KODAK Pixpro AZ401 - 16 Megapixel Digital Bridge Camera, Video Recording, 24mm Wide Angle, 7.6 cm LCD Screen, 180° Panorama - Red

This is a 'superzoom' camera with an impressive 40x optical zoom and a pop up flash. It's chunkier than I prefer, but with a reduced field of options in this field, I was attracted by the good price as well as the features. In shape and size it's more like a bridge camera than a compact, but it's still quite portable and certainly not the size or weight of an SLR or mirrorless. But its capabilities are far in advance of a phone. Phone cameras are remarkably good for what they are, but wildlife photography in particular is where they fall down. And at under £200, if you are going on a big holiday to somewhere with decent wildlife, it is a worthwhile investment.The camera runs on AA batteries (4) which do make it heavier (bear that in mind when looking at the weight) and more limited on rechargeability than lithium batteries, but on the plus side means replacements are easily and cheaply available.It's easy to use with good auto modes and there is no interchangeable lenses to worry about, making it a good choice for a more casual photographer who doesn't want to fiddle with settings. However there are all the options you'd expect for someone who does want a greater degree of control.

My daughter loves it, its a great colour, easy to use, lovely light weight and takes fabulous pictures, offers amazing value of money as an in introductory camera with loads of functionality

This is a nice light camera to use, very well priced and shutter is well positioned. Many options and good zoom function. So far, sea photos are nice; video is fairly clear but will mostly take still images and wildlife zoomed. Was surprised no proper short manual and a connector lead maybe or attached website, would not mind paying 20-30 extra to get a starter SD card and a lead, or a proper rechargeable system.On the downside as mentioned, you must have an SD card, and battery consumption seems high, especially multiple shot or video modes, so have 4 spare AA batteries available.A little niggle with the strap supplied & the way the lens cap attaches all a bit wobbly - the strap pulled through after a few days on my shoulder and I was lucky camera was not damaged where it fell in sand - still waiting on a padded storage case which is essential and not supplied.Card is not a problem, can be read by my laptop directly but I cannot understand why cameras need 4 batteries and don't have Eco mode or similar. Is it because Kodak sell batteries? Hopefully this will change in 2021-2022.

Great camera for a beginner and produces quality images with a high mega pixel.I would have liked an eyepiece rather than just using the screen as taking photographs in the sun proved difficult to see the image.Happy with the camera, great perfomance and speed. It's quite light and easy to carry around.Great performance for the price.

Further Edit…Unfortunately now returning the replacement. Same thing again. Batteries don’t last then it stops working as soon as you change them. Absolutely can’t recommend this to anyone.ETA:Now awaiting a replacement following the camera becoming unresponsive after changing the batteries. Which to be honest really didn’t last long.I’m a complete beginner. I’ve never had a *proper* camera but the price of this convinced me. So, first of all there is no user manual. You have to scan a QR code to find it. You’re taken to the Kodak website and presented with a list of manuals and the one for this model isn’t there. This really annoyed me.The lens cap is pointless. It doesn’t stay on at all. The neck strap provided is also pointless. It is impossible to attach to the camera then once you’ve won the battle with that, it just isn’t secure.This part is maybe me. I’m rubbish with technology, BUT, you go into the menu and there is no way back out that I can find other than switching it off which just resets any change you have made. This is massively frustrating and I hope I find out how to back out of it otherwise it’s just no use.The zoom is incredible though. The few pics I have taken as a complete noob have absolutely astonished me. I’m super impressed. The lens cap and the neck strap are things I can replace (annoyed that I have to nonetheless) and I’m living in the hope the menu part is just me but I’m really very happy with the camera itself. The poor quality accessories, the lack of manual and the menu annoyance is what’s resulted in only 3 stars. If I work the menu out, I will amend my review accordingly.