Kodak C180 Review

The Kodak EasyShare C180 is based around a ten megapixel 1/2.3" CCD imager coupled to a Kodak-branded 3x zoom lens with a 32 - 96mm equivalent focal range - a fairly standard wide angle to a moderate telephoto. As befits its budget pricing, the Kodak C180 has a 2.4-inch 115,000 dot LCD display, and there's no optical viewfinder. They're an increasingly rare option these days, but cameras with optical viewfinders add a good degree of versatility, letting you get the shot when you can't make out the LCD in bright sunlight, or save battery life by disabling the LCD when accurate framing isn't vital. It's a shame that the C180 lacks the option, but certainly understandable given the pricepoint. Images are stored on Secure Digital / MultiMediaCards (including the newer SDHC types), or in 16MB of available internal memory.

The Kodak C180 offers a generous 16 scene modes to help beginners achieve the results they're looking for without the need to understand subtleties like shutter speeds, apertures and the like. The C180 also includes face detection, which is used to take account of your subject's faces when calculating exposure variables. Exposures are determined using multi-pattern, center-weighted or center-spot TTL metering, and 2.0EV of exposure compensation is offered in 1/3EV increments. Five white balance settings are available including an auto mode, and ISO sensitivity is controlled automatically from 80 to 240, or manually from 80 to 1250 equivalents. The EasyShare C180 also offers a movie mode, capturing 30 frames-per-second VGA (640x480) or QVGA (320x240) clips, in QuickTime Motion JPEG format.

The C180 offers a USB 2.0 connection (type unspecified), through which images and movies can be transferred to your computer. Power for the C180 comes from two AA batteries, with the company listing Oxy-Alkaline, Alkaline or Lithium disposables as compatible, as well as NiMH rechargeables - surely the better option for most uses. Kodak includes alkaline disposables in the product bundle, so be sure to factor in the cost of some rechargeables and a charger when making your purchase, unless you already have these on hand.

List pricing for the Kodak EasyShare C180 retails for about US$100. Available body color for the C180 include silver, blue, red or teal.