The Kodak Easyshare Z812IS is the top camera in the manufacturer's line of mid- and ultra-zooms. The 8.1-megapixel ultra-zoom can capture high definition stills and video, a digital camera feature that is still in its infancy, and not offered in many models. In addition to HD output, the EasyShare Z812 IS is equipped with a 12x optically stabilized lens and face detection. The Kodak EasyShare Z812 IS had an original price of $299.95 that has dropped to $279.95.

Physical Tour
Front (7.5)
The Kodak Easyshare Z812IS is designed to resemble a small digital SLR, The lens and hand grip take up most of the space on the front of the camera’s body. The outer rim of the 12x optical zoom lens is inscribed with text; "Schneider-Kreuznach" on top and "Variogon 36mm-432mm (Equivalent) AF 12x Optical Zoom," on the bottom. There is a black rubber ring embedded around the lens to comfortably rest fingers while shooting.

On the top left of this side is a multi-function light for low-light assist, self-timer, and video. Just below the assist lamp is a grouping of five microphone holes, with a matching batch on the other side of the lens. Just above the lens is a Kodak logo on the pop-up flash, which can be manually or automatically opened.

Back (7.5)
The back of the Kodak EasyShare Z812 IS has a 2.5-inch LCD monitor printed with the manufacturer’s logo and camera model name. The EVF/LCD button to the left of the eye cup allows users to switch back and forth between the electronic viewfinder and LCD. The viewfinder is cushioned with a black rubber eye cup.

To the top right of the LCD monitor is the zoom toggle that rocks back and forth between wide angle and telephoto. To the right of the zoom is a skinny jog dial for manual controls. Underneath the zoom toggle is a small circular "i" button, in line with the slightly larger playback button below it.

Beneath the review button is the camera’s four-way controller. It’s a circular silver button with four directional arrows that navigate the menus. The three buttons below the four-way controller are: trash, menu, and share, which accesses feature for printing, e-mailing, and organizing images.

The right side of the back has a smooth rubberized grip and depressed thumb rest to aid in handling.

Left Side (7.0)
You can view the left side of the lens from this angle and the "12x IS Image Stabilizer" text printed on the rubber ring around the lens. To the right is a strap post, the camera’s speaker of nine uniform holes in a square shape, with "8.1 megapixels" printed just below that.

Right Side (7.0)
The right side has plenty of graspable rubber coverings. The protruding right hand grip is visible. A rubber flap covers the USB and AV-out ports, to the top left of this side. There is an eyelet for a neck strap and a band of smooth plastic that breaks up the rubber coverings.

Top (6.0)
When held vertically, the top of the camera looks like a capital "E", minus a line. The pop-up flash, labeled with "HD High Definition," is above the lens.

On the top right of the camera, just above the handle grip, is the circular shutter release button with a row of three rectangle buttons below. These buttons control the flash, focus, drive, and self-timer. Left of these buttons is the on/off switch and dime-sized mode dial.

Bottom (7.0)
Directly beneath the handgrip are two compartment latches with textured grooves for easy sliding. The thinner latch houses the memory card, and the second latch is for the battery. To the left of the memory card compartment is the exposed high definition dock port. At the center of the bottom, but slightly off-axis of the lens, is the metal tripod socket.

The Z812 IS will appeal to budget shooters looking for a LOT of bang for their bucks, first time mega-zoom buyers, casual snap shooters who want a bit more reach, and family photographers who want an easy to use digicam that’s kid/pet capable.

Consumers buy mega-zoom digicams because they want a camera that provides most of the benefits of a digital SLR without the bulk and expense of a modular imaging system, but there are currently so many worthy options that it’s very difficult to choose. The Z812 IS delivers SLR-like handling, lots of nifty features, surprisingly good performance, excellent image quality, and P&S (point and shoot) ease of use – and it does it at a conspicuously lower price than the competition.