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Kodak CCD sensor powers Olympus Four Third system
Dennis Hissink : July 21th 2003 - 00:34 CET
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 Eastman Kodak Company today announced that Olympus Optical Co., Ltd. of Japan has selected an enhanced version of the Kodak KAF-5101CE charge-coupled device (CCD) image sensor for its new Olympus E-1 Digital Single Lens Reflex (D-SLR) camera system, the first digital camera designed for the emerging Four Thirds System standard. The enhanced KAF-5101CE was designed and developed in conjunction with Olympus to match the exact optical characteristics of the E-1 camera (see today's related news from Olympus, Olympus Introduces Interchangeable Lens Type E-1 Digital SLR Camera Systems for Professional Use). The Kodak KAF-5101CE sensor is an enhanced 5.1 million pixel full-frame color CCD sensor.
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 By closely coupling the KAF-5101CE CCD image sensor with its new interchangeable lens family and digital image processing system, Olympus has developed a camera system offering professional-grade image capture, fast photographic speed, and broad user versatility.
The sensor provides high-resolution digital images ideal for the professional and advanced amateur markets. Specific benefits of the new KAF-5101CE image sensor include: Image Quality leverages Kodak's advanced Full-Frame CCD technology to provide ultra-wide dynamic range for rendering fine image details in the highlight and shadow areas and excellent color fidelity for sharp images with brilliant colors;
Speed 4/3-type image sensor enables camera designs with extremely low shutter lag, fast shutter speeds and rapid read-out for high image burst rates; Size designed to match the new Four Thirds System interchangeable lenses resulting in a new class of camera lenses that are more compact and half the size and weight of the equivalent focal length lenses for traditional 35 mm cameras for improved portability and Photo-sensitivity matching the 4/3-type imager and lenses enables wide-angle photography and improved sensitivity (effective ISO) for image capture in dimly lit photographic conditions.
Jointly announced by Olympus and Kodak last year, the Four Thirds System standard represents a breakthrough in digital camera design. Digital SLR camera systems based on this architecture are fully optimized for digital image capture allowing cameras such as the E-1 to deliver the performance and image quality expected by the professional photographic market.
"The combination of the enhanced Kodak KAF-5101CE sensor and the new Olympus digital SLR camera with interchangeable lenses creates a revolutionary new category of digital SLR cameras that will appeal to photographers seeking the highest level of image quality and versatility," said Hiroshi Komiya, director, board member, executive managing officer and group president, Imaging System Group, Olympus Optical Co., Ltd. "We are excited to be working with Kodak's Image Sensor Solutions group to provide the marketplace with new offerings that leverage the latest digital standards for improved image capture."
Kodak and Olympus are members of the Universal Digital Interchangeable Lens System Forum, an industry forum that promotes the acceptance of the Four Thirds System by camera manufacturers. The delivery of the Kodak KAF-5101CE image sensor demonstrates Kodak's continued commitment to the Forum as well as to working with customers to deliver image sensors that address specific market needs and design standards.
"Kodak is proud to be working directly with Olympus to advance the adoption of the Four Thirds System standard to make a new class of digital cameras available to the professional photographer market," said Chris McNiffe, general manager, Kodak's Image Sensor Solutions organization. "By working with Olympus and delivering the enhanced KAF-5101CE sensor, Kodak continues to execute on its growth strategy of adapting technological innovation to advance the digital imaging market while opening up new market opportunities for Kodak and its customers." |
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