Kodak has today announced a new series of cameras with the launch of the the EasyShare V530 and V550 Zoom (pictured right). The Canon IXUS lookalikes are smaller than a deck of cards, boast five megapixels and despite only having a 3x optical zoom, incorporate image stabilization. Aside from small cosmetic differences and the size of the LCD, technically they are pretty similar. The V550 has a 2.5-inch screen and is available in black and silver, while the V530 has a 2-inch screen and comes in Absolute Pink, Red Shimmer, Midnight Black and Silver Essence colors. The V550 will be available in June priced US$399, and for US$50 less you can get the V530, which will be available in July. Both cameras come supplied with the new EasyShare Photo Frame Dock 2.

Press Release:

New KODAK EASYSHARE V-Series Digital Cameras Fuse Video and Still Photography; Sleek, Compact Models Smaller than a Deck of Cards

Kodak Pairs Style with Substance in KODAK EASYSHARE V550 and V530 Zoom Digital Cameras; Leave the Camcorder Behind with Built-In Video Capabilities

ROCHESTER, N.Y., May 17 -- Fresh for the summer season, KODAK EASYSHARE V-series digital cameras were unveiled today in cities around the globe. Two models -- each smaller than a deck of playing cards -- are designed for trendsetters who seek high-style, compact personal electronics that combine phenomenal quality, performance and simplicity.

The KODAK EASYSHARE V550 and V530 zoom digital cameras break new ground in blending video and still photography. For the first time, videos can be automatically turned into stop-action still pictures perfect for printing and sharing. Record longer, TV-quality videos with sound -- up to 80 continuous minutes -- while using less memory storage.* Avoid on-screen shaking with built-in image stabilization technology, and zoom in on video subjects in real time using the professional-caliber SCHNEIDER-KREUZNACH lens. Then watch the videos with friends on the cameras’ big, bright, crisp LCD screens, viewable from nearly any angle.

In addition, EASYSHARE Software version 5.0 -- available as a free download next month from kodak.com -- makes combining, rotating, and adding music to video clips a breeze.

Crafted to capture every pose, the V550 and V530 cameras are equipped with 5-megapixel (MP) resolution for breathtaking prints up to 20 x 30 inches. The included KODAK EASYSHARE Photo Frame Dock 2 -- which provides one-touch picture transfer to a connected computer while keeping the cameras’ high-capacity battery charged and ready to go -- can play video and photo ‘slideshows’ on the cameras’ high-resolution LCD screens, providing an additional degree of elevated design and innovation to EASYSHARE V-Series camera owners.

“With women buying more than half of the electronic items sold in the United States, Kodak is designing new products that particularly appeal not only to women’s sense of style, but also a desire to simplify their lives,” said Mary-Irene Marek, worldwide marketing manager at Kodak. “The new EASYSHARE V-Series cameras make it incredibly simple to take and share videos and pictures, while being chic, fashionable and small enough to slip into the newest designer handbag.”

KODAK EASYSHARE V550 zoom digital camera
Like the little black dress or classic button-down shirt, the KODAK EASYSHARE V550 digital camera is perfect for nearly every social occasion. In addition to its high-end video performance, the V550 model captures all moments with 5MP resolution and its pro-caliber, SCHNEIDER-KREUZNACH C-VARIOGON 3X optical zoom lens. Nineteen scene modes such as beach, snow, sunset and party help you get the best possible shot with the least possible effort.

The black and silver metal camera bodies, paired with luminescent blue indicator lights, beg to be shown off. A brilliant 2.5-inch, very high-resolution LCD screen (230,000 pixels) is viewable from almost any angle (170 degrees) and can be used to preview a shot -- as can the optical viewfinder -- before instantly sharing the snapped picture with friends.

The EASYSHARE V550 camera will be available worldwide beginning this June for US$399 (MSRP).

KODAK EASYSHARE V530 zoom digital camera
Dressed in the season’s hottest colors -- Absolute Pink, Red Shimmer, Midnight Black and Silver Essence -- the V530 camera is small enough to fit in this summer’s most trendy clutch. Women can take and share high-quality videos and pictures in style, thanks to this model benefiting from the same performance characteristics -- 5 MP resolution and a pro-level 3X optical zoom lens -- as the V550 camera . A 2-inch, high-resolution, brilliant LCD helps show off pictures to friends, and also doubles as the camera’s viewfinder.

The EASYSHARE V530 camera will be available worldwide beginning in July 2005 for US$349 (MSRP).

EASYSHARE Software
V-series cameras include KODAK EASYSHARE software for WINDOWS and MACINTOSH systems, providing effortless digital picture organization, editing, sharing and printing -- and even CD and DVD burning. The exclusive One Touch to Better Pictures feature takes advantage of proprietary color technologies developed by Kodak to help users get vibrant, true-to-life prints from inkjet printers. Version 5.0 -- available as a free download from www.kodak.com beginning this summer -- will feature new video editing tools that allow people to quickly and simply trim, splice, rotate and add music to videos.

KODAK EASYSHARE Software is now among the most widely used picture software titles in the world, with more than 22 million consumers enjoying its features.

Accessorize, Accessorize, Accessorize
Kodak makes it easy to accessorize the new V-series cameras, with a range of products that help show off your pictures. For instance, the popular KODAK EASYSHARE Printer Dock Series 3 (US$149 MSRP) makes it one-touch simple to print real KODAK pictures at home in just seconds -- with or without a computer. Browse more accessories at www.kodak.com.

In the J.D. Power and Associates 2004 Digital Camera Satisfaction StudySM evaluating performance, connectivity, cost and appearance, KODAK EASYSHARE cameras in the US$200-399 and US$400-599 price ranges ranked Highest in Customer Satisfaction. Digital cameras in these segments comprise more than 60 percent of the U.S. market, according to data from The NPD Group.

According to IDC, Kodak is the leading shipper of digital cameras and snapshot printers in the United States, based on 2004 full-year reporting. It is also the fastest growing brand of digital cameras in the world.

The innovative, award-winning KODAK EASYSHARE digital photography system -- consisting of cameras, printer docks and camera docks, software, inkjet and thermal photo papers, and accessories -- makes taking, organizing, sharing, and printing high quality digital pictures effortless. Further information on KODAK EASYSHARE products is available at www.kodak.com/go/EasyShare.

Kodak EasyShare V550 and V530 specifications

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