KODAK PIXPRO Astro Zoom AZ405-BK + Digital Film Scanner Kodak - Review 🏆

The Kodak Pixpro Astro Zoom AZ405 is a feature-packed bridge camera designed for enthusiasts seeking extended zoom range and manual controls. This 20MP camera boasts a massive 40x optical zoom lens that covers an impressive 24-960mm focal length range. With a wide angle 24mm field of view, the Astro Zoom can capture vast landscapes and cramped interiors with ease. The AZ405 shoots full HD 1080p video and features a flip-up 3-inch LCD for easy viewing and framing. Key features include a 16MP BSI CMOS sensor, sensor-shift image stabilization, 9-point autofocus, full manual controls, and built-in WiFi for wireless sharing. If you need serious zoom power in a compact body without breaking the bank, the Astro Zoom AZ405 is a compelling option worth considering.

Design

The Kodak Pixpro Astro Zoom AZ405-BK has a sleek and compact design despite its powerful 40x optical zoom lens. The camera body is made of high-quality plastics which keeps the weight down to just over 1 pound. With dimensions of 4.7 x 3.3 x 4.1 inches, the AZ405-BK can easily slip into a jacket pocket or small bag when not in use.

The handgrip and textured surfaces allow for a secure, comfortable hold. All of the physical controls are within easy reach of the right hand. The build quality feels solid with no loose or flimsy parts. Buttons and dials provide satisfying clicks and turns during operation.

Overall, Kodak designed the AZ405-BK to balance portability and functionality in a durable yet lightweight body. The materials and construction allow the camera to be a portable powerhouse, delivering excellent image quality and versatility without weighing you down.

Image Quality

The Kodak Pixpro Astro Zoom AZ405 has excellent image quality for a camera in its class. It features a 20MP BSI CMOS sensor, which is on the higher end for bridge superzoom cameras. This allows you to capture detailed images with resolution up to 5184 x 3888 pixels.

The 1/2.3" sensor size is typical for this category of camera. While larger sensors can offer some advantages, the AZ405's sensor still produces sharp, vibrant photos and performs well in low light.

Image stabilization is also a key feature that contributes to great image quality. The AZ405 has optical image stabilization, which physically moves lens elements to offset camera shake. This results in significantly fewer blurry or shaky images, especially when using the telephoto end of the 40x zoom lens.

Overall, the combination of a high resolution 20MP sensor, optimized 1/2.3" size, and effective optical image stabilization gives the Kodak Pixpro AZ405 the ability to capture impressive still images for its class.

Zoom Capabilities

The Kodak Pixpro Astro Zoom AZ405 camera offers impressive zoom capabilities, making it a great option for wildlife, sports, and landscape photography where you need to get close to distant subjects. The camera has a 40x optical zoom lens, going from an ultra wide-angle 24mm to a super telephoto 960mm in 35mm terms. This powerful zoom range lets you capture vast landscapes and pull in distant details for framing shots exactly how you want.

Complementing the optical zoom is a 16x digital zoom, extending the maximum zoom range to 640x when combined. This gives you even more reach when you need to get extremely close to a far away subject. Keep in mind, digital zoom will lower image quality compared to optical zoom.

To enable sharp photos when zoomed in, the Astro Zoom has optical image stabilization that counteracts camera shake and blurring. This stabilization is effective even at the full 40x optical zoom range, letting you handhold the camera at up to 960mm for surprisingly steady shots. The image stabilization makes it easier to capture wildlife and fast action at a distance.

Overall, the 40x zoom lens with stabilization provides exceptional versatility for distant subjects. You can capture wide scenics, zoom in on details, and get ultra close portrait shots all with one camera. This powerful zoom range makes the Astro Zoom well-suited for nature, travel, sports, and any photography requiring long reach.

Video Recording

The KODAK PIXPRO Astro Zoom AZ405 camera offers good video capabilities for a bridge superzoom camera in this price range. It can record full HD 1080p video at 30 frames per second. Lower resolution options are also available, including 720p at 30 fps and standard definition 480p at 30 fps.

For file formats, the AZ405 can record MP4 video which is widely compatible across devices and platforms. The MP4 videos are encoded using the efficient H.264 video codec.

The optical zoom can be used while recording video to get closer to distant subjects. An external microphone jack allows you to connect an external mic for improved audio quality over the built-in stereo mic. Overall the video features are quite decent for casual home videos and YouTube clips. Just don't expect professional level video on par with higher end interchangeable lens cameras. But the AZ405 packs a versatile set of video modes into an affordable superzoom package.

Connectivity

The Kodak Pixpro Astro Zoom AZ405 has decent connectivity options for a budget camera. It has a micro HDMI port to connect to HD TVs for viewing photos and videos on a bigger screen. There's also a micro USB 2.0 port for charging and transferring files to a computer.

For wireless connectivity, the AZ405 has built-in WiFi which allows you to connect to mobile devices through the Pixpro app. This allows you to view, download and share photos from your camera to your phone or tablet. There is no NFC or Bluetooth capabilities. The WiFi range could be better but overall it gets the job done for basic wireless transfers and remote control.

One downside is the lack of any wireless remote control or external mic input, which would have been nice to have for better long range shooting and improved audio recording. But considering its low price point, the connectivity options present are fairly standard. Most casual users will find the ports and wireless capabilities sufficient for sharing photos and videos from the AZ405. More advanced controls typically require moving up to higher-end models.

Display

The Kodak Pixpro Astro Zoom AZ405-BK has a 3-inch LCD display with a resolution of 460k dots. The screen is fixed and does not have touch capabilities.

At 3 inches, the display is reasonably sized for framing and reviewing shots. While not as large as some higher-end models, the screen is adequate for most users. The 460k dot resolution delivers images that are sharp and detailed during playback.

The lack of a touchscreen may be disappointing to some users who are accustomed to tapping to change settings or focus. However, the Astro Zoom retains physical buttons and dials that many photographers still prefer for adjusting camera controls. The fixed screen also helps keep costs down compared to pricier models with vari-angle LCDs.

Overall, the display on the AZ405-BK hits the sweet spot of being large enough for composing and viewing photos, while keeping resolution high and costs contained. The screen delivers good image quality during playback. While a touchscreen would provide added functionality, the physical buttons retain a tactile experience that many traditional photographers continue to enjoy.

Battery Life

The Kodak Pixpro Astro Zoom AZ405 has a rechargeable Li-ion battery that provides enough power for approximately 220 shots per single charge, based on CIPA standards. This is decent battery life for a superzoom camera with a small form factor.

While 220 shots may seem low compared to some DSLRs, it's quite good for a travel zoom camera of this size. The battery is rated for 1100 mAh capacity, which powers the high zoom lens and other features of the camera. For comparison, most smartphones and point-and-shoot cameras have battery capacities between 1000-2000 mAh.

Real world battery life can vary depending on usage. Using live view, flash, and continuous shooting will drain the battery faster. The AZ405 does have Eco mode to help extend battery life by dimming the screen and using other power saving techniques. Overall the battery life is sufficient for a full day of casual shooting while travelling or on vacation. Having a spare battery is recommended for more intensive use or extended trips.

Ease of Use

The Kodak Pixpro Astro Zoom AZ405 has fairly intuitive and straightforward controls that make it easy to use, even for beginner photographers. The mode dial provides quick access to frequently used shooting modes like Auto, Program, Shutter Priority, Aperture Priority, and Manual. There are also dedicated scene modes for shooting portraits, landscapes, sports, and more.

Navigating the menus is simple with the responsive 3" LCD screen. Options are logically organized into tabs like Shooting, Set-up, and Playback. Autofocus modes like Face Detection, Tracking AF, and 9-point autofocus allow you to capture sharp images of moving subjects. While not the fastest autofocus, it is reliable in most situations. Overall, the AZ405 offers a user-friendly experience for casual photographers looking for an affordable ultrazoom camera. The controls and menus are easy to navigate, making on-the-fly adjustments a breeze.

Conclusion

The Kodak Pixpro Astro Zoom AZ405 is a versatile digital camera with a 40x optical zoom and built-in film scanner. It offers a good balance of features for an affordable price point.

Some of the key pros of this camera include:

• Impressive 40x optical zoom range, letting you get very close to distant subjects
• Decent 20MP sensor provides enough resolution for large prints
• Shoots full HD 1080p video
• Large 3" LCD screen makes framing and reviewing shots easy
• WiFi and NFC connectivity for wireless image transfer
• Can scan 35mm slides and negatives with included adapters

However, there are some downsides to consider:

• Image quality is just average, especially in low light
• Slow autofocus system can struggle to lock on moving subjects
• No viewfinder, only an LCD screen
• Bulky and heavy body compared to other bridge cameras
• Mediocre battery life

Overall, the Kodak Pixpro AZ405 is a good option for those wanting an extremely versatile all-in-one camera on a budget. It packs in a huge zoom range and film scanning capabilities not found in other cameras at this price. Just don't expect top-tier image quality or performance. For casual photographers wanting a ton of features for the money, the AZ405 is a compelling choice.