Kodak PIXPRO AZ255-WH Kodak - Review 🏆

Kodak has a long history of producing quality cameras for the consumer market. The company introduced its Pixpro line of digital cameras several years ago as an affordable option for hobbyists and casual photographers. The Pixpro AZ255-WH is one of Kodak's newer additions to the Astro Zoom category of superzoom bridge cameras. With a versatile 25x optical zoom lens, 16MP sensor, and full HD video capabilities, it aims to balance key features with an accessible price point. The AZ255-WH comes in an attractive white body that sets it apart from standard black camera designs. As with previous Pixpro models, Kodak is promoting the AZ255-WH as a user-friendly camera packed with megapixels and zoom power. It faces stiff competition from other brands in the bridge camera space. This review will take a close look at the strengths and limitations of the AZ255-WH for buyers considering this budget-friendly superzoom model.

Design and Build

The Kodak PIXPRO AZ255 has a compact and lightweight design, making it easy to carry around. It measures 4.7 x 3.1 x 3.1 inches and weighs just 15.2 ounces. The dimensions are quite small for a camera with such a long zoom lens.

The body is made of high-quality plastics which feel sturdy in the hand. There is a textured grip on the front right side that helps with handling. The available color options are black or white.

The buttons are clearly labeled and logically placed for easy operation. There is a mode dial on the top to quickly choose between different shooting modes. The power button, shutter release, and zoom toggle surround the mode dial. On the back, you'll find a 3-inch LCD, video record button, playback button and standard menu navigation buttons.

Overall, the AZ255 has a simple, functional design that feels solid despite its small size and light weight. The materials seem durable enough for regular use. The camera looks stylish in either color choice.

Image Sensor

The Kodak PIXPRO AZ255 has a 1/2.3-inch CMOS sensor with 16 megapixels resolution. This is a small sensor size commonly found in compact and bridge cameras, allowing the lens and camera body to remain portable while still providing ample resolution for large prints.

Despite the small sensor, the AZ255 performs decently in low light up to ISO 1600 before noise becomes an issue. The backside illuminated sensor design improves light capture compared to traditional CMOS sensors for cleaner images. Overall the 16MP resolution provides enough detail for sharp 11x14 prints while keeping files manageable.

The sensor enables full HD 1080p video recording at 30fps for capturing high quality home movies and events. A dedicated video record button makes it easy to quickly start filming.

Lens

The Kodak PIXPRO AZ255 has a 25x optical zoom lens, offering an impressive focal range of 24-600mm in 35mm equivalent terms. This ultra wide-angle to super telephoto coverage provides great versatility when shooting landscapes, architecture, group shots and distant subjects. The maximum aperture range is f/3.1 at the wide end and f/6.8 at the full 600mm telephoto reach. While not hugely bright, this is fairly typical for compact cameras with long zoom ranges. The lens incorporates optical image stabilization, which is very useful for reducing camera shake blur when shooting at slower shutter speeds or long focal lengths. Overall, the 25x zoom lens provides excellent flexibility for everyday shooting scenarios. You can capture sweeping landscapes and zoom in tightly on distant details without needing to change lenses. The image stabilization also helps enable sharp handheld shots even in low light conditions.

Video

The Kodak PIXPRO AZ255 has solid video capabilities for a camera in this class. It can shoot full HD 1080p video at 30 fps, providing decent quality for everyday videos. The camera records video in MP4 format, which is easy to share and compatible with most devices.

Some key video features include:

• 1080p Full HD resolution at 30fps
• 720p HD resolution also available
• MP4 video format
• Optical zoom available while recording
• Digital zoom up to 4X in 1080p
• Built-in stereo microphone

The full HD resolution gives you fairly crisp and detailed video that's suitable for sharing online or viewing on an HDTV. The 30fps frame rate provides smooth motion capture. And the MP4 format is a convenient MP4 container that makes it easy to share videos from the camera without needing to convert formats.

Overall the AZ255 provides a solid set of video capabilities in this price range. The full HD resolution and zoom functionality help you capture sharp, clear footage for everyday video needs.

Features

The Kodak Pixpro AZ255 has a robust set of features for an entry-level bridge camera.

• Zoom Range: The AZ255 has a powerful 25x optical zoom lens, which provides a 35mm focal length equivalent of 24-600mm. This allows you to capture wide landscape shots at 24mm as well as get significantly closer to distant subjects with the 600mm telephoto end. The zoom range makes this camera versatile for travel, sports, wildlife and more.

• LCD Screen: A 3" 460k-dot LCD screen allows you to compose shots, review images and adjust settings. The screen is not touch enabled nor can it flip or rotate, but it provides a decent live view.

• Wireless Connectivity: Built-in WiFi allows you to connect the AZ255 to your smartphone or tablet via the Pixpro app. This enables remote control of the camera, automatic transfer of images to your mobile device as well as location tagging.

• Storage: Photos and videos are stored on SD/SDHC/SDXC memory cards up to 32GB.

Battery

The Kodak PIXPRO AZ255 has a rechargeable lithium-ion battery that provides enough power for around 200 shots per charge based on CIPA standards. This is fairly standard for a superzoom camera of this type.

The battery charges via USB, so you can plug the camera into a USB charger, computer, or portable power bank to top up the battery. A full charge takes around 3-4 hours. There is no separate battery charger included, just a USB cable.

Overall, the battery life is decent but not amazing. You'll want to pack an extra battery or portable charger if you plan to shoot all day or take a lot of videos. The battery is removable, so carrying spares and swapping them out on the go is easy.

Price

The Kodak PIXPRO AZ255 is currently available for around £189.99 from major UK retailers like Amazon and Argos. At this price point, it sits in the budget to mid-range segment for bridge superzoom cameras. While not the cheapest model available, the AZ255 offers excellent value given its impressive 25x optical zoom lens and range of features. For those looking for an affordable all-in-one camera with plenty of zoom power, the AZ255 hits a sweet spot between price and performance. It can deliver DSLR-like versatility and impressive telephoto reach without costing a fortune. The sub-£200 retail price makes this a very appealing choice for casual photographers who want extended zoom capabilities on a budget. While image quality may not match more expensive models, the AZ255 has just about everything the average user needs for vacation, travel and day-to-day photography at a very reasonable price point.

Pros

The Kodak PIXPRO AZ255 has some great features that make it a compelling choice for a budget-friendly superzoom camera.

• Impressive zoom range: The 25x optical zoom lens provides a whopping 24-600mm equivalent focal length range. This lets you capture wide landscape shots as well as get way up close on distant subjects. The zoom is smooth and easy to control as well.

• Good image quality: Despite the low price point, the AZ255 can capture sharp, detailed images in ideal lighting conditions. The 16MP sensor provides enough resolution for large prints. Colors are vivid and accurate when shooting JPEG.

• Beginner friendly: With full auto mode, scene modes, and easy to navigate menus, the AZ255 is straightforward for casual photographers to pick up and start using right away. The buttons and dials are well-marked and intuitive. It's a great option for those new to photography who want an affordable superzoom.

The versatile zoom range, pleasing image quality when the light is good, and simple operation make the AZ255 a compelling choice if you're looking for a budget-friendly camera with mega zoom capabilities. It packs in lots of features for the price.

Cons

The Kodak PIXPRO AZ255 has a few drawbacks to consider:

• Plastic build - While the plastic body helps keep the camera lightweight, it also makes it feel a bit cheap compared to models with metal alloy builds. The plastic is prone to scratches over time as well.

• Average low light performance - With a small 1/2.3" sensor, low light performance is merely average. Images get quite noisy at high ISO levels, so the AZ255 works best in bright lighting conditions.

• Lack of manual controls - Besides basic exposure compensation, the AZ255 lacks manual controls over shutter speed and aperture. This makes it less suitable for more advanced photographers who want creative control. Auto and scene modes are the only options.