Ultra-zoom headlines Kodak intros

By John Mello on July 10, 2008 2:31 PM

Kodak's new product stage was more crowded than the grand finale of a Broadway musical when it raised the curtain today on two new digital cameras, a budget digital camcorder and two new digital picture frames. Headlining the new arrivals is the Z1015 IS, an ultra-zoom digital camera with a 15x Schneider-Kreuznach Variogon optical zoom with image stabilization. The 10 megapixel snapper has a three-inch LCD and can shoot HD video at 720p and 30 frames per second. Top ISO for the unit is 6400, but that's limited to images with a resolution of 3.1 megapixels or less. The DSC is expected to reach retailers in September and sell for $349.95.

Kodak's other new bytecam is a point-and-shoot model, the Easyshare M1093 IS, with a 10MP sensor and 3x optical zoom. Other features in the camera include a top ISO of 3200, face detection technology and Smart Capture, which automatically adjusts the camera's settings to suit the shooting situation of a scene. The unit is expected to arrive on retail shelves in September at a price of $199.95.

Kodak also shouldered its way into the budget camcorder market--joining the ranks of RCA, Pure Digital and Creative--with its Zi6 HD. The unit will shoot 720p video at 60 frames per second, sports a 2.4-inch LCD and includes pre-charged AA NiMH batteries and a battery charger. Like other camcorders in this category, the Kodak pocket camcorder has a built in USB connector and software to make seamless uploading to the Web's most popular video sharing site, YouTube, a cinch. If you want to shoot HD with the product, however, you'll probably need to purchase an optional SD card, as the unit comes with only 128MB of internal memory. This Kodak offering is also scheduled for September release and is expected to sell for $179.95.

Two new digital picture frames were also announced by Kodak, the eight-inch W820 and a 10-inch W1020. Both units support WiFi, have 512MB of internal memory and two memory card slots. What's more, by poking the frame's Quick Touch Border, you can have access to information such as news, weather and sports. A number of face plates are available for the units. They include mahogany with a gold matte, silver with a blue matte and black shadowbox with a champagne matte. Availability and pricing for the frames were not released by Kodak at the time of the announcement.