Kodak Introduces 2014 Sensor Camera Phone
Kodak has introduced the Ektra, a smartphone that looks like a compact camera. The phone has a 21-megapixel camera that uses the Sony IMX230 sensor and has optical image stabilization. The device runs on Android 6.0.
Kodak has designed the Ektra smartphone as a compact camera, with a grip, large lens and a large camera button. The device is finished with leather. The large dimensions of the lens on the back of the phone seem to be just for decoration, because the smartphone has an f/2.0 lens that is much smaller than the curve on the housing.
The rear camera is designed around the Sony IMX230 sensor. This is a 21-megapixel sensor with a size of 1/2.4″, giving a pixel size of 1.12 microns. Sony introduced the sensor in 2014 and the chip was previously used in phones like the Sony Xperia Z3+ and the Motorola Moto X from 2015. Many manufacturers today opt for a sensor with fewer, but large pixels, because this provides better image quality in low light.For example, the Samsung Galaxy S7 has a 12-megapixel sensor with pixels of 1.4 microns and the pixels of the Google Pixel smartphones are 1.55 microns in size.
The camera is equipped with OIS, PDAF and a dual-LED flash. The device has no optical zoom; some other camera phones do, such as the Asus Zenfone Zoom and the Samsung Galaxy K Zoom. The front camera has a 13-megapixel sensor with an f/2.2 lens and PDAF.
Kodak has developed a special camera app that includes a virtual scene selection dial. The app supports shooting 4k videos and adding filters to photos. The device runs on Android 6.0 and is equipped with a Mediatek Helio X20 decacore-soc and 3GB ram. The battery has a capacity of 3000mAh and the 5 “screen has a resolution of 1920×1080 pixels. There is 32GB storage capacity, which can be expanded with a micro-SD card. According to Kodak, the lens and screen are equipped with Gorilla Glass Kodak includes a fast charger with the phone, which works with Mediatek’s Pump-Express technology and uses a USB-C connection.
In order to be able to produce the telephone, Kodak works together with Bullitt Group. Bullitt is a company that makes smartphones for third parties. For example, they make the CAT S60 for Caterpillar, a sturdy telephone with a thermal camera.
Things haven’t been going well for Kodak for years. The 124-year-old company specializes in analog photo techniques. The rise of digital cameras and smartphones made it difficult for the company to keep its head above water. In 2012, it seemed to be heading for bankruptcy. The company has managed to prevent this for the time being and in 2015 it announced its first smartphone, the IM5. That phone was not a success.
Kodak gives in the press release a suggested retail price of 449 pounds. Engadget knows that the price in mainland Europe will be 499 euros. The phone will only be available in Europe for the time being, but it is not known when the Ektra will be available.