Kodak Packs Two Lenses in Latest Camera

[Chris Gohlke]

<div class='os_post_top_link'><a href='http://news.com.com/Kodak+packs+two+lenses+in+latest+camera/2100-1041_3-6014939.html' target='_blank'>http://news.com.com/Kodak+packs+two+lenses+in+latest+camera/2100-1041_3-6014939.html</a><br /><br /></div><i>"Kodak calls the V570 the world's first dual-lens digital still camera. The device incorporates both a wide-angle (23 mm) lens and a 5x optical zoom lens, stacked vertically in the center of a black and silver frame that's less than an inch thick. The V570 will be available worldwide later in January for $399, a price that also includes a docking station."</i><br /><br /><img src="http://www.digitalmediathoughts.com/images/12kodakfront480x320.jpg" /> <br /><br />This seems to be a unique concept, instead of trying to get one lens to be a jack-of-all-trades, this setup goes for two more specialized lenses. I am assuming that they are using some internal optics to use the same image sensor for both lenses, so it will be interesting to see some actual test shots to see how effective this is and if there is any perceptible improvement in image quality.

[Lee Yuan Sheng]

They're using two CCDs, actually. Shows how affordable CCDs are these days!

[Jason Dunn]

VERY cool stuff - it's great to see some innovation rather than just more megapixels. In fact, I really like this idea, there are many occasions I've wished for a wide angel lens on my little camera.

[kiwi]

could be the replacement for my Canon SD300!!

I take a lot of Panarama shots so this could be good!

[Jonathon Watkins]

I also take a lot of panorama shots that I stitch together. I would be interested in seeing how the Kodak panorama function worked.

[Lee Yuan Sheng]

I also take a lot of panorama shots that I stitch together. I would be interested in seeing how the Kodak panorama function worked.

I'm guessing it involves cropping the top and bottom bits of the photo..

[kiwi]

Kodak have the webpage up for this camera!

http://www.kodak.com/eknec/PageQuerier.jhtml?pq-path=7402&amp;pq-locale=en_US

Winner of PC World 2006 Innovations Award apparently

It used a 23mm lens so I doubt its using the std lens and chopping off the top and bottom like a lot of "panorama" mode cameras do.

Other plus pts:

* Image stabilitzer for photo/video like Casio S600 I guess..
* stylish.
* fair price.


I must say, the kodak camera's are looking pretty nice these days!

Brian

[Jonathon Watkins]

I also take a lot of panorama shots that I stitch together. I would be interested in seeing how the Kodak panorama function worked.

I'm guessing it involves cropping the top and bottom bits of the photo..

I was really thinking about this:

One selling point is a built-in 180 degree panorama feature which is achieved with just three shots from the 23 mm equiv. lens

Reading more details about the camera, it looks like this is a simple 3 shot stich, so nothing really new then.

[kiwi]

Reading more details about the camera, it looks like this is a simple 3 shot stich, so nothing really new then.

yes, 3 shots are still better than 9 ;-)

will help as well to reduce banding at the merged sides and also keep the contrast even

[Lee Yuan Sheng]

Reading more details about the camera, it looks like this is a simple 3 shot stich, so nothing really new then.

Followed by a crop of the top and bottom, I'm sure. That way you get a really nice panaromic effect, which will be sufficent for most.