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The Imaging Resource Quick Review Kodak EasyShare DX6490 Digital Camera
Eastman Kodak's "EasyShare" line of digital cameras have consistently impressed me as living up to their name, being one of the most unfailingly easy to use line of digicams out there. With the new EasyShare DX6490 though, Kodak moves beyond pure ease of use (although the camera is still very easy to use in full-auto mode) to encompass a range of capabilities that allow the DX6490 to satisfy the desires of "enthusiast" photographers as well. While EasyShare cameras have always had very good color and excellent white balance systems, their lens quality was generally appropriate to the "consumer" market in which they played, and exposure flexibility was generally very limited. The Kodak EasyShare DX6490 then, comes as a surprise on many fronts, with a 4-megapixel CCD, a high-quality Schneider-Kreuznach 10x optical zoom lens with much lower than average distortion, a capable autofocus system that works down to very low light levels, and an electronic viewfinder system that likewise works very well in dim lighting. Its exposure system spans a range of control from fully automatic to fully manual, and an external flash sync connector permits use with external flash units or even studio strobes. A high-capacity LiIon rechargeable battery is included in the box with the DX6490, adding to the value of the package, and providing generous run times. Its rich set of features are more than mere marketing hype too, as the DX6490 held up very well throughout my testing, delivering excellent photos under a wide range of conditions. All in all, the EasyShare DX6490 is easily the best consumer-level digicam Kodak has made to date, and one that will compete very strongly in the popular long-zoom marketplace. If you're in the market for a very capable long-zoom camera, the EasyShare DX6490 deserves a long, hard look. Kodak's color and white balance technology has long been among the best in the photo industry, but until now has been restricted to either the low end of the consumer market (in their EasyShare line), or the very high end of the professional world (in their pro SLRs). With the four-megapixel, 10x-zoom EasyShare DX6490 though, Kodak takes a large step toward bringing their excellent color technology to the "enthusiast" market, while still retaining the ease of use the EasyShare line has become famous for. Quite compact in light of the large lens, the DX6490 has an overall body design similar to a number of other long-zoom digicams on the market, with a generous handgrip on the right-hand side, balancing the large lens on the left. It definitely won't fit into your shirt pocket, but the DX6490 is small enough for larger coat pockets, purses, backpacks, etc., and comes with a neck strap. The 4.0-megapixel CCD captures high-quality images, suitable for very sharp 8x10 prints, even with some cropping.
Perhaps the most exciting feature on the DX6490 is the camera's 10x Schneider-Kreuznach Variogon lens, the equivalent of a 38-380mm lens on a 35mm camera (the longest zoom available on any EasyShare model). The all-glass lens has 11 elements in seven groups, with three aspherical elements and lenses made from Extra Low Dispersion (ED) glass. Aspheric lens elements help produce sharp images from corner to corner, because they can bring light rays originating from the center of the lens and the edges into focus at the same point. ED glass reduces chromatic aberration (color fringes around objects at the edges of the field of view). Both technologies are found in higher-end cameras, but relatively few models in the DX6490's price range incorporate either. Apertures range from f/2.8 (f/3.7 at telephoto) to f/8, and are either manually or automatically adjustable. The camera's autofocus mechanism uses a multi-zone system to "find" the primary subject closest to the lens. The AF area is highlighted in the LCD display with a set of brackets. (If you prefer, you can change the AF area to read only the center of the frame through the Record menu.) Normal focus ranges from 2.0 feet (0.6 meters) to infinity at wide angle, and from 6.6 feet (2.0 meters) to infinity at telephoto. A Macro mode ranges from 4.8 inches to 2.3 feet (12 cm to 0.7 meters) at the wide angle zoom setting, and from 3.9 to 6.9 feet (1.2 to 2.1 meters) at the telephoto end. There's also a Landscape focus mode that fixes the focal distance at infinity, for distant subjects and scenery. In addition to the 10x optical zoom, the DX6490 also offers as much as 3.0x Advanced Digital Zoom, which effectively increases the camera's zoom range to a total of 30x. Keep in mind though, that digital zoom decreases the overall image quality in direct proportion to the magnification achieved, since it just "stretches" the center pixels of the CCD image. For composing images, the DX6490 offers a 0.44-inch electronic optical viewfinder (EVF) as well as a 2.2-inch color LCD monitor. The larger LCD monitor features a high-resolution, indoor/outdoor display, that's unusually clear and bright under most lighting. Both displays feature image information and menu screens, and a rear-panel button switches the viewfinder display between the two.
The DX6490's LCD-based viewfinders are also much more usable under low-light conditions than those of most other cameras I've tested. I'm usually not a fan of EVFs, because they're generally useless at low light levels. (Many cameras with EVFs can shoot at light levels far below those at which you can actually see what the camera is pointing at!) In contrast, the DX6490's viewfinder screens remained quite usable down to very low light levels. (In my testing, about 16x darker than typical city streetlighting at night.) Kodak achieved this exceptional low-light sensitivity through a special CCD design, that can combine the charge from multiple rows of sensor elements to boost sensitivity at the expense of resolution. This sounds like something you wouldn't want to do, but it turns out that most electronic viewfinders throw away most of the sensor data anyway, to match the limited resolution of the LCD screens. Thus, Kodak's approach gives much greater sensitivity with no apparent loss in resolution on the LCD screens. Kodak's clever low-light readout system used for the viewfinder system also pays dividends in low-light focusing. Using the same technique of combining data from multiple rows of pixels, the DX6490 can focus accurately in very dark conditions.
Actually, the pixel-combining technique is only part of the story with the 6490's autofocus system: It's actually a hybrid system, using a passive IR focusing element positioned above the lens, in addition to the usual contrast-detection processing using data collected from the CCD. The passive infrared focusing sensor can operate in complete darkness, and is faster than contrast-detection processing under any light level. In the DX6490, the passive AF system gets the lens into the approximate focusing range quickly, and then the contrast-detect system takes over from there for the final tweaks. While the 6490 only focused with average speed in my tests under normal room illumination, the dual-mode AF system again seemed to produce real benefits under low-light conditions. (Although readers should note that I only found good low-light focusing performance on my evaluation unit of the 6490 when the camera's flash was popped up. With the flash down, low-light focusing was limited to one foot-candle or more, about the level of typical city streetlighting at night.) The DX6490 offers a full range of exposure control, from the point-and-shoot style of Auto mode to full manual exposure control. The Power/Mode dial on the rear panel not only powers the camera on, but also offers options of Movie, Off, Auto, PASM, Sports, Portrait, and Night settings. While Auto mode is best for general photography, the remaining preset modes help with special shooting situations such as night shots in the city or the winning goal of a soccer game. In Sports mode, the camera's exposure system is biased toward faster shutter speeds to "freeze" action. Portrait mode favors large lens apertures to reduce depth of field, capturing a sharp subject in front of a slightly blurred background. Night mode optimizes the camera for darker portraits and other night scenes, combining the flash with shutter speeds as long as a half-second to let more light into the image from the surroundings. This brightens the background in flash shots, making for more natural-looking night photos. (You can cancel the flash in Night mode too, for those times when you want to shoot with just the available light.) Finally, PASM mode offers Program, Aperture Priority, Shutter Priority, and Manual exposure options. Program mode keeps the camera in charge of both aperture and shutter speed, while Aperture and Shutter Priority modes let you control one exposure variable while the camera selects the other. Manual mode provides complete exposure control, with the user able to set both aperture and shutter speed. Exposure times on the DX6490 range from 1/1,700 to 16 seconds, a much larger exposure range than previously seen on EasyShare digicams. Exposures in most auto modes are limited to a maximum of 1/8 second but extend to 1/2 second in night mode. To access exposure times longer than a half-second, you need to work in either shutter-priority or Manual mode. The DX6490 employs a Multi-Pattern metering system by default, which bases the exposure on a number of light readings taken throughout the frame. Also available are Center-Weighted and Center-Spot modes. You can increase or decrease the overall exposure through the Exposure Compensation setting from -2 to +2 exposure equivalents (EV) in half-step increments. (Each full EV unit of adjustment represents a factor of two increase or decrease in the exposure.) White balance options include Auto, Daylight, Tungsten, and Fluorescent settings, which take advantage of Kodak's proprietary Color Science technology to achieve an accurate color balance under most lighting. (In my testing, I've found the accuracy and flexibility of Kodak's auto white balance system to be second to none.) ISO is adjustable to 80, 100, 200, 400, or 800 equivalents, with an Auto setting as well, that automatically adjusts ISO over a range of 80-130. The DX6490 also offers a handful of color shooting options (Saturated, Neutral, Sepia, and Black and White), as well as a sharpness adjustment. The built-in, pop-up flash is effective from 2.0 to 16.1 feet (0.6 to 4.9 meters) depending on the setting of the zoom lens, and features Auto, Fill, Red-Eye Reduction, and Off operating modes. Also included on the DX6490 is a PC-sync socket for connecting a more powerful external flash unit (another first in the EasyShare line). In addition to its still photography options, the DX6490 also offers a Movie recording mode for capturing moving images with sound at 320 x 240 pixels, at approximately 24 frames per second. Recording stops and starts with a full, brief press of the Shutter button, but if you hold the button down for more than a second or two, the camera will automatically stop recording when you let it back up again. As you record, the duration of the movie appears in a running counter on the LCD display. Maximum movie lengths depend on the amount of memory space available, as recording is limited only by available memory space. (Although there is a menu option available that restricts movie length to 5, 15, or 30 seconds, handy for movies recorded with the self-timer.) A Burst photography mode lets you capture as many as six frames in rapid succession (approximately three frames per second) while you hold down the Shutter button. The six-frame maximum burst length applies regardless of resolution, but may be further limited if there isn't enough space on the memory card or the camera's internal memory to store a full sequence. A 10-second Self-Timer mode provides a delay between the time the Shutter button is pressed and when the shutter actually opens, so you can get into your own shots. The DX6490 is compatible with Kodak's EasyShare camera and printer docks, which offer hassle-free image downloading and printing. In the US and Canada, the DX6490 ships with a 6000-series dock in the box. With Kodak's Picture software installed on your computer and the computer connected to the dock, you simply put the camera into the dock and press the Connect button on the dock to download images. The dock station also serves as an AC adapter and in-camera battery charger. Built into the DX6490 is 16 megabytes of internal memory, but the camera also features an SD/MMC memory card slot so you can expand the camera's memory capacity. I highly recommend picking up at least a 64 megabyte card right away, given the camera's 2,304 x 1,728-pixel maximum image size. For power, the DX6490 uses a single lithium-ion battery pack, which comes with the camera, providing plenty of capacity for longer excursions. (Worst-case run time is about 2 hours and 42 minutes, longer than usual among digicams I've tested.) The necessary battery charger also accompanies the camera, but I strongly recommend picking up a second battery and keeping it freshly charged at all times. The camera also comes with a video cable for viewing images on a television set, and a USB cable for high-speed connection to a computer without the camera dock. Basic Features
Special Features
Compact and reasonably small in size (even with its large 10x zoom lens), the DX6490 measures 3.9 x 3.2 x 3.2 inches (99.6 x 81.2 x 79.9 millimeters), just small enough to fit into coat pockets and purses, but a good bit too large for shirt pockets. The DX6490's all-plastic body keeps it fairly light weight as well, at 13.5 ounces (382 grams) without the battery or memory card. A neck strap is included for easier toting, which you'll doubtless want to use absent a large enough pocket to hold it. While fairly compact, the DX6490 is still large enough for a good-sized handgrip, and fits into the hand well, the weight of the grip balancing the lens nicely.
The telescoping lens takes up the right side of the camera's front panel, and extends outward about 3/4-inch when the camera is powered on. A plastic lens cap clamps onto the lens for protection, and features a small tether to attach it to the camera body and prevent it from being lost. In a nice touch, the lens cap rides out with the lens, so you don't have to worry about straining the lens mechanism if you turn on the camera with the lens cap still in place. In addition to the handgrip (covered with a soft, rubbery coating to provide a more comfortable and secure grip), the front panel also holds a tiny microphone, a Command dial used for exposure adjustment, and a window above the lens that shields the light and autofocus sensors, self-timer lamp, and video recording indicator.
On the right side of the camera (as viewed from the rear) is the SD/MMC memory card compartment, covered by a hinged, plastic door. Just above the compartment is one of the neck strap attachments.
The opposite side of the camera features the external flash PC-sync socket, beneath a flexible, rubber flap. Next to this is the other neck strap attachment. Another connector compartment, also protected by a rubbery flap, contains the DC In, USB, and AV Out jacks.
Kodak makes good use of the DX6490's top panel real estate, which features the Shutter, Flash, Focus, and Drive buttons, as well as the pop-up flash release button and a small speaker. Also on top of the camera is the pop-up flash compartment itself.
The rest of the camera controls are on the rear panel, along with the electronic optical viewfinder (EVF) and LCD monitor. A series of raised bumps in the upper right corner provides a thumb grip, reinforcing the front handgrip. Above the thumb grip is the zoom switch. Rear panel controls include the Information, Share, Delete, Menu, and Review buttons. There's also a Power/Mode dial for setting the exposure mode, with a joystick-like multi-controller button at its center. The multi-controller toggle navigates through menu settings, confirming selections when pressed straight in. Tucked on the left side of the viewfinder eyepiece is the EVF/LCD button, which switches the viewfinder display between the two monitors.
On the bottom panel of the DX6490 are the tripod mount, a connector for the EasyShare dock, and the battery compartment. The threaded metal tripod mount is just off-center and too close to the battery compartment for quick battery changes while working with a tripod. (However, the side access of the DC In jack means you could conveniently plug in the AC adapter when working in a studio.) The battery compartment features a locking, hinged door, which slides forward to open. The dock jack connects the camera directly to the EasyShare dock for quick image downloading. Kudos to Kodak for using a metal tripod socket, rather than a plastic one, as is becoming more common on digicams these days. While the location of the socket isn't ideal for panoramic shooting (which benefits from a socket directly underneath the lens), the socket on the DX6490 is close to camera's center of gravity, reducing strain.
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Kodak's EasyShare digicam line has consistently been user-friendly and easy to operate, hence the EasyShare name. The DX6490 proves no exception to this rule, even with its enhanced exposure features. The available semiautomatic and manual exposure control options provide a lot of flexibility, while the camera's fully automatic systems do an excellent job of capturing good-looking photos with little or no user intervention. The LCD menu system is short and simple to navigate, and follows the same format as the rest of the EasyShare line. The Power/Mode dial lets you quickly change camera modes, while the front-panel Command dial efficiently adjusts exposure settings. Given the simple interface and well-marked controls, you should be able to snap images right away, with hardly a glance at the manual. Though for more advanced functions, it shouldn't take more than a half an hour or so to get the gist of things. Record-Mode Display Playback-Mode Display
External Controls
Multi-Controller: Located in the center of the Power/Mode dial, this joystick-like controller navigates through menu options in any settings menu when you press it left or right, up or down, as the case may be. It confirms menu selections when it's pressed straight in. In Playback mode, the controller scrolls through captured images, when moved left and right. When pressed straight in, it enlarges the displayed image 2x or 4x, or returns to the normal display. Pressing the button down activates the index display mode, while pressing it upward activates a more detailed information display.
Camera Modes and Menus
Playback Mode: Accessed by pressing the Review button, this mode lets you review captured images and movies, as well as manage files. Record Menu: The following menu items appear whenever the Menu button is pressed in any Record mode. However, not all menu options are available in all modes.
Movie Menu: The following menu items appear whenever the Menu button is pressed in Movie mode. However, not all menu options are available in all modes.
In the Box Included in the box are the following items:
Recommended Software: Rescue your images!
See the specifications sheet here.
Information on shooting speed, battery life, etc. can be found here.
See our test images and detailed analysis here. The thumbnails below show a subset of our test images. Click on a thumbnail to see the full-size photo.
Test Results In keeping with my standard test policy, the comments given here summarize only my key findings. For a full commentary on each of the test images, see the DX6490's "pictures" page. As with all Imaging Resource product tests, I encourage you to let your own eyes be the judge of how well the camera performed. Explore the images on the pictures page, to see how the DX6490's images compare to other cameras you may be considering.
Related Links More Information on this camera from Megapixel.net:
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Depending
on the exposure mode, the DX6490's display shows the center autofocus area along
with currently-selected options for image size/quality, macro and flash mode,
the number of images of the current size and quality that can be stored in the
remaining space on the memory card. In PASM mode, the LCD display also includes
shooting mode, aperture, shutter, and exposure compensation settings. The Information
button turns the information display on and off.
In
Playback mode, you can press the DX6490's multi-controller to zoom in or out
of an image, with a maximum enlargement of 4x. Pressing the multi-controller
upwards enables a more detailed information display, as well as dismisses it.
Pushing down on the multi-controller activates the nine-image index display
mode. Pressing the Information button cancels and recalls the default limited
information display.
Movie:
Records moving images with sound, for as long as the memory card has available
space.
Off:
Turns the camera off, and signals the lens to retract.
Automatic
Record: Best for most average shooting conditions, this mode places
the camera under automatic exposure control, with limited user options available
through the Record menu.
PASM
Mode: Offers Program, Aperture Priority, Shutter Priority, and
Manual shooting modes, for expanded exposure options.
Sports
Mode: Optimizes the camera for moving subjects, freezing action.
Portrait
Mode: Sets up the camera for capturing portraits. Sharply-focused
subjects are captured in front of slightly blurred backgrounds.
Night
Mode: Employs longer shutter speeds to allow more ambient light into
the image. Syncs the flash with the exposure for brighter night shots.
Image
Storage: Dictates where images are stored, either in the 16MB internal
memory or on a SD/MMC card. If Auto is selected, the camera automatically
stores images to a memory card if one is present.
Setup
Menu: Accesses the following main camera settings:
Image
Storage: Dictates where images are stored, either in the 16MB internal
memory or on a SD/MMC card. If Auto is selected, the camera automatically
stores images to a memory card if one is present.
Magnify:
Enlarges the displayed image, so that you can check on fine detail and framing.
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