Easy does it says Kodak
By Ian Burley
14th August - 2001
Update - 26th October - Kodak cust EasyShare prices (click here)
The mass market wants ease of use. That’s Kodak’s rallying call as it prepares for the all-important Christmas market by taking the wraps off three new EasyShare models that will supplement the existing DX3500 and DX3600 cameras.
SD/MMC adopted
Both 1.3 megapixel (MP) and 3.1MP choices have been added to the current 2MP models. In a surprise move, Kodak has chosen to adopt the Secure Digital/Multimedia card (SD/MMC) memory card format for its new entry-level model.
Kodak’s EasyShare philosophy is based around a USB-connected docking station that serves as a PC data link and a battery charger for the camera. By pressing the sole button on the docking station, all pictures inside the camera are moved to the PC.
Kodak supplied software can then offer the user a choice of printing the pictures out locally, via an online service or for your photos to be emailed or placed in a Web gallery. EasyShare cameras deliberately limit the range of user controls to maintain simplicity of use.
Kodak now addresses 80 per cent of market
Damian Dinning (pictured holding the new range-topping DX3900), Kodak’s product marketing manager for the EasyShare family in the UK, explained that with the DX3500/3600, Kodak had addressed 44 per cent of the digital camera market represented by 2MP cameras. With the new additions announced today, he says Kodak will widen its scope to over 80 per cent of the market.
At the entry level is the 1.3MP DX3215 (£249.99 inc.VAT), which effectively replaces the successful DC215. It has a 2X optical plus a 2X digital zoom capability. Although 8MB of permanent memory is built in, you can extend this by plugging in diminutive SD or MMC cards. This unusual choice in a world dominated by SmartMedia, CompactFlash and Memory Stick, is in preparation for a new range of ultra-compact cameras we can expect from Kodak next year.
3.1MP for £349
The DX3700 delivers 3.1MP pictures for an impressive looking £349.99. The catch is that you don’t get an optical zoom lens for this money. Instead you have to make do with an inferior quality 3X digital zoom only.
At £449.99 inc.VAT, the 3.1MP DX3900 is slimmer and technically more accommodating to photographers that prefer a little control over the camera settings. It borrows some of its image processing electronics from the existing DC4800. Kodak also claims the DX3900 is especially quiet in use.
Kodak’s strategy of favouring ease of use over feature richness is an interesting one. Digital Photography Now has always recognised the reluctance of many to master the intricacies of picture taking options offered by more conventional cameras. These people represent the real mass market and whether purists and enthusiasts like it or not, they need to be served by suitable products.
Both the DX3215 and DX3900 (below) models will appear in the shops next month, while the DX3700 is scheduled to arrive in October.
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DPN News service
www.dp-now.com
