Kodak Kodak PIXPRO AZ425 Astro Zoom 20MP Digital Camera Review

The Kodak PIXPRO AZ425 is a superzoom camera that tries to do it all for under $300, and honestly, it mostly just reminds you why you get what you pay for. The headline 42x zoom is a neat party trick for getting a close-up of a faraway bird or building, but that's about the only trick it has. Everything else, from the image quality to the handling, feels like a compromise. If you're looking for a simple point-and-shoot, this isn't it.

The performance is exactly what the low percentile scores suggest: mediocre across the board. The sensor lands in the bottom third, so photos get noisy fast. The autofocus is sluggish, making it a poor choice for anything that moves. And despite the marketing saying it has stabilization, the system ranks in the 39th percentile, so you'll still get blurry shots at that massive zoom unless you have rock-steady hands or a tripod. The one surprise is the build quality, which is in the 86th percentile. It feels solid and chunky in hand, which is a nice touch on an otherwise cheap-feeling camera.

At $260, it's not a good value. You're paying for a long zoom lens attached to a very dated sensor and processor. For the same money, you could get a used premium compact or a modern smartphone that will take better pictures in 99% of situations. This camera only makes sense if the 42x zoom is an absolute must-have and your budget is rock solid.

This isn't competing with the Canon R6 or Sony A6700 listed; those are professional tools. A real competitor is something like a used Sony RX100 III or Canon G7 X Mark II. Those compacts are smaller, have much better sensors, and shoot better video, though they lack the extreme zoom. If you must have a superzoom, look at the Nikon Coolpix P900 or P1000 on the used market; they do the 'crazy zoom' thing much better, though they cost more.

Skip it. The Kodak AZ425 is a one-trick pony, and the trick isn't performed very well. The image quality isn't good enough to justify carrying a separate camera, and the handling is frustrating. If you need a superzoom, save up for a better one. If you just want better photos, use your phone or buy a used premium compact. This camera is stuck in a no-man's-land between convenience and quality.