Kodak PIXPRO AZ401From real comments

Verdict distilled from 28 mentions across 11 aspects in comments under product review videos.

Positive sentiment38%
PROS 37%
CONS 63%

Rank based on 28 mentions across 11 aspects

View the verdict as

Buy this if...

  • You want long zoom reach for casual or distant shooting on a tight budget
  • You prefer AA batteries over proprietary rechargeable packs for easy replacement
  • You mainly shoot landscapes or casual photos rather than fast action or low light

What users love

Skip this if...

  • You need reliable video with good audio and no focus hunting when zooming
  • You want a camera with a stable, long-lasting battery instead of AA drain
  • You need consistent build quality and card compatibility without error hassles

What users complain about

Compare in seconds

Based on user comments

Best choice
1Premium
Sony RX10 IV
All-in-one versatilityFast autofocusStrong image qualityHigh priceShort battery lifeSmall controls and menu complexity
Sony RX10 IV
All-in-one versatility
Fast autofocus
Strong image quality
High price
Short battery life
Small controls and menu complexity
2Mid
Nikon Coolpix B700
Massive 60x zoom rangeLightweight and travel-friendlyEasy to useSnapBridge app problemsFocus struggles at maximum zoom4K video can look soft
Nikon Coolpix B700
Massive 60x zoom range
Lightweight and travel-friendly
Easy to use
SnapBridge app problems
Focus struggles at maximum zoom
4K video can look soft
Best value
3Mid
Panasonic FZ2500
Built-in ND filtersAll-in-one zoom versatilityStrong 4K/10-bit video qualityLens sharpness debateFlimsy lens cap4K sensor crop / limited wide angle
Panasonic FZ2500
Built-in ND filters
All-in-one zoom versatility
Strong 4K/10-bit video quality
Lens sharpness debate
Flimsy lens cap
4K sensor crop / limited wide angle
4Mid
Panasonic FZ1000
Versatile all-in-one zoomSharp image quality with large sensorDurable long-term reliabilityWeak low-light and high-ISO performanceNo headphone jackDifficult manual focus
Panasonic FZ1000
Versatile all-in-one zoom
Sharp image quality with large sensor
Durable long-term reliability
Weak low-light and high-ISO performance
No headphone jack
Difficult manual focus
5Mid
Canon PowerShot SX50 HS
Exceptional 50x ZoomGreat Value for PriceStrong Overall Image QualityNon-AA Proprietary BatteryNoisy or Grainy Video in Some ConditionsWeak Low-Light and Full-Zoom Aperture
Canon PowerShot SX50 HS
Exceptional 50x Zoom
Great Value for Price
Strong Overall Image Quality
Non-AA Proprietary Battery
Noisy or Grainy Video in Some Conditions
Weak Low-Light and Full-Zoom Aperture
6Premium
Olympus E-20
CCD color rendering and image qualityGreat value on the secondhand marketRugged, professional build qualitySlow write and focus speedSticky, degrading rubber gripPoor AA battery life
Olympus E-20
CCD color rendering and image quality
Great value on the secondhand market
Rugged, professional build quality
Slow write and focus speed
Sticky, degrading rubber grip
Poor AA battery life
7Budget
Panasonic FZ300
Constant f/2.8 apertureStrong 4K video and stabilizationGreat value for priceSmall sensor hurts low-light and noise performanceWeak or unreliable autofocusInconsistent still photo sharpness
Panasonic FZ300
Constant f/2.8 aperture
Strong 4K video and stabilization
Great value for price
Small sensor hurts low-light and noise performance
Weak or unreliable autofocus
Inconsistent still photo sharpness
8Mid
Canon PowerShot SX740 HS
Exceptional 40x zoom rangeWeak low-light and indoor performance
Canon PowerShot SX740 HS
Exceptional 40x zoom range
Weak low-light and indoor performance
9Budget
Kodak PIXPRO AZ255
Clean, crisp image qualityGood value for the priceGreat choice for beginner photographersDifficulty transferring photos to phoneConfusing photo croppingNo Bluetooth connectivity
Kodak PIXPRO AZ255
Clean, crisp image quality
Good value for the price
Great choice for beginner photographers
Difficulty transferring photos to phone
Confusing photo cropping
No Bluetooth connectivity
10Budget
Canon PowerShot SX10 IS
Great value secondhandSharp CCD image qualityDurable, long-lasting buildInconsistent battery lifeNo HD video, limited frame rateVideo file/aspect ratio quirks
Canon PowerShot SX10 IS
Great value secondhand
Sharp CCD image quality
Durable, long-lasting build
Inconsistent battery life
No HD video, limited frame rate
Video file/aspect ratio quirks
You are here
24Budget
Kodak PIXPRO AZ401
Good for casual and vlog useLong zoom rangeAA battery convenienceFast battery drainWeak or problematic audio and videoSD card compatibility issues
Kodak PIXPRO AZ401
Good for casual and vlog use
Long zoom range
AA battery convenience
Fast battery drain
Weak or problematic audio and video
SD card compatibility issues

Who wins on what

Ranked by what users actually praise

Overall Impression

Zoom reach impresses for the price, even in tough shooting conditions. Multiple users highlight the AZ401's zoom as a standout for a budget camera, with one commenter using it at a Depeche Mode concert to get great shots from far away despite no manual focus and challenging lighting. Another compared it favorably to a previous camera, praising its zoom capabilities and features for the price. Landscape mode came up as a favorite setting, and owners describe the camera as punching above its weight for casual, long-distance shooting despite its limitations.

AA battery power is convenient but drains quickly and confuses new owners. Several commenters struggled with fast battery drain, with one saying batteries died after just 3-4 minutes and another wishing for a solid battery instead of AA cells. Others asked for rechargeable battery recommendations, unsure how to fix the drain issue. While AA batteries mean easy replacement anywhere, unlike pricier lithium-ion models, users found this camera exceptionally power-hungry, needing rechargeables to keep up with regular use.

Video and image quality are inconsistent, especially with audio and low light. Users flagged a weak built-in microphone, video that can't stay focused, and recording split into 30-minute chunks. One user reported consistently dark photos despite good lighting, while another described pixelated results with or without flash. A photography business owner and hobbyists asked about mic jacks and manual settings, suggesting the camera needs workarounds and know-how to produce sharp, well-exposed results reliably.

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