Kodak EasyShare DX6340:Prints Charming

It's also a fast-operating camera. Although there's no AF-aid lamp, the DX6340 focuses quickly and accurately, and was flummoxed only in very dim light with low detail. It also writes quickly to the optional SD/MMC card.

Controls are simple, and no one does a better menu system than Kodak. The type is easy to read, and all items are explained on-screen. Some may scoff at a camera that says "use for distant scenery" when you set infinity lock, but this sort of thing makes the instruction manual all but superfluous.

We think the DX6340 is a good value, and an excellent choice for nervous newbies-as well as more experienced shooters fed up with unnecessary complications.

Kodak EasyShare DX6340

Resolution: Acceptable (V1080xH1080xD1100)

Color accuracy: Extremely high (Avg. Delta E: 9.29)

Highlight/shadow detail: Very good

Contrast: Slightly high

Noise: Low at ISO 100

AF speed: Fast in bright light, moderate in low light

Vital statistics: 3.1MP (2032x1524), 4X optical zoom (36-144mm, 35mm equivalent) f/2.2-4.8, 3.5X digital zoom, 1.8-inch LCD screen, SD/MMC card slot, 16MB internal memory, 2 AA batteries (lithium or rechargeable), 4.3x2.5x1.5 inches, 7.8 ounces with card and battery

Street price: $329

In the box: Wrist strap, CRV3 lithium battery, custom dock insert, Kodak EasyShare software (browser and basic image editing)

For info: www.kodak.com

Hot! Zippy autofocusing. Clear, informative menus. Fast processing-it even has a burst (4-shot) mode at full res. Just the ticket for digital tyros.

Not! Instead of jog dial, a teeny little nub. Mildly unergo-nomic: shutter, zoom lever aren't in quite the right places.

DOCKED BUT SAILING: For $200 (street), add the Printer Dock 6000, a no-brainer 4x6 picture-maker. Hit the print button (A) and your prints will come. Camera controls are straightforward, well-marked, and undaunting. Other printer controls are slide show (B), download to computer (C), print-mode selector (D), scroll buttons (E).