Kodak’s Camera-First Smartphone EKTRA Launches in the United States

The Eastman Kodak Company and Bullitt Group have announced the availability of a U.S. GSM version of the KODAK EKTRA Smartphone. The U.S. launch coincides with a software update addressing requests from our photo-enthusiast consumersincluding RAW support, improved auto-focus performance, and optimizations to auto-white balance and color saturation.

“As the camera-first smartphone, the KODAK EKTRA reimagines the traditional camera as an always-on, connected device,“ said Jeff Clarke, Kodak Chief Executive Officer. “Our users tell us that EKTRA is reawakening their passion for photography once again.”

“Driven by the enthusiasm from customers in the UK, we are thrilled to bring KODAK EKTRA to photo enthusiasts in the U.S.,” said Peter Stephens, CEO Bullitt Group, a Kodak licensee for mobile devices. “We are introducing new features and performance adjustments with todays software update to help drive our customers’ creativity at an incredible value.”

In 2016, the KODAK EKTRA Smartphone won the Silver Award in the New York Design Awards for its classic style and iconic design. The KODAK EKTRA has a look-and-feel similar to a DSLR camera experience with a wrist-strap, a dedicated dual-press shutter button, and a large-glass cover on the 21 megapixel/f2.0 aperture lens. The KODAK EKTRA is ergonomically-weighted to feel like a camera in horizontal or vertical orientation, and the lens glass is coated to improve light absorption by the sensor. The KODAK EKTRA is preloaded with curated apps including the SNAPSEED photo-editing tool, prints, and the Super 8 app featuring filters and vignettes including EKTACHROME and KODACHROME Films.

Powered by a Media-Tek Helio X20 core processor running the GOOGLE ANDROID system, the KODAK EKTRA also features a 13-megapixel front-facing camera, and a rear-facing camera with the ability to capture 4K video. Scene selection modes ensure great images based on the context including HDR, Landscape, Portrait, Macro, Sport, Night-time, Panorama and Bokeh. Manual mode gives access to additional advanced settings and sophisticated controls, allowing adjustments to exposure, ISO, focus, white balance and shutter speed, and enabling considered photography. GOOGLE SNAPSEED is also pre-loaded for additional image editing and enhancement features. See examples of images shot with the KODAK EKTRA on Instagram tagged with #KodakEktra.

The KODAK EKTRA unleashes creativity and makes a visual statement with a range of high-touch accessories including over-the-shoulder camera-styled leather cases in Black & Scarlet and Tan & Ochre. In collaboration with Poppy Jamie and Suki Waterhouse, the case is also available in Pop & Sukis signature millennial pink.

The KODAK EKTRA Smartphone is available for $399.99, sold unlocked and SIM free at retailers including B&H Photo Video, Best Buy, Amazon and kodakphones.com.

To find out more visit:
http://www.kodakphones.com

New in Version 2.009.00:

Enhanced single handed camera functionality; when the camera app is enabled the Android touch buttons are now disabled to avoid an accidental press when using the camera with one hand

Added RAW file support in manual mode; shooting in RAW records all the data from the sensor enabling more sophisticated image processing options

Improved auto focus making in quicker and more accurate
Improved Face Detection performance for better portrait photos

Optimisations to the Auto White Balance and colour saturation

Improvements to shutter speed performance

New option to disable Auto Scene Detection in smart auto mode

New shutter effect to provide visual indication of when a picture is taken

Enhanced low light performance
Optimisations to the noise reduction algorithm from ISO 100-6400

Introduces a new How To camera tutorial on the new functionality

KODAK EKTRA Smartphone key features:

ANDROID 6.0 (Marshmallow)

Professional results from a 21MP fast focus camera sensor with F2.0, PDAF, OIS, Dual LED Flash

13MP phase detection auto focus front-facing camera with F2.2 PDAF

Helio X20 2.3GHz Decacore processor with 3GB RAM
32GB memory, expandable with MicroSD cards

Advanced Manual Mode adjustable on Exposure, ISO, Focal Length (Manual/Auto), White Balance, Shutter Speed, Aperture (fixed f2.0 main camera)

Familiar scene selection dial experience includes scene modes Smart Auto, Portrait, Manual, Sports, Bokeh, Night-time, HDR, Panorama, Macro, Landscape, Film / Video
Integrated high quality printing app

Super 8 Video Recorder

Integrated social media sharing

3000mAh, with USB 3.0 Type C fast charger

For additional information on Kodak, visit:
http:/ kodak.com, follow on Twitter @Kodak, or on Facebook at Kodak.

Sources:
Kodak
Bullitt Mobile Limited (UK)