Kodak Announces Super Compact “Mini” Camera And “Playfull” Video Camera

The key words for Kodak at CES this year? “Easy” and “Play.” The company is updating its EasyShare line of cameras with three wallet-friendly offerings– none are over $150– and its pocket video cameras with a new compact model and an update to its PlaySport camcorder.

All of Kodak’s EasyShare cameras feature a button that allows for one touch tagging, sharing, and uploading to Facebook, Twitter, Flickr, and other sites when connected to a computer via USB. First up is the EasyShare Mini, which boasts a super compact form factor at 3.4 x 2 x 0.7 inches and packs in 10 MP, a 3X optical zoom, and a 2.5-inch LCD. Meant to fit into the back pocket of skinny jeans, it also features a discrete mirror on the front of the camera for self-portraits. Perhaps the best feature of this slick little camera? The $99.95 price tag.

Kodak is also releasing the EasyShare Touch, a point-and-shoot with 3-inch HVGA touchscreen LCD, 14 MP, and 5X optical zoom. It also records 720p video with on-board editing. Video recording can be easily started with a dedicated button instead of fumbling between camera modes. This touchscreen camera will retail for $149.95.

Taking a page from their waterproof Playsport video camera, Kodak is introducing the EasyShare Sport. It’s waterproof up to 10 feet and will withstand dirt, dust, and sand, too. There’s a 12 MP sensor inside, a fixed focus lens with digital zoom, and a 2.4-inch LCD. While it lacks the optical zoom and large LCD of its Touch sibling, it will retail for $79.95 and is likely a better long term investment than numerous disposable underwater cameras from the drugstore.

Speaking of the Playsport, Kodak has made it more rugged. The second generation is now shockproof and dustproof to 5 feet in addition to being waterproof up to 10 feet. It will capture your adventures in 1080p full HD video and take 5 MP stills. Plus, you’ll be able to see them better thanks to a LCD Glare shield. This year’s model has more rounded, modern look and comes in a variety of colors for $179.95.

Complementing the EasyShare Mini’s diminutive stature is the PlayFull. It looks more like a digital voice recorder than an HD camcorder that takes 1080p video and 5 MP stills, but it’s in there. Meant to capture parties and social events, the PlayFull features a colorful circular design around the lens that complements the camera’s finish and will retail for $149.95.

Finally, for showing off your photos to family and friends, Kodak is updating its Pulse Display digital frames in 7 and 10-inch sizes. Each frame has a custom e-mail address for receiving images as well as commenting on received images. Using kodakpulse.com, you can add in Facebook photo albums from your friends as well as create playlists of particular photo sets, such as your last trip to Hawaii. The frames also have a motion sensor while will automatically dim the display when no one is in the room to watch it. The 7-inch model will be available for $129.95, while the 10-inch will be $199.95.