Kodak PIXPRO AZ901 Review

The appeal of the ultra zoom bridge camera has always been the massive zoom lens on offer. However, as ultra zoom cameras have continued to chase higher and higher optical zoom numbers, has the ultra-zoom bubble burst? The Kodak Pixpro AZ901 has a 90x optical zoom lens and is hoping this will make it a popular choice. 

Kodak Pixpro AZ901 Features

The Kodak Pixpro AZ901 offers a 90x optical zoom lens, the biggest optical zoom of any bridge camera, offering more than the 83x optical zoom Nikon Coolpix P900. The Kodak Pixpro AZ901's 90x optical zoom lens zooms from 22mm to 1980mm equivalent (in 35mm terms) and features a 20-megapixel 1/2.3inch sensor, a 3inch vari-angle screen, and a built-in electronic viewfinder (EVF). 

Other ultra-zoom bridge cameras still available include the 83x optical zoom Nikon Coolpix P900, the 65x optical zoom Canon Powershot SX60 HS, the 63x optical zoom Sony Cyber-shot H400, the 60x optical zoom Nikon Coolpix B700, and the 60x optical zoom Panasonic Lumix FZ82.

The Kodak Pixpro AZ901, like many bridge cameras, offers full manual controls, plus raw shooting. There are numerous scene modes, and auto modes so that the camera is also easy to use for beginners. 

The Kodak Pixpro AZ901 offers a 90x optical zoom lens, the biggest optical zoom of any bridge camera!

However, a 90x optical zoom lens doesn't mean it has more reach than other ultra zoom cameras, such as the Nikon Coolpix P900. Here's a quick comparison of the two cameras:

The 90x optical zoom lens covers a range from 22 - 1980mm (* equivalent), and features an f/3.1 to 6.8 aperture. The lens is made up of 18 elements in 14groups and offers 5cm macro focus (wide-angle).

Optical image stabilisation (OIS) is built-in to help keep images steady when using optical zoom, or shooting in low-light. 

There's a 20mp BSI CMOS sensor, which allows FullHD video, and 5fps continuous shooting.

There are a number of shooting modes: P, S, A, M, Auto scene (detects landscape, backlit portrait, macro, night landscape, portrait, night portrait), Panorama mode, Handheld Night, Multi-exposure, Cat/Dog, Snow, Party, Sport, Night portrait, Portrait, Children, Landscape, Sunset, Fireworks, 

There are numerous Colour and filter options, plus Kodak film modes with Ektachrome, Kodachrome and Kodacolor film available. You'll also find a number of other colour options and effects, including: Normal, Vivid, Black and White, Sepia, Partial Color-Red, Partial Color-Yellow, Partial Color-Blue, Partial Color-Green, Dreamy, Vignetting, EKTACHROME Film, KODACHROME Film, KODACOLOR Film, Salon, Punk, Negative, Reflection, Sketch, Fish Eye, and 4 Grids - Stylish(2M).

Wi-Fi is built-in, letting you remotely control the camera, as well as transfer images to your smartphone. You can record FullHD video with stereo sound, and you also get to use the 90x optical zoom lens while recording. 

Key Features

• 20 megapixel 1/2.3inch BSI CMOS sensor
• 90x optical zoom lens, f/3.1-6.8, equivalent to 22-1980mm
• Optical image stabilisation (OIS)
• 3inch vari-angle screen, 920K dots
• Electronic Viewfinder (EVF) 
• AF with 25 areas 
• P,S,A,M, with raw shooting
• 5fps continuous shooting speed
• Built-in pop-up flash
• FullHD video (30fps), stereo mics
• ISO100 to ISO3200
• 5cm macro (wide-angle)
• HDR/WDR shooting, Panoramic
• Wi-Fi

Kodak Pixpro AZ901 Handling

The design of the AZ901 is similar to DSLR, with a large grip for your right hand, and a large lens on the left-hand side. Holding the camera with two hands is a good way of keeping it steady. However, there is no rubber grip on the left-hand side of the camera (when viewed from the back). 

On top is a mode dial, the on-off button, drive mode, plus exposure compensation buttons, as well as the shutter release button which is surrounded by the zoom rocker. The top pop-up flash will automatically pop-up when you switch on the flash, or when needed in Auto mode(s). To close you simply push it back down. On top of the flash, you'll find the stereo microphones.

Build quality is reasonable, with the camera having a solid plastic construction, the hinged screen feels solid, and although the fit and finish of the camera is reasonably good, there are areas where it could have been neater. (see the left-hand side, where the gap between the plastic front and back isn't as neat as it should be)

The EVF doesn't feature a sensor (to tell when you are holding the camera up to your eye), and you have to switch manually between the EVF and screen, which can be frustrating at times. However, the camera will automatically switch to the EVF when you fold the rear screen away. The EVF has dioptre correction -3 and +1, and a rubber surround. The screen looks good, with a clear display, good colour reproduction, and good viewing angles. 

The buttons on the camera give quick access to drive mode, exposure compensation, AF, macro, flash and self-timer. The i button lets you choose different film/colour modes. To change settings on the camera, where there isn't a direct external button, you press the button that looks a bit like a menu. This brings up an on-screen overlay of controls. You'll find some of the most commonly changed settings. From here you can go to the Menu's either by going to the top of the options, or the bottom of the options. In the menus, you'll find 2 photo menus, a playback menu, setup menu and Wi-Fi menu.

Image options include RAW+JPG (JPG Best), Raw, JPG Fine and JPG Best. JPG Best is better than Fine, and gives a 10-11MB JPEG image, compared to 5-6MB JPEG image in Fine mode. There are limited controls and settings for sound on the camera, so you can't customise whether you want the shutter sound, or focus confirmation, but instead, there is simply one control for all sounds, and this is off, low, mid or high. 

Wi-Fi features - The Kodak PIXPRO app is reasonable, and once connected gives good control over the camera, as well as the ability to record video and control the zoom. The connection to the camera can be a bit slow but worked on our second attempt. 

Battery life - Battery life is rated at 400 shots according to Kodak / CIPA test results, which is good for this class of camera. The battery is charged in the camera, using the provided MicroUSB cable. This means it will be easy to charge the battery anywhere, as USB sockets can be found in most places these days, however, we found that charging was slower when using a computer or laptop, so use of the provided AC to USB adapter is recommended.