This is just a preview of the upcoming Kodak Pro 14n DSLR. Due to the fact that this is still a pre-production unit, a more detailed review of the production unit will be done at a later stage when Kodak Pro 14n is officially released.
10 points demonstrations (cut and paste from Kodak)
1. Lens
This camera is compatible with the majority of users existing Nikon lens. Due to the fact that the sensor is THE SAME SIZE AS FILM, there is no magnification factor therefore a 18mm lens is equal to a 18mm lens.
This means that a photographer can use digital in the same way as film. Note the D100, S1 and D1x all have a small sensor thus multiplying the lens by a factor of @1.5, so with these cameras a 18mm lens=27mm lens.
2. Digital Design
The camera is based on the best features from the F/N80 and F5 film camera combined with a new metal bladed shutter.
a. Nikon compatible release port from the F5
b. Screw n flash sync from F5
c. Nikon multi zone Metering from F/N80/F5
d. D-TTL system compatibility from the Nikon series.
This shows a different approach to converting a film camera to shoot digital. Due to the need to build around the larger sensor, this is a digital camera that utilizes the best features from its film predecessors.
3. Speed
The firewire connection on the Pro14n is 4 times faster than the quickest connection speed of any other digital camera on the market. 128Mb per second connections are possible. Combined with a new firmware feature called Priority Preview which allows on screen viewing of thumbnails faster than ever before.
4. Battery power
The camera uses the latest cellphone lithium-ion battery technology, this gives a 300-600 images capacity with a 1.5 hour recharge in a ultra light compact housing. The camera comes with a battery and charger and mains power supply.
5. Durability
The camera is build around a magnesium body to give the maximum strength with the minimum of extra weight. A feature only found on the most expensive range of professional cameras.
6. Display / firmware
The camera comes with a bigger brighter screen and user upgradeable firmware this means that the camera is upgradeable by the user after downloading new firmware from the web. Note the camera comes with a FULL range of software for raw image access, Updates for firmware and software are available to the user via the Kodak web site.
7. Dual Mode function
Basic Digital mode The camera is shipped in basic mode allowing the 1st time user to deal only with the most important features (ISO, File size, etc.)
Later as the user becomes more conversant with the camera, they can switch to advanced mode and customize the camera to an incredible degree.
8. On Screen Help
On Screen help the bitmap display can show on screen help on any menu items a built in manual inside the camera available at the touch of a button
9. Smart Storage
The camera has 2 slots a CF compact flash and a MMC slot.
Kodak has taken the concept of dual storage a step further than any digital camera manufacturers. The systems also allows different resolutions of the same image so a 14, 6 or 3 Mb raw file to the compact flash and a 14, 6, 3 or 1MB ERI jpeg to the MMC slot.
So for example for the insurance, the systems allows the user to store the same image 14Mb twice once as a raw file to the compact flash and a 2nd as a ERI jpeg to the mmc card.
Or the user can shoot a 14Mb Raw and be storing a 1Mb ERI jpegs to be sent to a art director in another location.
10. Portrait Release
The portrait release incorporates a orientation sensor this means that all portrait images are automatically tagged with their orientation and rotated when the images are viewed in software.
10 points demonstrations (cut and paste from Kodak)
1. Lens
This camera is compatible with the majority of users existing Nikon lens. Due to the fact that the sensor is THE SAME SIZE AS FILM, there is no magnification factor therefore a 18mm lens is equal to a 18mm lens.
This means that a photographer can use digital in the same way as film. Note the D100, S1 and D1x all have a small sensor thus multiplying the lens by a factor of @1.5, so with these cameras a 18mm lens=27mm lens.
2. Digital Design
The camera is based on the best features from the F/N80 and F5 film camera combined with a new metal bladed shutter.
a. Nikon compatible release port from the F5
b. Screw n flash sync from F5
c. Nikon multi zone Metering from F/N80/F5
d. D-TTL system compatibility from the Nikon series.
This shows a different approach to converting a film camera to shoot digital. Due to the need to build around the larger sensor, this is a digital camera that utilizes the best features from its film predecessors.
3. Speed
The firewire connection on the Pro14n is 4 times faster than the quickest connection speed of any other digital camera on the market. 128Mb per second connections are possible. Combined with a new firmware feature called Priority Preview which allows on screen viewing of thumbnails faster than ever before.
4. Battery power
The camera uses the latest cellphone lithium-ion battery technology, this gives a 300-600 images capacity with a 1.5 hour recharge in a ultra light compact housing. The camera comes with a battery and charger and mains power supply.
5. Durability
The camera is build around a magnesium body to give the maximum strength with the minimum of extra weight. A feature only found on the most expensive range of professional cameras.
6. Display / firmware
The camera comes with a bigger brighter screen and user upgradeable firmware this means that the camera is upgradeable by the user after downloading new firmware from the web. Note the camera comes with a FULL range of software for raw image access, Updates for firmware and software are available to the user via the Kodak web site.
7. Dual Mode function
Basic Digital mode The camera is shipped in basic mode allowing the 1st time user to deal only with the most important features (ISO, File size, etc.)
Later as the user becomes more conversant with the camera, they can switch to advanced mode and customize the camera to an incredible degree.
8. On Screen Help
On Screen help the bitmap display can show on screen help on any menu items a built in manual inside the camera available at the touch of a button
9. Smart Storage
The camera has 2 slots a CF compact flash and a MMC slot.
Kodak has taken the concept of dual storage a step further than any digital camera manufacturers. The systems also allows different resolutions of the same image so a 14, 6 or 3 Mb raw file to the compact flash and a 14, 6, 3 or 1MB ERI jpeg to the MMC slot.
So for example for the insurance, the systems allows the user to store the same image 14Mb twice once as a raw file to the compact flash and a 2nd as a ERI jpeg to the mmc card.
Or the user can shoot a 14Mb Raw and be storing a 1Mb ERI jpegs to be sent to a art director in another location.
10. Portrait Release
The portrait release incorporates a orientation sensor this means that all portrait images are automatically tagged with their orientation and rotated when the images are viewed in software.