Earlier this year in January, Kodak placed details of a new digital camera on their website for the Easyshare V1073 and have now released a press release outlining a new technology in the camera called Smart Capture technology, which also features in the M1033.

Press Release: Eastman Kodak Company (NYSE:EK) has today launched two new additions to its current digital camera portfolio, the KODAK EASYSHARE M1033 and the KODAK EASYSHARE V1073. Both cameras deliver on the company's enduring brand promise of making photography easy, enjoyable and affordable. Equipped with the new Smart Capture technology consumers can now explore their creativity easily, without compromising on image quality.

Both Kodak Easyshare cameras, the M1033 and the V1073, boast 10-megapixels with a 3x optical zoom lens and 3-inch wide angle viewing LCD screens. The sleek and stylish M1033 is available in black and silver, while the V1073 comes in a robust gun metal grey metal casing and features Kodak’s first resistive touch screen. These cameras are built with the new Smart Capture technology that helps ensure great pictures can be taken in just about any environment, by anyone.

“With the new additions to the Kodak EasyShare digital camera range, Kodak is continuing to innovate and introduce smart technology that delivers on the promise of ‘you press the button, we do the rest”, said Darren Swenson, ANZ SPG Manager, Consumer Retail Printing Systems, Kodak Consumer Digital Imaging Group. “For 120years, Kodak has helped consumers capture life-long memories and now, in this digital age, it all comes to life in this camera that allows users to take quality pictures easily, affordably and without compromise.”

The new Smart Capture feature, default on Kodak cameras, enables users to capture better pictures more simply than ever before. It helps users by automatically identifying the scene, adjusting camera settings and applying custom image processing in order to capture great pictures in challenging situations.

About Kodak Smart Capture

Kodak’s Smart Capture technology, which goes far beyond the now commonly available automatic mode on digital cameras, improves the quality of images and the overall photo taking and sharing experience. Smart Capture consists of Intelligent Scene Detection that analyses the scene and automatically adjusts camera settings to deliver the best picture possible. It is also equipped with Intelligent Capture Control, which automatically sets exposure, focus and ISO to capture clear, sharp pictures, even in challenging situations. The Intelligent Image Processing feature helps reduce noise and applies Kodak Perfect Touch (KPT) technology to each picture to capture shadow and highlight details for vibrant, crisp, true-to-life colors. Below is an overview of these three features:

Intelligent Scene Detection:

·       The Face Detection and Auto Focus Smart Capture Mode detects and tracks up to five faces and locks auto focus onto the selected face, even if the person moves.

·       The Face Detection Priority Mode automatically selects the most prominent face when there is more than one in a scene.

·      The Face Detection and Flash Control feature automatically sets the exposure, focus and flash setting to ensure proper exposure once a face is detected.

Intelligent Capture Control:

·       The Motion Detection and Intelligent ISO is a new feature that allows users to shoot great pictures of moving subjects. It detects the moving subject and changes the ISO sensitivity and auto white balance to take a sharp image with the fast shutter speed.

·       The Auto Macro Detection feature automatically switches to macro focus when the subject is less than 28 inches (70 cm) away, ensuring the pictures are always in focus.

Intelligent Image Processing:

·       The Expanded Dynamic Range Mode intelligently exposes the image to take advantage of automatic Kodak Perfect Touch processing for greater detail in both the highlight and shadow areas.

·      The Intelligent ISO and Automatic Kodak Perfect Touch technology sets ISO sensitivity and uses Kodak Perfect Touch processing to capture difficult low light pictures with better exposure range, delivering fewer dark shadows and richer details.

Pricing and Availability

The suggested retail price of Kodak EasyShare M1033 digital camera is AUD349, and will be available in Harvey Norman, Domain, Joyce Mayne and Ofis from June 2008. The suggested retail price of Kodak EasyShare V1073 is AUD399, and will be available from photo specialty and selected consumer electronics retailers.

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