DailyTech - Kodak Announces World's Smallest Camera with 10x Optical Zoom

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Gadgets Kodak Announces World's Smallest Camera with 10x Optical Zoom
Brandon Hill (Blog) - April 25, 2006 10:01 AM

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13 comment(s) - last by kristof007.. on Apr 26 at 11:23 AM

Kodak's dual-lens V610 goes all the way to 10x

In a follow-up to the distinctive 5.0MP dual-lens EasyShare V570, Kodak has announced the new 6.1MP EasyShare V610. The dual Schneider-Kreuznach C-Variogon zoom lenses are still carried over with the V610, but this time one has a focal length of 38-114mm while the second lens goes from 130-380mm.

The V610 looks strikingly similar to its predecessor, but is slightly larger to accommodate the new 2.8" LCD screen (up from 2.5" on the V570). As with most new P&S digital cameras released these days, the V610 has the ability to capture 640x480 video at 30FPS with sound. And speaking of video, the camera also features the ability to zoom up to its 10x limit during capture -- a feature sorely missed on many digital cameras. Other features thrown into the mix include Bluetooth 2.0 EDR support, 32MB of internal storage (a Secure Digital slot is available for additional storage) and image stabilization during picture and video capture.

The EasyShare is expected to be available during the spring with an MSRP of $449.

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hmm

By ksherman on 4/25/2006 11:13:31 AM , Rating: 2

I must say, quite impressive... would likely get one if it didnt cost over $400 and I didnt already have an amazing Cannon SD450... what was the point behind the dual lens thing again? I forget

RE: hmm

By LCC2286 on 4/25/2006 11:36:40 AM , Rating: 2

Well lens size/depth is probably the biggest thing....cameras with one big lense (ex. Canon S1/S2 IS) tend to be a tad large and bulky. I have both and there is no way that thing will fit in my shirt pocket.

With this thing the smaller lense will do up to 3X optical. Once it reaches the max zoom the larger of the 2 lenses takes over, probably achieving 3.3X (dot't quote me on the zoom X but 35 to 114 is usually 3X so 10X / 3X = 3.3X). And it will fit in my shirt pocket. Pretty smart idea....

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RE: hmm

By ksherman on 4/25/2006 11:44:05 AM , Rating: 2

I guess that makes sense... wonder if it really works as well as it sounds... Time for an AT review perhaps... Speaking of which, what ever happened to the camera reviews AT started doing?! I really enjoyed them

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RE: hmm

By jimmy43 on 4/25/2006 3:34:16 PM , Rating: 2

Yea me too! Bring back the camera reviews.. Now would be a good time there isnt anything big coming out for a little while..

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RE: hmm

By Fnoob on 4/25/2006 7:43:07 PM , Rating: 2

DailyTech could pay me to do the camera reviews, but you could do much better here : http://www.dpreview.com/

Excellent site, VERY thorough reviews.

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Quality?

By Souka on 4/25/2006 12:06:52 PM , Rating: 3

Yeah..10x zoom...but...

Quality of picture?
At 10x, you image stabilization is really needed...tri-pod best.

Also, the predecessor (V570), was a so-so camera according to dppreview and steve's digicam....image quality being the killer for me... I mean, why take pictures if the quality is mediocore?

My $.02

RE: Quality?

By MrCoyote on 4/25/2006 3:44:06 PM , Rating: 2

You have a good point. Is there any distortion or bowing in the picture when zoomed out or all the way in? Usually small lenses have some distortion on the corners or vignetting? How about low-light performance? Smoothness of colors? 5MP and up can cause major grain to appear in small cameras. That's why I went with my 4MP.

I have a Kodak DX7440 (4MP) with 4x optical Schneider lens. It's been a great camera, except for poor low-light performance that causes grain.

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RE: Quality?

By Jackyl on 4/25/2006 4:02:49 PM , Rating: 2

Just keep your DX7440. It's a great camera according to Steve's Digicams and other sites. Even though it's 4MP, it gives smoother picture and has an excellent lense on it. These tiny cameras are using the same size die for 5MP and up. They pack the pixels into the same spot as what 4MP did. This is not good and only resorts to more grain.

Kodak's Science Chip processes the image the same as Neat Image software. That's why it looks smooth and not all pixelated.

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memory

By DarthPierce on 4/25/2006 10:32:45 AM , Rating: 2

what type of card does it take?

RE: memory

By Brandon Hill

(blog) on 4/25/2006 10:42:38 AM , Rating: 2

Secure Digital

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How small is small enough?

By Bonesdad on 4/25/2006 6:50:38 PM , Rating: 2

Well, I won't buy a camera just because it's small...to me fitting in my shirt pocket does not a great camera make. In fact, I prefer a bit larger, not giant, but I want to feel like I'm holding something substantial.

RE: How small is small enough?

By kristof007 on 4/26/2006 11:23:16 AM , Rating: 2

I think this camera looks very neat an sexy. I've got an Olympus C-5060 with Wide Zoom. It's a bit big but gets the job done and takes beautiful pictures. Here are it's specs:

Olympus aspherical glass 4x zoom lens 5.7 – 22.8mm (27 – 110mm equivalent in 35mm photography)
14x (4x optical and 3.5x digital combined)

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