Apr 26: Kodak EasyShare V610

The Kodak EasyShare V610 is a new dual lens digital camera with 6.1 megapixels.

It is the big brother of the world's first dual lens digital camera, the V570 from Kodak and is a sleek looking slim camera (measuring 111 x 55.5 x 23.2 mm) which is capable of taking images at up to a whopping 10x magnification (equivalent to 38-300mm).

The Kodak EasyShare V610 also features a 2.8 inch LCD screen and bluetooth.

It is expected to hit stores in the UK in May and retail for £349.99.

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Kodak EasyShare V610 News Release

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 Carolyn Walsh, Product Sales Director Digital, 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 in the UK in May 2006 (UK£349.99 RRP).

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 stabilisation 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:

* Favourites mode, which places approximately 100 favourite pictures into an on-camera album for instant retrieval and sharing anytime, anywhere. These pictures are also automatically synchronised with favourites albums on a computer and online at the KODAK EASYSHARE Gallery (www.kodakgallery.co.uk);
* 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 colour, accurate skin tones, and precise exposure;
* On-camera cropping, picture blur alert, auto picture rotation, and red-eye reduction;
* Twenty-two scene modes, three colour 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 organisation, editing, sharing and printing. The exclusive One Touch to Better Pictures feature takes advantage of proprietary colour technologies developed by Kodak to help users get vibrant, true-to-life prints from inkjet printers, while the newly enhanced favourites 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 shoot 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 accessorise the new V610 camera with a range of products that help show off your pictures. The popular KODAK EASYSHARE Printer Dock Plus Series 3 (UK£129.99 RRP), 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.

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Kodak EasyShare V610 Reviews

Digital Trends reviews the Kodak EasyShare V610 where they give it a rating of 7.5 and write - 'This one is a toughie. The EasyShare V610 has a number of features that make it attractive: looks, thinness, a 10x optical zoom, built-in Bluetooth and Perfect Touch technology. I really have problems with the LCD screen and the hiccough as the camera �hands off� from one zoom lens to the other. And the camera is pretty slow saving images to the card; overall image quality was average, nothing to write home about with more noise that you should expect from a 2006 digicam.'

CNET reviews the Kodak EasyShare V610 where they give it a rating of 7.4 out of 10 and write - 'With the EasyShare V610, Kodak takes its innovative dual-lens camera design to its logical conclusion. The company pairs a typical compact-camera 38mm-to-114mm zoom lens with a second 130mm-to-380mm lens, for an effective 10X optical zoom range; a gap remains between 114mm and 130mm. Unlike most big zoom cameras, the 6-megapixel Kodak EasyShare V610 is small and made mostly for snapshooters, so it doesn't include manual exposure controls. Unfortunately, it also lacks image stabilization, which would've made that long zoom much more useful, and its image quality doesn't match its snazzy design.'

Trusted Reviews has posted their review of the Kodak EasyShare V610 where they write - 'Never again will Kodak not be in my short list when people ask me to suggest what digital camera to buy. The EasyShare V610 is a superb compact digital camera with an amazing amount of features squeezed into a slim body. The dual lens system gives you an amazing focal length without the usual problems associated with a very long lens. The panoramic feature is more than just a gimmick and works brilliantly, while the integrated Bluetooth makes sharing your pictures a breeze. Image quality is also well above average as long as you don't push the ISO too high. If you�re looking for a feature rich, do it all camera but don�t want a digital SLR, the V610 is definitely worth considering.'

PhotographyBLOG reviews the Kodak Easyshare V610 where they write - 'V610's obvious competitor is the similarly priced Panasonic Lumix DMC-TZ1, which held the title of smallest camera with a 10x zoom lens for a few months until the V610 came along. The Kodak V610 is smaller, fitting into a trouser pocket, whereas the DMC-TZ1 requires a small camera bag. On the other hand, the 10x zoom on the TZ1 is via a single lens and covers the full, wider focal length of 35-350mm, whereas the Kodak's dual lens system has a gap in the middle and that annoying pause whilst switching from one lens to the other. The Kodak camera has one more megapixel than the 5 megapixel Panasonic, but I preferred the image quality on the TZ1, and it also offers that important optical image stabilisation system which makes it a better camera for low-light situations.'

Pocket Lint reviews the Kodak EasyShare V610 where they give it a rating of 9 out of 10 and write - 'My worries for this camera revolve around the issue of image blur from camera shake. Noise control is good but not good enough at ISO 800, which is a shame because it is the only option open to you to get faster shutter speeds at those longer focal lengths. Despite this, the Kodak EasyShare V610 provides an remarkably compact camera with a remarkable zoom range and provides the sort of shots most snappers will be more than delighted with.'

PC Mag reviews the Kodak EasyShare V610 and writes - 'It's an ultracompact. It's a superzoom. It's even wireless. Is this some kind of Orwellian digital camera triplespeak? No, it's Kodak being (mostly) truthful in introducing its new 6-megapixel dual-lens camera, the EasyShare V610 ($449.95 list). I love the idea of the V610, but the pictures I took didn't blow me away, and the price is no bargain. In the end, the V610 is a good camera that has some unique features, but it falls short of being a great buy.'

Cellphone9 has a review of the Kodak Easyshare V610 and writes - 'After choosing the type of resolution, you will have the option of pairing the camera with the Bluetooth device whether it be a phone, wireless printer, laptop or PDA. Sending files is a breeze with the first two options while it would take roughly one minute to send a 6.0MP picture. Below is a shot I took for the “make a mobile phone wallpaper�? category. It took me 2 seconds to send the file via Bluetooth to my iBook. The picture you see below has not been resized and, thank the gods, portait images do not have to be rotated when ‘toothed. '

DCRP has posted their review of the Kodak EasyShare V610 and writes - 'Camera performance was good in most respects. The V610 starts up quickly, focus times are decent, and shutter lag wasn't a problem. There wasn't much of a delay between shots, either. The continuous shooting mode was fair (eight shots at 1.8 fps), but most of the competition does a better job these days... Overall I have mixed feelings about the EasyShare V610. I like the idea of having a compact ultra zoom camera, but I'd prefer one with better photo quality and battery life (to name a few things). With a retail price of $450, the V610 is expensive. For $100 less you can buy the vastly superior Panasonic Lumix DMC-TZ1, which is a little bigger, but offers a continuous zoom lens and optical image stabilization.'

T3 has a review of the Kodak EasyShare V610 and writes, "The focal length of the first lens ranges from 38-114mm, while the other zooms it all the way from 130-380mm. The transition between the two isn’t totally smooth, but it’s bearable. While the big zoom is great, it’s hard to keep such a small camera steady at maximum zoom, while the anti-blur feature is no match for the optical stabiliser on rival models. ... Overall, image quality is fine. You’ll find that highlights occasionally get blown out and detail can be a little soft around the edges, but nothing awful. You can increase the sensitivity to ISO 800 for low-light shooting."

ThinkCamera has a review up of the Kodak EasyShare V610 and writes, "The pictures aren't outstandingly good but they are not outstandingly bad either. Chromatic aberration (aka “purple fringing�?) seems well under control. It was only really evident at really high contrast edges in my test shots. ... The 6 million pixels sensors (there is one for each lens) deliver images that are full of detail and should print nicely up to A4 and maybe further. However, they are a little soft from the camera, even with sharpening set to “high�?. ... I was slightly disappointed though in the A4 prints that I made. The focussed areas were fine but the out of focus zones were smeary and indistinct. It's not unusual in a camera this size but personally I wouldn't want to print larger than A4 from the v610."

PopPhoto has a review up of the Kodak EasyShare V610 and writes, "In its zeal to create the world's smallest 10X zoom, Kodak overlooked a crucial feature: Image Stabilization. We always prefer optical, but even digital stabilization for still shooting mode would be better than nothing, especially since the LCD is your only framing option. Past the 5X zoom range in anything but the best light, and you'll have to crank up the ISO to try to keep it steady, which drops resolution and increases noise, based upon our test results. Also, we've found that the most secure grip for holding the camera steady puts your thumb on the LCD screen. ... The Kodak EasyShare V610 is not perfect–but it is a stylish record-setting camera that looks great."

Macworld has a review up of the Kodak EasyShare V610 and writes, "Compared with other point-and-shoot cameras, the V610's images looked less sharp. The pictures were slightly underexposed, too, and white balance was a little off; I noticed a slight greenish cast in some shots. ... With a long-range 10X optical zoom, Kodak's EasyShare V610 can bring the farthest subjects into full, detailed view. Unfortunately, this dual-lens camera also has a propensity for blurred photos at its highest zoom levels, plus disappointingly short battery life. What makes this camera shine - its zoom, Bluetooth capabilities, and large LCD screen - may be enough to compensate for its shortcomings."

Imaging Resource has a review up of the Kodak EasyShare V610 and writes, "The Kodak V610 is a delight to use. The 40x digital zoom will take you places you haven't been before with surprisingly little dropoff in quality. Bluetooth provides a handy wireless protocol you'll never leave at home for sharing images between devices. The Kodak V610's controls are easy to get used to and well laid out, the screen is large enough for immediate gratification, and the special features are actually useful, adding to the fun this camera delivers. Pop the Kodak V610 on a camera or printer dock and the fun continues, with easy 4x6 printing and image transfers to Kodak's easy-to-use EasyShare software on your computer. We wish it had better high-ISO performance, and a bit sharper corners to its images when shooting with its wide-angle zoom lens, but overall the Kodak EasyShare V610 is an easy Dave's Pick."

DP Review has posted their review of the Kodak EasyShare V610 where they give it a rating of Above Average and write - 'The V610 is a beautifully designed camera that has instant appeal (everyone here loved it when it came out of the box), and the innovative twin lens/CCD system is a clever solution to the limitations of lens size that keeps most ultra compact cameras firmly in the 3x zoom range. As it stands, I'd say this; if you want a really compact camera that performs superbly in all conditions, forget about the 10x zoom; if you really want a big zoom in a compact package, look at the (cheaper and more capable, though bulkier) Panasonic TZ1. If you've fallen for the V610's good looks, you really, really need something this slim and don't find the issues mentioned here too much of a compromise I'm sure you'll love it. Me, I'd wait for the V610's successor, which will hopefully see Kodak iron out some of this promising but flawed camera's more annoying problems.'

DPexpert reviews the Kodak EasyShare V610 dual lens camera and writes - 'When the Kodak V610 hits its sweet spot the picture quality is superb. Auto white balance, colour, focus, image resolution and detail are outstanding. The V610 will render every feather on a bird and every vein on the petal of a flower. Images have the typical punchy Kodak look, bright without being garish. Sadly the V610 doesn’t do it every time. More often the picture is blurred and useless.'

Lets Go Digital reviews the Kodak EasyShare V610 and writes - 'All in all we can conclude that the Kodak EasyShare V610 is an interesting camera with a nice zoom range. The road Kodak took with the V570 has led to the Kodak V610, but it is a pity that Kodak forgot to improve a few aspects along the way. Especially typical camera characteristics such as ISO and image stabilisation should be worked out again on the drawing board. At face value the Kodak EasyShare V610 stands for what it does, but looking at the competition we see that there are more possibilities.'

Steve's Digicams has a review of the Kodak Easyshare V610 and writes, "The Kodak Easyshare V610 is a unique Ultra-Zoom in a stylish compact case and has a street price of $250 or less. I really liked this little digicam for all the zoom power packed into such a small size. 40X zoom is in the range of spotting scopes yet the V610 is much smaller and fits just about anywhere. With its easy to use controls, Kodak's PERFECT TOUCH and Anti-blur Technologies, the V610 will make a great first digicam for newbies and is also a good choice as a second camera for those with a bag full of dSLR equipment. Since this camera is part of the Kodak Easy System you can easily edit your pics with the included software, share your pictures over the Internet, or dock with an Easyshare printer and print your photos at home."

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