Compact Test: Kodak EasyShare M420 and Samsung WB1000

We've just finished testing two wide-angle compacts, but they're a world apart.  The Kodak M420 includes a 4x zoom that starts at 28 mm, while the Samsung WB1000 sees more (starting at 24 mm) and goes further with a 5x zoom.

The Kodak EasyShare M420, is, therefore, an entry-level compact.  Although it has a 10 Megapixel sensor, a wide-angle lens and a 3'' LCD screen, we had some other problems when we delved deeper into the specs.  The screen uses TN technology, and has a resolution of just 230, 000 pixels.

The Samsung WB1000 aims much higher, with a 12 Megapixel sensor, a very wide 24 mm lens and a genuine manual mode.  More impressively, its 3'' screen uses AMOLED technology with a 460, 000 pixel resolution.

> Product Survey: Compact Digital Cameras 2009