New Kodak, PixPro AZ528 from JK Imaging

[@priell3]

I've had this camera for a few years. I'm impressed by the quality of photos and the zoom. For $199 at Walmart, it's a pretty good camera.

[@WaybackRewind]

I agree more now than when I made this video. I went looking for a camera that I liked better for $200 and there is nothing. Thanks for watching.

[@ClydeWarden]

Respect for giving JK Imaging a chance and following up on what you said previously. Maybe at a lower price point it would be better value. I see Walmart has a price of 200 on it.

[@WaybackRewind]

Yes, I ended up buying it directly from JK Imaging because many of the complaints were due to third-party issues. I doubt Wal-Mart would be problematic, though. I did get free shipping, no tax, which was a nice throwback.

[@frogzet502]

I got mine from walmart. The pixpro 528 blue which is the one you got but i noticed walmart had some other colors but looked like the exact same camera but the price was way lower and the one you and i have is 199$ which is base price if i remember so idk why the others are up to 99 off on the price when they look the same. Im guessing lower image quality? Idk

[@WaybackRewind]

@@frogzet502 As far as I know the AZ528 only comes in black and blue. If you saw other colors they had to be the AZ425 or AZ405 which also come in red and white. They normally are not $99 cheaper but maybe they were on sale. I know I paid more than $199 direct from PixPro but I didn't pay tax and got an SD card so that kind of makes up for it. I also did it for the story. If I was buying it for myself I would have bought from Wal-Mart as well. Thanks for watching.

[@JayBird84]

@@frogzet502 at Walmart, which I just came from with a new Z528 which i will likely return after my camping trip lol, there are other "colors" but they are actually different models. AZ### is different. the next one down has better Megapixels but no stabilization and something else while the cheapest one is the same MP as the 200$ one but with less features as well which I forgot what they were.

[@WaybackRewind]

Yes, I got the AZ528, which is the current top of the line. I would have preferred red one, but I wanted to have the one with the most features. If not for my emotional attachment to the Kodak name, I think there are better cameras for the money. It's not junk, but it is not a Japanese camera either. Thanks for watching.

[@seasonstudios]

I know everybody is different when it comes to video/still cameras and what their personal preferences are but for me (personally) it's no viewfinder, no sale. I like getting up close with what I shoot if I need to and I'm finished with struggling to see what I'm shooting on a display screen.

[@WaybackRewind]

I agree about the viewfinder. I would rather have it than not have it. However the ability to use wi-fi to display image and control the camera offsets not having one. Thanks for watching.

[@MrDanybelka]

Planning to buy this one for my wife who is taking some birds photos on a phone currently. Then she is struggling because of bad digital zoom. I understand this camera is not the best quality, but I hope she will got a lot of fun with that one!

[@WaybackRewind]

As long as you manage her expectations your wife will enjoy the 52X optical zoom. I was trying to power zoom and record video which it struggled to do. For photos it will not be such an issue. It does rapidly focus and take sharp photos. In a later video I will go head to head with a modern phone and see how well it compares. Thanks for watching.

[@MrDanybelka]

@@WaybackRewind also consider Canon PowerShot Zoom because of its size, its much easier to take it with. The quality is even worse, but I am not sure she will be happy taking full size camera. Looks like I have to talk to her and break surprise magic :(

[@WaybackRewind]

@MrDanybelka check out my review on the Kodak FZ55. It's tiny and it shoots as well as the AZ528 if not better and costs half as much.

[@carlosalexander6653]

I bought a pre-owned PixPro az421 last year. Wanted it so I could take some full moon photos. I like how easy it was to use the manual controls to get a clear moon photo.

[@WaybackRewind]

@carlosalexander6653 The power zoom lens is no joke on these cameras. No cellphone can do full moon justice. Thanks for watching.

[@wadelapan5756]

I wonder if the clunk while zooming isn't just the lens coming to the end of how far out it can go, thus, reaching the end of its optical zoom, with the rest of the zoom to 52X being digital zoom? That would be kind of typical of this class of camera, to mix optical and digital zoom.

[@WaybackRewind]

No it's clunking in the middle around 15 x to 20x. Wouldnt be so bad at the end. In the middle is a problem. Thanks for watching.

[@WaybackRewind]

Those camera has 52x all optical

[@mysteryman703]

I got this camera barely used for $90 and went out with it yesterday to a protest and wow I am so happy with the pictures I took but I'm new to cameras and my video looks pretty bad, do you have some tips on maybe some settings I might have wrong?

[@WaybackRewind]

Congratulations. With a previously owned camera, you never know if maybe it was defective. For video make sure you have it set to the highest quality. 1080p should look really good. Also make sure you have it in full automatic for starters as previous user may have used an extreme manual setting. If you need ore help le me know and I'll walk you through it.

[@JustADogLover396]

So Im looking for a beginners camera. Im looking to only take photos, Im not interested in taking videos. Would this be a good first choice for someone with no experience and wanting just photos? The way it shoots looks fine to me but I want your opinion.

[@WaybackRewind]

Yes the photos are very nice and the camera does an excellent job in auto but with tons of manual options as your skills progress. My only complaints were really related to video, so for stills, I would say yes recommended. Thanks for watching.

[@JustADogLover396]

@@WaybackRewind thanks for the reply! I appreciate your input.

[@WaybackRewind]

@@JustADogLover396 You are welcome

[@thegreatvanziniphotos5976]

Got mine coming any day now.

[@WaybackRewind]

Has it arrived yet? I'm curious to hear your thoughts on this camera.

[@thegreatvanziniphotos5976]

@@WaybackRewind Nope. Sometime this coming week after labor day.

[@lifeclip9878]

I'm looking to buy this for stills only. How quick does it takes snaps? I had a cannon bridge in 2015 and was delay after button press it was annoying

[@WaybackRewind]

There is a bit of a delay if you are using the auto focus and especially the flash. If you look at the snaps I took right out of the box, you can see that. In manual mode outdoors, it would be much faster. But it's not going to be as fast as a mirrorless interchangeable lens camera. Or not as fast as even a fancier bridge camera like the Lumix FZ300 can take pictures as fast as you can push the button. Thanks for watching.

[@lifeclip9878]

I've bought this seems a nice camera but indoor shots are very poor I need to meas with more settings yet​@@WaybackRewind

[@jimenakatu1178]

Hello! did you tried taking pictures os small things? I want a camera to photograph bugs

[@WaybackRewind]

I have not, but I can try. I'm not a bug photographer, so I might not be the best to demonstrate this feature, but let me see if I can do it and get back to you. Thanks for watching.

[@Lepewhi]

You can get recharable AA/AAA batteries. But seriously, that startup sound would drive me bonkers. Hope it can be turned off. Does it shoot in RAW?

[@WaybackRewind]

The PixPro does not use AA or AAA batteries. It uses a proprietary rectangular battery. Yes the sounds can be turn off. Thanks for watching.

[@WaybackRewind]

It does not shoot in raw.

[@jscott1000]

😊

[@superhero2316]

How’s the autofocus for photography?

[@WaybackRewind]

Autofocus for photography is pretty good. You can press the shutter halfway and it locks in focus. Then you can select continuous autofocus. And it tracks faces. I have no complaints about the photo autofocus. Thanks for watching.

[@superhero2316]

@ hey thanks for responding. Which one should I get. This or the sony hx400v?

[@WaybackRewind]

Interesting question, but those two cameras couldn't be more different. The Kodak is a brand new Chinese camera and the Sony is a 10 year old Japanese camera. Kind of like comparing a 10 year old Lexus to a brand new Chinese car. They both have their strengths and weaknesses. If you don't mind a 10 year old used camera the Sony probably has higher quality. But if you want a new camera with a warranty the Kodak would be the better choice.

[@lutexor]

For a camera to make sense, it has to have better image quality then a phone. This is something every camera under 500€ struggles with

[@WaybackRewind]

Very true, except no phone has a 52x optical zoom. I searched for other camers in this price range,(230 euro) with that zoom ratio, and there are none. The Kodak occupies a unique niche in that respect. Thanks for watching.

[@tomoflis5338]

Sir, what would you recomend in 250$ range?

[@WaybackRewind]

That is an excellent question. I said in my review the Kodak would not be my first choice for $250, but the choices in this price range are severely limited. There are many expensive compact cameras and a lot of inexpensive junk and international models with no warranty, but not a lot in-between. You best option might be a used model of higher quality or to spend more than $250. In hindsight, the Kodak might be the best model out there in this price range if you want to buy new because I basically came up empty looking for something I liked better. The Minolta MN26Z is available for a little bit more at $299 but it uses AA batteries and has less zoom. If you are willing to spend a little bit more and renewed I like: * Nikon COOLPIX L840 with 38x optical zoom and wi-fi for $299 * Sony Cyber-Shot DSC-HX300 with 50x optical zoom and renewed is $289 * Canon PowerShot SX530 50x Optical zoomwi-fi renewed for $280 So if you have your heart set on buying new for $250 the Kodak is pretty much all there is. I probably will buy one of the cameras above and make a followup video. There are not too many other choices. Thanks for watching.

[@GGC-g4r]

I came on here to find out why my camera (this same exact one) the date in the corner is very pixely when I put it on my phone, but this hasn’t happened before. Do you know what i can do?

[@WaybackRewind]

Off the top of my head, I do not know, but I can mess around with it and see if I can reproduce the problem.

[@solo.pedestre]

Like old câmera. Parece uma câmera obsoleta. O fabricante deve utilizar hardware antigo de outras marcas.

[@joeprete7424]

I’ve seen Minolta Bridge cameras too, I wonder what they’re like.

[@WaybackRewind]

Minolta is another brand that exists in name only. It hasn't existed since 2006 when it sold off all its intellectual property to Sony. Not sure who bought the name but they are selling imported cameras under the Minolta name. The cameras under $100 I recognize as the $20 cameras you see being sold as a children's toy almost. For $20 they are not bad, but definitely not worth $100. The bridge cameras look of higher quality but I have not tested one. Perhaps I will give them a try. Thanks for watching.

[@joeprete7424]

@ thanks for the reply. You make some Great videos!

[@WaybackRewind]

Thank you. From what I can tell, the Minolta bridge cameras may be made in the same Taiwan factory as the Kodak PixPro. They look nearly identical, which supports that theory. The Japanese manufacturers have almost abandoned bridge cameras. Lumix still sells ancient models, but there have been no updates in nearly a decade. If I can get one at a decent price I'll try it out.

[@skywind007]

Except for the zoom function, any 2020 or later phone can do better.

[@WaybackRewind]

True and the zoom lens is kind of a big deal. Thanks for watching

[@WaybackRewind]

Not to mention the removable battery and removable memory card which all phones have dispensed with. The camera makes more sense to take on travel than relying solely on the phone.

[@michaelbruchas6663]

I bought a used Z990 for my collection….

[@WaybackRewind]

I bought the Z990 brand new back in the day and it was my primary camera. It's not horrible, but you have to be patient. And it will give you jello video without a tripod or at least a monopod. Thanks for watching.

[@arthurgphotography]

No physical viewfinder is a deal breaker

[@WaybackRewind]

@arthurgphotography I feel the same way, but the world has moved on from compact cameras in general. And viewfinders are disappearing. Without an articulating screen, it is an issue, but wi-fi does allow you to use your phone in that case as a remote screen. Viewfinders have become quite scarce even on cameras costing 5 times as much. I guess the customers are not demanding them. Thanks for watching

[@thexfile.]

APS-C or full-frame ?

[@WaybackRewind]

It is neither. It is a 16 megapixels backside illuminated 1/2.3-inch CMOS same as in an old cellphone. But not bad for what it is. Thanks for watching.