Kodak EasyShare C300 Review

Overall Rating

Simple to use
Flash
Clear shots
Memory card slot
Uses standard AA batteries

No zoom
No lens cover
The docking option is expensive

The Kodak EasyShare C300 digital camera is designed to be a simple quality camera in the tradition of Kodak. It is light, relatively small (about 5cm shorter than better Kodak models), and it is easy to use right out of the package.

The top of the camera has a knob used to power it on, and it allows you to choose "night mode" for low light, as well as a 30-second video setting (no sound) that actually works rather well. The Auto setting is the one used most of the time.

The lens is a fixed-focus lens with no zoom (yes it claims a digital zoom, but that produces grainy pictures only good for a joke shot), and it has a piece of clear glass to protect it. The flash is automatic, but can be set too off or Fill. "Fill" is when you want to lighten shadows, such as when your subject is in shade while the area behind them is in sunlight. It's an excellent way to make a bad snapshot worth keeping, so learn to use it.

Batteries are the only way to power the camera since it has no A/C adapter outlet. The Lithium photo batteries last longer naturally. They are supposed to, and they cost more as a result. You can use standard AA batteries; just be prepared to replace them every 10 shots or so, or if the camera is stored for a month without use. Photo results are the same either way.

I added a small 64Mb MMC card which holds dozens of shots. We simply took the camera to the drugstore, slid the card in the machine and chose our pictures. The instant photo machines today have powerful software in them that will automatically improve your digital shot if you choose, and most of the time it will come out looking better than any film camera you ever had.

The fact that this is a dependable, well made camera that takes clear crisp shots, and has a dozen features all for under $100 is amazing to me. Compared to other cheap cameras, this is hands-down the best for kids and others who just want to have fun taking pictures.

This is a nice cheap camera. I bought it for my daughters to use instead of my expensive Kodak, and they are having a great time. In fact, when the shot is done right, this camera rivals my expensive one for standard snapshot quality.