Camera Reviews: Kodak Easyshare Max Z990 and Samsung WB700

There's always a selection of alternative products that fight for attention in the shadow of market heavyweights. These cameras may not have the reputation of a Canon or a Panasonic, but they can sometimes be surprisingly good models that are well worth snapping up. Could this Kodak bridge and Samsung compact be this year's hidden gems?

The 28-840 mm (30x) zoom lens in the Kodak Easyshare Max Z990 is currently one of the most powerful zooms on the market (even if the Nikon P500 and Canon SX30 zoom just as far and have a wider wide-angle setting). Plus, its 12-Megapixel BSI CMOS has a great reputation. You'll either love or hate its design but, on paper, this Kodak looks like it could give some leading bridges a run for their money.

Although the Samsung WB700 had a record-breaking 24-432 mm zoom lens when initially released, it has since been outdone by the Olympus SZ-30 MR. Plus, we're a bit disappointed to see Samsung sticking to a 14-Megapixel CCD and ditching the GPS and AMOLED screen seen in the WB650. But who knows, maybe the new lens will really work wonders ...

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