Eastman Kodak Co has released its updated version of the DC 40, the digital point-and-shoot camera launched last March (CI No 2,634). Aimed at business users wanting to add digital images to reports and presentations, the camera downloads pictures to a computer, to be manipulated and reproduced. The company hoped the DC 40 would pave the way for cheap digital cameras for businesses, but has so far declined to comment on sales. The DC 50 uses the same PhotoEnhancer software from PictureWorks Technology Inc as its predecessor, but has a number of basic enhancements. The latest model comes complete with a motor-driven zoom lens, automatic focus and exposure control, doing away with the need to buy extra lenses. Along with the 1Mb permanent memory inside the camera, it is now possible to store pictures on removable ATA-compatable PC Card storage cards, providing faster, more flexible access to pictures. The ability to remove or change cards at any time and transfer them to a personal computer via a PC Card slot is a marked improvement on downloading through the RS-232 interface. Speed is doubled, capacity increased and the cards can be read by any PC-ATA card reader without additional software drivers. Improvements in picture quality will enable what Kodak describe as good, better or best quality options for each shot, depending on resolution and storage requirements. The Kodak DC 50 measures in at 6 by 4 by 2.25, available in Europe from the end of January and costs #800.
