Kodak Unveils Performance Series Cameras

August 3, 2005: Kodak has released details of a new “Performance” series of digital cameras that have been designed to appeal to photo enthusiasts and provide an alternative to digital SLR models.
Top of the range is the 8-megapixel EasyShare P880, which sports a fast Schneider-Kreuznach Variogon 5.8x optical zoom lens. The lens covers angles of view equivalent to 24-140mm on a 35mm camera and has maximum apertures from f/2.8 to f/4.1. The wide angle setting is ideal for landscape photography, while the tele setting is suitable for portraiture and sports photography. A manual zoom ring allows precise shot framing.
The P880’s mode dial has settings for full-auto shooting plus P, A, S and M shooting modes. A Custom setting and eight pre-set scene modes are also provided.
Kodak’s 5.1-megapixel EasyShare P850 model comes with a Schneider-Kreuznach Variogon 12x optical zoom lens that covers a focal length range equivalent to 36-432mm in 35mm format. The lens is stabilised to minimise image blurring through camera shake and the hybrid AF system provides 25 selectable points.
Both models come with a 2.5-inch, high-resolution LCD monitor and a 237,000 pixel electronic viewfinder with diopter adjustment. Other common features include a hot shoe for accessory flash units and multiple burst modes for action shooting. Display options include a live histogram with highlight and shadow clipping for immediate on-camera exposure assessment, up to 10x playback zoom and the ability to tag images for emailing or printing. The new cameras are powered by rechargeable lithium-ion batteries and compatible with EasyShare printer docks and camera docks, the Imagelink print system, and PictBridge technology for direct photo output without a computer.

The P880 and P850 cameras are the first Kodak digicams to offer RAW file support, along with in-camera JPEG and TIFF extraction, as well as RAW editing within new Kodak EasyShare software v5.1. A dynamic JPEG image is embedded within each RAW file, allowing rapid RAW file viewing and organisation in the software, without requiring RAW conversion. Both models use Motion JPEG technology to record VGA video at 30 fps with sound and both offer single-frame still-extraction and trim/cut/splice/merge editing abilities.
The P850 is scheduled for worldwide release in August and weighs only 403 grams (without batteries), while the P880, which is due out in September, weighs 500 grams. For more information, visit http://www.kodak.com/ and click on Digital Cameras.