Kodak C135 vs Samsung MV800: A Hands-On Comparison for the Discerning Photographer

Stepping into the world of digital cameras, even budget-friendly and compact models like the Kodak C135 and Samsung MV800 demand some serious inspection. I’ve put both through their paces - from real-world shooting scenarios to detailed technical examinations - to help you sift through what these cameras actually deliver and where they might fall short. Whether you’re a budget-conscious hobbyist, a casual traveler, or a creative enthusiast poking around for a backup compact, this comparison is crafted to give you the lowdown - not just spec sheets.

Before we delve into the nitty-gritty, let’s tease apart these two cameras based on what they are: the Kodak C135 is a rugged, waterproof compact designed for no-fuss outdoor shooting, while the Samsung MV800 touts a more versatile zoom lens and a user-friendly, touchscreen interface. They share a relatively small 1/2.3” sensor but diverge in a multitude of features and design philosophies.

First Impressions: Size, Build, and Handling

Right off the bat, the Kodak C135 strikes as a beefy, tough little camera. Its dimensions - 147 x 58 x 23 mm and weight of 175 grams - give it a sturdy feel in the hand, with environmental sealing that promises dustproof and waterproof durability. If you’re rough on gear or planning shots by the pool or beach, this is no small consideration. However, it lacks shock, freeze, or crush-proof specs, meaning it’s built more for water resistance than extreme adventures.

In contrast, the Samsung MV800 is markedly smaller and lighter at 92 x 56 x 10 mm and 121 grams. With its compact size and sleek design, it’s a pocket-friendly contender for street or travel photographers prioritizing convenience. But note: no weather sealing here, so it’s less forgiving in harsh environments.

Ergonomically, the C135’s simplicity might feel limiting but straightforward - no touchscreens or complicated menus, just a few straightforward buttons. The MV800, meanwhile, flirts with modernity featuring a tilting 3-inch touchscreen (460k dots resolution) that significantly enhances framing flexibility and menu navigation.

To sum up handling, the Kodak wins the grit battle, built to withstand your outdoor fun. The Samsung scores for compactness and handling comfort, especially if you prefer touch interfaces.

Sensor and Image Quality: The Heart of the Matter

Both cameras lean on the same sensor format - a 1/2.3” CCD measuring 6.17 x 4.55 mm with a 28.07 mm² sensor area. That’s a common small-sensor size for compact cameras, meaning limited light-gathering capability compared to APS-C or full-frame alternatives but often fine for casual shooting.

The Kodak’s sensor resolution is 14 megapixels (max image size 4288 x 3216) versus Samsung’s slightly sharper 16 megapixels (4608 x 3456). While more pixels can be enticing, it’s not the whole story. The MV800 supports higher max ISO sensitivity (ISO 3200) compared to Kodak’s ISO ceiling of 1250, although neither would win awards for low-light prowess given the tiny sensor and CCD tech.

Both cameras employ anti-aliasing filters, which smooth out moiré but slightly soften detail. Kodak offers aspect ratios of 4:3, 3:2, and 16:9, while Samsung sticks with 4:3 and 16:9.

Real-World Imaging

I ran controlled tests in moderate and low light. The MV800 showed better noise control at higher ISOs - image grain became noticeable on the Kodak at ISO 800 and above, though for small prints and web use, it wasn’t a dealbreaker.

The Kodak’s fixed 35mm-equivalent lens has a bright F3.0 aperture, which gives it a slight edge in low light compared to Samsung’s variable F3.3-5.9 lens, especially at longer zoom ranges. However, Kodak’s zoom is nonexistent, confining you to a single focal length bonus if you love prime simplicity.

Overall, the MV800 provides a broader focal range with 5x optical zoom from 26-130mm equivalent, making it far more flexible for landscapes, portraits, and candid snapshots.

Live View, LCD, and User Interface

Coming from the trenches of hands-on camera testing, I always emphasize the importance of quick, clear feedback from your camera’s screen.

Kodak’s 2.4" TFT fixed LCD with only 112k dots feels underwhelming today, with pixelation and muted brightness making reviewing shots a guessing game in bright daylight conditions. Further, the fixed angle limits your shooting creativity (low or high angle shots? No thanks.)

Samsung redresses that with its larger, higher-resolution tilting 3" touchscreen. The touch response is snappy and intuitive, making menu control and focus point selection a breeze. Although it doesn’t have electronic viewfinders, the large and bright screen compensates well enough.

Autofocus and Shooting Performance

Both cameras rely on contrast-detection autofocus systems - no phase-detection modules here, which wouldn’t be expected in this category.

Kodak, with its fixed 35mm lens, keeps AF simple with center-weighted and face detection options but no continuous AF or tracking modes. Its minimum shutter speed tops out at 1/1400s, sufficient for casual shooting but may struggle in fast action scenarios - more on that later.

Samsung presents face detection AF plus continuous AF tracking - rare for a compact of its era - allowing better responsiveness, especially when shooting moving subjects or group portraits. The shutter range stretches to 1/2000s, a minor improvement.

Neither camera supports burst shooting (continuous shooting rates are unspecified or absent), so capturing fast action will be challenging.

In our tests, the MV800’s AF speed was notably more responsive and accurate, particularly in daylight and moderate lighting. The Kodak sometimes hesitated, likely due to its simpler contrast AF and lack of AF continuous modes.

Flash, Stabilization, and Video

Both cameras pack built-in flashes, with Kodak’s unit rated at a 2.4m range at ISO 360 and Samsung’s flash range extending to 3.2m. Kodak offers multiple flash modes including Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, and Fill-in. Samsung’s modes aren’t detailed, but it offers average exposure metering - which potentially smooths flash exposure better.

A significant differentiator is image stabilization (IS). Kodak’s system has no IS - a clear weakness especially given the longer exposure times in low light and fixed focal length. Samsung compensates with optical image stabilization, essential when zooming or shooting handheld in dim conditions.

When it comes to video, Kodak’s top resolution is a modest 640x480 at 30fps saved as Motion JPEG, a format notorious for large files and sub-par compression. Samsung, on the other hand, offers HD video recording at 1280x720 (30fps) in MPEG-4 and H.264 codecs, a major bonus if video is in your DNA. Neither has microphone ports or external audio controls, placing them in the casual video category.

Versatility Across Photography Genres

Let’s break down how these two compete across popular genres:

Portrait Photography

Portraits demand reliable skin tone rendering, pleasing bokeh, and eye detection autofocus.

• Kodak C135: Limited by fixed lens and no adjustable aperture beyond F3.0, bokeh is limited but with its face detection AF it manages fair focus results. Skin tonal reproduction tends to be flat and sometimes a tad oversaturated, likely due to CCD sensor characteristics.

• Samsung MV800: Zoom versatility lets you choose focal length, helping manage perspective and background blur better. Touch AF makes it easy to focus on eyes manually. Color tone is more balanced, with decent warmth and natural look.

Landscape Photography

Here, dynamic range, resolution, and durability matter most.

• Kodak’s environmental sealing and waterproof credentials stand out for outdoor shooting, but inferior sensor and LCD make reviewing shots challenging. Limited zoom hampers framing variety.

• Samsung MV800’s zoom range offers framing freedom, but lack of weather sealing mandates caution outdoors.

Wildlife & Sports

Neither of these cameras is a pro-class sports shooter, but let’s see how they fare.

• Kodak: No AF tracking, no fast burst mode, fixed lens, limited shutter speeds. Wildlife or sports shooting? Not ideal.

• Samsung: With continuous AF tracking and longer zoom, the MV800 allows more flexibility for casual wildlife or sports snapshots, although slow AF and no burst shooting keep pro-level action out of reach.

Street Photography

Discretion and portability are key here.

• Samsung shines with its compact form and quiet operation. Touchscreen focusing offers fast framing on the go.

• Kodak’s bulk and bulky design feel out of place for quick street captures.

Macro Photography

Neither emphasizes macro, but minimum focusing distances with fixed lenses are often limiting. Samsung’s zoom and optical IS could help close-ups, provided you have patience for manual composition.

Night and Astro Photography

Small sensors and sans RAW file outputs limit long exposure and noise performance capacities. Kodak’s waterproof housing could uniquely allow some adventurous shots in damp conditions, but image noise and lack of full manual controls dampen enthusiasm.

Video Use

Samsung’s HD recording, more flexible exposure options, and optical stabilization beat Kodak’s VGA video and no stabilization hands down. For casual video blogging or travel clips, Samsung is the winner.

Professional Workflow Integration and Storage

Neither camera shoots RAW, so professionals are out of luck if they want full post-processing latitude.

Storage-wise, Kodak uses SD/SDHC cards along with internal storage; Samsung uses microSD cards only. Both have USB 2.0 ports but no Wi-Fi or Bluetooth - no wireless transfer luxury here.

Battery-wise, Kodak opts for easy-to-find 2x AA batteries, great for travel when chargers aren’t handy. Samsung uses proprietary BP70 batteries, slightly more compact but riskier if you forget your charger.

Price and Value: What You Spend vs What You Get

The Kodak C135’s market price is largely uncertain (historical pricing often puts it in the budget or free category), emphasizing basic waterproof compact use - likely a niche or entry-level convenience choice.

Samsung MV800 retailed around $499 at launch and typically still commands a mid-tier secondhand price, reflecting its broader feature set, zoom capabilities, better build, and video.

For the cheapskate shutterbugs, Kodak is practically a no-brainer if your aim is waterproof shooting without fancy features. But for versatility and image quality, the Samsung offers leaps forward for an extra few bucks.

Summing Up the Scores

Final Recommendations: Who Should Buy What?

• Get the Kodak C135 if:

  • Your primary need is a tough, easy-to-use waterproof camera for pool parties, beaches, or casual outdoor shots.
  • You're happy with fixed focal length photos and don’t mind non-HD video or modest image quality.
  • Simplicity and ruggedness outrank high-tech bells and whistles.
  • You want a camera that runs on AA batteries - ideal for remote locations without charging options.

• Go for the Samsung MV800 if:

  • You want a compact but versatile camera with a broad zoom range.
  • Face detection, touchscreen controls, HD video, and optical stabilization are important.
  • Image quality and framing flexibility across different genres matter.
  • You can keep it safe from weather but want more creative control and output quality.
  • You want a decent travel camera that fits well in pockets and can handle casual street, landscape, and family shoots.

My Take: Balancing Function, Flexibility, and Fun

Having tested thousands of cameras over my career, this duo serves very different priorities. For the Kodak, I view it primarily as a “Go-Go Gadget” for water-based fun without fuss. No bells, multiple whistles, but dependable.

Samsung is the more well-rounded little powerhouse that covers more common photography bases with panache, albeit less hardy in the wild.

My advice? Think about your typical shooting scenarios first. If there’s even a faint chance of shooting underwater or in inclement weather, the Kodak is your friend. Otherwise, the Samsung MV800 offers more bang for your buck with better image quality, handling, and creative options.

Let your shooting style and budget guide your choice - and enjoy putting either of these compacts to work for your unique photographic journey!

Kodak C135 front Kodak C135 screen back Samsung MV800 screen back