Kodak made some of the best budget cameras for casual users, such as Kodak Pixpro AZ421 Vs AZ528. These cameras are bridge models, meaning they use a fixed lens with variable focal length to provide a long zoom. As you can guess, the two are close siblings with some differences so let’s see what they can offer and which fits you best.
In this comparison, we will talk about the following:
- Why Buying a Digital Camera
- What are Kodak Pixpro AZ421 and AZ528
- How is the Design of Kodak Pixpro AZ421 and AZ528
- How are the Camera Specs of Kodak Pixpro AZ421 and AZ528
- How is the Image Quality from Kodak Pixpro AZ421 and AZ528
- How is the Shooting Mode in Kodak Pixpro AZ421 and AZ528
- How are the Kodak Pixpro AZ421 and AZ528 for Video
- Kodak Pixpro AZ421 Vs AZ528
Buying a Digital Camera
Most people buy a flagship smartphone to take beautiful photos and videos more conveniently, but a dedicated camera has some advantages. First, you can save the battery and storage because the phone has many more important functions that you may use throughout the day. Second, a dedicated camera like a bridge camera provides an extra-long zoom range that most smartphones can’t compete with. Third, a digital camera is much cheaper than buying the new flagship from your favorite brand; many cameras cost less than $300.
About Kodak Pixpro AZ421 and AZ528
If the reason to buy a camera is the extended zoom range, we suggest getting a bridge camera. You can go with a mirrorless like Canon EOS R6 and buy a telephoto lens, but the setup will cost higher than the average smartphone and better suit enthusiasts and professionals. A bridge camera like Kodak Pixpro AZ421 and AZ528 is much cheaper and suitable for beginners, young enthusiasts, or casual photographers who need the zoom range. Your smartphone can perform zoom, but most of them are digital.
A bridge camera has a fixed lens with variable focal length, so you can optically shoot in wide or zoom mode. The Kodak Pixpro AZ421 and AZ528 are close siblings, as the two come from the Astro Zoom family. This camera lineup consists of various bridge cameras with similar features and slight differences. The main differences between these cameras are the lens and recording mode. We have discussed the AZ421 in Kodak Pixpro AZ421 Vs AZ252 and concluded the two are not ideal for recording due to the low resolution.
The Pixpro AZ528 is higher, similar to other AZ5xx cameras with HD resolution. However, the rest of the features are identical, so you get the same shooting abilities, such as in Shutter or Aperture priority mode. If you want HD videos and the ability to zoom further, the AZ528 is an excellent choice, but if you think these are unnecessary, the AZ421 is cheaper and produces the same pictures.
Kodak Pixpro AZ421 and AZ528 Design
While most beginner cameras are compact and pocketable, the Kodak Pixpro AZ421 and AZ528 will not fit in your pocket. The AZ421 is 4.4 x 3.2 x 3.3 versus AZ528 at 4.9 x 3.5 x 4.4 inches, making the latter slightly bigger than its little brother. The housing is made of plastic and available in a few shades like black and red; the AZ528 is also available in blue. Both cameras have a 3-inch fixed rear screen with the exact 460K resolution.
Kodak Pixpro AZ421 and AZ528 Camera Specs
Let’s see what the Kodak Pixpro AZ421 and AZ528 can offer, starting from the camera specs. As mentioned above, the two share many similarities, including the sensor. Both cameras use a small 1/2.3-inch CCD sensor with a 16MP resolution. The main difference is the optic because AZ528 uses a longer zoom lens or 24 – 1248mm versus AZ421 with a 24 – 1008mm lens. This difference gives AZ421 a 42x optical zoom and AZ528 a 52x optical zoom. Both cameras only have optical image stabilization to improve performance.
Kodak Pixpro AZ421 and AZ528 Image Quality
Because these cameras use the same sensor, the image quality will also be similar, if not identical, in the same condition and settings. The small sensor can capture sharp pictures in decent lighting, but you may get sharper results from many flagship phones today with their high megapixel count. The center of the image is the sharpest area, while the corners are slightly blurry, which is normal. The dynamic range and noise level are pretty good, as expected of cameras in this price range.
Like most cameras with small sensors, low light shooting is less reliable as the ISO performance is also low. The pictures in the widest setting will produce the same result, but the difference shows as you crank the zoom range. The AZ528, with its 1248mm lens, can zoom further into a subject than AZ421, with its 1008mm lens. But, it is worth noting that the longer the zoom range, the softer the details. If you often use the zoom function, getting a tripod and shooting at a higher shutter speed is wise.
Kodak Pixpro AZ421 and AZ528 Shooting Modes
Another advantage of Kodak Pixpro AZ421 and AZ528 besides the zoom lens is shooting modes. Most beginner cameras only have automatic modes, but these two have Manual, Aperture, and Shutter priority modes in addition to the Auto mode. These additional shooting modes allow you to be more creative about the shooting, similar to what enthusiast cameras have to provide freedom. Of course, shooting in Auto is the most convenient because the camera will automatically choose the ideal settings based on the subject and environment.
Kodak Pixpro AZ421 and AZ528 Video
Some people may want to use the camera to record video, and yes, you can record video with these cameras. The difference is that AZ421 only offers up to 1280 x 720, which means it will be less sharp than the typical video you have seen while streaming, assuming most people at least stream on HD nowadays. The AZ5xx series improves the resolution to 1080p so you can record acceptable footage on the camera. This camera is also handy when shooting slow-motion videos because it can record 120fps at 640 x 480.
Kodak Pixpro AZ421 Vs AZ528
The Kodak Pixpro AZ421 and AZ528 are good cameras for beginners and casual photographers who need to get closer to their subjects. The main differences between the two are lens and video resolution because the AZ528 is a higher model. This camera has a lens with a longer focal length and can record 1080p instead of 720p, like the AZ421. However, the other features are mostly identical, which makes the image quality similar.
Conclusion
There is no bad option between Kodak Pixpro AZ421 and AZ528 because the two are equally exciting. If you don’t need the recording function, we recommend the AZ421 because the 1008mm lens should suffice for most people. But the AZ528 can also be a good choice for its more extended zoom range and 1080p recording.
