Kodak EasyShare P720

Professional reviews of budget digital photo frames are generally scarce, and that's the case for the Kodak EasyShare P720. The only expert evaluation of the frame we found comes from CNET, where the frame earns a middling score but is notable for the lack of anything dramatically wrong. In order to produce a budget model, Kodak cut a number of hardware corners: low-resolution display screen, no internal memory, no remote, no wireless connectivity and no support for audio or video files. What that leaves is a device that displays photos and little more. Beyond these specifications, however, the P720 redeems itself by being user friendly and having a customizable (by way of included, colored mattes) style.

While the low resolution display on the Kodak EasyShare P720 results in slightly fuzzy photos up close, the images look better from a few steps back. Kodak's user interface on its digital frames is contentious among reviewers, but the P720 isn't reported to have the confusing menu structure of the more advanced Kodak frames. And CNET's David Carnoy writes that the P720's touch-screen navigation is "responsive and pretty zippy." All in all, the EasyShare P720 accomplishes what it sets out to do: be a good, reliable and low-cost digital photo frame. For sharper images and advanced features without spending a fortune, reviews indicate that Kodak's upmarket wireless frame, the Kodak EasyShare W820 (*Est. $130), is a good choice, though, as with most wireless frames, setup can be tricky.

CNET has the only expert review of the Kodak EasyShare P720 that we found. David Carnoy's evaluation is reasonably thorough, balanced and fair. In contrast to professional critics, owners of the EasyShare P720 prove to be a talkative bunch on Amazon.com's user review page. Nearly 100 contributors give the P720 a respectable average rating of four out of five; many comment that the display quality is better than they expected, and the P720 seems to be a favorite for gift-giving.