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I absolutely love the Kodak EasyShare DX7590. However, even with all its capabilities and many features, I discovered a couple of things that I would add to my wish list (hey, it's my wish list). One feature that I would truly appreciate would be the ability to examine any changes or adjustments in camera settings (i.e., aperture, exposure, ISO, and shutter speed) and the resultant effects to the subject or scene (as viewed on the LCD screen) prior to shooting the picture. In the case of the DX7590, discovering exactly how changes in camera settings affect a photo is only visible on the LCD screen after shooting the picture. Although I realize part of the beauty of digital photography is the ability to delete an unwanted photograph upon review (great for still shots), in action packed events, particularly under less than optimal lighting conditions, there are usually no second chances. Most often the moment or action has passed, and the resultant photograph is less than desirable. However, quality photo ops could be optimized and enhanced by the ability to preview the effects of the camera settings on the subject prior to shooting. Another desirable feature would be built-in image stabilization to prevent blur due to camera shake while holding the camera at longer telephoto positions. Kodak has provided an icon (denoted by a shaking hand that appears on the LCD screen) to warn of slow shutter speeds and the need for a firm, stable surface or tripod on which to set the camera to prevent blur.

During testing, the DX7590's autofocus had problems locking focus in low light. While on their website, I found a firmware upgrade (version 1.01) that actually corrected for this problem. Installation was as simple as placing the upgrade file onto an SD memory card, inserting it into the camera, turning the camera on, and selecting "Update." It only took about 45 seconds to complete the upgrade. Once completed, turning the camera off and then on again enabled the camera to load the new firmware. I am happy to report that this firmware upgrade made all the difference in the world. In very low light, as long as the subject had some white/dark contrast, the camera locked onto its subject in just about 1 second. Without contrast in dim light the camera locked in - but not always in focus.

So, do "good things come in small packages?" When compared to other digital cameras in its class -- Most definitely! The Kodak EasyShare DX7590, and next generation Z7590, is a great digital camera for amateurs who want "room to grow" in their ability to capture photographs like a professional; for advanced amateurs looking for more creative control features to explore; and even for some advanced users who might enjoy all the convenience and quality that this little powerhouse can deliver in one lightweight package. I believe Kodak has delivered what it promised -- ease of use, sophisticated creative control, and superb quality.

I have given the camera a score between 1 and 10 (10 being the best) for each of the categories below to help give you a little more insight as to where the DX7590 performs best.

Outdoor Sports: 7 out of 10
The camera features fairly high shutter speeds of 1/1000th and very little shutter lag (only 0.2 seconds), both a necessity when capturing fast action sports. This is NOT a speed demon from shot-to-shot, taking about 1.5 seconds between frames, but the strong zoom lens and decent image quality still make it a pretty good camera for capturing faster action that is often too far away to be captured by cameras with less powerful zoom lenses.

Indoor Sports: 5 out of 10
Photographing indoor sports requires the use of high ISO settings in order to achieve the highest shutter speed possible. The Kodak EasyShare DX7590 features a top ISO setting of 400 with fairly low noise compared to other models in its class, however ISO 400 isn't quite high enough to affect much of an increase in shutter speed. A maximum ISO of 800 is available when shooting in 1.8-megapixel resolution mode though noise levels increase dramatically. Overall, I do not think that this, or any camera in this price range, will do a great job at capturing fast action under lower lighting conditions. However, under better lighting conditions, and with the use of a tripod or monopod, you will get some great shots thanks to the long zoom lens. I would not recommend this camera if you will be shooting a lot of indoor action such as gymnastics, rodeos, equestrian events, indoor soccer, etc.

Macro Photography: 5 out of 10
The DX7590 will capture images aa close as 4.7" from the lens, about average for a camera in this price range. While not the best macro performance, you will not have problems capturing well lit subjects from a close distance. The flash does a good job of casting a proper exposure on subjects from about 6" or further. Any closer and you'll see a shadow caused by the lens in the bottom portion of your photograph.

Landscape Photography: 6 out of 10
The DX7590 performs adequately for landscape photography. While the camera's 38mm lens is not really wide enough to capture a big, wide landscape, on the flip-side, the telephoto extends to 380mm - great for zooming in on the details.

Portrait / Family Photography: 8 out of 10
A fast f2.8 wide angle aperture or use of the long telephoto lens helps to produce portraits with blurred background - a desirable effect that helps to focus attention on the foreground subject. A reduced depth-of-field is considered essential for good portrait photographs. The huge 10x optical zoom range of the DX7590 makes this a great camera to take on vacation or to any outdoor sports arena. It's compact size, ability to bring you close to the action, and fast shutter-lag make it ideal for families with varied interests.

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Introduction	First Impression	Specifications	Image Quality
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Image Quality 2	Feature Performance	Conclusion	DX7590 Photo Gallery
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