4. In The Field

• EasyShare C533 Digital...
• • Smartlion
  • $175.11
• • NextCenturyService
  • $180.00
• • StoreVista
  • $189.00

The EasyShare C533 took significantly longer to boot than the HP M437 - almost 5 seconds more. Due to the weather conditions during my test period, I primarily shot my test images on partly overcast days. Images appeared to be properly exposed for the mid tones, but highlights such as the cloudy sky tended to get blown out. When the sun did manage to peak through, the blue sky was properly exposed. Most of my test shots were taken in the Auto mode, and, since Kodak limits the ISO in auto mode to a range between 80 and 160, none of the test photos exhibited excessive noise. Here are a few samples. These images are un-retouched and were shot either in Auto or Close-up mode.

Close up shot in close-up mode. Exif info: 1/300, f/4.8, ISO 80

Outdoor photo shot in Auto mode. Exif info: 1/500, f/4.8, ISO 80

Sunset shot in Auto mode. Exif info: 1/60, f/2.7, ISO 125

The C533 stores videos in the .MOV format. While it is capable of shooting VGA video (640x480), the relatively slow frame rate - specified at 11 fps - resulted in both choppy video and audio. The video was much smoother at QVGA resolution (320x240), but was still no match for the 30 fps achieved on the Nikon L10.

Conclusion

The Kodak EasyShare C533 is a good choice for the novice who wants more control than the HP M437 offers. At a time when the trend is towards larger LCD displays, some people might be put off by the somewhat smaller than average 1.8" display, but the optical viewfinder might just make that tradeoff acceptable.

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