Kodak EasyShare M1093 IS

The Kodak Easyshare M1093 is one of the simplest ultra-compact cameras to use. If you're looking for a hassle-free point-and-shoot option, this is a worthy candidate. With an emphasis on Smart Capture mode, the only downside happens to be the limited manual functions.

The M1093 looks much like the others in the M-series. It comes in an all-black finish, with most of the rear occupied by the screen. There aren’t too many buttons beside the screen. For a change, the navigational joystick isn’t cumbersome to use. The playback/review key, along with the function key, can be found right above the joystick. A speaker occupies the space between the lower half on the right and the upper portion with the zoom toggle keys.

In a nice change, the mode and flash keys are located on the top, beside the power and shutter release button. It’s convenient and easy to access.

The M1093 uses a Kodak Retinar aspheric lens, which is a 35-105 mm equivalent. Though the camera offers 10MP, it has just 3x zoom. If you're happy to see so many megapixels, think again. For daily digital use, or even if you decide to make posters out of your pictures, 10MP is overkill. I would have appreciated greater optical zoom instead.