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Kodak has focused their attention on ease-of-use with all of their EASYSHARE digital cameras, hence the name. The menu system that is integrated into their DX7590 proves that. Even without the manual, each option is fairly self explanatory. There are 14 menu options when in camera mode, allowing the user to set the self timer, picture size, compression level, white balance, exposure bracketing, exposure metering, focus zone, autofocus control, color mode, sharpness, reset to default, set album name, image storage, and access to the Setup Menu.

Most of these controls are not settings that you would change from picture to picture, so having to press the menu button and navigate to them should not be a concern. Most of the important controls, such as shutter, aperture, ISO, macro/landscape, flash, exposure compensation, and continuous shooting are accessible from buttons on the body of the camera - helping to speed up selection.

The SHARE (red button) on the back of the camera allows you to quickly print, bookmark, or e-mail your photos. This function would be used when resting in its EASYSHARE dock.

The Kodak DX7590 uses a flip-up flash which should be used when taking pictures at night, indoors, or outdoors to "fill-in" shadow areas. The camera offers a red-eye reduction mode which fires a pre-flash prior to the main flash. The camera also features an external flash connector which accepts all standard external flash cables. The external flash synchronizes at any shutter speed and accepts all standard external flash units up to a maximum of 500 volts.

Our tests revealed very good flash coverage indoors. However, I found that the external color LCD display has a tendency to look washed out with colors that are slightly off in comparison to the actual image captured and those viewed later in the PC. Yet, the eye-level electronic viewfinder did not have this problem; colors appeared to be very accurate on the eye-level LCD compared to the larger LCD.

The flash unit can be used in all modes except Landscape, Night Landscape, Fireworks, Museum, Video, First Burst, Last Burst, and when using exposure bracketing.

The Kodak EasyShare DX7590 offers a large 10x optical zoom, which to many, is one of the main reasons to consider this camera. I am also a big advocate for a long zoom lens since it gives you more control over the framing of your subject. A strong zoom also allows you to maximize the camera's resolution since you're able to frame the shot correctly at time of shooting, rather than relying on post-production "cropping," which reduces image size / resolution.

Neither the DX7590 nor the latest generation Z7590 offers image stabilization, a feature that should have been added when Kodak refreshed the DX7590 with the Z-series version. Trying to hold the camera steady while magnifying the scene by 10x is not an easy task. A lightweight tripod or monopod, however, will definitely help those long shots of your kids at the soccer, baseball, or football game. Also, using a high speed shutter will help to reduce blur caused by handheld shooting at telephoto settings.

The DX7590 also features a 3x digital zoom, extending the zoom range to 30x; although, as you extend into this digital "zoom" range, you also lower the resolution of the image. Since the optical zoom already features 10x magnification, I cannot think of an occasion where I would recommend using the digital zoom mode.

When recording in VIDEO mode you cannot use the zoom - however you may preset the zoom anywhere in the normal "optical" zoom range prior to recording. Digital zoom is not available in VIDEO mode.

The mode dial makes selecting the appropriate shooting mode simple - for those who understand the icons. Many cameras today use a similar mode dial. The kodak version also features a joystick in the middle of the dial, allowing you to select menu features.

Shooting in AUTO mode is great when handing your camera to someone unfamiliar with how to use it or when simplicity is desired over image quality. In this mode, everything is automatic.

In this mode, the camera automatically sets the shutter speed and aperture based on the scene lighting. Exposure compensation and all menu options are available in this mode.

In this mode, you can control the aperture, exposure compensation, flash compensation, and ISO Speed. Aperture priority mode is typically used by photographers to control depth-of-field - the distance between two objects in focus.

Shutter priority mode is primarily used to prevent blur when your subject is moving. It can also help to reduce some camera shake caused by holding the camera at longer telephoto settings. As you adjust the shutter speed, the camera automatically sets the correct aperture to maintain proper exposure.

M (Manual) mode

C (Custom) mode

Capture Video with Sound

SCN (Scene) Mode

Sport Mode

Portrait Mode

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