Despite the "gruesome" PR war between Sony and Canon, it appears that Kodak has smithed them both with the announcement of the first point and shoot digital camera that uses a CMOS sensor. If we were to be completely honest, Sony's R1 is the first non-SLR camera with a CMOS sensor, but the model is not quite a point and shooter.
Yes, you heard that right, Kodak has a new lineup of Easyshare cameras that will benefit from the company's proprietary CMOS sensors. The C513, the first model, is based on the KAC-05011 CMOS image sensor and will supposedly "produce high-quality images no matter how experienced the photographer may be". Well, that's a slight exaggeration on Kodak's behalf, but it's likely that image quality will be better than that of current CCD-powered cameras.
The funny thing about the CMOS sensors is that at first they were inferior to CCDs in terms of noise performance and now everybody is anxiously waiting for the implementation of CMOS imagers in compact cameras to make their images noise free at high ISO sensitivities. However, the Kodak C513 has an extremely limited ISO sensitivity of 80-160, with the extended 80-200 digital IS mode.
Here's what John Blake, General Manager, KODAK Digital Capture and Devices, has to say about it.
"The C513 provides consumers true value through easy-to-use and intuitive technology at an affordable price, thanks to the efficiencies that Kodak's CMOS technology has brought to camera design. Traditionally, CMOS has allowed for lower cost camera design but was not able to provide top image quality. Kodak has changed that dynamic with the introduction of a digital camera at a remarkably affordable price without compromising image quality or camera function."
Other features of the Kodak Easyshare C513 include a 3x optical zoom lens, a 2.4-inch LCD and some sort of fake image stabilization called Digital Image Stabilization that supposedly reduces blur caused by camera or subject movement as a still picture is being taken.
Kodak's press release mentions a price that looks like a typo. Apparently, the Easyshare C513 will be in August 2007 for a MSRP of $99. At this price, one would think we're dealing with a disposable digital camera.
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