Kodak Pixpro FZ45 Review (2026): Is It Still Worth It?

Last Updated: May 22, 2026

Quick verdict: The FZ45 is a great under-$100 first camera for daylight, travel, and kids. Skip it if you need clean low-light performance or quiet zoom video.

Looking for a real camera under $100 that is easy to use and actually enjoyable? The Kodak Pixpro FZ45 keeps winning in 2026 for one reason: it is simple and it works.

If you are just learning, pair this review with the 12 essential camera tips for beginners for a fast start.

Quick Verdict

Price (2026): Around $99 / £95

Rating for beginners: 3.8 out of 5

Buy it if you want: a tiny point-and-shoot with AA batteries, decent daylight photos, and no learning curve.

Skip it if you need: strong low-light performance, quiet video zoom, or any pro features.

Pros:

Runs on AA batteries — cheap and available everywhere
16MP stills look good in daylight
Full HD 1080p video at 30fps
Super compact at 117g — fits in any pocket
Simple menus plus a basic Manual mode for learning

Cons:

Weak low-light performance and limited dynamic range
Zoom motor is audible in video clips
No Wi-Fi or Bluetooth
Digital zoom degrades image quality noticeably

New to camera buying? The best cameras for beginners in 2026 covers strong step-up options if you can spend more.

Key Specs

Sensor: 16.35MP 1/2.3” CMOS
Lens: 4x optical zoom (27-108mm equivalent), f/3.0-6.6
Video: 1080p at 30fps, plus VGA 120fps slow motion
Power: 2x AA batteries
Size and weight: 93.0 x 60.2 x 28.7mm, 117g
Colours: black, white, red

Is the Kodak Pixpro FZ45 Worth It in 2026?

Yes, if your priority is price and simplicity.

In bright light, the FZ45 produces pleasant colour and shareable detail. It is a smart first camera for kids, students, or travellers who do not want to risk an expensive body at the beach or on hikes.

Indoors at night, image noise and soft focus show up quickly. Use the flash or add more light. If you want a small upgrade path for travel and vlogging later, read the best cameras under $300 for the next step up.

Best settings for good results:

Daylight: Program Auto, ISO 100-200, avoid maximum zoom
High-contrast scenes: try HDR mode (output drops to 8MP)
Macro shots: switch to Macro mode and get as close as 5cm
Stability: enable image stabilisation and brace your elbows

Kodak Pixpro FZ45 Battery Life

This is one of the most common questions about the FZ45, so it deserves a thorough answer.

What batteries does it use?

The FZ45 runs on two standard AA batteries. This is unusual for a compact camera in 2026 and it is both an advantage and a limitation depending on how you use it.

How many shots per charge?

Kodak rates the FZ45 at approximately 120 to 200 shots per set of AA batteries. Real-world results vary depending on battery type:

**Alkaline AAs:**Around 120 shots. Fine for occasional use but not ideal for a full day out.
Rechargeable NiMH AAs (such as Eneloop): Around 180 to 200 shots. This is the better option for regular use. Rechargeable NiMH batteries last longer per charge and you can recharge them hundreds of times.
**Lithium AAs:**Around 200 or more shots. The most expensive option but the best performance, especially in cold weather where alkaline batteries drain faster.

How long does it last for video?

Video recording drains batteries faster than stills. Expect around 60 minutes of continuous 1080p recording on a fresh set of alkaline batteries. Rechargeable NiMH AAs extend this noticeably.

Does it support USB charging?

No. The FZ45 does not charge through the camera body. You replace the batteries when they run out. This is actually an advantage for travel because you are never hunting for a specific charger or cable. A spare set of AAs fits in any pocket or bag.

The best way to manage FZ45 battery life

Buy a set of rechargeable NiMH AA batteries such as Eneloop or Amazon Basics rechargeable. They cost around $15 for a pack of four with a charger. Carry two spare batteries and you will never run out mid-shoot. Over time, rechargeable batteries save money and produce better performance than disposable alkalines.

For travel specifically, the AA battery system is underrated. You can buy AAs in almost any country in the world, which is something you cannot say about proprietary lithium batteries.

Image Quality: What to Expect

Colour: pleasing and slightly saturated, great for everyday scenes
Detail: fine at base ISO, gets soft above ISO 800
Dynamic range: limited, recovering blown highlights in editing is difficult
Low light: usable with flash, otherwise noise rises quickly

If you are curious about why simpler cameras like this still produce enjoyable images, read the guide on why older digital cameras are still worth using.

Video Performance

The FZ45 records 1080p at 30fps and allows optical zoom while recording. A few things to know:

The lens motor is audible in video clips when zooming
Digital stabilisation helps slightly but not for walking shots
VGA 120fps slow motion is a fun bonus for basic experiments

The audio quality is basic and the zoom motor noise is the biggest practical limitation for video. If clean video is a priority, look at dedicated vlogging cameras. The best vlogging cameras for beginners covers the most useful options at different price points.

Build and Handling

The FZ45 is tiny, rounded, and pocketable. No weather sealing, but fewer moving parts mean fewer things to go wrong. Buttons are simple and the basic Manual mode is genuinely useful for learning exposure (shutter speed, aperture, ISO) without an intimidating interface.

For a walkthrough of how to use those settings, read the essential camera tips for beginner photographers.

Focus and Lens Notes

Wide end: focus from 60cm to infinity, Macro down to 5cm
Tele end: focus from 100cm to infinity
Sharpness: best in the middle of the zoom range, softer at the extremes
Digital zoom: avoid it. It magnifies noise and reduces detail with no benefit

FZ45 vs Smartphone vs Step-Up Options

FZ45 beats a phone in bright daylight when you want real optical zoom and a dedicated camera feel. The optical zoom reach and physical shutter button make a genuine difference for travel and family shooting.

A phone beats the FZ45 at night, indoors, and for quick sharing. Modern phone cameras with computational processing handle low light far better.

If you can spend more: the best cameras under $300 covers cameras that give you meaningfully better low-light performance and image quality for a modest price increase.

For a broader look at compact camera options at a similar price, read the best pocket and compact cameras guide.

Troubleshooting

Camera will not power on: check AA orientation, try a fresh pair, make sure the battery door is latched fully.

Flash not firing: confirm flash mode is not set to Off and allow it a moment to recharge between shots.

Blurry images: clean the lens, raise the shutter speed, and stabilise your grip against your body.

Card errors: format the SD card in-camera, reseat it, or try a different card.

Frozen menus: remove the batteries, reinsert them, and reset the settings to default.

Who Should Buy the FZ45?

Good for:

Beginners learning photography with a real camera for the first time
Parents wanting a simple, replaceable family camera
Travellers who want a tiny camera that runs on batteries available anywhere
Anyone buying a gift under $100

Not for:

Night or indoor sports photography
Creators who need clean 4K video or external audio
Anyone who needs wireless transfers (there is no Wi-Fi or Bluetooth)

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does the Kodak Pixpro FZ45 battery last?

Around 120 to 200 shots per set of AA batteries depending on battery type. Alkaline AAs give around 120 shots. Rechargeable NiMH AAs give around 180 to 200. Carry a spare set and battery life is never an issue.

Does the Kodak Pixpro FZ45 use a lithium battery or AA batteries?

It uses two standard AA batteries, not a proprietary lithium battery. This makes it unusually travel-friendly since AAs are available worldwide.

Does the FZ45 have Wi-Fi or Bluetooth?

No. Use a card reader or the included Micro-USB cable to transfer photos to a computer or phone.

Can you zoom during video recording?

Yes, optical zoom works during recording but the zoom motor is audible in the clip. Keep zooming to a minimum if clean audio matters.

Is the FZ45 good in low light?

It struggles without flash. For better low-light performance at a similar price, the best cameras for beginners lists stronger options.

What memory cards work with the FZ45?

SD, SDHC, and SDXCcards. The camera also has 63MB of internal memory. Cards up to 256GB work fine.

Final Verdict

The Kodak Pixpro FZ45 is still one of the best genuinely cheap cameras you can buy in 2026.

Keep your expectations realistic. Daylight photos are good. Low light is weak. Battery life is adequate with alkalines and noticeably better with rechargeable NiMH AAs. Within those boundaries, it is a fantastic way to learn photography or hand a younger family member their first real camera without worry.

If you want more capability for travel or video, the best point-and-shoot cameras for travel and vlogging covers the natural next step up.

If the FZ45 is your first camera and you want to get more out of it quickly, read the essential camera tips for beginners and the best cameras for sunset photography to start practising in the best possible light.

Have a question about the FZ45? Drop it in the comments and I will add the best ones to this page.

Hakan | Founder, PhotoCultivator.com