Kodak PIXPRO FZ55 Review: Is This $140 Camera Actually Worth It?
Affiliate disclosure: Some links below are affiliate links. If you buy through them, I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.
Check out my full video breakdown HERE: Watch on YouTube
Kodak PIXPRO FZ55: Is This $140 Camera Actually Worth It?
The Kodak PIXPRO FZ55 is one of the bestselling digital cameras of the last few years, and I'll be honest, I came into this review pretty skeptical. Usually when a cheap digital camera goes viral, it's for one of two reasons. Either it promises specs and capabilities that are way beyond what it can actually deliver, or it leans into the whole old school vintage digi cam aesthetic that's trendy right now and ends up being way overpriced for what you actually get.
At first glance, I really thought the FZ55 would fall into one of those two categories. But then I started shooting with it, and in good light, this camera can actually produce some pretty surprising results. That said, it does have quirks and downsides you should know about before spending your money.
Quick Spec Snapshot
| Sensor | 16MP, 1/2.3" (same size as the Canon ELPH 360HS and other point-and-shoots) |
| Lens | 5x optical zoom, 28-140mm full-frame equivalent (f/3.9 wide) |
| Video | 1080p at 30fps max, plus 120fps in VGA resolution for slow motion |
| Screen | 2.7" LCD (no touchscreen, no electronic viewfinder) |
| Body | Fully plastic, ultra compact and lightweight |
| Battery | Rechargeable lithium-ion, charges via Micro USB |
| Photos | JPEG only (no RAW support) |
| Modes | Auto and full manual mode |
What the FZ55 Gets Right
The 16MP 1/2.3" sensor is actually a legit sensor. This is the same sensor size you will find in other reputable point-and-shoot cameras like the Canon ELPH 360HS. So this is not using one of those super cheap, low-resolution webcam sensors that most ultra-budget cameras use. That alone is a good sign that Kodak isn't misleading you on the capabilities here.
The 5x optical zoom gives you a really versatile range from 28mm (somewhat wide angle) all the way to 140mm (pretty zoomed in). That kind of range is solid for a pocketable camera and covers most everyday shooting situations.
For beginners, this camera is about as simple as it gets. Most settings are automatic, the menu is extremely straightforward, and there really aren't that many things to change. But here's a cool surprise: it actually has a full manual mode, which is something most cameras in this price range and category just don't offer. If you want to learn the basics of exposure, this gives you that option.
And the 120fps slow motion mode? Sure, it's at a really low VGA resolution, but the fact that a $140 camera can even record slow motion video at all is a nice bonus to have in your pocket.
The Downsides You Need to Know
JPEG only, no RAW: This camera only shoots JPEG photos. For most beginners that's totally fine since it's the same file type your iPhone shoots. But if you want to do any heavy editing in something like Adobe Lightroom, JPEG files are going to fall apart pretty quickly compared to RAW. You can still do basic edits like black and white conversions, brightness, contrast, and color adjustments, but the files just aren't as versatile as RAW would be.
No image stabilization for photos: Video mode has some stabilization, but photo mode has essentially none. This makes the camera tricky to use handheld at longer focal lengths or in any sort of low-light situation. I got a lot of blurry, shaky photos when the camera dropped to slower shutter speeds. If you're not in bright daylight, you'll notice this.
Screen is hard to see outdoors: The 2.7" LCD is fine indoors, but it struggles badly with brightness when you're outside with the sun glaring on it. Since there's no electronic viewfinder, the screen is your only way to see what you're shooting. In bright conditions, it can be genuinely hard to tell what you're even pointing at.
Battery life is short: Expect to get through a light day of shooting, or maybe half a day of moderate use. I would strongly recommend picking up one or two spare batteries if you plan on shooting all day. You can find compatible spares online pretty easily.
Build quality is okay, not great: The fully plastic body feels a lot better than those super cheap $40-$60 cameras you find online, but it's still plasticky enough that I would not want to drop this from any real height. It's small enough to hold easily with a couple fingers, though people with really big hands might find it a bit awkward since there's no real grip on it.
Video Quality: Don't Buy This for Video
I want to be upfront about this. The video quality out of the FZ55 is fine for simple, quick clips, but it's really nothing special. Your iPhone is going to be significantly better for video in almost every situation. The 1080p footage struggles a lot more than the photos do, especially with dynamic range and detail.
The built-in microphone audio quality isn't great either. It can kind of get the job done for casual vlogging, but that's about the ceiling for it. If you specifically want a camera for video, I really can't personally recommend the FZ55 for that purpose.
How It Compares: FZ55 vs Sony S2100 vs Canon ELPH 360HS
I tested the FZ55 against two other point-and-shoot cameras at different price points to see how the image quality stacks up.
| Camera | Price | Notes |
| Kodak PIXPRO FZ55 | ~$140 new | The sweet spot for budget buyers who want a dedicated camera |
| Sony DSC-S2100 | ~$80 used (eBay) | Older digi cam, only available used, about half the price of the FZ55 |
| Canon ELPH 360HS | ~$380 new | Almost 3x the price, inflated due to the digi cam trend |
In my side-by-side comparisons looking at sharpness, background separation, brightness, and noise, the FZ55 holds its own surprisingly well for its price point. The Canon ELPH 360HS does perform better overall, but at nearly three times the cost, you have to ask yourself if that difference is really worth it.
Kodak FZ55 vs Your iPhone
Let's be real: a newer iPhone is going to be better than the FZ55 in low light, video quality, dynamic range, and overall versatility. That's just the reality of modern smartphone cameras.
But here's the thing. If you're tired of the "iPhone look" and you want photos that actually look like they came from a real camera, the FZ55 delivers that. You can almost always tell when a photo was taken on an iPhone, and a lot of people are looking for something different. In good daylight, the FZ55 gives you that dedicated camera feel and look at a price that's hard to argue with.
Final Verdict: Who Should Buy the Kodak FZ55?
If you want a simple, pocketable, dedicated camera that takes good-looking photos in daylight and you just don't want to use your phone for everything, the FZ55 is a solid option. At $140, it's about the most affordable camera in that category that I would actually recommend.
However, if you really want to get into photography, learn about the craft, and grow your skills over time, I would point you in a different direction. For a similar price, you can find a used DSLR or even a mirrorless camera that shoots RAW photos, accepts interchangeable lenses, and gives you a platform to actually learn and grow with. That's a much better long-term investment if photography is something you want to take seriously.
Recommended Picks
| Best budget point-and-shoot | Kodak PIXPRO FZ55 |
| Spare batteries | FZ55 compatible batteries |
| SD card | Affordable SD card |
| Step-up option (used DSLR) | Used Canon DSLR |
| Higher-end point-and-shoot | Canon ELPH 360HS |