Kodaks 65x zoom bridge camera is back but Im not about to take it on safari

Date:
Fri, 27 Mar 2026 17:21:56 +0000

Description:
Kodak's affordable do-it-all camera returns with the updated PixPro AZ653, adding USB-C charging to a versatile feature set, including 65x zoom and
macro mode

FULL STORY ======================================================================Copy link Facebook X Whatsapp Reddit Pinterest Flipboard Threads Email Share this article 0 Join the conversation Follow us Add us as a preferred source on Google Newsletter Tech Radar Get daily insight, inspiration and deals in your inbox Sign up for breaking news, reviews, opinion, top tech deals, and more. Become a Member in Seconds Unlock instant access to exclusive member
features. Contact me with news and offers from other Future brands Receive email from us on behalf of our trusted partners or sponsors By submitting
your information you agree to the Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over. You are now subscribed Your newsletter sign-up was successful Join the club Get full access to premium articles, exclusive features and a growing list of member rewards. Explore An account already exists for this email address, please log in. Subscribe to our newsletter Kodak's latest 'bridge' camera packs a 65x zoom and 1-inch macro focusing It adds USB-C charging to its 7-year-old predecessor It is expected to go on
sale in April for $450 / 350 (around AU$675) Today's Kodak as in the third party who has licensed the legendary name specializes in blast-from-the-past tech. Case in point, the 'new' PixPro AZ653 bridge camera, which follows the PixPro AZ652 from 2019.

(Most of) its specs look too good to be true a stabilized 65x optical zoom that covers everything from wide-angle landscapes to distant wildlife, 1cm macro focusing, 20MP stills, DSLR-style handling and an articulated screen all for just $450 / 350. This is an affordable do-it-all camera, except for one important part quality. Like most bridge cameras (with few exceptions such as the Sony Cyber-Shot RX10 IV ), it packs a tiny 1/2.3-inch sensor the type you get in cheap smartphones, which means image quality is lacking. Article continues below You may like Panasonics premium travel zoom camera gets a surprise successor 8 years on Kodak Charmera review: the viral
keychain digital camera is so bad, that I actually love it Kodak Snapic A1 review: a basic 35mm camera packed with retro charm

In bright light, highlights will blow out and shadows lack depth. In low light, detail will be mushy. It's the price you pay for such versatility, and personally it's not a compromise I'd be willing to take for a special
vacation like a safari , where I'd want the best possible quality.

That said, the overall package, especially considering the price, could be worth it for general use. And now Kodak has released this newer version which adds USB-C charging to bring the series up to date, even if the other
features are now considered dated.

I'm a little disappointed there are no other upgrades for example, the
PixPro AZ653's video recording tops out at Full HD (so no 4K ), while burst shooting is only up to 5fps.

For sure, it's the 65x zoom lens, spanning 24-1560mm focal lengths, which is the big sell, and along with the price I expect it'll be a popular camera.
Get daily insight, inspiration and deals in your inbox Sign up for breaking news, reviews, opinion, top tech deals, and more. Contact me with news and offers from other Future brands Receive email from us on behalf of our
trusted partners or sponsors By submitting your information you agree to the Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over. Think a 65x zoom is impressive? How about the Nikon Coolpix with its 125x zoom! It's much pricier, mind you (Image credit: COOLPIX P1100) Today's best Nikon Coolpix P1100, Panasonic Lumix FZ80D and Sony Cyber-shot RX10 IV deals Nikon Coolpix P1100 810 780 View See all prices Panasonic Lumix FZ80D 379 View See all prices We check over 250 million products every day for the best prices Still worth it? So-called bridge cameras are named because they 'bridge' the gap between compact cameras and DSLRs. They are bulky do-it-all 'compact' cameras with one important catch a compromise in image quality.

They very much had their heyday in the 2000's, but 20 years later the market is a shadow of its former self my best bridge cameras guide now has just three entries, one of which was recently discontinued.

That said, when Nikon relaunched its own take last year, the Coolpix P1100 with its 125x zoom , it got plenty of interest, despite its much steeper
price tag. What to read next The worst camera for 2025 was this Lumix compact
here's why The best compact camera: top choices to take anywhere The best point and shoot cameras, all tested thoroughly

Panasonic got in on the act in 2024 by refreshing its own affordable bridge camera, the Lumix FZ80D / FZ82D , which also modernized the series with USB-C charging, but otherwise features dated tech.

The surprise for me is how close the Lumix model is in price to Kodak's, and given it shoots 4K video (albeit with a lesser 60x zoom), it feels like the better pick of the two. For context, we gave that underwhelming Lumix camera
a 2.5 star rating.

Kodak says its PixPro AZ653 will hit stores in April. Follow TechRadar on Google News and add us as a preferred source to get our expert news, reviews, and opinion in your feeds. Make sure to click the Follow button!

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