Kodak delivers Z980 24x megazoom, M380 point-and-shoot cameras
New introductions from Kodak deliver brilliant images, unique ways to create and easy ways to connect
Pocket-sized HD Digital Video Camera and 24x Ultra-Zoom Digital Camera highlight Kodak launches at 2009 International Consumer Electronics Show
Las Vegas, NV, January 8, 2009 – Eastman Kodak Company (NYSE:EK) today introduced new products and services that make it easier than ever for consumers to make the most of life's moments, from go-anywhere High Definition video recording to simple, automatic capture of brilliant images.
Kodak's latest innovations are on display at Kodak's booth at the 2009 International Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas (booth 31400, South Hall).
"These new products deliver great performance but are still so easy to use that you'll never miss a memorable or important moment," said John Blake, General Manager Digital Capture and Devices, Vice President, Eastman Kodak Company. "With these new products consumers can count on Kodak to help them capture brilliant images and video, easily share them with friends and family, and create a wealth of lasting memories."
Leading the introductions is the new KODAK Z980 Digital Camera, featuring a wealth of power and versatility, including a 26 mm wide angle, professional quality, 24X image stabilized optical zoom lens and a vertical shutter release with detachable vertical grip.
"Photographers looking for more from their digital camera will find it in the Z980," Blake said. "Our innovative Smart Capture feature makes camera adjustments automatically, delivering brilliant images automatically in virtually any setting."
The new KODAK Z980 Digital Camera offers:
• Kodak's exclusive Smart Capture feature, which analyzes scenes and adjusts camera settings to deliver beautiful pictures more often;
• 26 mm wide angle/24X SCHNEIDER-KREUZNACH VARIOGON Image Stabilized Optical Zoom Lens;
• HD picture and video capture;
• Vertical shutter release and detachable vertical grip, for greater comfort and control when shooting scenes vertically;
• Hot shoe for optional KODAK P20 zoom flash;
• Available at US$399.95 MSRP from Spring, 2009.
Kodak also introduced new models to its M-Series Digital Camera line, led by the KODAK EASYSHARE M380 Digital Camera. A sleek but powerful digital camera for style-savvy consumers, the M380 delivers an innovative feature package led by Kodak's Smart Capture feature. The new camera's compact design also boasts a 10MP sensor, 5X optical zoom, and 2.7" LCD. The M380 will be available in black, red and teal, and retail at US$179 MSRP from March, 2009;
Kodak expands its line of video cameras with the new KODAK Zx1 Digital Video Camera, a compact and weather-resistant device that enables "go-anywhere" High Definition recording.
The Zx1 allows users to shoot and share high-quality video quickly and simply, with 720p HD video capture – at 60 or 30 fps – a vibrant 2.0-inch LCD screen, and built-in software for easy editing and sharing of content to YouTube™ and other social media and networking websites.
"The Zx1 is a fun and interactive way to engage in 'on-the-go' storytelling, and enables consumers to quickly and easily share their adventures online," said Blake.
The new camera's feature set includes:
• Pocketable 720p HD video capture at 60 fps
• Weather-resistant design that stands up to splashes, dirt and more;
• High-quality video capture in bright light or low light - from the beach, to the nightclub;
• Easy editing, personalization, and uploading to YouTube or other Internet sites with built-in video software, ArcSoft Media Impressions for Kodak;
• Expandable SD/SDHC Card slot for memory cards up to 32 GB, that can record up to 10 hours of HD video*;
• Available in five colors: black, red, pink, blue and yellow**;
• The KODAK Zx1 Pocket Video Camera will be available from Spring 2009, and retail for US$149.95 MSRP.
Kodak also unveiled new accessory offerings, including KODAK SDHC Video Memory Cards, customized for faster video transfer and available in 4, 8 and 16 GB capacities to capture and store more HD video.
*Record approximately 20 minutes per 1GB at HD 30fps.
** Color availability may vary.
About Kodak
As the world's foremost imaging innovator, Kodak helps consumers, businesses, and creative professionals unleash the power of pictures and printing to enrich their lives.
To learn more, visit the newly redesigned http://www.kodak.com and follow our blogs and more at http://www.kodak.com/go/followus.
More than 70 million people worldwide manage, share and create photo gifts online at KODAK Gallery --join for free today at www.kodakgallery.com
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
kr @ Jan 4th 2009 2:13PM
Anyone else getting some major deja vu?
loosely_coupled @ Jan 4th 2009 2:18PM
Yep, although this one has an official press release instead of leaked info from a Russian website.. That said, I really doubt that they meant to publish both. Obviously the writers are not adequately communicating..
LauraJune @ Jan 4th 2009 2:20PM
Kodak released the official details on the cameras once the leaks hit -- and we figured this info was better than the leak we had up previously. Enjoy!
ChillyCat @ Jan 4th 2009 2:14PM
JUNK !!!!
.............and always will be
BlackCoffeeNoSugar @ Jan 4th 2009 2:46PM
Totally agree! Same as all other releases from Kodak in recent years. Shame that back in a few year time, the Kodak brand then meant good products that you can show off in front of people.
Aerodynamics @ Jan 4th 2009 2:17PM
A point and shoot w/ a vertical grip? WTF??
Plothole @ Jan 4th 2009 4:36PM
It's too flat to be a grip. More like a stand to keep this [presumably] front heavy thing level while sat down. .
Alex @ Jan 4th 2009 2:20PM
It has OIS (I'm sure someone will try to point out that it is not mentioned).
Not sure why anyone would belive a 24x optical zoom cam would not have stabilization.
http://www.image-acquire.com/kodak-easyshare-z980-hd-camera/
Alex @ Jan 4th 2009 2:22PM
I see that Kodak released their release....The previous info did not list OIS. Maybe I should read the new article first before I include info that is already posted :)
Bkfoto @ Jan 4th 2009 4:01PM
Saves you buying extra lenses...........
Daniel Pachinger @ Jan 4th 2009 2:48PM
24x zoom? i hear chromatic aberration calling...
Bill @ Jan 4th 2009 4:08PM
Ummmmmmm......take it up with Schneider,which I use on my 5x4 camera-no sign of aberations there
Justin Bell @ Jan 4th 2009 9:01PM
@Bill:
Unless Schneider have found some way around the laws of optics, I don't see how you can compare this to a 5x4 system.
Crayola @ Jan 4th 2009 11:46PM
That and likely a noisy micro size CMOS sensor with poor ISO performance.
Cody Peterson @ Jan 4th 2009 3:09PM
I love my super-zoom Panasonic Lumix Z28 that I got about 2 months ago... it's ONLY 18x zoom / shoots 720p / 10 megapixel.. picked it up for $239 on Amazon and love it, especially the HD feature which is a quicktime file that I can actually use in a final cut pro workflow
Bill @ Jan 4th 2009 4:08PM
Interesting that Panasonic settled out of court last year for.................................................patent infringement of patents held by.......Eastman Kodak.Wonder if they couldn't figure out how to do it themselves eh?
j.pickens @ Jan 4th 2009 3:20PM
Whenever I see a camera with fake concentric rings of plastic to make the lens look bigger, I say "Watch Out!"
yoyoma @ Jan 4th 2009 4:07PM
Can you say soft and distorted pictures throughout the focal range. Such a long focal range give one thing, the ability to take crappy pictures from closer and farther away. Hurray Kodak you've pushed the race to uselessness to new heights.
Blastar @ Jan 4th 2009 4:17PM
That's a Strange Looking Lens.. Isn't it ?
iKurt @ Jan 4th 2009 7:49PM
You can tell it was designed by the people in the marketing department.
Sameer Surampalli @ Jan 4th 2009 4:43PM
I don't know about you, but this is the fattest point-and-shoot camera I've ever seen.
Plothole @ Jan 4th 2009 4:46PM
Don't you just love how Kodak left out one of the most critical pieces of information? The maximum apertures! Of course for a zoom this long I can't imagine it's going to be bright on the telephoto end.
Rusty @ Jan 4th 2009 5:14PM
I don't care for "super zooms" where the lens mechanically extends or retracts. I prefer the lens to stick out (Panasonic FZ-50). Manual zoom (and focus if you want) is better for me at least.
Linoth @ Jan 4th 2009 7:46PM
My only prayer is that they stopped using AA and CRV3 batteries in the Z line. People just don't understand that even though your common, household, half-dead Duracell will fit in the camera, IT WON'T WORK. Seriously, who uses AAs in a camera anymore?
MC @ Jan 5th 2009 8:01AM
Oh I don't know, perhaps people who want to be able to travel around the world without worrying about where they can next hook up their charger, which is - incidentally - a charger which only charges batteries for one of the electronic devices they are carrying. This is, to my mind, exactly the kind of person who wants to buy a 'do-everything-in-one-package' camera like this...
tino @ Jan 4th 2009 9:57PM
I am glad the secondary brands are flooding the market with crappy 100X zoom cameras, this will only make people realize sooner these superzoom don't do anything.
My friend got a LZ5, by all account it has good spec on paper, I could have recommanded him this if he asked me. But it really takes bad picture. Lousy white balance, noisy and it even look terrible on the tiny playback screen.
whitesites @ Jan 5th 2009 1:36AM
I find it funny when camera companies, try to make their Point and Shoot models look like SLRs. I guess they are targeting those baby boomers who are going to buy it because its Kodak ( which was hot in the 70s when they bought their last camera ), and because it costs less than similar looking SLR models. I love how they call the lense professional quality. I noticed they didn't even state the Aperature range of the lense. I am willing to bet my cell phone could take better photos.
Cassini @ Jan 5th 2009 9:06AM
A 2" screen? That's it??? Forget that! You wouldn't be able to see anything! Camera manufacturers shouldn't even THINK about making anything with less than a 2.5" - 3" screen. I would never consider buying a camera with a screen smaller than 2.5", and I prefer more screen real estate than that.
And after owning my Canon S5 which has a fully articulating screen, I wouldn't even consider a camera like this without one.
Cassini @ Jan 5th 2009 9:09AM
Oop - my bad. I read the wrong part of the press release. This particular camera has a 2.7" screen. MUCH better!
OldPhotog @ Mar 9th 2009 9:06PM
I have to disagree with the people who think this camera will be junk. The Kodak Z series of cameras are aimed at the enthusiast market. The cameras have Av Tv and Manual exposure settings, my Z1275 even allows manual focus. The Lenses are superb. I printed a 16x20 from my Z1275 at a camera store (Epson 4800 printer) and asked the tech to tell me what camera the print was from. After using a magnifying glass she said "The is either a Canon or a Nikon, nothing else on the market can make a picture like that." When I showed her the Kodak point and shoot, her jaw dropped. The video mode is better than a Nikon D90 since the camera uses a ccd instead of a cmos chip, and has no rolling shutter problems.
As the top of the Z series I expect the Z980 to be an excellent camera. The lens is an F2.8 - F5.0. The camera will shoot 5 frames per second in sports mode for a burst of 9 shots. It will do raw as well as jpgs. The LCD is 3".
I have 38 years experience in serious photography and own way too much Japanese camera equipment for my own good. The Kodak Z cameras compare well with anything even vaguely in the same price range coming out of Japan. A friend of mine in the Photo and Video lab at the Johnson Space Center has a Z812 and says he prefers it to the Canon s5is.
Chris @ Mar 25th 2009 9:39PM
I agree with OldPhotog - this camera is going to be top notch. Check out the photos posted at the Kodak forum at dpreview.com. They look great. This camera is loaded with features including RAW, a superb Electronic Viewfinder, hot shoe, vertical grip with vertical shutter button, HD video at 30 FPS with stereo sound with zoom during video, a 3" LCD, many manual modes with selectable aperture (not just open or closed), etc.