Kodak EasyShare Z712 IS

The Z712 IS looks like a professional camera and will turn heads the moment you take it out. However, it's no SLR, and for a super zoom you will have to contend with the bulk. At 103.6 x 74.2 x 69.7 mm, the camera makes for a stout companion and, at 300g, it isn’t exactly very light. However, the design is solid.

What I liked about the camera is that it can be used with one hand. The L-shaped design aids in getting a firm grip, though the slightly heavy body might tire you out if you are constantly shooting with one hand. However, convenience and ease of use are notable. All the necessary buttons can be easily accessed using thumb and index finger, while maintaining the grip. This includes the shutter release button and the three keys to give a direct access to various modes — flash, timer and focus.

The back panel accommodates a 2.5-inch screen and a host of other buttons like the five-way D-pad, the review button, and the delete and menu keys. The camera doesn’t have an optical viewfinder but if you want to make use of the electronic viewfinder, you can do so by accessing the button on the left-hand corner of the back panel.