Kodak AZ401 Kodak - Review 🏆

The Kodak Astro Zoom Bridge Camera is an entry-level bridge camera designed for casual photographers looking for an easy-to-use all-in-one solution. Released in 2017, it features a 16MP 1/2.3" CMOS sensor paired with a 25-450mm equivalent zoom lens, enabling you to capture a wide variety of subjects from landscapes to distant wildlife. The Astro Zoom offers full manual controls in a compact body weighing just 400g. While image quality is just average, the camera excels in its versatility and ease of use, making it a great choice for travel and everyday photography. Its extensive zoom range covers everything from wide angle to super telephoto in a single lens. Overall, the Astro Zoom is a user-friendly bridge camera capable of decent image quality and extensive zoom range at an affordable price point. It's a good option for beginners seeking an all-in-one camera as well as casual photographers wanting great zoom capabilities without the need for interchangeable lenses.

Design and Build

The Kodak Astro Zoom AZ401 has a compact and sleek design. Its physical dimensions are 4.5 x 3.1 x 3.8 inches and it weighs approximately 15.4 ounces. The camera body is constructed of high-quality plastics which helps keep the weight down while still feeling sturdy.

The handgrip is a good size and coated in a textured rubber material, providing a secure and comfortable hold. The camera is available in black or red color options. Overall, the AZ401 has a solid yet lightweight build quality that makes it easy to carry around.

Image Sensor and Lens

The Kodak AZ401 has a 1/2.3-inch 16.15MP BSI CMOS sensor, which is a small sensor size commonly found in bridge cameras. The sensor resolution allows for prints up to 13 x 19 inches.

For the lens, the AZ401 has a 22-1980mm equivalent focal length with a maximum aperture of f/3.1 at the wide end and f/6.8 at the telephoto end. The expansive zoom range goes from wide angle to super telephoto, providing a lot of versatility for different types of photography. However, the aperture is quite slow, especially at the telephoto end, meaning you may need to use higher ISOs in low light situations. Overall, the sensor and lens combination is decent for a bridge camera in this price range, providing ample resolution and zoom range to satisfy most casual photographers.

Image Quality

The Kodak AZ401 produces decent quality images and videos for a bridge camera in this price range. The 16MP 1/2.3-inch BSI CMOS sensor is capable of capturing good detail and color in outdoor and well-lit conditions. However, low light performance is just average with noticeable noise in images shot at high ISO settings.

The 25-450mm lens offers a versatile 35x optical zoom range, letting you capture wide landscape shots as well as getting close to distant subjects. The lens has built-in optical image stabilization which helps reduce blur caused by camera shake when shooting handheld, especially at long focal lengths. Still, a tripod is recommended when zooming in fully.

When shooting outdoors in good light, the AZ401 can capture sharp images with accurate colors and pleasing detail. Indoors and in low light, image quality declines noticeably with softer details and more visible noise. The maximum ISO setting is 3200, but image quality starts degrading from ISO 800 onwards. Videos are recorded at 1080p resolution up to 30fps. Video quality is decent in good lighting but suffers in low light with visible noise.

Overall, the AZ401 delivers good photo and video quality for a bridge camera at this price point. Just don't expect DSLR-like image quality, especially in low light. The versatile zoom lens allows you to capture a wide range of subjects. For best results, shoot in bright outdoor light whenever possible.

Features

The Kodak AZ401 has a good range of features for a bridge camera in this price range. Some of the key features include:

Shooting Modes

The AZ401 offers a variety of shooting modes including Manual, Aperture Priority, Shutter Priority, Program and full Auto. This allows you to take control and manually adjust settings or simply point and shoot. There are also scene modes optimised for different situations like portrait, landscape, sport etc.

ISO Range

The ISO range is 80 to 3200, which is decent for a compact bridge camera. Low ISO allows you to shoot with less noise in good light, while higher ISOs provide flexibility in dim conditions. However, image quality deteriorates noticeably at ISO 1600 and above.

Autofocus

Autofocus uses a 9-point system which is reasonably quick and accurate in good light. However, it can struggle and hunt in low light conditions. There is no advanced tracking autofocus available.

Image Stabilization

The AZ401 has optical image stabilization which helps reduce blur from camera shake when shooting handheld, especially at slower shutter speeds or full zoom. It does a good job of keeping images sharp in most situations.

Connectivity

The Kodak AZ401 has good connectivity options for a bridge camera in this price range. It has a micro HDMI port to connect to TVs and HD monitors. There is also a micro USB 2.0 port for charging and transferring files to a computer.

For wireless connectivity, the AZ401 has built-in WiFi and NFC. The WiFi allows you to connect the camera to your smartphone or tablet via the free Kodak Photo Printer App. This lets you transfer photos, remotely control the camera, and instantly print photos from the AZ401 to compatible Kodak photo printers. NFC provides a quick one-touch connection between the camera and NFC enabled mobile devices.

Overall, the ports and wireless capabilities allow you to easily transfer and share photos from the Kodak AZ401. The WiFi remote control and printing features are handy for social sharing.

Battery Life

The Kodak AZ401 comes with a rechargeable lithium-ion battery that provides enough power for around 300 shots per charge, according to Kodak. This is fairly standard for a bridge camera of this type.

The battery life allows you to shoot all day without worrying about the battery dying. You can easily go out for a long day of shooting stills and video without needing to pack a spare battery or charger. However, for multi-day trips, packing an extra battery is recommended.

Overall, the battery life is sufficient for most users' needs. The convenience of not having to frequently recharge outweighs the average shot capacity. Just be sure to remember to charge the battery fully the night before any big photo excursions.

Ease of Use

The Kodak AZ401 has an intuitive and easy to use interface that makes it simple for anyone to pick up and start using right away. The camera body has an ergonomic design with a deep handgrip that allows you to hold the camera comfortably and securely. The controls are well laid out and clearly labeled so you can easily adjust settings without taking your eye from the viewfinder.

The AZ401 uses a mix of physical buttons and dials along with an LCD menu system. The mode dial on top makes it simple to switch between different exposure modes, while a dedicated movie record button allows you to start filming video instantly. A rear dial and multi-directional control pad provide quick access to functions like ISO, white balance, flash and drive modes.

The 3" LCD screen has a user-friendly graphical interface for changing settings and viewing photos and videos. Menu navigation is straightforward with descriptions and explanations for each setting so you can understand what you are changing. Overall, the AZ401 has simplified controls and menus that are intuitive for novice users but still provide manual control for more advanced photographers. This makes it a versatile bridge camera that both beginners and enthusiasts can enjoy using.

Pros and Cons

The Kodak Astro Zoom Bridge Camera has many pros and cons worth considering.

Pros

• Impressive 65x optical zoom lens provides a 24-1560mm equivalent range for great versatility from wide landscapes to distant subjects
• Optical image stabilization helps reduce blur from camera shake
• Large 3" tiltable LCD makes composing shots at high and low angles easier
• Good manual controls and customization options
• Shoots full HD 1080p video
• WiFi and NFC connectivity for wirelessly transferring photos to mobile devices
• Uses AA batteries so power is easy to replace if batteries die

Cons

• Image quality is just average and fine details can look smudged, especially at high ISOs
• Autofocus can be slow and struggle in low light conditions
• Small sensor size leads to poor dynamic range and increased noise
• No RAW shooting mode limits editing flexibility
• Maximum burst rate of only 1 fps
• No electronic viewfinder, only rear LCD
• Bulky and heavy body compared to other bridge cameras

Overall, the Kodak Astro Zoom's impressive zoom range is its standout feature, but image quality and performance lag behind competitors. It can serve casual users well, but more discerning photographers may want to consider other options.

Conclusion

The Kodak AZ401 is a decent bridge camera that offers a good mix of features and functionality for its price point. It has a solid build quality and intuitive controls that make it easy to use. The 16MP sensor and 25-400mm lens provide good image quality and a versatile zoom range. However, image quality struggles a bit in low light.

For the price, the AZ401 packs in a good amount of features like manual exposure controls, RAW capture, and full HD video. The tilting LCD screen is also handy for shooting from creative angles. Connectivity options like WiFi allow for wireless image transfer.

In terms of downsides, the camera does suffer from some image noise at high ISOs. The LCD screen is fixed and not touch sensitive. The zoom range could be a little longer for a bridge camera in this class. There's no mic input for video either.

Overall, the Kodak AZ401 represents a good value pick for those seeking an affordable bridge camera with a solid zoom lens and manual controls. It's easy enough for beginners to use, but also offers the ability to grow into for more advanced photographers. As long as you don't need top-notch low light performance, the AZ401 gets the job done at a reasonable price point.

For casual photographers seeking an all-in-one camera with a long zoom range, the Kodak AZ401 is a viable option to consider. It hits a nice sweet spot between features, performance and price.