By PHOTOgraphic Staff

July 4, 2001 — Kodak's keep-it-simple approach to photography was etched in stone more than one hundred years ago, when George Eastman introduced the Brownie, a camera for everyone.

The company has continued that tradition with an assortment of user-friendly point-and-shoot, APS, and disposable cameras. More recently, Kodak has ventured into the digital realm with cameras ranging from the most basic fixed-focus to advanced zoom cameras with enhanced image editing capabilities. The DX-3600 is among the latter, combining 6X zoom with a 2.2 megapixel image sensor, 8MB of internal memory, and an external docking unit that allows instant uploads of images into a connected computer.

The DX-3600's long zoom capacity is made possible by mating a 2X optical lens to a 3X digital process. Images can be captured in two levels of resolution: 1800 x 1200 pixels, or 900 x 600 pixels. It's also capable of shooting short video clips with sound, which can be played back and monitored in the camera via the LCD screen and built-in speaker. A video output---the cable is supplied---allows viewing on a monitor or on a TV equipped with video input. A CompactFlash card slot expands the camera's available memory.

An included camera dock recharges the DX-3600's internal batteries and allows instant "one-touch" uploads via Kodak's EasyShare software. Many months in development, EasyShare is Kodak's answer to photo-management features included in Microsoft's new Windows XP software. Kodak hopes that EasyShare will encourage digital camera users to avail themselves of the company's vast photo processing facilities as the market for film photography slowly shrinks.

The DX-3600 is said to be capable of capturing images that can be printed as large as 8" x 10" without visible loss of resolution. In addition to the docking station, the DX-3600 comes bundled with all the necessary accessories, including batteries, USB cable, Kodak picture software CD and quick start guide. PC requirements are Windows 98, 98SE, 2000 or ME operating systems, 200MHz or faster Pentium processor, 32MB of available RAM, 70MB of hard disk space, a USB port and a CD-ROM drive. Mac requirements are OS 8.6 or higher, 64MB of available RAM, 100MB of hard disk space, a USB port and CD-ROM drive. Both systems should be connected to color monitors with 16-bit or higher color resolution.

The Kodak DX-3600 has a suggested list price of $459.90 and is available at Kodak dealers or through the manufacturer's website.