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2. Background

2.1. Digital Camera Technology--How Things Work

Digital cameras work with the same basic concept as a traditional camera. They have a viewfinder or LCD screen to show the image prior to taking a photograph, a lens with a shutter behind it to allow the light from the subject to hit a light sensitive material. However, this is where most of the similarities end.

Digital cameras use a CCD (Charged Coupled Device) to sense the colors of the light and their intensity. The CCD can be likened to a very find piece of graphing paper, with thousands of little squares (transistors) to which sense the differences between the colors. There are three types of transistors used in commonplace CCDs, red, green and blue. Each transistor then passes the color and intensity it sensed to and Analog-to-digital converter (ADC). The ADC then converts the information passed to it by the transistors into a digital format, or binary 1's and 0's. The digital output of the ADC is then passed to a Digital Signal Processor (DSP). The DSP adjusts the contrast and other image details to get the perfect look and then compresses the data into a file format like JPEG (Joint Photographics Expert Group).

Digital cameras may also have the ability to do an optical or a digital zoom on an image. An optical zoom is when a lens is used to get a closer look at the subject. A digital zoom is used to enhance the optical zoom for a larger image even though the maximum size has been attained via optical zoom. Even though an image can be resized later, it is suggested to use the built in digital zoom of the camera at this point before any compression has been done to the image. File formats like JPEG tend to degrade in quality when resized more so then when the image is resized by the camera's software. This is due to artifacts left behind from the compression.

A good resource for definitions of the terms used above is http://photo.askey.net/articles/glossary/ Please refer there for more information. Kodak also has a good site with much information on how things work, http://www.kodak.com/US/en/digital/dlc/.

2.2. Kodak Digital Camera Product Line

The technical specifications for the cameras in the Kodak Digital Camera product line have been attained from owners of the cameras and from third party web sites. None of the information in this section has been taken or compared to any Kodak documentation or their web site. Please submit missing and or incorrect information not obtained from copyrighted Kodak materials to khemicals@marblehorse.org. This information is useful to not only track the progression of digital cameras and as a comparison tool but also for many other technical uses.

2.2.1. DC5000

CDD Resolution 2.1 Megapixel
Image Resolution 1760 x 1168; 896 x 592 pixels
Image Quality Options Best, Better, Good
Image Storage Compact Flash Card
Viewfinder 1.8” TFT color LCD and optical viewfinder
Lens 2x zoom, autofocusing
Digital Zoom 3x
Focus Range 0.25m to infinity
Exposure Auto with manual override
Shutter Speed 1/2 - 1/755 second
Aperature Range f/6.5 - f/13.0
ISO Equivalent 100
Scripting DigitaOS
Burst Capture Yes
Time Lapse Yes
Orientation Sensor Yes
Self Timer 10 seconds
Tripod Mount Yes
Flash Strobe flash (9.8' range) and optional external flash sync
File Formats JPEG (.JPG)
User Interface ?
Power 4 AA batteries or AC Power Adapter
Dimensions 140mm wide x 89mm deep x 83mm high
Weight 1.0 lb without batteries
Video Out NTSC or PAL

2.2.2. DC4800

CDD Resolution 3.3 Megapixels
Image Resolution 2160 x 1440; 1800 x 1200; 1536 x 1024; 1080 x 720 pixels
Image Quality Options Uncompressed TIFF, Normal and Basic
Image Storage Compact Flash Card
Viewfinder 1.8” TFT color LCD and optical viewfinder
Lens 3x zoom, autofocusing
Digital Zoom 2x
Focus Range 7.8” to infinity
Exposure Auto with manual override
Shutter Speed 1/1000 - 16 seconds
Aperature Range f/2.8 - f/8.0
ISO Equivalent 100, 200 and 400
Scripting ?
Burst Capture Yes
Time Lapse ?
Orientation Sensor ?
Self Timer 10 seconds
Tripod Mount Yes
Flash Strobe flash (9.8' range)
File Formats JPEG (.JPG), TIFF (.TIFF)
User Interface ?
Power LiIon rechargeable batter pack or optional AC adapter
Dimensions 4.72” wide x 2.56” deep x 2.72” high
Weight 0.72 lb without batteries
Video Out NTSC or PAL

2.2.3. DC3800

CDD Resolution 2.3 Megapixel
Image Resolution 1792 x 1184; 896 x 592 pixels
Image Quality Options Best, Better, Good
Image Storage Compact Flash Card
Viewfinder 1.5” TFT color LCD and optical viewfinder
Lens autofocusing
Digital Zoom 2x
Focus Range 8” to infinity
Exposure Auto
Shutter Speed 1/2 - 1/1000 of a second
Aperature Range f/2.8 - f/8.0
ISO Equivalent 100
Scripting ?
Burst Capture Yes
Time Lapse ?
Orientation Sensor ?
Self Timer 10 seconds
Tripod Mount Yes
Flash Strobe flash (8.2' range)
File Formats JPEG (.JPG)
User Interface ?
Power 2 AA batteries or AC Power Adapter
Dimensions 3.7” wide x 2.4” deep x 1.3” high
Weight 0.36 lb without batteries
Video Out NTSC

2.2.4. DC3400

CDD Resolution 1901 x 1212 pixels
Image Resolution 1760 x 1168; 896 x 592 pixels
Image Quality Options Best, Better, Good
Image Storage Compact Flash Card
Viewfinder 1.8” TFT Color LCD and optical viewfinder
Lens 2x zoom, autofocusing
Digital Zoom 3x
Focus Range 9.8” to infinity
Exposure Auto
Shutter Speed 1/2 - 1/755 second
Aperature Range Wide: f/3.1 - f/8.1; Telephoto: f/3.9 - 10.3
ISO Equivalent 100
Scripting ?
Burst Capture ?
Time Lapse ?
Orientation Sensor ?
Self Timer 10 seconds
Tripod Mount Yes
Flash Strobe flash (9.8' range) and optional external flash sync
File Formats JPEG (.JPG)
User Interface ?
Power 4 AA batteries or AC Power Adapter
Dimensions 5.2” wide x 2.1” deep x 3.0” high
Weight 0.75 lb without batteries
Video Out NTSC or PAL

2.2.5. DC3200

CDD Resolution 1280 x 960
Image Resolution 1152 x 864; 576 x 432 pixels
Image Quality Options Best, Better, Good
Image Storage 2 MB Internal and Compact Flash Card slot
Viewfinder 1.6” TFT color LCD and optical viewfinder
Lens autofocusing
Digital Zoom 2x
Focus Range 24” to infinity
Exposure Auto
Shutter Speed 1/4 - 1/500 of a second
Aperature Range f/3.6 - f/8.0
ISO Equivalent 100
Scripting ?
Burst Capture ?
Time Lapse ?
Orientation Sensor ?
Self Timer ?
Tripod Mount ?
Flash Strobe flash (8' range)
File Formats JPEG (.JPG)
User Interface ?
Power 4 AA batteries
Dimensions 4.45” wide x 3.19” deep x 2.1” high
Weight 0.475 lb without batteries
Video Out NTSC only (US Version) or NTSC/PAL (Canadian Version)

2.2.6. DC290

CDD Resolution 1901 x 1212 pixels
Image Resolution 2240 x 1500; 1792 x 1200; 1440 x 960; 720 x 480 pixels
Image Quality Options ?
Image Storage Compact Flash Card
Viewfinder 2.0” TFT color LCD and optical viewfinder
Lens 3x zoom, autofocusing
Digital Zoom 2x
Focus Range 12” to infinity
Exposure Auto with manual override
Shutter Speed 1/400 - 16 second
Aperature Range Wide: f/3.0 - f/15.3; Telephoto: f/4.7 - f/16.0
ISO Equivalent 100
Scripting DigitaOS
Burst Capture Yes
Time Lapse Yes
Orientation Sensor Yes
Self Timer 10 seconds
Tripod Mount Yes
Flash Strobe flash (9.8' range) and optional external flash sync
File Formats JPEG (.JPG) and Flashpix (.FPX)
User Interface GUI
Power 4 AA batteries or AC Power Adapter
Dimensions 4.6” wide x 2.2” deep x 4.2” high
Weight 1.2 lb without batteries
Video Out NTSC or PAL

2.2.7. DC280

CDD Resolution 1901 x 1212 pixels
Image Resolution 1760 x 1168; 896 x 592 pixels
Image Quality Options Best, Better and Good
Image Storage Compact Flash Card
Viewfinder 1.8” TFT color LCD and optical viewfinder
Lens 3x zoom, autofocusing
Digital Zoom 2x
Focus Range 0.5m - Infinity; 0.25m - 0.5m
Exposure Auto with manual override
Shutter Speed 1/2 - 1/755 second
Aperature Range Wide: f/3.0 - f/7.6; Telephoto: f/3.8 - f/9.6
ISO Equivalent 70
Scripting ?
Burst Capture ?
Time Lapse ?
Orientation Sensor ?
Self Timer 10 seconds
Tripod Mount ?
Flash Strobe flash (9.6' range)
File Formats JPEG (.JPG)
User Interface GUI
Power 4 AA batteries or AC Power Adapter
Dimensions 5.2” wide x 2.0” deep x 3.0” high
Weight 0.75 lb without batteries
Video Out NTSC or PAL

2.2.8. DC265

CDD Resolution 1548 x 1032 pixels
Image Resolution 1536 x 1024; 1152 x 768; 768 x 512 pixels
Image Quality Options Best, Better, Good
Image Storage Compact Flash Card
Viewfinder 2.0” TFT color LCD and optical viewfinder
Lens 3x zoom, autofocusing
Digital Zoom 2x
Focus Range 12” to infinity
Exposure Auto with manual override
Shutter Speed 1/4 - 1/400 of a second
Aperature Range Wide: f/3.0 - f/14.0; Telephoto: f/4.7 - f/22.0
ISO Equivalent 100
Scripting DigitaOS
Burst Capture Yes
Time Lapse Yes
Orientation Sensor Yes
Self Timer 10 seconds
Tripod Mount Yes
Flash Strobe flash (9.8' range) and optional external flash sync
File Formats JPEG (.JPG) and Flashpix (.FPX)
User Interface GUI
Power 4 AA batteries or AC Power Adapter
Dimensions 4.6” wide x 2.2” deep x 4.2” high
Weight 1.2 lb without batteries
Video Out NTSC or PAL

2.2.9. DC260 (discontinued)

CDD Resolution 1548 x 1032 pixels
Image Resolution 1536 x 1024; 1152 x 768; 768 x 512 pixels
Image Quality Options Best, Better, Good
Image Storage Compact Flash Card
Viewfinder 2.0” TFT color LCD and optical viewfinder
Lens 3x zoom, autofocusing
Digital Zoom 2x
Focus Range 12” to infinity
Exposure Auto with manual override
Shutter Speed 1/4 - 1/400 of a second
Aperature Range Wide: f/3.0 - f/14.0; Telephoto: f/4.7 - f/22.0
ISO Equivalent 100
Scripting DigitaOS
Burst Capture Yes
Time Lapse Yes
Orientation Sensor Yes
Self Timer 10 seconds
Tripod Mount Yes
Flash Strobe flash (9.8' range) and optional external flash sync
File Formats JPEG (.JPG) and Flashpix (.FPX)
User Interface GUI
Power 4 AA batteries or AC Power Adapter
Dimensions 4.6” wide x 2.2” deep x 4.2” high
Weight 1.2 lb without batteries
Video Out NTSC or PAL

2.2.10. DC240 / DC240i

CDD Resolution 1344 x 971 pixels
Image Resolution 1280 x 960; 640 x 480 pixels
Image Quality Options Best, Better, Good
Image Storage Compact Flash Card
Viewfinder 1.8” TFT color LCD and optical viewfinder
Lens 3x zoom, autofocusing
Digital Zoom 2x
Focus Range 19.6” to infinity; 9.8” to 19.6”
Exposure Auto with manual override
Shutter Speed 1/2 - 1/755 of a second
Aperature Range Wide: f/2.8 - f/16.0; Telephoto: f/4.5 - f/25.7
ISO Equivalent 140
Scripting ?
Burst Capture ?
Time Lapse ?
Orientation Sensor ?
Self Timer 10 seconds
Tripod Mount Yes
Flash Strobe flash (9.8' range)
File Formats JPEG (.JPG)
User Interface GUI
Power 4 AA batteries or AC Power Adapter
Dimensions 5.2” wide x 2.0” deep x 3.0” high
Weight 0.7 lb without batteries
Video Out NTSC or PAL

2.2.11. DC220 (discontinued)

CDD Resolution 1174 x 884 pixels
Image Resolution 1152 x 864; 640 x 480 pixels
Image Quality Options Best, Better, Good
Image Storage Compact Flash Card
Viewfinder 2.0” TFT color LCD and optical viewfinder
Lens 2x focus free zoom
Digital Zoom 2x
Focus Range 8” to infinity
Exposure Auto with manual override
Shutter Speed 1/2 - 1/360 of a second
Aperature Range Wide: f/4.0 - f/13.5; Telephoto: f/4.7 - f/16.0
ISO Equivalent 140
Scripting DigitaOS
Burst Capture Yes
Time Lapse Yes
Orientation Sensor Yes
Self Timer 10 seconds
Tripod Mount Yes
Flash Strobe flash (9.8' range) and optional external flash sync
File Formats JPEG (.JPG) and Flashpix (.FPX)
User Interface GUI
Power 4 AA batteries or AC Power Adapter
Dimensions 4.6” wide x 2.2” deep x 4.2” high
Weight 1.2 lb without batteries
Video Out NTSC or PAL

2.2.12. DC215 / DC215 Metallics

CDD Resolution 1174 x 884 pixels
Image Resolution 1152 x 768; 640 x 480 pixels
Image Quality Options Best, Better, Good
Image Storage Compact Flash Card
Viewfinder 1.8” TFT color LCD and optical viewfinder
Lens 2x focus free zoom
Digital Zoom ?
Focus Range 8” to infinity
Exposure Auto with manual override
Shutter Speed 1/2 - 1/362 of a second
Aperature Range Wide: f/3.0 - f/13.5; Telephoto: f/4.79 - f/16.0
ISO Equivalent 140
Scripting ?
Burst Capture ?
Time Lapse ?
Orientation Sensor ?
Self Timer 10 seconds
Tripod Mount Yes
Flash Strobe flash (9.8' range)
File Formats JPEG (.JPG) and Flashpix (.FPX)
User Interface ?
Power 4 AA batteries or AC Power Adapter
Dimensions 4.5” wide x 1.7” deep x 2.7” high
Weight 0.66 lb without batteries
Video Out NTSC or PAL

2.2.13. DC210 (discontinued)

CDD Resolution ?
Image Resolution 1152 x 864; 640 x 480 pixels
Image Quality Options ?
Image Storage Compact Flash Card
Viewfinder 1.8” TFT color LCD and optical viewfinder
Lens ?
Digital Zoom ?
Focus Range ?
Exposure ?
Shutter Speed ?
Aperature Range ?
ISO Equivalent 140
Scripting ?
Burst Capture ?
Time Lapse ?
Orientation Sensor ?
Self Timer ?
Tripod Mount ?
Flash ?
File Formats JPEG (.JPG) and Flashpix (.FPX)
User Interface ?
Power 4 AA batteries or AC Power Adapter
Dimensions ?
Weight ?
Video Out NTSC or PAL

2.2.14. DC210 Plus

CDD Resolution 1174 x 884 pixels
Image Resolution 1152 x 864; 640 x 480 pixels
Image Quality Options Best, Better, Good
Image Storage Compact Flash Card
Viewfinder 1.8” TFT color LCD and optical viewfinder
Lens 2x focus free zoom
Digital Zoom ?
Focus Range 8” to infinity
Exposure Auto with manual override
Shutter Speed 1/2 - 1/362 of a second
Aperature Range Wide: f/4.0 - f/13.5; Telephoto: f/4.7 - f/16.0
ISO Equivalent 140
Scripting ?
Burst Capture ?
Time Lapse ?
Orientation Sensor ?
Self Timer 10 seconds
Tripod Mount Yes
Flash Strobe flash (9.8' range)
File Formats JPEG (.JPG) and Flashpix (.FPX)
User Interface ?
Power 4 AA batteries or AC Power Adapter
Dimensions 5.2” wide x 1.9” deep x 3.2” high
Weight 0.75 lb without batteries
Video Out NTSC or PAL

2.2.15. DC200 (discontinued)

CDD Resolution 1160 x 872 pixels
Image Resolution 1152 x 864; 640 x 480 pixels
Image Quality Options Best, Better, Good
Image Storage Compact Flash Card
Viewfinder 1.8” TFT color LCD and optical viewfinder
Lens focus free
Digital Zoom ?
Focus Range 27” to infinity
Exposure Auto
Shutter Speed 1/2 - 1/362 of a second
Aperature Range f/4.0 - f/13.5
ISO Equivalent 140
Scripting ?
Burst Capture ?
Time Lapse ?
Orientation Sensor ?
Self Timer 10 seconds
Tripod Mount Yes
Flash Strobe flash (9.8' range) and optional external flash sync
File Formats JPEG (.JPG) and Flashpix (.FPX)
User Interface ?
Power 4 AA batteries or AC Power Adapter
Dimensions 5.2” wide x 1.9” deep x 3.2” high
Weight 0.75 lb without batteries
Video Out NTSC or PAL

2.2.16. DC200 Plus

CDD Resolution 1160 x 872 pixels
Image Resolution 1152 x 864; 640 x 480 pixels
Image Quality Options Best, Better, Good
Image Storage Compact Flash Card
Viewfinder 1.8” TFT color LCD and optical viewfinder
Lens focus free
Digital Zoom ?
Focus Range 27” to infinity
Exposure Auto with manual override
Shutter Speed 1/2 - 1/362 of a second
Aperature Range f/4.0 - f/13.5
ISO Equivalent 140
Scripting ?
Burst Capture ?
Time Lapse ?
Orientation Sensor ?
Self Timer 10 seconds
Tripod Mount Yes
Flash Strobe flash (9.8' range) and optional external flash sync
File Formats JPEG (.JPG) and Flashpix (.FPX)
User Interface ?
Power 4 AA batteries or AC Power Adapter
Dimensions 5.2” wide x 1.9” deep x 3.2” high
Weight 0.75 lb without batteries
Video Out NTSC or PAL

2.2.17. DC120 (discontinued)

CDD Resolution 850 x 984 pixels
Image Resolution 1280 x 960 pixels
Image Quality Options Uncompressed, Best, Better, Good
Image Storage 2MB Internal Storage and Compact Flash Card
Viewfinder 1.6” color LCD
Lens 3x zoom, autofocusing
Digital Zoom ?
Focus Range 7.9” to infinity
Exposure Auto with manual override
Shutter Speed 1/500 - 16 seconds
Aperature Range Wide: f/2.5 - f/16.0; Telephoto: f/3.8 - f/24.0
ISO Equivalent 160
Scripting ?
Burst Capture ?
Time Lapse ?
Orientation Sensor ?
Self Timer 10 seconds
Tripod Mount Yes
Flash Strobe flash and optional external flash sync
File Formats ?
User Interface ?
Power 4 AA batteries
Dimensions 4.3” wide x 5.7” deep x 2.2” high
Weight 1.15 lb without batteries
Video Out ?

2.2.18. DC50 (discontinued)

No specifications have been submitted for this camera yet.

2.2.19. DC40 (discontinued)

No specifications have been submitted for this camera yet.

2.2.20. DC25 (discontinued)

CDD Resolution ?
Image Resolution 493 x 373; 320 x 240 pixels
Image Quality Options ?
Image Storage Compact Flash Card
Viewfinder 1.6” color LCD
Lens focus free
Digital Zoom ?
Focus Range 0.5m to infinity
Exposure Auto
Shutter Speed 1/30 - 1/4000 of a second
Aperature Range f/4.0 - f/11.0
ISO Equivalent 800/1600
Scripting ?
Burst Capture ?
Time Lapse ?
Orientation Sensor ?
Self Timer 10 seconds
Tripod Mount ?
Flash Strobe flash
File Formats ?
User Interface ?
Power 2 3V Lithium
Dimensions 5.1” wide x 1.6” deep x 2.8” high
Weight 0.59 lb with batteries
Video Out ?

2.2.21. DC20 (discontinued)

CDD Resolution ?
Image Resolution 493 x 373; 320 x 240 pixels
Image Quality Options ?
Image Storage 1 MB Internal
Viewfinder ?
Lens focus free
Digital Zoom ?
Focus Range 0.5m to infinity
Exposure Auto
Shutter Speed 1/30 - 1/4000 of a second
Aperature Range f/4.0 - f/11.0
ISO Equivalent 800/1600
Scripting ?
Burst Capture ?
Time Lapse ?
Orientation Sensor ?
Self Timer ?
Tripod Mount ?
Flash ?
File Formats ?
User Interface ?
Power 3V Lithium
Dimensions 102mm wide x 31mm deep x 61mm high
Weight 0.26 lb without batteries
Video Out ?

2.2.22. EZ200

CDD Resolution 640 x 480
Image Resolution 640 x 480, 320 x 240; 160 x 120 pixels
Image Quality Options ?
Image Storage 4 MB Internal
Viewfinder ?
Lens manual focus
Digital Zoom none
Focus Range 2” to infinity
Exposure Auto
Shutter Speed 1/4 - 1/500 of a second
Aperature Range f/2.3 fixed
ISO Equivalent ?
Scripting ?
Burst Capture Yes (and streaming)
Time Lapse ?
Orientation Sensor ?
Self Timer ?
Tripod Mount Yes
Flash ?
File Formats JPEG (.jpg) and AVI (.avi)
User Interface ?
Power 2 AAA Batteries and USB
Dimensions 2.6” wide x 1.4” deep x 2.7” high
Weight 0.2 lb without batteries
Video Out Computer Teleconferencing

2.3. Communicating With Digital Cameras