The KODAK PIXPRO AZ652 is an impressive new-school digital camera but would I replace my old-school DSLR with it? Read on to find out!
This is a sponsored post for KODAK PIXPRO. All thoughts and opinions are mine.
** Use code HalfScratched10 at store.mypixpro.com to receive 10% OFF your KODAK PIXPRO purchase! The offer is good for the AZ652 as well as any other cameras or accessories you can’t resist! **
When I first started blogging around 2007, I took all my photos, food photos included, with a pretty average point-and-shoot camera. And you could tell. A few years later, my husband bought me an entry-level DSLR. And then a year or two after that, I picked up a 50mm f/1.8 lens. I love that camera but it took countless hours filled with practice shots, workshops, and frustrated sighs before it felt natural using it. That’s not necessarily an option for a lot of people, especially if they’re beginning bloggers or simply photo enthusiasts looking for an easy option for taking amazing photos.
That’s why when I learned about all the features of the new KODAK PIXPRO AZ652, I had to find out if it could replace my old-school DSLR for my food photos. Granted, the f-stop maxes out at 2.9 (and that’s with the lens fairly zoomed out), but it had a lot of the functionality of my DSLR without the need to change lenses for wider shots—not an easy thing to do when you take those photos standing atop your kitchen counter. For reals.
Before I share my thoughts on how the KODAK PIXPRO AZ652 did compared to my DSLR with its “nifty 50” lens, here’s a glimpse of the most impressive features of this KODAK digital camera.
It’s kind of hard to believe this nondescript digital camera…
…can do all that and more.
So how did the KODAK PIXPRO AZ652 fare when taking food photos? I tried it on both the automatic setting and aperture priority, and while it took some pretty decent photos, I definitely missed my larger aperture on my 50mm lens. Sometimes you really want that blurred background and it was a bit tricky to navigate with the zoom lens. I’d want f/2.9 but I’d have to zoom way out and then place the camera super close to the food. Manually choosing a focal point was also a few extra steps when compared to my DSLR, so that slowed things down a little bit.
That being said, if you’re a newer blogger with little to no experience with photography, the KODAK PIXPRO AZ652 on its auto setting is a pretty great place to start. You don’t have to mess with extra lenses and the digital camera is pretty smart at figuring out white balance, exposure, and focal points. Also, I loved that the photos on this digital camera had a richer, more saturated color. Instead of increasing the saturation level when processing the photos in Photoshop, I found they were already plenty colorful.
Here are some comparisons from a couple recent photo shoots. On the left are the photos taken with the AZ652; on the right are photos with my DSLR.
Not too shabby! Can you tell the photos with the AZ652 are a bit more saturated, and that’s after REDUCING the saturation a bit. On the other hand, it seems I’m always bumping up the saturation on my DSLR’s photos. Interesting.
Did I mention this baby takes UH-MAZING video and can zoom like no other? That makes the KODAK PIXPRO AZ652 a serious option for those getting into short-form recipe and DIY videos. You can easily amount the camera to a tripod and with the smartphone app, you can wirelessly control the camera. I tried it for taking photos and it was pretty crazy all the things you could do with the app, everything from changing white balance to shooting mode. Here are some screenshots:
I still have a lot to learn about this digital camera—the user manual is over 100 pages—but I’m already impressed with its capabilities for a non-DSLR. If you’re looking for a fabulous Mother’s Day or graduation gift, I highly recommend the KODAK PIXPRO AZ652. It’s perfect for photographing and recording and sharing (remember the Wi-Fi function?) everything from food videos to football games.
To learn more about the AZ652, visit store.mypixpro.com. You can also find it on Amazon.com. If you’re a KODAK PIXPRO enthusiast, you can find the brand on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter! #kodakpixpro
Sara
This sounds like a great camera! I so need a new one so this is so helpful!
Emily Hill
It’s a great gift for you as well as for moms, dads and grads!
Jessica Robinson
I shoot my food pics with a Canon 30D and am thinking about upgrading the a Mark IV. Such a great post about the quality of this new camera!
Emily Hill
I’ve heard those are both great cameras!
christine
Sounds great. I’m so intimidated by new cameras and equipment. Old dog, new tricks….. This is one to keep in mind for the future. Thanks.
Emily Hill
It’s hard to try something new, especially when it comes to electronics!
Rae
Who knew Kodak was still making quality cameras? As a Canon girl it’s always interesting to learn about other types of cameras!
Emily Hill
My DSLR is a Canon so I get it. It’s been fun learning a new camera!
Jessica Levinson
Thanks for sharing your experience with this camera! Will keep this one in mind if I should need a new camera in the future.
Emily Hill
It makes a great gift too!
Veena Azmanov
I am very grateful for the great and useful post about this camera. I think this is interesting not only for me but for many people as well. I’m always curious to try something new. Thank you again!
Emily Hill
Yay! Glad you found it helpful!
Jeanette
A very nice camera I must say, but for my self, I just have to bare with my oldie Canon Eos 1100D until I have a better budget :)
Emily Hill
I think oldie cameras are still pretty awesome!
Gretired
Hello, thanks for the review.
In the text you say “On the left is the DSLR and AZ652 on the right” but in the photos it says they were the other way round. Which ones were the AZ652 in reality?
thank you
Emily Hill
Thank you for catching that! The graphic/photo is correct. The AZ652 is on the left. I’ve updated to text so it reads correctly now. :)
JH
Hey, there!
I bought this for my daughter because she loves to travel all around, she started using this after I got it for her on her next trip, she told me that it is great for traveling and she also said it was easy and simple to use, she also thought it was very handy since she likes to take a lot of pictures on her trips. She loves it!
thanks,
JH
Emily Hill
Yay! I’m so glad she liked it! Thank you for letting me know!
Naing
What do you think is a better camera in terms of zoom and image quality at over 1000 mm distance, this one or Nikon P900? Thanks
Emily Hill
I’m not familiar with any of the Nikon cameras so you would have to do some more research. Sorry!
Jim
Very nicely written and balanced article! I’m a Kodak Pixpro “junkie”..lol, as I love their cameras. The Kodak color palette is the best of any camera mfg IMO as the colors are bolder, but more natural like. This AZ652 has been lots of fun for me and family members to shoot, especially since one can just set it to Auto and let the camera decide shutter speed, ISO, aperture. And yes, the video is excellent.
You can see many of my Kodak Pixpro images from Flickr site here and your comments there are most welcome. http://www.flickr.com/photos/125889350@N03
Judith Lemons
Jim, your photos are beautiful and really inspired me to buy another Kodak. I have always owned point and shoot but enjoy photography so much that I would like to improve it. Do you shoot primarily in RAW and then fine tune your photos, or primarily on an auto setting? And how does the camera perform in low light? Thanks!
Mike
How would this camera compare to the LUMIX FZ80? I know the FZ80 has a small sensor and less zoom, but has a large degree of manual control.
Emily Hill
I haven’t tried the LUMIX so I can’t be sure. Sorry!
RT
At 87 I have owned or used maybe 100 different cameras. I have never enjoyed a camera more than the Kodak Pixpro AZ 652. It’s user friendly and intuitive. You don’t have to break your brain learning how to use it. The
zoom is a joy and it’s just a fun camera with sharpness and and great colors being its mainstays. I have travelled extensively, and I regret not had having this camera on me instead of a ton of glass from the lenses I carried.