Kodak's 2005 entry Z-series compact — 4MP CCD, 5x 35-175mm Retinar zoom, CRV3 or AA power
The EasyShare Z700 was announced in January 2005 as an entry point to Kodak's Z-series of longer-zoom consumer digitals. Launched alongside the Z740, it brought the Z-line's chunky grip styling to a lower price than the bridge-style models that sat above it in the range.
A 4-megapixel CCD sat behind a 5x all-glass Kodak Retinar zoom covering 35-175mm equivalent. Framing used a 1.6-inch, 72,000-pixel LCD, images stored to SD/MMC cards or 16MB of internal memory, and power came from a CRV3 lithium cell or a pair of AA batteries. Scene modes, Kodak Color Science processing and the dedicated Share button rounded out the feature set.
It suits collectors of early-2000s digicams and anyone after a cheap CCD-colour snapshot camera with more reach than a standard 3x compact. The tiny low-resolution screen and 4MP files feel dated now, so it is best treated as a fun casual shooter rather than a main camera.
AA compatibility makes power easy on the used market — no proprietary charger to hunt down — though alkalines drain fast, so NiMH cells are the practical choice. Check the small LCD for scratches, run the 5x zoom end to end listening for grinding, and test the flash charges promptly. SD/MMC cards remain easy to source in modest capacities.