Photo Club

Kodak has introduced the world’s first 50 million pixel CCD image sensor for professional photography. With an 8176 x 6132 pixel array, the KAF-50100 sensor provides the highest resolution available in the popular 48 mm x 36 mm optical format used in medium format photography. The new Kodak KAF-50100 sensor is the first to utilise the new KODAK TRUESENSE 6.0 micron Full Frame CCD Technology Platform, which increases both the resolution and camera performance available to photographers. In an aerial photo of a field 1-ВЅ miles across, you could detect an object about the size of a small notebook computer (1 foot by 1 foot). The KAF-50100 is first being used in the new Hasselblad H3DII-50 camera.

Kodak UK Press Release

Kodak Achieves New Breakthrough in Imaging Technology

World’s First 50 Megapixel CCD Sensor Sets New Standard for Professional Photographers

London, UK, July 8 – Eastman Kodak Company (NYSE:EK) has achieved another breakthrough in its storied history of imaging technology innovation with the introduction of the world’s first 50 million pixel CCD image sensor for professional photography.

At 50 million pixels, or megapixels, the sensor captures digital images with unprecedented resolution and detail. For instance, with a 50 megapixel camera, in an aerial photo of a field 1-ВЅ miles across, you could detect an object about the size of a small notebook computer (1 foot by 1 foot).

What’s more, the KODAK KAF-50100 Image Sensor features a newly designed pixel that is smaller in size than the pixel used in current products for this professional market. This new pixel also reduces “click-to-capture” time for improved camera response, lowers power consumption for improved battery life, and improves colour fidelity without compromising on the benefits to be enjoyed from larger pixel sizes.

“Professional photographers need to capture ever-increasing image detail with higher camera performance, and that drives us to develop new technologies and products to serve this important market,” said Michael Miller, manager of Kodak’s CCD Image Sensor Business, part of the company’s Image Sensor Solutions group.  “Kodak image sensors have been known as the professional imaging standard for years, and today’s announcement reaffirms our dedication to provide industry-leading image sensors that give professional photographers a real competitive advantage.”

The new Kodak sensor is the first to utilise the company’s new KODAK TRUESENSE 6.0 micron Full Frame CCD Technology Platform, which increases both the resolution and camera performance available to photographers.  Based on a newly designed 6.0 micron pixel, the platform provides increased data throughput for faster frame rate, a reduced “click to capture” time for improved camera response, lower power consumption for improved battery life, and improved colour fidelity, while still retaining key performance parameters available from the larger, 6.8 micron pixel used in current products.  With an 8176 x 6132 pixel array, the 50 million pixel sensor provides the highest resolution available in the popular 48 mm x 36 mm optical format used in medium format photography. 
The KAF-50100 is the latest addition to Kodak’s family of full-frame CCD image sensors for the professional photography market.  Engineering grade devices of the KAF-50100 are currently available, with volume production planned for Q4, 2008.

For additional information regarding this technology, please contact Image Sensor Solutions, Eastman Kodak Company at (585) 722-4385 or by email at .  For more information on Kodak’s entire portfolio of image sensors, please visit http://www.kodak.com/go/imagers.

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 http://www.kodak.com, and our blogs: 1000words.kodak.com, PluggedIn.kodak.com, and GrowYourBiz.kodak.com

Sony A200 review : The moment Sony took the step to take over the photo division of Konica Minolta, the photo industry was holding back to see which way the cat was going to jump. One was aware of the fact that Konica Minolta had a lot of in-house know-how and this know-how would not get lost with the take-over. It was only a question of time before Sony would bring out the first products under their own brand name. With the introduction of the entry-level model, the Alpha 100, Sony established their name as D-SLR manufacturer. The CES 2008 offered the perfect moment to enhance the specifications of the Alpha 100. And with the Sony Alpha 200 introduced now, we bid farewell to the A100 that will always be recognized as Sony’s first DSLR camera. Read our Sony A200 review.

Sony Alpha 200 DSLR – CCD image sensor
First thing that is striking about the new Sony Alpha 200 is the image sensor. Competing brands are swapping from CCD to CMOS sensors but Sony swap to the CCD for the A200. Besides that, lacking of Live View is a surprising fact; I would surely have expected this feature on the A200. The resolution of 10 Megapixels remained the same and is a standard for nowadays entry-level SLR camera models.

Sony A200 SLR camera – 2,7-inch LCD monitor
Besides the aforementioned items the Sony Alpha 200 has been improved or simply offers more on various points. The LCD monitor has been increased to 2.7 inch, ISO is available up to 3200 and the AF has improved concerning speed. Moreover the BIONZ processor is supposed to ensure more effective noise reduction. The compact housing offers easily carrying the camera with you.

Sony A200 digital SLR review
All in all sufficiently interesting to speak of a new digital SLR camera that gives a fresh start to the Sony Alpha range in 2008. The upcoming PMA 2008 in Las Vegas could bring other surprises because it is clear the year has only just started, also for Sony. But let’s take a look at the Sony Alpha 200 first. I was able to put the camera to the test in practice and my findings can be read in the following Sony Alpha 200 review.

Kodak EasyShare Z650 digital camera review : The Kodak EasyShare Z650, a new super zoom digital camera was launched at the beginning of the year. The camera is a new model in the EasyShare Z series of digital camera. The Kodak Z650 is equipped with a Schneider Kreuznach optical zoom lens. The zoom lens has a 10x zoom range with an optical range of 38 – 380 mm (comparable to a 35 mm format camera). In practice it is great to work with: a fantastic wide-angle and generous tele range. An all round optical range, in fact.

Kodak Z650 – 6,1 Megapixel CCD sensor
De Kodak Z650 is equipped with a 1/2.5 inch 6.1 Megapixel CCD image sensor. Although Kodak has more or less provided a description of pixel formats in the manual, in fact it just means that the X factor has been neatly rounded off and might come in handy. Kodak has also left out the lowest resolution that is still common in other brands – this producer is going for quality rather than quality. Of course, it is still nice to be able to save more than 400 shots in a decent resolution with a 256MB memory card. It’s fun to compare this to the equivalent miniature film format: 11.5 x 36 exposure films!

Kodak EasyShare Z650 – 2″ LCD display
The Kodak Z650 digital camera is equipped with a 2 inch LCD display that gives a fresh, clear picture. The viewfinder is a so-called EFV (electronic viewfinder) that is actually a miniature LCD display. Users must choose between the LCD display at the rear of the Kodak Z650 camera, or the EVF on top because it is not possible to use them both simultaneously.

Kodak Z650 digital camera – Built-in flash
The Kodak Z650′s built in flash is certainly not large, and it can generally not be seen when closed. The flash routinely works in the A Setting, but can be set however you choose: auto, auxiliary, red-eye, and of course, off. The flash’s range is more than enough for normal use: the wide-angle setting is 60 cm to almost 5 meters and the tele setting runs from 2 meters to almost 4 metres. It gives very good results.

Kodak EasyShare Z650 – Focus modes & Aperture
The focussing system has various modes. Of course there are the different auto modes as well as multi-zone and centre-spot modes. The shutter speed varies from 1/8 to 1/1700. The ISO settings are set automatically at 80 – 160. There is also a choice of settings from 60 to 800 ISO, the latter only in the 1.7MP (1496 x 1122 pixels) resolution. The aperture runs from f/2.8 to f/8 in seven steps and allows many possible combinations. Once more, you can set everything yourself. Via the P/A/S/M mode you can adjust the Program, Aperture priority, Shutter speed and Manual mode.

Kodak Z650 – Fixed program & Scene modes
As well as the fixed program modes like Auto, Portrait, Sport, etc, there are 14 other Scene modes to choose from. This in addition to the previously mentioned Manual mode is clear proof that the Kodak EasyShare Z650 offers its users a host of possibilities. The self timer can be set in 2 or 10 seconds and you can choose to take 2 pictures in this setting.

Kodak EasyShare Z650 – Internal memory
Internally, the Kodak Z650 has a storage capacity of 32MB, 28MB of which is available for saving pictures. It is advisable to buy an extra memory card. For communication with the computer you use a USB 2.0 connection. For the Video output you can choose between NTSC or PAL, and the Kodak EasyShare Z650 is also equipped with PictBridge support, a global standard in printing and exchanging recorded information between compatible cameras, printers etc. Naturally, this is in addition to the Share Program for sharing and processing recordings.

Kodak EasyShare Z650 review
We tried out the Kodak EasyShare Z650 for a while. The camera’s specifications promise a lot; a 10x optical zoom lens with a range of 38 – 380 mm (equivalent to a 35 mm camera) and a resolution of 6 Megapixels. The review of the Kodak EasyShare Z650 gives a picture of its possibilities and how it works in practice. Just how our judgement turned out can be read in the following Kodak EasyShare Z650 digital camera review.

Nikon D200 DSLR wins DIWA Platinum Award : The Nikon D200 DSLR won the Platinum Award for Best Digital System Camera for 2006 from the Digital Imaging Websites Association (DIWA). DIWA is a worldwide organization of photographic experts who run collaborating websites that continuously test and review digital imaging products. The Platinum award, awarded only to the very best of cameras that have previously won a Gold award, is the highest recognition DIWA offers. “Nikon Europe is particularly proud of winning the DIWA Platinum award for the D200, considering that DIWA’s rigorous evaluation process checks and tests over 200 items on each camera,” said Martina Beckmann, Manger Communications and Marketing Services of Nikon Europe BV.