Review
Kodak PixPro FZ55 Review: A $130 Camera That Beats Your Phone (Sometimes)
A pocketable 16MP point-and-shoot with 5x optical zoom for under $150. Here's what you actually get for the money.
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Overview
If you're shopping for a real camera under $200, your options are slim: the Kodak FZ55, the Canon Ivy Rec, or used gear. The FZ55 is the best new option — and it's genuinely useful in the right hands.
What it's good at
Optical zoom your phone doesn't have. Real shutter button. Doesn't buzz with notifications. It's the perfect kid's camera, beach camera, or backup-in-the-glovebox camera.
What it's not
This is not a competitor to a Sony RX100 or a used Canon G7X. The sensor is small, low-light is rough, and there's no RAW. JPEGs only.
Real-world use
Daylight outdoor shots look great. The 5x zoom is the killer feature — getting actual reach without digital zoom's smear is huge at this price.
Verdict
For $130 it's a 4-star camera judged on what it claims to be. Buy it for a kid, for vacation, or as a "leave my phone at home" experiment.
What we love
- ✓Genuinely affordable
- ✓Real 5x optical zoom
- ✓Pocketable and light
- ✓Uses cheap AA-style rechargeable
Where it falls short
- –Small sensor, weak low light
- –JPEG-only, no RAW
- –Plasticky build
- –Screen hard to see in sun
FAQ
Is it better than my iPhone?
For zoom shots in daylight, yes. For low light or video, no — modern phones win.
Good for kids?
Excellent. Cheap enough that drops aren't a tragedy, simple enough for an 8-year-old.
Does it shoot video?
720p only. Skip it if video matters to you.
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