Kodak EasyShare DX6340 Digital Camera [3MP 4xOptical]

Preset scene modes are particularly useful (eg sport, landscape, closeup), producing good results and includes basic manual controls for advanced user (exposure compensation, appeture/shutter priority).

4x optical zoom combined with the manual settings mode gives you plenty opportunity to be creative. Of note is the 4 second shutter speed option: although you can't re-expose a taken picture, you can superimpose two nearby scenes, or blur a chosen image very easily. Photographs sunsets very well using slow shutter speed (manual mode); though I personally have had little success photographing a stars.

Video mode is a good novelty bonus. Don't have too high expectations of it though; it's good for some simple fun but you'll want a dedicated video camera for anything serious.

16 MB of storage serves adequately - you get 1.5 mins video, or 16-20 pictures at best quality and 40-50 at lowest quality setting. With a memory upgrade (SD card and MMC compatible) you can store up to 23 minutes video, or 260 pictures at best quality and 700 at lowest (these figures are from personal experience using 256MB SD card).

Interface is very easy to use and navigate; it is responsive and intuitive with an attractive colour scheme and quite large (1.8") display. Casing is well designed with convenient finger grooves and grip points.

3.1Mp gives very high resolution - I get crisp images even when pictures are cropped (using software) and then stretched to fill my 16" display at 1280x1024 resolution. Fantastic results when printed to 6x4 7x5 and 9x6. Manufacturer claims good results on 14x11 prints as well; I've never tried this but I believe it's very probably true.

Takes rechargeable batteries (big points in my book - glad to see manufacturers are now thinking of these things). Goes for AGES with my high capacity 1800mAh AA cells (approx 400 pictures using lcd display as viewfinder).

Trivial points:

Data transfers quickly to pc -approx 15 secs for full 16MB.
Black and white and sepia modes are realistic and believable.
Really nice brushed steel (I think) finish.

Summary:
An excellent quality camera at an excellent price for for the low-medium skill amateur.

The Kodak DX6340 is comfortable in the hand ( unlike smaller models ) but is not excessively big. The camera itself feels like a camera and not just a bit of cheap plastic.

Taking pictures can be simplicity itself with the "Auto" mode or refined to your needs with the "PAS" mode ( yet to be explored ). With the "Auto" mode you are up and running in minutes.

Recommend getting a decent memory card and some rechargable batteries ( the battery supplied is good for approx. 100 pics - allegedly ) I got a 128Mb SD card which the camera reckons it can store approx 135 highest res ( 3.1MPix ) pictures.

The software is easy to load and use with some basic functions like getting rid of red eye ( additionally there is a red eye flash mode on the camera ). Transfers are quick and easy. USB connecting cable comes with the camera so simply load software, plug in cable followed by camera and transfer those images.

Drawbacks:-

Battery - need to get a charger and rechargables.

Memory - 16Mb on-board, so will take several good quality pics. But recommend getting some MMC or SD memory to boost the cameras ability. 128Mb gives approx 135 pics ( 3.1Mp ) or approx 10mins video with sound.

Camera Case - Shame this is not included in the package. You get a wrist strap but this will not guard against accidental knocks and scrapes.

Decided not to get the optional docking station - seemed a lot of money for a glorified battery pack. True, the USB cable is connected to the docking station and you simply put the camera on the dock and away you go, but it is no hardship to connect the cable to the camera itself and turn it on.

All in all, a good camera with excellent picture quality.