Finding a top-notch camera on a limited budget is no easy task. However, although the world of cameras is getting more and more statured every day, Kodak has brought forth an innovative product.
The Kodak PixPro AZ422 is a stunning 20-megapixel camera, available at a very affordable price point. With this camera, you can now take stunning photographs, and improve your skillset as a photographer.
Below, we’ve detailed everything you must know about this camera. From its performance all the way to its build, we’ve analyzed it all. You can now read all there is to know about the AZ422 and then make an educated decision on whether it’s right for you.
Kodak is already a leading brand in the world of photography and filmography. The PixPro AZ422 is already quite popular in the photography industry, primarily due to its ability to produce high-quality photographs and enjoys and outstanding reputation amongst the community.
Let’s dive right into everything the AZ422 has to offer.
Performance And Functionality
With this camera, you’re not just taking pictures or making videos. You’re telling a story. Its optical zoom allows you to get high-quality close-up shots and gives you the ability to shoot high definition videos.
42X Optical Zoom
The PixPro AZ422 comes from Kodak’s Astro Zoom Collection. This camera lens is described as an ultra-long zoom lens and allows you to take close-ups pictures like never before.
This camera comes with two types of zoom functions: optical zoom and digital zoom. The optical zoom stands at 42x, while the digital zoom is a 4x zoom.
It’s easy to switch between the two modes using the zoom level on the camera. The lever is conveniently placed to allow you to switch between the two while you’re in the middle of taking a picture or shooting a video.
The 42x optical zoom is ideal for people looking to partake in wildlife photography or sports photography. The length of the zoom allows you to easily take pictures at a distance – a feature that is seldom found in non-DSLR cameras.
The focal length range of the length is 4.3 to 180.6mm. The zoom feature is also extremely quick and responsive. If you’re shooting moving objects, such as an animal on the run, you’ll find that the zoom quickly adjusts to whatever it is you’re shooting.
Combined with a 20.16-megapixel sensor, the camera can also take high-quality pictures up close. Combined with a 20.16-megapixel sensor, the camera can also take high-quality pictures up close. It’ll also allow you to capture small details if you’re taking wide shots from afar.
HD Video
The camera is capable of shooting at three resolutions:
- 1280 x 720 pixels at 30fps
- 1280 x 720 pixels at 15fps
- 640 x 480 pixels at 30fps
At one single time, you can record a video of a maximum duration of 29 minutes. This is the same duration that you would get on most professional DSLR cameras.
For optimal video shooting, Kodak recommends that you use an external memory card – either SD/SDHC. There’s one memory card slot on the device, and it can support an external memory card of up to 32 GB.
You can choose to shoot with the camera’s internal memory, which stands at 8MB. However, you may face problems such as image jitter and noise. Also, because the camera’s internal memory is limited, the recording times may be shorter. Luckily, all these problems go away with an external memory card.
Do note that when recording for a long period at high resolution, the camera may heat up. This is not a malfunction and nothing to worry about!
This camera is also able to capture sound really well. The AZ422 has dual stereo mics right above the lens barrel that pickup sound when you’re recording video. The sound quality is rich under normal circumstances.
However, it’s able to perform well in windy conditions as well. If you’re shooting on location, such as near a stream of water, you don’t have to worry about the camera picking up excess background noise.
Editing Options
One of the most impressive features of the AZ422 is its built-in editing features. If you wish to edit your pictures, there’s no need to export your pictures out of the camera and use a photo editing software.
The editing options are available in the Playback mode. Just go to the picture you want to edit, and you’ll see a touch-up option in the picture menu.
The AZ422 offers 4 touch-up options:
- Red-eye reduction
- Skin softening
- Eye brightening
- Eye enlargement
In the touch-up mode, you can choose one of the options above. If you wish to use more than one touch-up option, you’ll have to apply the edits one by one.
The AZ422 also has a ‘Face Beautifier’ mode. This mode automatically enhances facial features while you’re taking pictures. It uses touch-up features such as skin softening and eye brightening.
The face beautifier mode is handy because it saves you time compared to going back and applying one touch-up at a time. Simultaneously, the touch-up feature allows you to edit to your liking instead of relying on the automatic mode.
Essentially, the AZ422 offers something for everyone. Whether you want control over editing or ease of convenience by using an automatic feature, both are available! The Kodak PixPro AZ422 has many different independent reviews that you can also read to get different viewpoints on the product.
User Interface And Control System
One of the reasons the Kodak PixPro is loved by many is that it’s easy to use. This is thanks to Kodak’s user-friendly interface.
Image Stabilizer
The AZ422’s lens comes with Optical Image Stabilization (OIS), which plays a significant part in producing sharp and crisp pictures.
The camera’s image stabilization feature can be turned on or off from the camera’s menu. When turned on, OIS helps to reduce any blur that may be caused by unintentional shaking, a slow shutter speed, or low light conditions.
Typically, shooting at night or in darker environments can cause blur. In addition to this, shooting in windy locations or in unstable environments, such as moving vehicles, can create blurry pictures.
Under all these conditions, using the AZ422’s OIS mode comes in handy. Despite these conditions, you’ll be able to take sharp pictures with minimal blur.
LCD Screen
The PixPro AZ422’s LCD screen makes the device easy to use and understand. The 3 inch LCD screen has a resolution of 460000 pixels.
The LCD displays what your lens sees, which helps you take better photos and shoot better videos. The LCD enables you to understand how to frame your shots better.
One of the features of the AZ422’s LCD is focus control. The display has a focus frame that will turn green whenever your subject is in focus. This will help you minimize the number of unfocused pictures you may take.
Other than helping with framing and focus, the LCD gives you helpful tips whenever you’re shooting in different modes. For example, when you’re in Panorama Mode but fail to keep your camera angle steady, the LCD will show a warning of ‘improper alignment.’
Since the LCD plays a vital role in both shooting pictures and videos and Playback mode, it’s important that you’re comfortable using it. Hence, Kodak ensures that you can also adjust the AZ422’s LCD brightness to your liking.
There are 5 options to choose from. At default, the brightness it set to normal. However, you take it up or down 2 notches. This may seem like a basic feature, but it’s essential to have in a camera because you spend most of your time looking at the LCD.
Mode Dial
The AZ422’s mode dial allows you to switch between ten different modes, which are suited to both beginners and professionals. The dial is located next to the power switch, right behind the shutter button. This makes it easy to switch between modes while you’re shooting.
The auto mode is ideal for beginners. The device sets the optimal shutter speed, aperture, and ISO settings based on your environment in this mode. So, if you don’t know how to shoot in particular conditions, such as low light environments, we recommend using this mode!
For intermediate and professional photographers, there are a few different modes to choose from. The manual mode allows you to set the aperture, shutter speed, and ISO yourself. So, you have full control over how the picture comes out.
The aperture priority mode allows you to set an aperture of your choice, and the camera decides the rest of the settings accordingly. The shutter priority mode operates the same way, giving you control over shutter speed. This applies to program priority too, where you have control over the ISO.
Build Quality And Design
The AZ422 is a camera that has an impressive body along with its line of remarkable features. Its compact body makes it an ideal camera to travel with, whether you’re going on a day trip or a full vacation.
Despite its excellent design, the camera also comes with a two-year warranty. So, consumers can rest assured that any problems or glitches they may face will be fixed by Kodak.
You can connect the AZ422 to your laptop, computer, or television through than HDMI or USB cable. The camera is compatible with a micro HDMI connector and a micro USB connector.
The AZ422 is also compatible with PictBridge. This feature allows you to connect the camera directly to a printer in order to print out pictures.
We’ve listed some notable aspects of the AZ422’s build quality and design below.
Strong Grip
The small size of the camera, coupled with its light weight, means that it is easy to hold and thus use.
Thanks to this feature, you won’t have to worry about your camera falling out of your hands, or easily gliding off surfaces.
Despite the strong grip that the camera offers, the neck strap it comes with is slightly uncomfortable, especially when worn for prolonged periods of time.
The lens cap is attached to the neck strap, which is a good feature for people that tend to lose things easily. However, this feature can be slightly bothersome because the lens cap may strike against the lens while you use the camera.
Built-in Flash
A flash is an essential part of any camera. The AZ422 comes with a built-in flash and six different flash modes. These include force off, automatic flash, force flash, slow sync, red-eye reduction, and slow sync + red-eye reduction.
The AZ422’s flash pops up when the flash button is pressed. It works as a supplemental light when you’re taking pictures or shooting a video. The light from the flash highlights the subject you’re attempting to focus on.
Typically, it’s difficult to capture details in low-light conditions, even with flash. However, the AZ422’s spring-loaded flash works incredibly well when it comes to picking up details, including small ones that would normally get washed out.
When shooting in auto mode, the flash automatically turns on in low-light conditions. One of the biggest problems with using flash, however, is the occurrence of red-eye. Kodak solves this problem in the AZ422, with the red-eye correction mode.
The flash’s shooting range is approximately 0.5m to 7.5m when shooting in wide-angle mode, and approximately 1.2m to 3.7m when shooting in tele-angle mode.
Conclusion
The Kodak PixPro AZ244 is an impressive camera, no doubt. The camera comes with an impressive focal length, optical zoom, and focusing range. These features, coupled with its Optical Image Stabilization and HD video shooting capabilities, make this camera must-have.
If this wasn’t enough, it offers a range of features that cater to both beginners and professionals, making this camera an investment for all. If you’re a beginner, you can invest in the AZ422, knowing that it’ll always have something to offer you as you improve your skills.
Kodak is already a well-known brand among photography and filmography enthusiasts. The AZ422, in particular, has an excellent reputation among the community and is thus a popular choice for many people working in the industry.
