Kodak PixPro AZ251, A Surprising Turnout

CCD Resurgence: A surprising turnout from a 25x superzoom digital bridge 16MP CCD Kodak PixPro AZ251, a low-cost buy.

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The Kodak PixPro AZ251, a budget-friendly and easy-to-use 16MP CCD sensor entry-level digital bridge camera with a 25x optical zoom lens (35mm equivalent of 24-600mm), manufactured under license by JK Imaging, was launched in 2013.

The camera has optical image stabilization, a 3-inch 230k rear LCD screen, 720p HD video recording, full auto as well as PSAM modes, panorama, HDR, and several scene modes and digital filters for more creative control. The 'AZ' is abbreviated for 'Astro Zoom.'

The AZ251 bristles with features for the beginner photographer - a superzoom lens with a close focusing distance of just 3cm, decent continuous shooting, manual controls, automatic HDR mode, and a menu system that is easy to navigate, albeit with a slight difference from other cameras.

The menu system is fairly easy to navigate, but with bits that are a little different from most other cameras - access to Shutter Speed and Aperture Settings, for example, is via the exposure compensation button, while changing the white balance is done through the Set button.

Images rendered, as tested, are sharp, clear, and well exposed with good colour reproduction, and low noise when shot at ISO 100 to 200. The AZ251 is also installed with a range of digital filters, which can be used both for shooting and video recording.

Kodak PixPro AZ251

The camera is powered by a set of easily available 4xAA (Ni-MH or Alkaline) batteries, with the Alkaline rated for up to 280 shots according to CIPA test results.

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