CES 2006: Kodak unveils dual-lens compact digital camera; 23mm and 39-117mm zoom

Kicking off this week's 2006 International Consumer Electronics Show (CES), Eastman Kodak Company has introduced the world's first dual-lens digital still camera, the KODAK EasyShare V570 zoom digital camera. Using proprietary Kodak Retina Dual Lens technology, the elegant V570 camera wraps an ultra-wide angle lens (23 mm) and an optical zoom lens (39 - 117 mm) into a package less than an inch thick. The innovative EasyShare V570 camera's ultra-wide angle lens coupled with its optical zoom lens produces a total 5X optical zoom range, providing more options to help today's picture takers capture the perfect shot --group photos, scenic landscapes, dramatic portraits, and close-ups. No other consumer digital camera offers such a wide angle of view, nor the unique, sophisticated design of this model, whose all-glass, stacked Schneider-Kreuznach C-Variogon prism lenses never extend from the camera body.

"Today's picture takers expect high-performance features in an attractive package. Kodak is first to give them a coveted but previously unavailable ultra-wide angle lens in a pocket-size camera," said Mary Hadley, general manager of digital cameras for Kodak's Consumer Digital Imaging Group. "Capturing high quality photos with maximum ease of use are at the top of people's lists when buying a new digital camera. By delivering on these needs in a completely new way, the EasyShare V570 camera pushes the boundaries of innovative design for ultra-compact cameras."

Wide-Angle Panorama Stitching and Advanced Video Performance

In addition to its dual lens design, the 5-megapixel V570 camera boasts a variety of notable features to enhance the photography experience, including in-camera panorama stitching, which automatically combines three pictures into a panorama photograph. Using the ultra-wide view in panorama scene mode, people can take in a 180-degree vista with just three shots -- an industry exclusive.

Packing advanced video performance, the camera makes it easier for users to shoot all types of action in the way that many filmmakers prefer -- with an ultra-wide angle to capture more of the scene. The EasyShare V570 camera records TV-quality video, up to 30 frames per second (fps) using advanced MPEG-4 compression. Built-in image stabilization technology reduces on-screen shaking from unintentional hand and camera movement. The camera also offers an optical zoom feature for video including auto focus. And it is simple to select any frame in a video, then save and print it as a "freeze frame" still picture in just seconds.

Other notable features of the V570 camera include:

A big, brilliant 2.5-inch, high-resolution LCD screen;

The exclusive Kodak Color Science image processing chip for phenomenal image quality with rich color, accurate skin tones, low noise and precise exposure;

Automatic red-eye reduction, on-camera cropping, picture blur alert and auto picture rotation;

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