A study of Kodak digital camera reviews confirms impressive strides in recent years. The venerable camera maker now outsells all other digital camera brands in the U.S., and is ranked #1 in customer satisfaction by J.D. Powers for digital cameras under $400.

The Kodak EasyShare Series are among the most user-friendly digital cameras in the world. All models feature video capture and multiple scene and color modes. Most cameras have either 16MB or 32MB internal memory with SD/MMC memory slots for additional capacity. Some come with a printing and battery recharge dock.

EasyShare-ONE is Kodak's newest ultra-compact camera. With 4MP and 3X optical/3.3X digital zoom, it sports a 3" rotating LCD, wireless photo sharing, 256MB built-in memory and other features. This camera has not yet been reviewed. MSRP is $599.95.

The new Performance Series cameras are designed for serious photographers. They have most of a digital SLR's creative flexibility at a lower price. But unlike an SLR they also shoot video. The two entries in this series, which also have not yet been reviewed, are:

• P880 - 8.0MP, 5.8X optical/2X digital zoom, 2.5" LCD, MSRP: $599.95.
• P850 - 5.1MP, 12X optical/3.3X digital zoom, 2.5" LCD, MSRP: $499.95.

Top Rated Kodak Digital Cameras

The following groupings list Kodak digital cameras ratings, in order, as rated by hundreds of owners and digital camera reviews. Basic specs and MSRP are included for each camera.

EasyShare Pocket Series ultra-compact cameras are about the size of a deck of cards. Features include quality optics and high resolution sensors. The V550 and V530 also include TTL AF/AE and PictBridge printing compliance.

• V550 - 5.0MP, 3X optical/4X digital zoom, 2.5" LCD, $399.95.
• V530 - 5.0MP, 3X optical/4X digital zoom, 2.0" LCD, $349.95.
• LS743 - 4.0MP, 2.8X optical/3.6X digital zoom, 1.8" LCD, $249.95.
• LS753 - 5.0MP, 2.8X optical/3.6X digital zoom, 1.8" LCD, $349.95.

EasyShare Point and Shoot Series are Kodak's most popular and lowest priced compact cameras. They are very easy to use with bright viewing screens and other features. Most will take sharp photos that can be enlarged to at least 8 x 10 inches.

• CX7430 - 4.0MP, 3X optical/4X digital zoom, 1.6" LCD, $179.95.
• CX7530 - 5.0MP, 3X optical/5X digital zoom, 1.8" LCD, $249.95.
• C300 - 3.2MP, 5X digital zoom, 1.5" LCD, $99.95.
• CX7330 - 3.1MP, 3X optical/3.3X digital zoom, 1.6" LCD, $149.95.
• CX7300 - 3.2 MP, 3X digital zoom, 1.6" LCD, $99.95.
• C340 - 5.0MP, 3X optical/5X digital zoom, 1.6" LCD, $229.95.
• C330 - 4.0MB, 3X optical/5X digital zoom, 1.5" LCD, $179.95.
• C360 - 5.0MP, 3X optical/5X digital zoom, 2.0" LCD, $279.95.
• CX7220 - 2.0MP, 2X optical/3X digital zoom, 1.5" LCD, $99.95. (not rated)
• C310 - 4.0MP, 5X digital zoom, 1.6" LCD, $149.95. (not rated)

EasyShare High Zoom Series cameras are perfect for the enthusiast. They include advanced creative controls, powerful zooms, video and multiple scene and color modes.

• Z730 - 5.0MP, 4X optical/4X digital zoom, 2.2" LCD, $279.95.
• Z7590 - 5MP, 10X optical/3X digital zoom, 2.2" LCD, $399.95.
• Z700 - 4.0MP, 5X optical/4Xdigital zoom, 1.6" LCD, $249.95.
• DX7590 - 5.0MP, 10X optical/3X digital zoom, 2.2" LCD, $449.95.
• DX6490 - 4.0MP, 10X optical/3X digital zoom, 2.2" LCD, $399.95.
• Z740 - 5.0MP, 10X optical/5X digital zoom, 1.8" LCD, $349.95.
• DX7440 - 4.0MP, 4X optical/4X digital zoom, 2.2" LCD, $249.95.
• DX7630 - 6.1MP, 3X optical/4X digital zoom, 2.2" LCD, $299.95.
• Z760 - 6.1MP, 3X optical/4X digital zoom, 2.2" LCD, $299.95. (not rated)

Kodak is also pre-eminent in digital photo printing with their EasyShare Gallery service. For more information see Digital Photo Processing.