now and have taken over 1,200 pictures with it. The Quality of the pictures are fabulous. Much better than comparibly price beginner cameras. The only thing I dont like is the lense cap. Im afraid sooner or later it will come off in my pocket and the lense will get scratched. Otherwise I love it.
On: 2002-01-30
This is a very good camera, especially for the price. Although the battery life is a little poor, the LCD panel small and the zoom lens weak, it takes very good pictures. It also has some nice features including red eye reduction and white balancing. If youre looking for a mid-priced, easy to use camera, I recommned this one highly.
by: Anonymous On: 2002-01-06
I bought this camera one year ago and have found it to be absolutely one of the best on the market. I believe Kodak may have replaced it with a 3900 or something, but the camera is great. I read reviews about the batteries not lasting long, and about the clarity and size of the LCD being insufficient. In my humble opinion, that is not correct. The camera takes some of the best pictures I have seen. Several friends and relatives have digital cameras that cost way more than this one and their pictures just cannot compare. For this kind of money, you will not find a better deal - and Kodak provides any accessories and software drivers you may need.
by: Anonymous On: 2002-01-04
Nice pictures on all quality settings. Battery life is much better then I thought it would be. Reviews I read before buying this product indicated short battery life as one of the Cameras negatives. Not so.
Often used functions like "no red-eye", "Close-up", "distance" settings are on top of Camera for easy access. Other functions are set via menus displayed on LCD display.
Very simply to use. Users LCD interface used for Camera setup and function settings is very intuitive.Negatives:
2X zoom is not enough in some cases.
Comes with only a 8MB memory card. I had to buy a 64MB.
Recharger and Ni-Mh batteries are not included. I had to buy these seperately.
by: Anonymous On: 2002-01-03
Does everything you need to do with a digital camera. Looks like a camera! Easy to use and do all functions.
On: 2001-12-30
This is as short as it can be:THUMBS UP:
- Turn On/Off in 3 sec (very good).
- Turn On LCD in 1 sec, turn Off in a split second.
- 2x Zoom is not bad at all (1.5 sec from W to T and vice versa)
Equal to 38-76mm.
- TV Out is really convenient for presentation. I used this when
I took almost 80 pics after a farewell party and everybody just
loved it.
- Tons of options to enhance your pics (add a border, exposure
adjustment, white balance)
- Internal memory that allows me to take 3 rapid shots. Better
than nothing.
- Battery is OK, not great though. I took around 120 pics with
LCD + connect to TV for presentation and the battery still
alive (in a very critical condition).
- With full battery, you can turn on LCD for a little more than
10 mins. THUMBS DOWN:
- Zoom is a little noisy.
- LCD is more pixelate and has a slow refresh rate (around 15fps)
- Software is really bad!!! Doesnt work with my comp (Celeron
1.1Ghz, W2K, 768RAM). I used a CF reader. Summary:
I dont have to read the manual to use it. Get an NIMH battery, and you are set to go. Very good if you can get it around $200.
On: 2001-12-23
The Kodak DC3400 is so easy to use and download pictures from, I dont think I would want another digital camera. The menu is user friendly and so is the download process. The only draw back is that is goes through batteries really fast (4 "AA"s at a time!)I recommend this for a starter digital camera for anyone interested in buying a digital camera. Tracy Donah
On: 2001-12-13
(...) The camera is very easy to use and takes very nice pics. It has nice options like Sepia mode(gives the photo a old fashion look like brown tone) and B&W mode. I bought a 32mb memory card a few days later - the 8mb it came with will hold about 25 pics on middle resolution and with the 32mb card it will hold about 77 pics at the same resolution.I would say the only negative things about this camera are the ready-to-shoot
time after turning it on is about 5 or 6 seconds mainly due to extending the lens out and it takes about the same time to store pics in the memory card after each shot- but then again how often do you need to take rapid fire shots anyway!
Oh yeah one more thing is that I highly recommend buying an HP Photosmart printer - they have a memory card slot built in so you can bypass your computer if you want or you can download the pics into your computer that way also. (...)
On: 2001-12-08
I bought this camera a week ago and really love it. I got a set of 1600 recharbles batteries at the same time so dont know how long the alkaline would last. I also use the view finder to take pictures with a quick view after the picture is taken. Remember when taking distance shots to adjust the focus for it on top or your pictures may not be clear. The menu is easy to follow and adjust and most settings stay where you set them( untill you change them back. I take lots of shots in the lower res. as I get more pictures on my card. A good camera for the money.
On: 2001-12-02
There is no lenz cover for DC3400. But obviously Kodak improve the design in DC3600 and later.It is not convinient to use the rubber cover manually.And the LCD window is not very clear comparing to Sonys. But I do not complain about price which is half of that of Sonys.
by: Anonymous On: 2001-11-30
It is a good camera, but heavier than most of the digital cameras and not easy to hold...These two problems are small but annoying...
On: 2001-11-14
I have had the Kodak DC3400 for about 15 months and have taken over 1800 snaps with it. It is an excellent amateur camera. The picture quality is excellent - sharp with beautiful bright colors. 4x6 and 8x12 prints made look excellent. The learning curve is very short and the camera is very easy to use. Transferring snaps to a PC is a snap using the USB port. NiMh batteries are recommended. On a set of 1600 mAH, I recently took 175 pictures, with flash and preview on all !! A larger Complact Flash card is also recommended. These are dirt cheap right now. Since I bought the DC3400, I have used my film camera only about 5% of the time - for situations where I might want large prints (16x20, 20x30). Cost wise, Im way ahead, than if I had shot with film.
On: 2001-11-08
I read all the reviews that said for the money the DC3400 was rated as the best camera on the market. They were right on the money. The quality of the pictures (even the 8x10s) are incredible. The only thing you must learn is how to compose in the view finder. It has a very user friendly menu that you will master in no time. Highly recommend this product. Two recommendations though: 1. Buy the Nickel-Metal Hydride rechargeable batteries and buy the largest memory card you can afford so you dont have to continually download pictures especially if you are on vacation and not near your laptop or desktop computer.
by: Anonymous On: 2001-10-31
I bought this last christmas and it works great. The picture quality is awesome. However, you cant take a lot of pictures quickly and the camera sounds are not very clear on whether you took the picture or not. If you are trying to get action shots, it doesnt work that well. Other than that I love it.
On: 2001-10-27
The DC3400 was my first digital camera, and having had it for several months, I can truly say it has outperformed my expectations. The picture quality is terrific, even at the lower resolution settings, allowing you to dial in for your needs - lower resolution for webpages/email, higher resolution for photo prints, etc.We recently attended a wedding, and with my 128mb CF card, I took over 130 pictures, several of which the bride liked better than her professional photographers version. My mom recently bought the DC3400EZ, and has been just as pleased. Kodak hit the mark with this camera.
by: Anonymous On: 2001-09-21
I bought this camera for my husbands birthday and wanted to make it a surprise but he was too impatient;-) He wanted to buy a digital camera so we could take pictures of beautiful Colorado and I had to give it to him before the day. He has never been happier with a gift. Needless to say, we have been using it non-stop. Its the handiest camera, has great picture quality, easy to use controls and a decent zoom lens. Weve taken hundered of pictures in six months, with extra-sharp clarity using the high resolution. Had to buy a 64mb card though to fully utilize the camera, the 8mb it comes with is not sufficient. It is so easy to take, manipulate and share pictures with this camera and they turn out very good. Weve got some pictures printed and their quality is comparable to any good 35mm film photos. I havent touched my 35mm camera since we got the digital, we absolutely love it!
On: 2001-08-27
I bought this camera 5 months ago and am pretty satisfied with it. The pictures it takes is of very high quality and it compresses it to JPEG by default. There is also a million options you can tinker with the get the picture you want. Do yourself a favor and pick yourself up a 64+ Meg Compact Flash Card, NIMH Rechargable Batteries and Charger plus a Kodak Lens Cleaning Pen. You will definitely need all of it. My only gripe about this camera is that it is kinda heavy and also the lens cap keeps on falling off.
On: 2001-08-27
Right out of the box this camera is simple to use in automatic mode. Great 8" X 10" digital photos! The software loaded up without a hitch. Transfering pictures from camera to PC via my existing Adobe program is great. Be ware this little puppy eats batteries! a couple of days of experimenting and about 36 high resolution images and I had to load up new batteries. I could not see spending for features I would likely not use.
On: 2001-08-11
Im just an amateur when it comes to photography. All I really want is an easy-to-use point-and-shoot camera that I can take on vacations to snap shots of places I find interesting, to use around the house to take photos of valuables for insurance purposes, etc. In other words, my expectations are pretty minimal.That said, Im extremely happy with the Kodak DC3400. This is my second Kodak digital (my first was a DC240), so obviously Im pleased with the Kodak product line. After unpacking the DC3400, I spent about 10 minutes getting it set up, and proceeded to take a few pictures. Another 10 minutes or so, and I had the photo software loaded on my laptop. Connect the USB cable, and I was able to load the photos onto the laptop immediately. The camera shows up as an icon, like a disk drive, which you can double-click to open and transfer the pictures to a folder on your hard drive -- piece of cake! The quality of the pictures is amazing. I use the Ofoto service, and had some prints of some of my digital photos sent to my mother. According to her, you could not tell the difference between the digital images and those taken with a 35mm film camera. The colors were vivid, the images sharp -- just what youd expect from the Kodak name. Ill agree with most everyone else and say that batteries might be the only downside to this camera. Its definitely worth the investment to get the Kodak NiMh rechargables and the charger. The ONLY time I use NiCads is when Im my NiMh set is in the recharger, and I need to snap a few pictures. For the money, I dont think you can top this camera in terms of features, quality, and ease of use.
On: 2001-07-27
My 4yr old Power Mac was one criterion for my camera choice--I needed serial port compatibility and the DC3400 includes the needed cable and adapter. The CD software loaded without a problem and, once I inserted the transfer cable plug fully into the camera (it is a good fit), image transfer proceded without further error messages. I was able to learn everything I needed to make this choice from the Amazon website, from what features to look for, to which cameras have them, so I added the AC adapter and Ni-MH batteries and charger to the order. The DC3400 is in my price range, and as a "serious amateur" photographer, I think it will do everything I want.
by: Anonymous On: 2001-07-27
Initially, I was very happy with this camera. It was very user friendly, and the picture quality was better than I had expected. However, after less than 3 months of regular use, the camera began to read brand new AA Alkaline batteries as dead. Eventually, it failed all together, and wiped out all the pictures stored on the memory card in the camera. After numerous lengthy conversations with several Kodak representatives (most of whom insisted I must be putting dead batteries into the camera, that there couldnt be a problem with the camera itself), I was provided with a replacement camera...which failed right out of the box. The manual says the camera will operate with a "variety of AA Batteries", but this was not the case in my situation. I am disappointed with the camera, and the company. I thought that I was investing in a quality item with a company that would stand behind its product, but I was mistaken. Perhaps I just got ahold of two lemons in a row, but I still cannot recommend this product.
On: 2001-07-22
This is my second digital camera and I think it would be the best choice. It does drain your batteries quilckly if you use the LCD too much. It has amazing quality and with the A/V cable included, you can present a slideshow on TV. It is incredibly awsome for first time users. It is really cool and easy to use. You must buy this one.
by: Anonymous On: 2001-07-08
I had done extensive research before buying a digital camera. Beging a complete novice at photography, I asked some "professionals" which camera would best fit my needs. I was told to look at the Canon line of products, specifically the ELPH S100. Considering that I need a bigger memory card I decided to look for something a bit cheaper. In the end I found the Kodak DC3400.Camera Qualities: Firstly, the camera is large and heavier than some of the non-digital cameras Ive used. It includes an LCD screen for viewing the pictures and menu options. The menu is easy to use and self-explanatory. I havent burned through my first set of batteries yet (at this point, Ive had it for a 5 days). I am following the instructions and leaving the LCD screen off while I take the shots. Photo Quality: I am amazed at the photo quality with the DC3400. A few times though, I have found the pics to be a little darker than usual (probably owing to the flashs quality). Ive used Adobes Photoshop to fix the pics up. There are several settings, such as photo quality and sharpness, that can be adjusted to create the right type of pictures. Software Add-on: The software leaves much to be desired. Once installed, I began rummaging around to get a feeling on how to use the software to download the pictures from the camera. Ive had difficulties learning how to download my pics and have begun using Windows Explorer to do the job. I highly recommend getting a third-party software application to edit the photos. Ive definitely started taking more pictures with the DC3400. Its a very easy camera to point and shoot. Overall, highly recommended as a first digital camera.
On: 2001-06-30
When we decided to purchase a digital camera - I knew NOTHING about digital cameras - after at least 3 weeks of learning about them, then from that information deciding which one was best for us, we decided on this camera. I was very concerned about the quality of the pictures, because I love to do scrapbooks, and did not want to go from beautiful pictues with a 35mm and get lousy pictures from a digital (and even at this great price, this is still alot of money for someone like me to shell out for a camera). But, that is definitly not situation, the pictures are beautiful, I love this camera. I have used this camera in the last 7 months, more that Ive ever used my other ones. There is something about taking a picture, and 1 minute later holding in your hand. My only problem, is the LCD screen is very hard to see in bright sunlight, you really have to struggle to see what the picture looks like sometime. But I feel that for the price that this is offered at, the LCD screen being hard to see in bright sunlight is not an issue.
by: Anonymous On: 2001-06-22
I looked at a lot of other digital camera reviews before finally deciding to get this one. I dont think I could have made a better choice for around $... I really like the interface in the LCD. Very simple and easy to read, it even has a zoom feature to look up close at your pictures! This brings me to another good feature, it isnt a battery burner. Unless you like using the LCD as a viewfinder. I bought the Kodak Ni-MH batteries with charger for only $... bucks. These last for a very long time with regular use and last about 15 minutes with the LCD viewfinder. Next is the picture quality. With everything turned up, your pictures will look just as good or better than a good 35mm. With the included 8 MB card you can hold around 20 pictures at max quality. I bought the Viking 64 MB Compactflash card for $... This will hold over 100 at max and over 1500 at lowest. The camera has several special effects too which look pretty neat. Now I come to my only complaint. At over 15 ft your flash is worthless. It will actually ruin the picture as it makes nearby objects bright so you cant see your subject. If you have enough light and a tripod you can just turn up the exposure and turn the flash off. But overall it has done an excellent job for me and I say thanks to Kodak! By the way, it even survived a drop from 4 feet on tile. I didnt do it on purpose!!
On: 2001-06-22
Im late writing the review for this camera which was a Christmas present, but its only because Ive been too busy taking pictures! The camera is very easy to use with good prompts like were used to seeing on our computers (giving you a second chance to change your mind before you delete a picture, for example). It is fairly lightweight and produces outstanding prints when set for the highest quality pictures (I use a Kodak Personal Picture Maker 200 printer). Enlargements Ive printed myself are every bit as good quality as enlargements Ive had professionally made from 35MM negatives. A friend borrowed the camera and took a lot of pictures at night at the Detroit Electronic Music Festival and even those came out great. We had a family wedding recently with a lot of long-lost out of town guests; the preview display on the back of the camera eliminated the anxiety of wondering if once-in-a-lifetime pictures were really going to turn out. The DC 3400 was a good buy although Kodak does kind of cheap out by only supplying an 8M CompactFlash card with the camera; a 16M card would be more useful.
On: 2001-06-17
Camera is a good buy for the price. The battery life is quite good. Resolution is very good for 4x6 prints. However, websites developing digital prints do not recommend the print quality for 5x7 and 8x10 prints even on highest resolution. But I have not tried myself printing them.Uploading software which comes with the camera is no good...however, i could drag and drop the pictures directly from the chip to the desktop.try it it works wonderfully this way. The camera is sturdy and the controls are very easy to use. The camera is heavy for its size....though it does not bother me so much. Look out for better deals...they are giving out a 32mb card free nowadays. In all....4star camera and you will not repent your choice.
On: 2001-06-09
This camera is a really good choice as an entry into digital photos. Good quality images overall, decent lens, excellent fill flash ratio, easy camera settings, fair software. I found that the "Better" and "Standard" settings combination gives the best mix of quality and number of photos for my 8 and 32Mb memory cards (although Im thinking about getting another 32). BEWARE, however, of using any AA batteries other than the NiMh type (the ones with more oomph); the manual is pretty vague, but this is the real poop. Regular Alkaline AAs and rechargable "Renewal" (NiCad) AAs only have enough juice sometimes to barely start up the camera before the "low battery" icon turns on. Even with NiMh, I find that I have to carry a spare set for a change after only about an hour of rapid shooting/saving. Kodak digitals evidently have some history of high power consumption, so dont take this camera to Mt Everest unless you have an extra camel to carry batteries. Despite the initial irritation of having to buy two sets of more-expensive NiMh batteries and a matching charger, I still think its a good value compared to other cameras which typically cost ($) more and have less-functional settings menus, etc.
by: Anonymous On: 2001-06-03
pro: great picture out door. good picture indoorcon: slow response - it takes a while to shut it off and turn it on. you have to press the button really hard to get a picture. battery hog. not very good at scenic shots - objects in a distance lose their true color, maybe i shouldnt expect such performance at the first place. lousy USB connection - every time i connect it to my computer to upload photos, it always hiccups, i have to keep retrying until i can get all pictures. sometimes i have to restart both the computer and the camera. pain in the neck. my computer (win2k) works fine with other USB devices, this camera is the only one gives me trouble.
by: Anonymous On: 2001-06-02
I just got my camera in the mail yesterday, and have already taken 50 pictures. My kids are loving this! It is a cinch to set up. I recommend getting a memory card reader, as it takes forever to download the pictures manually. You will also want to pick up some Ni-mh batteries. I am getting a total of 8 myself. The picture quality is great. I am not a great photographer, but I have taken some really great shots and only had the camera a little over 24 hours. If you are a beginner I highly recommend this one. I cant wait to get the accessories to go with this baby. I promise, you will not be disappointed with this one!
On: 2001-05-30
For weeks, prior to purchasing a new digital camera, we did extensive research on features and price, and bought the Kodak 3400. Weve just returned from a two week tour of Ireland where we took 196 pictures on each 16MB card that we used, all on low resolution. We used the Kodak Photo batteries (non rechargeable) and had to change batteries only twice. I had thought I would buy a card reader immediately on our return, but the software, that came with our Kodak, made it a "breeze" to transfer the pictures to my computer, then on to CDs. We, and all who have seen our pictures, cant believe the great quality, sharpness and vivid colors. The only drawbacks: this and most digital cameras have the small delay between shots, and a better zoom would have been nice, but we still got some fantastic distant shots. We love our Kodak 3400!
On: 2001-05-29
I recently bought this camera, and i use it in a part time business as well as to learn more about photography. It amazed me the first day, when I was able to take 50 low-res shots of a show put on by my friends, nearly all of which came out well. By contrast, my Canon EOS 3000 produced no salvageable shots at all. I was able to play back a slide show to my friends the next day, and they were really thrilled. Even in low light, no flash conditions, most shots were unblurred. My only reservation came when I tried a Sandisk card reader, but the downloaded images put back into the reader, could not be read by the camera (to give slide shows from edited photos, e.g.). It turns out that all Kodak cameras have individual JPEG settings, and can only read images made by that camera. Nor could I find a way to send photos out into other programs, so I always have to download twice, to have access to images for other purposes (e.g. card reader access). I ended up swapping the card reader for a 16MB CF card, so I could keep special photos for a while, and still use the camera. My only other criticism is that in bright winter slanting sunlight, the automatic exposure often makes an overbright picture - I am sure practice will help me sort this out. When exposure is just right (which is about 50% at present) the pictures are fabulous, and truly make the equivalent Sony look poor by comparison colorwise. If these software issues could be fixed (allowing me to use a card reader effectively)there would be nothing but praise for this brilliant little camera from Kodak.
On: 2001-05-24
I got this camera for less than what its going for now. Its a nice camera... easy to use, good image quality, good software. You will want to get the rapid NiMH charger (very nice and handy), another memory card (at least 16 MB), and a case. Other than that, you can set yourself up with a nice-midrange digicam for less than $400 (all together...shop around). Instead of buying a $900 camera now, you can get this camera for $400 and enjoy it until you want to upgrade. By then that $900 camera will probably be $400 and youll have only spent $800 and youll have two cameras. My only peeve is the 2x zoom and non-threaded lens. I really wanted to get a cam that I could put a nice telephoto on for close-ups (the telephoto adapter available for this is difficult to use, at best). Oh well....guess I just get a little closer to the action for close-ups. Not a big problem. Im sure that feature will be common on cameras when I am ready to upgrade in a few years.
On: 2001-05-10
I am actually very glad I have finally gone digital in the camera world. This camera has surprised me over and over with its excellent quality shots and capabilities. I have used it for nighttime and low-light shots with great results. For static shots and portability, this camera is wonderful. With the USB adapter and the provided software, hooking it up to the computer was simple. With a photo quality printer, Ive already started cranking out pictures for distribution to friends and family. I could go on about how happy and pleased I have been with the quality and facilities of my DC3400, but that would take too much space. There are a few downsides though. As with any camera, film or digital, that does automatic focusing and exposure settings, there is a bit of a lag when you try to take a shot, so response time can be a little slow for those "surprise" shots. The time between photos, several seconds at least, is sometimes a bit annoying. Also, it does tend to eat alkaline batteries. Rechargable batteries (NiMH) work very well, except of course for the classic rechargable problem of draining when not in use (left out for several days). My advice is to get a few sets of rechargables and make sure they are all charged up before you head out each day. High points: easy to use, high-quality photos, hook-up with the computer was a breeze (usb), low-light capable. Low points: eats batteries, lag between pictures and when you want to take quick shots, minor difference between viewfinder and actual picture (correctable by either experience or use of capture mode)
On: 2001-04-23
I just purchased this camera in the last 2 weeks, I cant get over how GREAT the photos are. They are perfect, vibrant colors, clarity, sharp. I bought this after reading reviews on Amazon.com and other sites (which also have great reviews for it) I print my photos out on photo paper and you cant tell it was printed instead of developed. Here is what I use: HP Deskjet 932C Printer. If I am printing up to a 5x7 I use Kodak Glossy Injet Paper (2 Sided). If I print 8x10s I use HP Premium Photo Paper or Kodak Premium Picture Paper. They both produce stunning results.... Basically I love this camera, but if I had to pick 1 "Con" it would be: When using the back display the camera does eat up the batteries. I did purchase the Kodak Ni-MH batteries from Amazon which do better and charge in 3 hours. I have nothing but GOOD things to say about this package from KODAK! 1 more thing the kids love the "slideshow" feature which shows all the pictures stored on the compact flash card. I hook it to my TV with the supplied cable and press slideshow, and we just sit back and enjoy the photos.
by: Anonymous On: 2001-04-21
I checked out other cameras in the store. The Kodaks felt the best in my hands. Other models werent comfortable to hold. The menu is user friendly and easy to use. There are pleanty of "bells & whistles" for the weekend photographer. The "slide show" feature can be viewed on a television which is pretty neat. I took pictures on high resolution and printed them on an HP 932 inkjet and the quality was easily as good as a processed photo. I was concerned about buying "only" a 2 meg pixel camera but the 1780 X 1168 resolution is more than adequate. For most purposes it would be a waste of money to pay for a 3-point-something camera. The separate memory card reader is a must and worth the $... You can really eat up the battery power transferring the pictures from your camera to the computer.
On: 2001-04-19
I did plenty of research about these devices, but it wasnt until I played with them...that I decided on the Kodak DC3400. Its large buttons and graphical menus were by far the easiest to figure out and use. Ive taken over 800 pictures with it, usually at 800x600, and have been very pleased with the results. I would recommend a separate CF card reader, though... Its alot faster and more convenient. Also, I immediately ditched the software that came with the camera. WindowsME handles the pics just fine by itself.
by: Anonymous On: 2001-03-28
I have dropped this camera 3 times (I know, Im a klutz!) and it works perfectly! Takes great pix, too. Only problem is recovery time between shots. Dont expect to take pix in rapid succession, this (and other digi cameras Ive tried) take time (like 15 secs) to store the image before you can snap again.
On: 2001-03-03
After working my way through a Kodak DC50 and then purchasing a DC215 Millennium, Ive found another great camera in the Kodak Lineup! The camera is easy to use and great on batteries. The USB connection works like a charm and allows you to be up and running in a matter of minutes. The color saturation is picture perfect, and the camera settings allow for beautiful 8" x 10" prints. I print quite frequently on an older Hp 880c but the pictures are outstanding. The only negatives are the placement of the viewfinder and corrections to the manual. Sometimes your nose smudges the screen when youre looking through the viewfinder. As for the manual, they mistakenly printed it to include a "beep" setting. There is no such setting and Kodak assured me that they were printing new manuals to correct their oversight. All in all this is an awesome camera, that sets up in minutes and is a snap to use. Go out and get one!
On: 2001-02-12
I bought this camera for my business. I am an architect, and often have to rely on my photos for reference. I had the DC50 (Kodak) for about four years. I loved the convenience, and the ability to organize the photos on my computer. Now, as the technologoy has improved, I turned to this DC3400 to replace my old digital camera. I am also an ameture photographer, and have been disappointed with earlier camera print qualities and digital imaging products (i.e. Ofoto). I have finally reached the perfect combination of equipment and software - this camera, the HP DeskJet 990Cse printer, Ulead Photo Explorer, and the Kodak Picture Paper. I cannot tell a difference from a normal 4"x6" photo.
On: 2001-02-09
This digital camera will blow you away! I am so very impressed with the crisp picture quality that I will no longer go back to conventional film. I would dare say that the picture quality sure beats most 35mm cameras. Ive been told by more than one person that my pictures are much clearer than those of others taken by other brandname digital cameras.The thinking that went into this camera, as well as its solid construction, is extraordinary. It is so easy to use that you could literally take it out of the box, pop the batteries in, and immediately take it with you to the event you want to photograph. At the price Amazon.com is offering this camera, you will not go wrong.
On: 2001-02-07
I bought the DC3400 a couple of months ago after an enormous amount of research into Digital Cameras. Countless hours of scouring every Digicam site on the web provided no conclusive choice for me. So, on a whim, I bought this camera because I found it for a great price. I made the right decision. I have been more than satisfied with this cameras performance. The color is outstanding, and the resolution is more than adequate for my needs. I can print out 8 x 10s that are virtually indistinguishable from actual photographs despite the fact that I have read that this is only possible with a 3 megapixel resolution. I really enjoy using the camera, it is quite easy to use, very intuitive, yet it still allows for some amount of manual control. I have taken probably four hundred pictures with the camera, and every week I find myself carrying it around with me in hopes of taking more. There are a couple of drawbacks to this camera, however. I found the low lighting capablities of the camera to be poor. I simply cannot take good pictures with a decent source of light. Also, the 2x zoom doesnt provide me with the range that I often desire. Kodak also chose not to include a Nimh batteries and a charger, which were standard with the 280. Despite these issues, this camera will please anyone who doesnt want or need a professional, more manual digicam, but does want great output. I bought a Kodak ppm 200 to go with this camera and produced pictures which convinced my computer illiterate, technology-wary mother to not only buy herself the camera but to also invest in the printer AND a computer to go with it. I dont mean to sound like a shill for Kodak, I just really like this camera...
On: 2001-02-05
This camera is great. Awesome picture quality in 2 megapixel mode. You will however need to upgrade to a 32mb compact flash at least to be happy with it. This way you can take a ton of great pics without having to d/l them right away. I have a 64mb card and can get 108 top resolution pics on it at a shot and on one set of batteries. With the 8 mb card it comes with, it only holds around 12 or so (top quality). Its also a great looking camera.
On: 2001-02-05
I was hesitant about buying a digital camera thinking Id end up being too confused and frustrated to use it, so I did a lot of research before I bought one. Price, feature and picture quality-wise, Kodak was always in the top of the list. I took the plunge and got this model and have not been disappointed. For my purposes (web, e-mailing, some printing), the picture quality is excellent and the camera is easier to use than the SLR we have thanks to an easy to use/navigate menu built into the camera that explains all the features and settings.This package includes both serial and USB cables (with a serial port adapter just in case)and a TV video cable. The included software CD is full of utilities for both MAC and PC. The only one you really need to install is the mounting software (to transfer the photos) unless you want to input a photo directly to your hard drive or create your own picture borders. The mounting software threw me a bit - I was expecting some fancy interface, but you basically just click through a couple of directories to get to your photos. From there, you drag them to your application or double click to open them. You delete them just as you would any files on your computer. The other software features (formatting, controls etc...) are accessible by using the right mouse button. The only thing I had to get used to was that the power button does not slide "on" and stay put - you have to slide and hold it for a few seconds to turn the camera on or off. And the photo button has 2 distinct positions - focusing (like when you lightly depress the button before shooting on a regular camera) and taking the picture. I did a lot of focusing thinking I was taking pictures - you really have to press down on the button to take the picture. These arent faults - Im just mentioning them in case youre like me - somewhat gadget impaired.
On: 2001-01-24
I dont think that you will find a better 2 megapixel camera for the price. The picture quality is tops and the menu system is easy to navigate and understand. I have had other digital cameras and, for my money, you cant beat the Kodak. I have taken very good pictures on the standard-good setting(lowest). It is a very attractive camera also and it fits your hand better than some others that I have tried. I also like the fact that the self-timer button is on top within easy reach.On some digicams, the timer is accessed through the menu system(time-consuming). Uploads are fast and easy with the USB. Also, battery life is very good, especially with NiMH rechargeables. The other comparatively priced 2 MP digicams cant compare to the 3400
by: Anonymous On: 2001-01-22
I use this camera for web pictures(business) and personal use. It was very easy to set up and within minutes I was taking pictures. The quality is excellent. The software is also simple and easy to install.The menus are viewed through the preview window and walk you through any application. Downloading the photos was easy with the supplied software and connectors. You will want to get a card reader if you download a lot of photos although downloading them from the camera is very simple and relatively fast for a limited number. The 8MB memory card is a bit anemic and a 32 or 64 MB card should be purchased if you take even a reasonalble number of photos on vacations,outings, business etc. The rubber lens cover is attached with a small cord and has to be manually removed and replaced. An electronic lens cover would have been a nice feature. I am very pleased with this camera and reasearched extensively before purchasing this product. I made the right choice.
On: 2001-01-21
Above average camera. Overall, a good starter digital camera. The pictures are great, with color reproduction being its greatest strength. In addition, as many reviewers attest to, this camera is easy to set-up and use right out of the box. No problems with the software installation, although I quickly uninstalled the included Arcsoft PhotoImpression. Quirky interface and useability issues. The LCD is more than adequate, and unlike some reviewers, I actually had no issues with battery life. I got 40+ pics from the included alkalines and have been using rechargeables since then with well over 100 pics before recharge. Pretty much what I expected from a digital camera. The menu system is easy to navigate, but some settings that I use more often, such as resolution and compression, should have quick buttons on the camera to make switching back and forth easier.My biggest complaint is with the zoom. I knew what I was getting with the 2x zoom, and it has been a limitation at times. Wish it was a true 3x or greater mechanical zoom. In addition, the zoom settings are not variable like a true SLR. Also, as I get more used to the camera, I wish I had greater control over more manual settings. Thus my overall conclusion is that this is a good "starter" digital camera, although one could argue that $399 is a little pricey for your first digitial camera. What makes the price more justifiable to me was the quality of the highest resolution pictures. They are great, leaving only some camera features as limitations. Pros: Great color reproduction. High resolution pictures are excellent. Easy to set-up and use out of the box. Cons: Limited mechanical zoom (2x). Limited manual adjustments.
by: Anonymous On: 2001-01-20
Took excellent pictures right out of the box.Deep, saturated, perfectly accurate colors, razor-sharp detail, great depth and contrast. Equally good indoors and outdoors, bright light and low light. Very user-friendly and comfortable controls. I showed some of my photos to a professional photographer who shies away from digital cameras. All he could say was, "Fantastic! Excellent!" He was utterly amazed and surprised at the picture quality. The most important factor for me when buying a camera is the picture quality. The second most important is the ease of use. This Kodak DC3400 fit the bill to a T.
by: Anonymous On: 2001-01-14
If you want an extremely good value for the money you spend on a camera, this is it. The camer is easy to use and the menu system is a breeze. The software provided with the camera is so much better than what Ive seen and used with other digital cameras.
by: Anonymous On: 2001-01-12
I researched for 6 months before buying the kodak dc3400 from amazon. They had the best deal out of anyone.... I have nothing bad to say about this camera. Anyone who wrote a bad review is crazy. The biggest thing (on the not so great side) is the battery life. Once you use the lcd screen to look through the pics you took, the battery will be instantly drained. But if you just take the pics and review them on a comp. or a tv the batteries will be fine. My camera came with an 8 meg flash card which holds about 65 standard pics, wires for the computer and tv, and software. The picture quality is incredible. Other comments were that the lcd screen is too small or of poor quality...I think it is more than adequate. It is a good size and decent quality to review pics that were just shot. Youre not going to use the lcd as your main viewer anyway. Of course the pics are going to look alot better on the computer screen. For the money, I feel this is by far a great deal and a great camera. I also bought a usb card reader, camera case, rechargable batteries and a charger, and an ac adaptor.
On: 2001-01-09
Check out Chris Crosbys review. We went through almost the exact same experience. This is our first digital camera and we couldnt be happier. The pictures look fabulous. One of them is my wallpaper now.
On: 2001-01-09
The only question I find myself wondering about after buying this camera is why I waited so long to go digital! Not only is this camera easy to use, but has many features to keep the digital experience fun and rewarding. After a family vacation to Disneyworld and Christmas, this camera has prooved to be an invaluable tool to provide us with long lasting memories. A neat feature is the slide show, which allows the pictures on the memory card to be displayed on a television (with the provided cable)at interval. The only problem encountered was the connection of the camera to our computer. But, with the excellent customer service backed by the Kodak name, the problem was easily remedied.
by: Anonymous On: 2001-01-05
This is my second digital camera. There is no comparison.......this is tops. I had it out of the box and was taking pictures within 5 minutes. My pictures looked great right from the first shot. I am still learning how to use some of the extra features and have been playing with it like a new toy. I have taken 29 pictures with the first set of batteries. That is much improved over my first camera. I did get the charger and adapter. Having the adapter has saved battery power on the uploading. A 8mb card is not big enough and that bothers me that Kodak would only have such a small card included. I was not so thrilled with the software either because I already own better. Kodak warns you about using only Kodaks adapter with it and that was 40.00. I spent much effort investigating what to buy and I am glad I did because this was a perfect purchase.
On: 2001-01-05
As my first digital camera, I was very pleased with the image quality and friendly user interface. My first impression when I actually got the camera was that it was larger than I had imagined. After having this camera for a few weeks, I decided that I was unhappy with the battery life. It also started to "hang" on me and no respond to power on and offs (maybe during low battery life?) I "fixed" this by taking the batteries out and back in, sort of a reset. I was also hungry for more optical zoom capability, as the 3x digital zoom was not very useful (bad quality picture when I tried it). The 2x zoom quality was good, but not enough zoom for me. I am returning it and will see if I like the Olympus D490 better (with the free card reader).
On: 2001-01-05
I replaced my Olympus D-460 with this camera and so far, I am very happy with it. The two big problems I had with the Olympus were, white colors tended to look yellowish (a problem reported with many digital cameras). This may have been fixed with a firmware update from Olympus, but I couldnt successfully contact their customer support. This is NOT a problem with the Kodak. Particularly, I have noticed that white skin tones indoors look correct and very crisp on this camera. The second problem I had with the Olympus was that pictures were consistently over-exposed whenever using the flash. I have not had to try any custom settings to get the flash to work correctly with the Kodak. None of my flash shots have been overexposed with this camera. Some people do not like the graphical interface with the Kodak. I have to admit, I found it easy to navigate and understand. I wish a few of the settings could be made directly without using the LCD, but this is not too big of an inconvenience. The Kodak also allows you to select custom options, such as black-and-white shots, sepia toned shots, and borders. I just mention that because this is a fun feature that isnt mentioned in a lot of the reviews Ive read here and on other sites. Also, the USB support is great. Much better than waiting for a serial download. All in all, I think this is a very good, point-and-shoot digital. Much better than my first digital camera.
On: 2001-01-03
This camera takes great pictures with all the auto features! The color is brillant! I got the EZ kit with my camera, so I got a battery charger and 4 rechargeable batteries --- these are wonderful! These batteries last forever before they have to be recharged. I have taken at least 24 pics and then downloaded them to my computer, using a USB connector, and the batteries still have more use before they have to be charged. I also have a 32mb compact flash card. It is great also! I have enjoyed taking pictures with this camera and feel it is a great buy for anyone wanting a digital camera.
by: Anonymous On: 2001-01-03
I am very pleased with the Kodak 3400. I spent a couple of weeks researching cameras and finally came down to the Kodak 280, Nikon 800 or Kodak 3400. I went with the 3400 because it was the newer model of the 280, ease of use, and bang for the buck. It has taken some great pictures and Im pleased with how easy it is to use. It is mainly for my wife, so I wanted something she would feel comfortable using. I was also worried about everyone saying how fast digital cameras go through batteries. Im actually pretty pleased. I put in some nickel-metal hydrides and Ive gone through three Xmass and the batteries are still going strong.
On: 2001-01-02
It has got excellent clarity in photos, I really get amazed by the pictures it gives, preview CCD is not so good, it doesnt give the exact picture though, but what you need is the image anyway which is excellent. I did a mistake of buying the accessory multi-lense pack which is not good, it almost blocks the viewfinder if attached, be watchful. It works outside the lens, so real tough to work with. More or less, this is surely an excellent buy camera for normal users and want to be professionals, best pictures, easy operation, good compression of images internally.
On: 2000-12-29
After researching cameras for the past couple of months, this was the camera we settled upon. And what a great choice it turned out to be! The pictures come out with unbelievable quality, and the color is literally "true to life". It comes with an 8Mb flash card which can only hold about 50 standard size pictures (and believe me, standard size is all youll want unless you want to examine something in microscopic detail later -- in which case best quality will fit 12 pictures). I took out a 32Mb card from my PocketPC and plopped it into the camera -- providing room for 220 pictures. I then spent the next couple of days taking pictures of literally everything indoors and out. Shot after shot, often with only 2 seconds gap between (an earlier reviewer mentions a 10 second gap between shots -- theres no such gap). I was absolutely AMAZED at the quality of the pictures I had taken. I soon learnt that the thing that eats up the batteries is the LCD viewfinder, so I used it sparingly, making the most of the standard eye-glass viewfinder (which is just fine!). I love this camera -- you really cannot go wrong with it!
On: 2000-12-27
I just purchased the dc3400, and right out of the box it was a joy to use. Ive seen other cameras, the more expensive Cannon Digital elf 2.1mp, for instance, and none comes close to the ease of use of the 3400s graphical user interface. Taking pictures was easy, and getting them on the computer was even easier. The software mounts the camera like it does a floppy drive, you just go into the drive and drag and drop them onto wherever you want. The pictures, well, they were stunning to be modest. It brought the highest detail and best color out of pictures that would of been horrible on any 35mm camera. With the included card it can hold 35 of the standard size pics, which look beautiful on the 4x6 glossy photo sheets i purchased. And the large setting holds about 12, which is great for printing at the huge 8x10. I am very pleased with this camera, it does everything I could ever want a camera to do.
by: Anonymous On: 2000-12-23
Great Pictures! Simple to use. I have no problems with battery life. I am very pleased. I also own a Minolta Diamage 2300 and theres no comparsion. The 3400 is 10 times better.
On: 2000-12-15
I am a total idiot when it comes to this type of stuff but I got this camera to work right away. I have not had any problems with it eating batteries. It takes great photos & is a snap to use. I am impressed.
On: 2000-12-10
If I didnt I canot see why so many people like this camera. I have gone thru 8 BATTERIES, in 1.5 days and I havent even used it that much at all. I figured that the batteries it came with were just cheap so I bought a pack of 8 AA ultra duracels and after about 10 minutes total use, the thing dies on me. And when it was working it kept asking me to format the card. I take 5 pictures and by the way, you have to wait like 10 seconds between shots (too long), so I take the 5 shots and then the light on the camera which tells you the reader is reading the card says it MUST format the card again. Now I lost my pics !! I am REALLY disliking this camera totally. I also own a AGFA 780C which I also purchased from AMAZON.COM and this thing works SOOOOO MUCH BETTER, just the picture quality is not nearly as good as the KODAK DC3400. Amazon.com get ready for incoming junk, its being sent back to you.John PS: It just aggravates me so much, I waited over a week and half for this camera to get here and then I get these problems, if there problems. I really needed and wanted this thing for the holidays. I guess its the AGFA or a roll of KODAK 800 Max film again.
On: 2000-11-30
I bought this camera for my wife. She is a technophobe... To my amazement, she has taken to this camera as if she had been using it for years. Being keen on doing my research, I found this camera to be rated number one EVERYWHERE I looked. If youre looking for an easy to use camera that takes exceptional pictures (both on-sceen and in print), look no further - this is the one to get. It works and looks just like a 35 millimeter camera, so anyone should have an easy time having fun with it. On of the greatest things about this camera is its picture quality. For a 2 Megapixel camera it is superb and has tested to be better than some 3 Megapixel cameras. One reservation my wife had was that she couldnt get photo quality prints with a digital camera (she loves to keep scrap books). We tried Kodaks print@kodak service and were blown away!! The service allows you to upload your DC 280s digital pictures to Kodaks web site and they print and mail them to you. Nobody that we showed the pictures to could tell that they were not from a 35 mm camera - crisp, clear and bright. Pictures at print@kodak are $.49 for a 5x7 print. About $.09 more than regular 35 mm film at the neighborhood photo lab. Think about it though - when you go to the lab with 35 mm film, you might get 4-5 "good" pictures in a role of 24 and discard the rest... The cost for those "good" 35 mm pictures is actually a lot more than you might think! With a digital camera, you know what youre getting when you pay for the prints. Believe me when I say that youll love everything about this camera.
On: 2000-11-29
I bought this camera for my wife. She is a technophobe... To my amazement, she has taken to this camera as if she had been using it for years. Being keen on doing my research, I found this camera to be rated number one EVERYWHERE I looked. If youre looking for an easy to use camera that takes exceptional pictures (both on-sceen and in print), look no further - this is the one to get. It works and looks just like a 35 millimeter camera, so anyone should have an easy time having fun with it. On of the greatest things about this camera is its picture quality. For a 2 Megapixel camera it is superb and has tested to be better than some 3 Megapixel cameras. One reservation my wife had was that she couldnt get photo quality prints with a digital camera (she loves to keep scrap books). We tried Kodaks print@kodak service and were blown away!! The service allows you to upload your DC 280s digital pictures to Kodaks web site and they print and mail them to you. Nobody that we showed the pictures to could tell that they were not from a 35 mm camera - crisp, clear and bright. Pictures at print@kodak are $.49 for a 5x7 print. About $.09 more than regular 35 mm film at the neighborhood photo lab. Think about it though - when you go to the lab with 35 mm film, you might get 4-5 "good" pictures in a role of 24 and discard the rest... The cost for those "good" 35 mm pictures is actually a lot more than you might think! With a digital camera, you know what youre getting when you pay for the prints. Believe me when I say that youll love everything about this camera.
by: Anonymous On: 2000-11-26
I bought this camera 3 weeks ago. I just love it. I highly recommend it. It is very user friendly. It doesnt eat batteries like the DC280. I just cant seem to put it down.
On: 2000-10-29
The 3400 is a very solid 2 megapixel camera, but so too is the 280. So
why spend at least 25% more on the 3400? In terms of features, it
offers almost nothing to recommend it. The fact is a camera in this
quality range should not cost this much. If you want an all-around 2
meg digital, check out the 280; if you want a more limited (but still
very functional) digital camera for mostly internet apps, look at the
3200 (1/2 the price). If you want 35mm quality, controls and feel,
look at the 4800 (twice the price).
On: 2000-10-28
The 3400 is a very solid 2 megapixel camera, but so too is the 280. So
why spend at least 25% more on the 3400? In terms of features, it
offers almost nothing to recommend it. The fact is a camera in this
quality range should not cost this much. If you want an all-around 2
meg digital, check out the 280; if you want a more limited (but still
very functional) digital camera for mostly internet apps, look at the
3200 (1/2 the price). If you want 35mm quality, controls and feel,
look at the 4800 (twice the price).
On: 2000-10-26
I just purchased a Kodak 3400 Digital Camera (same one as the DC280, casing, etc. slightly redesigned) and I was completely knocked out of my chair. It all started when I obtained the camera and had to go in a rush. Being the impatient geek that I am, I put the box in trunk and took it with me. Once I was at my in-laws, I started taking some snap shots. I was up and going in less than 5 minutes thanks to the quick start guide. At that time I saw the picture come up on the LCD. I have seen many LCD screens on many different brands and this one was by far the cleanest, and sharpest. I have seen Olympus, Sony, Epson, etc. and this one knocked my socks off. I hated the fact that I had to wait until I got home to load them on my computer so I just pulled out the video cable. Its a standard 1/8th inch end/RCA jack on the other end. I plugged it into the camera and the RCA jack on the television and I had a gorgeous slide show going on. I saw so much detail and clarity that I couldnt believe what I was seeing. The smallest red spots and drool spots showed up on my 11 month olds face, the color was beautiful. Heres the real beauty of it. The room I took all of these pictures in was almost completely dark, just a small light that is barely stronger than an average night light, stood in the corner. With all that, here I am watching these slides go by looking wonderful on that low resolution TV. That alone impressed me. I felt like this thing put the crisp display of my DVD movies, other digital cameras, all to shame. The real result happened when I got home. I attached the USB cable to the computer and camera, installed the software, and was up and going. I then wondering how to transfer the pictures. I looked at the manual and low and behold, there was a camera icon in my drive list. I opened windows explorer, went to the camera drive, and had a virtual drive (which is really the flash storage on the camera itself). It was as easy as copying files from one directory to another, deleting is just as easy. I then opened up a photo program and saw these pictures. I almost fell out of my chair when I saw how crisp and clean this pictures looked. I thought the TV looked good but when you get them on a nice high resolution monitor, nothing compares. There was no pixelization, NOTHING at all was wrong. The curves, color, EVERYTHING on the pictures was clean. Even the backgrounds looked clear and sharp. Anyway, that was quite a bit of rambling. However, the point is that there is a reason Kodak has more awards than anyone else when it comes to picture quality. Other vendors can offer you really good pictures and more features for your money, but if you pay a little more, you can have the best and sharpest pictures with all the same features. If you get this camera, you will not be disappointed. NOTE: I havent even tried the B&W features, the Sepia, or the effects yet at all! Have fun if you go with this camera.
by: Anonymous On: 2000-09-12
I have been holding off on buying a digital camera for a while now, since Ive always been scared off by the price. Well, I finally "caved", and I cant believe how happy I am that I did. I had narrowed my choices down to Kodak brand cameras, and was going to purchase the DC280 when I saw this one. Apparently its based off of that design, and even though it cost a few dollars more, it seems well worth it. The USB interface is a breeze, and the camera has just enough cool/custom features that I feel I can take some interesting shots without feeling overwhelmed. The picture quality is excellent, and I havent noticed any serious battery drain. If youre thinking about buying a camera, I say wait no longer! If youre not sure which one to get, this one may be worth the extra money, and should at least be a finalist in your decision. Enjoy!
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