Latest 4-Megapixel, 4X Optical Zoom Model Offers Multiple Options for Superb Picture Quality

Dubai, UAE, May 26. Kodak today unveiled the KODAK EASYSHARE DX7440 zoom digital camera, which combines high-performance photographic controls and optics with consumer-friendly features for stunning picture quality. With 4-megapixel resolution, a professional-quality SCHNEIDER-KREUZNACH VARIOGON 4X optical zoom lens (33 – 132 mm equivalent), and a rapid 0.2-second click-to-capture rating, the DX7440 camera will be available in June 2004 for a suggested retail price of US$439. 

“Created for the savvy photographer, the DX7440 digital camera incorporates innovative, advanced features that offer outstanding performance without sacrificing ease of use,” said Greg Westbrook, general manager of digital capture for Kodak’s Digital & Film Imaging Systems operation. “Digital photographers are finding that our EASYSHARE DX camera line is consistently delivering the exacting control they need to shoot breathtaking, creative pictures, whether of everyday moments or once-in-a-lifetime scenes.” 

Working with renowned German professional optics designer Schneider-Kreuznach, Kodak equipped the camera with an f/2.8 – 9.5 aspheric lens to provide striking edge-to-edge brightness and sharpness across the frame. Image quality is unsurpassed when compared to other 4 MP cameras, thanks in part to the KODAK Color Science image processing chip. This high-performance digital signal processor with professionally-derived image process engineering  including Kodak’s legendary white balance algorithms quickly and precisely analyzes lighting conditions and color balance to deliver exacting sharpness, exceptional color accuracy, and proper exposure.
 
The DX7440 camera’s precision low-light auto-focus system combines rapid phase detection with highly accurate through the lens (TTL) contrast detection to sharply define a subject, even in almost complete darkness. Continuous auto-focus also delivers rapid click-to-capture (0.2 seconds) to precisely freeze action at a desired moment. Selectable focus zones and exposure metering allow exacting control over each scene, while standard and fine JPEG compression settings give users more power over their file sizes and quality.
 
The DX7440 camera offers fully automatic mode for effortless point-and-shoot picture taking, as well as 16 automatic scene modes (e.g., sport, portrait, night, landscape, beach, snow, and macro) that help obtain the best shot in a variety of settings. In addition, manual control mode permits independent aperture settings, shutter speed (1/1000 to 64 seconds), exposure compensation and bracketing, and ISO equivalents for advanced photographers.
 
Aperture priority, shutter priority, program and custom modes put more control in photographers’ hands, while first and last burst modes, flash compensation, and selectable sharpness provide additional levels of control. Demanding photographers will also appreciate the camera’s large, 2.2-inch, high-resolution (153,000 pixels) LCD screen, up to 8X picture magnification in review mode, and highly responsive operation.
 
This latest EASYSHARE DX model includes Kodak’s new ‘camera favorites’ feature. With a touch of the red-jeweled Share button, people can store up to 200 pictures in an on-camera digital album. These pictures can then be shared anytime on the camera’s large, 2.2-inch, high-resolution (153,000 pixels) indoor/outdoor LCD screen. The Share button also allows someone to immediately select photos for printing and even e-mailing, with up to 32 e-mail addresses stored in the camera’s memory.
 
For settings requiring more than a still image, the DX7440 camera can capture both full-motion video (24 frames per second at 320 x 240 pixels) and TV-resolution video (VGA; 640 x 480 pixels at 13 fps) with capacity dependent on available memory (32MB internal memory included; additional memory may be added via the SD card/MultiMediaCard expansion slot).
 
Automatic picture rotation makes pictures taken vertically appear right side up on the camera, computer screen or television. The camera is always ready to snap a picture by simply depressing the shutter button, regardless of which capture mode or menu is active a feature unique to EASYSHARE cameras.
 
KODAK EASYSHARE software and docks
DX7440 digital camera owners can get real, waterproof KODAK 4 x 6-inch prints in as little as 90 seconds by using the new KODAK EASYSHARE printer dock. The dock provides a full lithium-ion battery charge for the camera in less than three hours, plus battery reconditioning for improved performance. When connected to a computer, the printer dock also permits rapid, one-touch transfer of digital pictures to a hard drive. Battery recharging and one-touch transfer is also available via the optional EASYSHARE camera dock.

Like all EASYSHARE cameras, the DX7440 includes KODAK EASYSHARE software for WINDOWS and MACINTOSH systems, providing effortless digital picture transfer, organization, basic editing, sharing and printing. The software’s exclusive One Touch to Better Pictures feature which takes advantage of proprietary color technologies developed by Kodak helps WINDOWS OS users get vibrant, true-to-life prints from home inkjet printers, while significantly reducing the trial, error and waste usually associated with home photo printing.

The award-winning KODAK EASYSHARE consumer digital photography system consisting of cameras, software, printer docks and camera docks, inkjet and thermal papers, and accessories makes it simple for anyone to take, organize, share, and print high quality digital pictures. Kodak is the fastest-growing digital still camera brand, according to a recent global study by IDC. More information on KODAK EASYSHARE products is available at www.kodak.com/go/EasyShare.
 
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About Eastman Kodak Company and infoimaging:
Kodak is the leader in helping people take, share, print and view images – for memories, for information, for entertainment.  The company is a major participant in infoimaging, a $385 billion industry composed of devices (digital cameras and flat-panel displays), infrastructure (online networks and delivery systems for images) and services & media (software, film and paper enabling people to access, analyze and print images).  With sales of $13.3 billion in 2003, the company comprises several businesses: Health, supplying the healthcare industry with traditional and digital image capture and output products and services; Commercial Printing, offering on-demand color printing and networking publishing systems; Commercial Imaging, offering image capture, output and storage products and services to businesses and government; Display & Components, which designs and manufactures state-of-the-art organic light-emitting diode displays as well as other specialty materials, and delivers optics and imaging sensors to original equipment manufacturers; and Digital & Film Imaging Systems, providing consumers, professionals and cinematographers with digital and traditional products and services.
 
Media Contacts:
Kelly Home, Gambate!, +971 4 391 6424, kelly@gambate.biz
Jennie Wild, Kodak, +44 1442 844 713, jennie.wild@kodak.com
 
(Kodak and EasyShare are trademarks of Eastman Kodak Company. Schneider-Kreuznach and Variogon are trademarks of Jos. Schneider Optische Werke GmbH used under license by Eastman Kodak Company.)
 
 

© Press Release 2004