8. Kodak EasyShare LS420

The Kodak LS420 is the same size as a cell phone. As well as being this manufacturer's "sexiest" model, it is also the least expensive in our selection, priced at only US$299 (399 Euros). This is almost half the price of Fuji's 50i. But the savings comes at a price. The LS420 is not as good as the other four cameras tested. The prints lack resolution and the colors reproduced are often untrue.

As a little peculiarity, the prints are taken in a unique format, 1752 x 1168 pixels, for prints measuring 10 x 15 cm.

Design And Controls

The LS420 claims to be the ultimate in simplicity. It is operated by only six buttons.

At the top there is the ON/OFF button, the flash control and the shutter release.

Behind, there is the mode selector (display, video, photo), a directional button to control the digital zoom function and access to the parameter menu which is very small because the choice is almost confined exclusively to two resolutions, excellent at 1751x1168 or good at 876x584 pixels.

When compared to its rivals, the Kodak LS420 lacks a manual white balance that would be very useful for indoor conditions.

The small inset LCD screen is the poorest of the four. It leaves a marked trail and the colors are poor. Yet there is no choice but to use it because the viewfinder does not cover as much as 60% of the area actually photographed.