Kodak C913 Review

Kodak C913 Overview

The Kodak EasyShare C913 is based around a nine megapixel CCD imager and a Kodak-branded 3x zoom lens with a 36 - 108mm equivalent focal range - a rather tight wide angle to a moderate telephoto. As you might expect of an entry-level camera, the Kodak C913 has just a 2.4-inch LCD display with 115,000 dot resolution, 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 C913 lacks the option, but certainly understandable given that cost is likely a dominant factor in the design. Images are stored on Secure Digital / SDHC cards, or in 16MB of internal memory (11MB usable for storage).

The Kodak C913 offers a generous eighteen 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. While the C913 forgoes higher-tech niceties like face detection that are found on many more expensive cameras these days, the design still emphasizes ease of use first and foremost. Exposures are determined using multi-pattern TTL metering with center-weighted and spot metering also possible, and 2.0EV of exposure compensation is offered in 1/2EV increments. Five white balance settings are available including an auto mode and four fixed presets, and ISO sensitivity is controlled automatically from 64 to 160, or manually from 80 to 1000 equivalents. The EasyShare C913 also offers a movie mode, capturing 15 frames-per-second VGA (640x480) or 29 fps QVGA (320x240) clips, in QuickTime MotionJPEG format with audio.

The C913 can be used with the company's optional Kodak Camera / Printer dock, and also offers a USB 2.0 connection (type unspecified), through which images and movies can be transferred to your computer. Power for the C813 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.

Kodak C913 Pricing and Availability

The Kodak EasyShare C913 starts shipping September 2008 at a list price of US$119.95, and will be offered in a variety of colors.