Kodak Launches Three Models With HD Capability

Jan. 7, 2008 – Kodak today announced three HD-enabled cameras: the EasyShare V1273, M1033, and Z1085. The 12-megapixel V1273 and 10-

megapixel M1033 point-and-shoots feature 3-inch LCDs, the former with touch screen capabilities, and the 10-megapixel Z1085 features a 2.5-inch LCD. All three capture HD video and still photos. The M1033 will retail for $199, and the Z1085 will retail for $249; both will ship this spring. Pricing and a ship date for the V1273 has not yet been announced

Since Samsung released its L85 in February 2006 with high-definition-viewing capability, other manufacturers have adopted HD technology, including Canon’s TX1 camera-camcorder hybrid, which shoots HD video, and Sony’s Cyber-shot DSC-T100 and DSC-T20 with HD-viewing capability. Kodak has placed a heavy focus on developing its HD technology, with all its new cameras featuring HD capture in both video and still images.

The V-series, known for its compact, stylish design, adds the V1273 to its lineup. The 12-megapixel V1273 has the same megapixel count as its predecessor, the V1253, and a slightly smaller 3-inch LCD, down from 3.1 inches on the previous model. The V1273 has a 3x optical zoom and optical image stabilization to help prevent blur caused by camera shake.

Kodak added touch screen technology to the V1273’s 3-inch LCD. Users control all menu functions using the touch screen, and can drag their finger across the screen to scroll through images in Playback mode, similar to scrolling technology found in the iPhone. In recent years, other companies have started including touch screens on their cameras, including Sony, Pentax, HP, BenQ, and Kodak’s own EasyShare One, released in 2005.

In addition, users can add custom tags to their photos for easy retrieval. A photo can be tagged in up to 32 different folders.

The Z1085 joins the Z-series, known for expanded zooms and manual options. The 10-megapixel, 5x optical zoom point-and-shoot falls between the Z885 and Z1275 in the Z-series, and has more resolution than the 8.1-megapixel Z885, but less than the 12-megapixel Z1275. All three feature 5x optical zoom lenses.

The Z1085 offers manual and program controls. It records HD video at 720p resolution at 30 frames per second, and features an ISO sensitivity of up to ISO 10000, at reduced resolution. The Z1085 features a 2.5-inch LCD.

The M-series, known for its compact size and budget price, adds the M1033 to its lineup. The 10-megapixel M1033 boosts the megapixel count from the earlier M883’s 8 megapixels. Both retain the 3x optical zoom lens of their predecessors.

All three models feature Kodak’s Smart Capture, a new form of Auto mode which recognizes certain scenes without requiring the user to select them on the mode dial. Scenes automatically recognized include Portrait, Landscape, Macro, Night, and Motion. In addition, Smart Capture automatically adds Kodak’s Perfect Touch, editing the photo before the JPEG is written for more accurate results. The editing done in Perfect Touch is meant to mimic editing often done in post-capture software, such as Photoshop.

Once capturing HD stills and video, users can transfer them to an HDTV using Kodak’s HDTV Dock, which is sold separately. Kodak also announced the V1073, M763, M863, M893 IS, Z1285, and Z8612 IS; no further details on these models were available at the time of publication.