Perfect Field Camera For Appraisers, Agents, and Home Inspectors?

Talk to any real estate appraiser, residential or commercial about what they want in a digital camera and usually TOP on the list will be the ability to shoot wide-angle images. They want to be able to get the entire property in the photo without having to shoot from a half block away. The new Kodak EasyShare V570 may be the answer!

The V570 has two 'fold optics' lens/CCD packages mounted above each other, the first providing a prime 23 mm equivalent field of view, and the second, a 37-117 mm three times optical zoom. Both lens systems are mated to a five megapixel CCD sensor. Other features include MPEG-4 video capture and a 2.5" LCD monitor. From the Digital Camera Resource Page review of the V570 : "The V570 includes the snazzy Photo Frame 2 camera dock, which can be used for several things, including charging the battery, transferring photos to your computer, or viewing them on a television. In fact, unless you can hunt down a mysterious adapter shown in the manual, this is the only way you can transfer photos or view them on a TV. The battery can be charged either with the dock, or with the included AC adapter. Either way it takes three hours to fully charge the battery. " What I liked:

• Two lenses: 23 mm ultra wide-angle and normal 39 - 117 mm
• Compact and stylish metal body
• Large, high res LCD is viewable outdoors and in low light
• Nice panorama mode with built-in stitcher (though see issue below)
• Easy-to-use, tons of scene modes
• Great movie mode; zoom lens can be used during filming; electronic image stabilizer
• Excellent software bundle

What I didn't care for:

• Images on the soft and noisy side
• Poor battery life
• Low light focusing isn't great
• Fingers can easily end up in photos taken with the ultra wide lens
• Weak flash; redeye a problem
• 5X zoom range is not continuous: there's a gap between 23 and 39 mm (most notable when zooming in movie mode)
• Original images not saved when using panorama scene mode
• USB and A/V ports require camera dock, unless you buy optional adapter; only supports USB 2.0 Full Speed

Leland Hill of Associate Appraisers of America, a real estate appraiser and professional race photographer had this to say about the new Kodak camera:

"I picked up a Kodak V570. That's their new compact digital with dual lenses. This is a cool compact camera that will fit in your shirt pocket. It has a regular lens and a wide angle lens in the same camera." "Having now field tested it, I think it's a great camera!" Leland Hill said. "Takes shots up to 5 MP and has some other cool features. Has a sturdy metal body. The wide angle works very well for the tight back yard and indoor shots." Many places have them for $380 or so. I got mine on e-bay for $300 but you'll be hard pressed to get one that cheap - I got lucky. But you might pick one up for $320 to $340." "It's my new favorite appraisal camera, that's for sure."