Kodak launches dual-lens, 6.1-megapixel V610 camera

In a quaint and scenic resto high atop Tagaytay, Kodak Phils. launched its latest technological innovation – the 6.1-megapixel EasyShare V610, the world’s smallest 10x optical zoom digital camera with Bluetooth wireless technology.

Among the world’s first cameras with Bluetooth, the V610 now allows camera owners to effortlessly send their pictures to other Bluetooth-enabled devices up to 30 feet away.

With this connectivity, pictures can be viewed and shared among mobile phones, PDAs, computers, Kodak picture kiosks and even other V610 cameras. The V610 can receive and display pictures on its huge 2.8-inch, high-resolution (230,000 pixels) LCD screen.

Aside from being one of the first cameras with Bluetooth technology, the P31,995 Easy-Share V610 is also the smallest 10x (38-380mm equivalent) optical zoom camera at less than an inch thick.

Using the innovative Kodak RETINA dual lens technology, the pocket-size V610 combines two precision 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 in.).

The V610 also boasts of anti-blur technology with advanced noise reduction that compensates for user hand shake and delivers crisp, clear stop-action shots.

Other features include on-camera image cropping; auto picture rotation so the user always views the pictures right side up; VGA video recording at 30 fps with image stabilization, zoom, audio, available MPEG-4 memory compression, and multiple-frame printing; auto red-eye reduction; blurry picture alert; Kodak’s renowned Color Science Chip for more accurate colors and flesh tones; and no less than 22 scene modes plus a panorama stitch mode feature.

"Kodak’s innovation con-tinues 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 incor-porating wireless technologies, and by taking advantage of advanced digital processing algorithms," said Raymond Albert, Kodak Phils. country general manager.

Surrounded by flowers bursting with colors and a landscape beautiful enough to be called paradise, Antonio’s Tagaytay was the perfect place for members of the press to experience the photographic prowess of the Kodak V610.

"There’s no better place to launch the EasyShare V610 than here in Tagaytay, where our media friends were given a picture-perfect setting to take photos using this latest addition to Kodak’s line of cameras," said Albert.

"The EasyShare V610 boasts of two unique features that are among the first in the market – Bluetooth connectivity and non-extending 10x optical zoom lenses," he added.

Mediamen were given the chance to be amateur photo-graphers for a day and let their creativity flow with an on-the-spot photo contest using the new V610.

Done in the spirit of fun and friendly competition, the photo contest had five different categories, each highlighting the V610’s various features.

All captured images were then transferred via Bluetooth to Kodak printer docks right at the venue. Unfortunately, this writer was unable to clinch the Kodak V610 grand prize.

Nevertheless, everyone pre-sent was able to take with him or her a memorable photo-graphic experience, not the least of which was the realization that a capable and fully featured camera like the Kodak Easy-Share V610 can make decent photographers out of even the most technologically challenged individuals.