Kodak EasyShare Z-Series digital cameras combine fast performance, point-and-shoot flexibility with the photographic control achieved through a higher optical zoom. The 6-megapixel EasyShare Z612 Zoom is a compact camera boasting a 12X SCHNEIDER-KREUZNACH VARIOGON optical zoom lens with Kodak’s image stabilization technology for sharp shots and steady videos.
While camera shake is a major concern on models that feature such a powerful telephoto zoom, this isn’t the case with the Z612. Its Image Stabilization (IS) feature works very well, in fact, I was able to consistently capture blur-free full telephoto shots at shutter speeds of 1/125 of a second, and about 50% blur-free at 1/50 of a second. However, we always recommend using some sort of camera support, like a monopod, when using a camera’s telephoto capabilities. Its zoom mechanism is smooth and precise, and the zoom control is a variable switch. Pressing it hard zooms quickly, pressing it softer will move the lens in smaller increments, I counted 16 steps when zooming fast and about 28 steps when going slower.