April 25, 2006
Kodak Develops World’s Smallest 10X Optical Zoom Digital Camera; Innovative Dual-Lens EASYSHARE V610 Camera Just 0.9 Inches Thick
Proprietary RETINA Dual Lens and Integrated BLUETOOTH Wireless Technologies Change the Rules for Camera Design and Capability
New York, NY, April 25 -- Eastman Kodak Company today introduced the KODAK EASYSHARE V610 dual lens digital camera, the world’s smallest 10X (38 – 380 mm equiv.) optical zoom camera at less than an inch thick. Using innovative KODAK RETINA Dual Lens technology, the sleek, pocket-size V610 camera precisely combines two SCHNEIDER-KREUZNACH C-VARIOGON all-glass, non-protruding prism lenses to deliver such a long zoom range a first for a camera so small (just 4.4 x 2.2 x 0.9 inches).
The innovative 6-megapixel EASYSHARE V610 camera, with anti-blur technology, can be carried where bigger, bulkier high-zoom digital cameras cannot — in a pocket while skiing, in a small purse during a day on the town, or on a wrist while hiking. The result is the ability to get extremely close, high quality pictures of distant subjects without the obtrusiveness of a larger camera.
Kodak now has the world’s smallest digital cameras at both ends of the consumer photography spectrum — the EASYSHARE V570 model for ultra-wide-angle needs (23 mm equiv.) and the EASYSHARE V610 model for long-zoom needs.
In addition, the EASYSHARE V610 model is one of the first digital cameras to incorporate BLUETOOTH® wireless technology, making it easier to instantly share pictures with people nearby. EASYSHARE V610 camera owners can effortlessly send their pictures to other BLUETOOTH technology enabled devices up to 30 feet away —e.g., mobile phones, PDAs, computers, KODAK Picture Kiosks, and even other V610 cameras — as well as receive and view pictures on the huge 2.8-inch, high-resolution (230,000 pixels) LCD screen.
“Kodak innovation continues to make it easier for people to take and share better, sharper pictures. We’re creating cameras for the digital age, breaking traditional constraints by using multiple light paths, lenses and sensors; by incorporating wireless technologies; and by taking advantage of advanced digital processing algorithms,” said John Blake, general manager, Digital Capture and Imaging Devices, Consumer Digital Imaging Group; and vice president, Eastman Kodak Company. “The EASYSHARE V610 camera joins the acclaimed dual-lens V570 model in showing what’s possible when innovative engineering is melded with innovative design.”
The KODAK EASYSHARE V610 zoom digital camera will be available worldwide in May and will have an MSRP of US$449 in the U.S.
Better, Brighter Pictures and TV-Quality Video
In addition to its dual lens design and wireless capabilities, the camera includes multiple advanced features to enhance the photography experience, including KODAK PERFECT TOUCH Technology. At the touch of a button, this innovative feature — previously available on KODAK printers and kiosks, or via lab processing — creates better, brighter pictures by bringing out detail in shadows without affecting lighter areas. It’s ideal for underexposed pictures caused by shooting beyond the flash range or in adverse lighting conditions.
Packing advanced video performance, the EASYSHARE V610 camera records TV-quality (VGA) video with 10X optical video zoom at 30 frames per second (fps), using advanced MPEG-4 compression for optimal quality and storage size. Built-in, video-specific image stabilization technology reduces on-screen shaking from unintentional hand and camera movement. Videos can be made into a 4-, 9- or 16-up video action print — a “storyboard” compiled from individual video frames — as well as single frame VGA stills .
Other notable features of the V610 camera include:
Favorites mode, which places approximately 100 favorite pictures into an on-camera album for instant retrieval and sharing anytime, anywhere. These pictures are also automatically synchronized with favorites albums on a computer and online at the KODAK EASYSHARE Gallery ( www.kodakgallery.com)
In-camera panorama stitching, which automatically combines three pictures into a panorama photograph without the need for a computer
The exclusive KODAK Color Science image processing chip for phenomenal image quality with rich color, accurate skin tones, and precise exposure
On-camera cropping, picture blur alert, auto picture rotation, and red-eye reduction
Twenty-two scene modes, three color modes, and a custom mode to help capture the best possible shot with the least possible effort
Selectable exposure metering, exposure compensation, focus zones, ISO, and single/continuous auto-focus for precise control
And 32 megabytes (MB) of internal memory available for storage, plus a SD card slot for additional storage capacity
EASYSHARE Software and Accessories
The KODAK EASYSHARE V610 camera includes KODAK EASYSHARE software for WINDOWS and MACINTOSH systems, providing effortless digital picture organization, editing, sharing and printing. The exclusive One Touch to Better Pictures feature takes advantage of proprietary color technologies developed by Kodak to help users get vibrant, true-to-life prints from inkjet printers, while the newly enhanced favorites feature helps you always have your best shots at hand, whether on your camera, on your computer, or online via the KODAK EASYSHARE Gallery. People can also archive their pictures and short videos quickly and simply by clicking on the express upload button, which places selected files in a Gallery album.
Kodak also makes it easy to accessorize the new V610 camera with a range of products that help show off your pictures. The optional KODAK Photo Frame Dock 2 (US$59 MSRP) provides one-touch picture transfer to a connected computer while keeping the cameras’ lithium-ion battery charged and ready to go, and can play video and photo ‘slideshows’ on the camera’s high-resolution LCD screen. The popular KODAK EASYSHARE Printer Dock Plus Series 3 (US$179 MSRP), also enabled with BLUETOOTH technology, makes it one-touch simple to print real KODAK pictures at home in just 60 seconds — with or without a computer.
About the KODAK EASYSHARE System
Kodak continues to bring groundbreaking features to its award-winning KODAK EASYSHARE digital photography system, enhancing the digital photography experience for consumers worldwide. The EASYSHARE system consists of cameras, snapshot printers, services, docks, software, inkjet and thermal photo papers, and accessories, making taking, sharing and archiving high quality digital pictures effortless. Further information on KODAK EASYSHARE products is available at www.kodak.com/go/EasyShare/
About Eastman Kodak Company
Kodak is the world’s foremost imaging innovator, providing leading products and services to the photographic, graphic communications and healthcare markets. With sales of $14.3 billion in 2005, the company is committed to a digitally oriented growth strategy focused on helping people better use meaningful images and information in their life and work. Consumers use Kodak’s system of digital and traditional image capture products and services to take, print and share their pictures anytime, anywhere; businesses effectively communicate with customers worldwide using Kodak solutions for prepress, conventional and digital printing and document imaging; creative professionals rely on Kodak technology to uniquely tell their story through moving or still images; and leading healthcare organizations rely on Kodak’s innovative products, services and customized workflow solutions to help improve patient care and maximize efficiency and information sharing within and across their enterprise. More information about Kodak (NYSE: EK) is available at www.kodak.com.
Kodak, EasyShare, Retina, and Perfect Touch are trademarks of Eastman Kodak Company. Schneider-Kreuznach and C-Variogon are trademarks of Jos. Schneider Optische Werke GmbH used under license by Eastman Kodak Company. The Bluetooth wordmark is owned by the Bluetooth SIG, Inc. and any use of such mark by Kodak is under license.
2006