Home > Consumer Reviews > Kodak DX3500 EasyShare 2MP Digital Camera

Absolutely pleased with all aspects of the DX3500. If you're looking for very good pictures, good battery life/charger, decent price, ease of use, and don't need all the bells and whistles, this is the camera for you. The resolution of the pictures rivals the $1000 cameras from 3-4 years ago, and most $400-$500 cameras today. The docking station is a must for the super fast battery charger 2.5 hours and quick upload of pictures. You can't really compare this to any camera on the market, since cameras are either expensive and have loads of options or cheap and an inferior picture/battery. Over the next couple of years, all cameras will be copying what Kodak did here with the docking station/charger. I haven't even needed to purchase a Flash Memory Card yet, since the internal memory on this camera holds 16 FINE resolution pics (48 good res pics, I believe). The fixed lens on this camera produced breathtaking pics; the zoom was not impressive, but I didn't really buy the camera to utilize the zoom that much. Great camera, great price!

I received this camera as a Mothers Day gift and I can't believe how easy it is to use. The zoom feature is so simple. The software makes uploads a breeze. I was able to get 27 pictures on the 8MB installed memory with the camera set to the best quality setting. There's room for an expansion card so the number of pictures far exceeds a standard roll of film. Installation of the software was quick and flawless. Picture quality is great. Definitely a great little camera for the money.

After reading the various feedback on the Kodak DX3500 camera, I saw contradictory views about picture quality and battery life. Perhaps this can be accounted for by two facts: (i) picture quality depends on lighting conditions; (ii) full battery life comes only at the third recharge. After experimenting with my DX3500 (with docking station), here is my evaluation of picture quality:

Close up (bright conditions): Excellent
Close up (dim conditions): Excellent
2-6 feet (bright conditions): Very Good
2-6 feet (dim conditions): Good
Over 6 feet (bright conditions): Good
Over 6 feet (dim conditions): Poor

Here is the battery life for my camera (using the included Kodak NiMH batteries):
1st full recharge: 13 shots plus data transfer
2nd full recharge: 21 shots plus data transfer plus firmware 1.01 upgrade (highly recommended)
3rd full recharge: more than 306 shots plus data transfer (PC World reported 218 shots)

I say because the battery was still okay when I had to leave for work. Although the 3rd recharge gave 306 shots (and probably more), the low-battery indicator turned on after the 10th shot. Therefore the indicator is not a reliable gauge of battery power, and is prone to false alarms. 65% of my 306 shots used the flash. 40% were high resolution. 30% used the macro (closeup) mode. Kodak tells you not to use alkaline batteries. Out of curiosity, I used fresh Duracell alkalines, and got only four shots.

My opinion: Very good camera, though not quite suitable for professional use. Probably the best camera in its price range. The docking station is not absolutely necessary, but is very nice to have.

This digital camera is a delight to own and use. Make sure you get the dock as well. This bundle is so great because it INCLUDES the Kodak DX 3500 digital camera *and* the Kodak Camera Dock. As someone who has used cameras that do not come with a simple snap-in bundled dock, I've been frustrated, but this makes it soooo easy to upload images to your computer for sharing and/or printing. The dock is also great because it recharges the battery in a snap, instead of fumblign with awkward chargers and losing batterie around the house. ("Honey, where's the battery charging now?")

The camera itself has a 2.2-megapixel sensor that allows you to ceate generous prints up to 8" x 10". Most people tend to stick to the 4" x 6" prints, but it is nice to have the option.

The 3x digital zoom lens with autofocus and 8 MB internal memory is enough for most pictures, but this could have been a bit larger. In some instances you might find yourself hurrying back to the computer to transfer the images so you can take more pics. Depending on the format size of the image, you'll be able to take about 40 photos (more than a 36 exposure roll of tradtional film - yeah!) before needing to transfer images to your computer. Overall, this is a great camera at a super value.

The Kodak DX 3500 was rated at four stars. I find mine to be FIVE STARS. It would be interesting to know if the other owners have the Camera Dock. Yes, it's [expensive] but what a breeze to use. Pop the camera into the docking station and push the button and your pictures are loaded into your computer. Also, if you are using rechargeable cells the docking station will keep them fully charged. A full charge from dead flat in 2.5 hours. The camera itself is a delight to use. I never used one before and had mine up and running with the supplied software loaded and the first three test pictures (of my cat) on the monitor screen in about 1/2 hour. This little camera does more then my 35mm SLR and I see instant results. If I do not like the picture for what ever reason (camera angle, subject movement, etc.) I can delete the shot and retake it. In about 3 minutes I have written a letter with a picture attached and sent to my children and grandchildren living 300 miles away. They share our lives as we live it, not as an afterthought three weeks later when the film is developed, we pick out the pictures we want to send, and then "snail-mail" the pictures to them. I don't know why I waited so long to buy a digital camera and this Kodak DX 3500 fits the bill.