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Kodak's EasyShare V610 digital camera. Courtesy of Kodak, with modifications by Michael R. Tomkins. Kodak announces EasyShare V610
By
(Tuesday, April 25, 2006 - 16:24 EDT)

Eastman Kodak Co. has today announced its new EasyShare V610 digital camera.

The Kodak EasyShare V610 is based on the twin-lens design concept that first debuted in the EasyShare V570 - a camera that included both a 39 - 117mm optical zoom lens, and a 23mm fixed focal-length lens, each coupled to their own five megapixel CCD image sensor. The V610 takes that idea a step further, featuring not one, but *two* optical zoom lenses. A 38 - 114mm equivalent lens provides a moderate wide angle to a moderate telephoto, while a second 130mm to 380mm equivalent lens offers a moderate telephoto all the way out to a fairly strong telephoto. Each lens is coupled to its own dedicated six megapixel CCD image sensor.

There's obviously a slight gap between the two lenses' focal length ranges, but in use this is unlikely to be any issue, given that compact camera lenses tend to have predefined "steps" in their ranges anyway, rather than allowing perfectly smooth zooming throughout their range. The combination of lenses results in a very impressive 10x effective optical zoom range, and indeed in its marketing materials, Kodak is describing the V610 as the "world's smallest 10x optical zoom camera". One zoom lever and one LCD display are together used to control both lenses and imagers, with the camera switching between the lens / imager combos as necessary depending on the zoom range requested by the user.

Two lenses coupled to two sensors aren't the only feature helping the Kodak V610 stand out from the crowd, however. The company has also managed to shoehorn integrated Bluetooth wireless connectivity into the V610 (something we've only seen in a handful of digital cameras until now) - and this isn't just "plain old" Bluetooth either. Bluetooth lets you wirelessly transfer data to and from other Bluetooth devices, for example letting you swap photos with other V610 owners, send photos to cell phones or PDAs, or print to some printers and photo kiosks - all without any annoying, bulky wires. Kodak's V610 implements the new Bluetooth 2.0 EDR standard, which was ratified late last year and offers almost triple the speed of previous Bluetooth implementations (although still nowhere near the speed of 802.11a/b/g wireless lan, better known as WiFi).

As well as the speed boost, Bluetooth EDR offers the possibility of increased battery life over an older Bluetooth device - even though power consumption is technically higher. This is because Bluetooth devices switch to a low-power mode when not actively transferring data, and since the EDR devices can transfer data faster, they spend more time in the low-power mode. You can also save a little more transmission time (and hence power) courtesy of the V610's ability to resample images in-camera to 1024 x 768 pixels if you're making 4" x 6" prints, or 320 x 240 pixels for viewing on a handheld device such as a cellphone. As a Class 2 Bluetooth device, the Kodak V610 has a range of just ten metres (thirty feet) - significantly less than WiFi devices, but with lower power consumption and (given that you must be so close to access the device) perhaps a little security from prying eyes. Further security comes in the form of a PIN number that's required to access the V610 from another device.

As compared to the V570, Kodak has also boosted the size of the LCD display in the EasyShare V610 by a third of an inch, to a whopping 2.8" display that dominates most of the rear of the camera's sleek, stylish body. Other interesting features include Kodak's "Perfect Touch" technology, which lets you correct exposure after the fact, and preview results side by side to confirm them on the camera's LCD - all while only affecting the underexposed areas of the image, and leaving the correctly exposed areas alone. There's also an anti-blur mode (which doesn't use any form of mechanical stabilization, but rather boosts the camera's ISO sensitivity and aims for a faster shutter speed in the first place). The unusual (and rather fun) panorama mode from the original V570 also returns, letting you stitch up to three images together in-camera with an on-screen template helping you position the shots. Finally, the V610 offers the unusual ability to extract JPEG images from videos captured on the camera, as well as to save 4, 9, or 16 equally spaced frames from a video as a single (tiled) image - ideal for analyzing your golf swing or tennis serve.

The Kodak EasyShare V610 goes on sale in May, priced at $449.

Kodak EasyShare V610
Kodak's EasyShare V610 digital camera. Courtesy of Kodak, with modifications by Michael R. Tomkins. Click for a bigger picture!
General
Camera TypeCompact
ManufacturerKodak
Model NumberV610
Dimensions4.4 x 2.2 x 0.9"
111.0 x 55.5 x 23.2mm
Weight160.0 g
5.6 oz
Planned Price$449.00
Planned AvailabilityMay 2006
Warranty1 years
Image Capture
Sensor Type 2 x CCD
6.36 megapixels (total)
6.10 megapixels (effective)
Aspect Ratio4:3, 3:2
Image Dimensions2832 x 2128 (6.0 megapixels)2832 x 1888 (5.3 megapixels)2304 x 1728 (4.0 megapixels)2048 x 1536 (3.1 megapixels)1200 x 900 (1.1 megapixels)
Capture SpeedStandard: 0.9 frames per second
Continuous: 1.6 frames per second for 8 frames
Image Preview / Review
ViewfinderNo
LCD2.8", 230,000 pixels
Playback Zoom8.0x max
Lens
Lens Type Kodak Retina Dual Lens
2 x Schneider-Krueznach C-Variogon
Image StabilizationNo
Focal Length Wide lens: 38.0 - 114.0mm (actual)
Tele lens: 130 - 380.0mm (actual)
Aperture Range Wide lens: f/3.9 / f/4.4 - f/7.1
Tele lens: f/4.8 - f/8.0
Focusing SystemTTL (Center / Multi zone AF)
Focusing RangeNormal: 24" - infinity (60 cm - infinity)
Macro: 2.0" - 69" (5 cm - 170 cm)
Exposure
ISO SensitivityAuto (64 - 400), 64, 100, 200, 400, 800
Shutter Speed8 - 1/1200 second
Metering ModesTTL-AE; selectable: multipattern, center-weighted, center-spot
Exposure Compensation+/- 2.0EV in 1/3EV increments
White BalanceImage Sensor - auto, daylight, tungsten, fluorescent, open shade
Internal FlashModes: Auto, off, fill, digital red-eye reduction
Range: Wide: 2.0 - 11.2 ft at ISO 280; Tele: 2.0 - 10.8 ft at ISO 400
Creative
Scene ModesAuto, portrait, panorama left-right, panorama right-left, sport, landscape, close-up, night portrait, night landscape, snow, beach, text, fireworks, flower, manner/museum, self-portrait, party, children, backlight, panning shot, candlelight, sunset, custom
Digital Zoom4x
Self TimerYes, 2/10/2+10 seconds
Time LapseNo
Movie FormatQuickTime MOV (MPEG-4) with audio
640x480 and 320x240
Max. frame-rate: 30 frames per second
Storage
Recording MediumSD/MMC, Built-in
File FormatJPEG (EXIF v2.21)
Connectivity
VideoYes, NTSC / PAL switchable
ComputerUSB 2.0 Full (LOW) Speed, Bluetooth
OtherCamera dock (optional)
Power
Battery TypeLithium Ion rechargeable
Battery Form FactorProprietary KLIC-7001
Product Bundle
SoftwareKodak EasyShare software
Battery / Charger1 x proprietary KLIC-7001 Lithium Ion rechargeable battery and charger
Flash Memory32.0MB built-in memory
Other
PictBridge CompliantYes
Internal MicrophoneYes
Tripod MountYes
Remote ControlNo
More Photos
Kodak's EasyShare V610 digital camera. Courtesy of Kodak, with modifications by Michael R. Tomkins. Click for a bigger picture!
Kodak's EasyShare V610 digital camera. Courtesy of Kodak, with modifications by Michael R. Tomkins. Click for a bigger picture!
Kodak's EasyShare V610 digital camera. Courtesy of Kodak, with modifications by Michael R. Tomkins. Click for a bigger picture!
Kodak's EasyShare V610 digital camera. Courtesy of Kodak, with modifications by Michael R. Tomkins. Click for a bigger picture!
Kodak's EasyShare V610 digital camera. Courtesy of Kodak, with modifications by Michael R. Tomkins. Click for a bigger picture!
Kodak's EasyShare V610 digital camera. Courtesy of Kodak, with modifications by Michael R. Tomkins. Click for a bigger picture!
 

Original Source Press Release:

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, 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 28 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.

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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

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