EasyShare DX7590: Kodak's Second Ultra-Zoom Digicam
by Stephen Caston on February 11, 2005 12:03 AM EST- Posted in
- Digital Camera
The Timing Tests
* NOTE: For all of our time tests, the camera is reset to its factory default settings and set to record using the highest resolution and quality setting. It is set to record in Auto mode. We also disabled all sounds. A PNY 512MB SD card was used.Before reading our results, please refer to our Testing Procedures page.
Startup Time
The startup time is recorded from the moment that the power button is pushed to the moment that the shutter sounds. The camera is set to record in Auto mode.| Startup time (seconds) | |
| Sony DSC-F88 | 1.73 |
| Nikon Coolpix 5200 | 3.34 |
| Pentax Optio X | 3.37 |
| Canon PowerShot S60 | 3.98 |
| Kodak DX7590 | 4.05 |
Although the DX7590 is not horribly slow, it does take longer to start up than other cameras that we have tested. We also found that there was no impact on startup time if the startup sound was enabled or disabled. On the bright side, the camera takes under a second to "wake up" from its standby mode. With such an impressive battery life, we recommend leaving the DX7590 powered on in situations where a "photo op" might arise.
Shutter Lag
To record shutter lag, we perform two tests with the lens at its widest angle setting. For the first test, we pre-focus the lens and measure the amount of time that it takes the camera to take a picture after the shutter button is pressed. The second test measures the time that it takes for the camera to take a picture after we press the shutter button without pre-focusing. Each test is performed 3 times and the results are averaged. For more information regarding our testing procedures, please refer to our Testing Procedures page.| With Pre-focus (seconds) | Without Pre-focus (seconds) |
| 0.07 | 0.54 |
With the camera pre-focused, the shutter lag time was a very fast 0.07 sec. When we included focusing in the equation, the camera performed well above average, resulting in a time of just 0.54 sec. The lag time is a bit longer toward the telephoto end, but it's certainly not slow. In short, we are very impressed with the shutter lag and focus times of the DX7590.
Write Times
We recorded 5 different write times with a PNY 512 MB SD card:Single Shot - The time that it takes for a single picture to be completely written to the flash card (the time that the "activity light" is on).
Shot To Shot (STS) - The time until the second shot can be taken after the first (shutter to shutter).
Shot To Shot w/Flash - The time that it takes the camera to take two pictures with the flash, starting from the moment that the first flash is fired to the moment that the second is fired.
Shot To Shot w/Buffer Full - The time between taking the last shot of a burst to the moment that the shutter sounds again.
Clear Buffer - The time that it takes the camera to clear the buffer after a full burst of pictures is taken.
We performed each test three times and averaged the results. Below are the resolution, quality setting, and average file size used for the tests.
| Resolution (pixels) | Quality setting | Avg. file size (MB) | |
| Flash disabled | 2576x1932 | Fine | 2.70 |
| Flash enabled | 2576x1932 | Fine | 1.75 |
| Single Shot | Shot to Shot | Shot to Shot w/Flash | Shot to Shot w/Buffer Full | Clear Buffer |
| 8.5* | 1.89 | 1.93 | 8.80 | 43.2* |
* NOTE: Since there isn't an activity light on the DX7590, the "Single Shot" and "Clear Buffer" times are calculated from the moment that the blinking activity icon appears on the LCD to the moment that it stops blinking.
Before the buffer fills with 5 shots, the DX7590 shows a very good write performance. The camera takes just 1.89 sec. between shots without the flash and 1.93 seconds with the flash enabled. The reason for the fast cycle time with the flash is due to a smaller average file size (1.75 MB). In "First Burst" mode, the camera can take 5 frames at 2.4 fps before slowing to 8.80 seconds between shots. When the buffer is full, it takes approximately 43.2 seconds to dump all the images to the flash card. It is a shame that the buffer works so slowly because the camera is fairly quick otherwise.
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Locut0s - Saturday, February 12, 2005 - link
I could be wrong but isn't Kodak well known for making relatively low quality consumer and prosumer digital cameras while making really good top of the line digital cameras? By top of the line I mean REALLY top of the line.bpt8056 - Saturday, February 12, 2005 - link
I have been looking at both the Panasonic FZ20 and the Kodak DX7590. I just spoke with the VP of Digital and Film Imaging from Kodak the other day and she basically said that the DX7590 is considered a "prosumer" type of camera, but with simplicity in mind. There's the keyword: simplicity. I like to take good quality pictures and I know the FZ20 is the one to get. However, my wife does all the organizing and printing since she's a consultant from Creative Memories. She wants the process of organizing, printing, ordering, etc. as easy as possible which the Kodak cameras can help her with. Even after repeatedly showing her the procedure with our current camera, she still needs my help and I tend to be busy doing something else.Here's my take on the DX7590 and the FZ20:
FZ20:
Pros
+ High resolution, sharp details
+ Image stabilization
+ Hotshoe
+ TIFF Mode
+ High Zoom (12x)
+ Colors are good, but shows a hint of yellow
+ Chromatic aberration almost nonexistant
Cons
- Poor low-light/indoor shots (external flash can fix this)
- Noise level is nasty above ISO 100 (hence indoor pics won't look too sharp)
- Not quite as compact as DX7590
- Simplicity??
DX7590:
Pros
+ Kodak Color science
+ White balance (the best I've seen)
+ High Zoom (10x)
+ Noise level is pretty good
+ Can be configured as point-and-shoot
+ EasyShare (simplicity)
+ External flash can be used (need to have bracket)
Cons
- Aggressive compression
- Soft details (grass looks muddy)
- Chromatic aberration is apparent
- No image stalization
- No TIFF or RAW mode
The FZ20 will give better results with pictures, but the DX7590 provides a better ease of use.
defter - Saturday, February 12, 2005 - link
Don't forget Panasonic FZ3: small size and 12x zoom with image stabilizer at ~$320.BPB - Friday, February 11, 2005 - link
The Panasonic reviews are impressive. Interesting that it too has slow frame rates for video with sound.One big plus, to my way of thinking, is the Kodak printer dock. We have one and love it, even though the price per print isn't that cheap. Still, it's a lot easier than heading out to a store or emailing to an eshop.
Wesley Fink - Friday, February 11, 2005 - link
#5 - If you are running the native and highest 1600x1200 resulution on your Dell, you are still compressing your image from 2576x1716 to 1600x1200 when you view it. Your Dell screen is less than 2 megapixels, so filling the screen is not any great indication of the quality of a 5 megapixel image. You would likely be better judging quality by viewing actual pixels on screen and scrolling around the image.ironman67 - Friday, February 11, 2005 - link
I've had a Lumix DMC-FZ20 for over a month--Fantastic!!! Pictures taken at medium quality at sharp and detailed even when I enlarge them to fill my 20 in. Dell LCD.BPB - Friday, February 11, 2005 - link
As a DX6490 owner, I think I'd be very happy with this camera. We may sell the 6490 and upgrade. Not being a bigtime photographer, the problems they mention here wouldn't matter much. The few annoyances the 6490 has for us seemed to have been bettered in this model. So, as an average camera schmuck, I think this would be a good camera.But I am going to look into the Lumix mentioned above.
plk21 - Friday, February 11, 2005 - link
I bought my mom the DX6490 (the 4MP version) for Christmas 2003, and it's a GREAT digicam. I'm thinking of getting this one for myself.The Doc is a nice feature for technophobes like my mother, with simple instructions like "Put the camera on the doc, and press the big button". That's one reason I reccomend Kodak cameras to less tech savy people. combined with Picasa2, they're absolutely perfect for those types of people. I get a lot less "support calls" for the Kodaks than other digicams.
Souka - Friday, February 11, 2005 - link
Agree....Also...yet another Kodak review on AT...ugh.... :(
fass mut - Friday, February 11, 2005 - link
for $500 clams..i'd go for the Lumix DMC-FZ20, 12X image stabilized!