Kodak DX3600 Zoom

The DX3600 is designed to simplify digital photography. Kodak's EasyShare system incorporates software for transferring your shots to a PC, and a snazzy mains-powered USB docking station that doubles up as a charger for the two Ni-MH AA batteries.

Once fully charged these batteries should see you safely through around 150 images. The key feature, though, is the button on the dock that, when pressed, automatically launches the software and then quickly uploads the images. You can then modify the images, email them, print them out, create a slide show or save them to disk.

The DX3600 Zoom is a doddle to operate. The menus are easy to navigate using the four-way directional pad at the back and the mode dial on top.

To get snapping just slide open the lens cover to activate the camera, frame your subject using the viewfinder or the 1.8in colour LCD, and release the shutter. The 2x optical zoom lens is rated at f3.3 to f4.5 over the 35mm camera equivalent range of 35mm to 70mm. For a closer view, there's a 3x digital zoom as well as a macro setting usable from 25cm to 60cm.

With two resolutions (1800 x 1200 and 900 x 600), the 8Mb of internal memory can store approximately 12 images or 50 images respectively, or a maximum of around 100 seconds of movie footage. For more storage, a Type I Compact Flash slot is present but no card is supplied.

The camera reproduces true-to-life colours, although focusing isn't the sharpest we've seen and the automatic exposure is a little sluggish. Movies are a tad dark and you can't use the zoom while shooting, but at 20frames per second they run quite smoothly.

With a capable 2.2megapixel CCD, its ease of use, an optical zoom and a decent memory-ready price, the DX3600 Zoom makes a good choice for first-time buyers.

Contact: Kodak
0870 243 0270
www.kodak.co.uk.