Even though we didn't previously know its name, we've been waiting around for Kodak to announce the EasyShare V610,
their first Bluetooth-enabled camera ever since we
saw it appear in the FCC not too long
ago. What we weren't expecting was a device that claims to have 38-380mm focal length 10x optical zoom (which can be
engaged while recording video!). This is a feat not accomplished by mere mortal compact digital camera makers, and has
previously only gone into cleverly designed cameras like
Ricoh's R4 (
7.1x zoom) and
Panasonic's TZ1 (
10x zoom). We're still trying to figure
out exactly how a camera with no expanding barrel or crazy folded prism optics system is going to work a 10x optical
zoom (and how useful we can make that without a little OIS assistance), but each of the V610's two lenses, much like
the
V570 before it, feature a 6 megapixel sensor capable of shots up
to ISO 800 (with pixel binning, no doubt). It also features, as mentioned, Bluetooth 2.0 for transferring images on the
go, as well as to Kodak kiosks and printers (sounds like it will have the OBEX profile), a 2.8-inch display, 28MB of
internal flash, SD slot, and comes ready to roll in a 4.4 x 2.2 x 0.9-inch body. It could be available as early as May
for as little as $630 US, but we don't have any solid info yet; check out a comparison shot of it and the V570 after
the break.
