Background

Kodak Digital Camera HOWTO
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# 2. Background

## 2.1. Digital Camera Technology--How Things Work

Digital cameras work with the same basic concept as a traditional camera. They have a viewfinder or LCD screen to show the image prior to taking a photograph, a lens with a shutter behind it to allow the light from the subject to hit a light sensitive material. However, this is where most of the similarities end.

Digital cameras use a CCD (Charged Coupled Device) to sense the colors of the light and their intensity. The CCD can be likened to a very find piece of graphing paper, with thousands of little squares (transistors) to which sense the differences between the colors. There are three types of transistors used in commonplace CCDs, red, green and blue. Each transistor then passes the color and intensity it sensed to and Analog-to-digital converter (ADC). The ADC then converts the information passed to it by the transistors into a digital format, or binary 1's and 0's. The digital output of the ADC is then passed to a Digital Signal Processor (DSP). The DSP adjusts the contrast and other image details to get the perfect look and then compresses the data into a file format like JPEG (Joint Photographics Expert Group).

Digital cameras may also have the ability to do an optical or a digital zoom on an image. An optical zoom is when a lens is used to get a closer look at the subject. A digital zoom is used to enhance the optical zoom for a larger image even though the maximum size has been attained via optical zoom. Even though an image can be resized later, it is suggested to use the built in digital zoom of the camera at this point before any compression has been done to the image. File formats like JPEG tend to degrade in quality when resized more so then when the image is resized by the camera's software. This is due to artifacts left behind from the compression.

A good resource for definitions of the terms used above is http://photo.askey.net/articles/glossary/ Please refer there for more information. Kodak also has a good site with much information on how things work, http://www.kodak.com/US/en/digital/dlc/.

## 2.2. Kodak Digital Camera Product Line

The technical specifications for the cameras in the Kodak Digital Camera product line have been attained from owners of the cameras and from third party web sites. None of the information in this section has been taken or compared to any Kodak documentation or their web site. Please submit missing and or incorrect information not obtained from copyrighted Kodak materials to khemicals@marblehorse.org. This information is useful to not only track the progression of digital cameras and as a comparison tool but also for many other technical uses.

### 2.2.1. DC5000

CDD Resolution | 2.1 Megapixel
Image Resolution | 1760 x 1168; 896 x 592 pixels
Image Quality Options | Best, Better, Good
Image Storage | Compact Flash Card
Viewfinder | 1.8” TFT color LCD and optical viewfinder
Lens | 2x zoom, autofocusing
Digital Zoom | 3x
Focus Range | 0.25m to infinity
Exposure | Auto with manual override
Shutter Speed | 1/2 - 1/755 second
Aperature Range | f/6.5 - f/13.0
ISO Equivalent | 100
Scripting | DigitaOS
Burst Capture | Yes
Time Lapse | Yes
Orientation Sensor | Yes
Self Timer | 10 seconds
Tripod Mount | Yes
Flash | Strobe flash (9.8' range) and optional external flash sync
File Formats | JPEG (.JPG)
User Interface | ?
Power | 4 AA batteries or AC Power Adapter
Dimensions | 140mm wide x 89mm deep x 83mm high
Weight | 1.0 lb without batteries
Video Out | NTSC or PAL

### 2.2.2. DC4800

CDD Resolution | 3.3 Megapixels
Image Resolution | 2160 x 1440; 1800 x 1200; 1536 x 1024; 1080 x 720 pixels
Image Quality Options | Uncompressed TIFF, Normal and Basic
Image Storage | Compact Flash Card
Viewfinder | 1.8” TFT color LCD and optical viewfinder
Lens | 3x zoom, autofocusing
Digital Zoom | 2x
Focus Range | 7.8” to infinity
Exposure | Auto with manual override
Shutter Speed | 1/1000 - 16 seconds
Aperature Range | f/2.8 - f/8.0
ISO Equivalent | 100, 200 and 400
Scripting | ?
Burst Capture | Yes
Time Lapse | ?
Orientation Sensor | ?
Self Timer | 10 seconds
Tripod Mount | Yes
Flash | Strobe flash (9.8' range)
File Formats | JPEG (.JPG), TIFF (.TIFF)
User Interface | ?
Power | LiIon rechargeable batter pack or optional AC adapter
Dimensions | 4.72” wide x 2.56” deep x 2.72” high
Weight | 0.72 lb without batteries
Video Out | NTSC or PAL

### 2.2.3. DC3800

CDD Resolution | 2.3 Megapixel
Image Resolution | 1792 x 1184; 896 x 592 pixels
Image Quality Options | Best, Better, Good
Image Storage | Compact Flash Card
Viewfinder | 1.5” TFT color LCD and optical viewfinder
Lens | autofocusing
Digital Zoom | 2x
Focus Range | 8” to infinity
Exposure | Auto
Shutter Speed | 1/2 - 1/1000 of a second
Aperature Range | f/2.8 - f/8.0
ISO Equivalent | 100
Scripting | ?
Burst Capture | Yes
Time Lapse | ?
Orientation Sensor | ?
Self Timer | 10 seconds
Tripod Mount | Yes
Flash | Strobe flash (8.2' range)
File Formats | JPEG (.JPG)
User Interface | ?
Power | 2 AA batteries or AC Power Adapter
Dimensions | 3.7” wide x 2.4” deep x 1.3” high
Weight | 0.36 lb without batteries
Video Out | NTSC

### 2.2.4. DC3400

CDD Resolution | 1901 x 1212 pixels
Image Resolution | 1760 x 1168; 896 x 592 pixels
Image Quality Options | Best, Better, Good
Image Storage | Compact Flash Card
Viewfinder | 1.8” TFT Color LCD and optical viewfinder
Lens | 2x zoom, autofocusing
Digital Zoom | 3x
Focus Range | 9.8” to infinity
Exposure | Auto
Shutter Speed | 1/2 - 1/755 second
Aperature Range | Wide: f/3.1 - f/8.1; Telephoto: f/3.9 - 10.3
ISO Equivalent | 100
Scripting | ?
Burst Capture | ?
Time Lapse | ?
Orientation Sensor | ?
Self Timer | 10 seconds
Tripod Mount | Yes
Flash | Strobe flash (9.8' range) and optional external flash sync
File Formats | JPEG (.JPG)
User Interface | ?
Power | 4 AA batteries or AC Power Adapter
Dimensions | 5.2” wide x 2.1” deep x 3.0” high
Weight | 0.75 lb without batteries
Video Out | NTSC or PAL

### 2.2.5. DC3200

CDD Resolution | 1280 x 960
Image Resolution | 1152 x 864; 576 x 432 pixels
Image Quality Options | Best, Better, Good
Image Storage | 2 MB Internal and Compact Flash Card slot
Viewfinder | 1.6” TFT color LCD and optical viewfinder
Lens | autofocusing
Digital Zoom | 2x
Focus Range | 24” to infinity
Exposure | Auto
Shutter Speed | 1/4 - 1/500 of a second
Aperature Range | f/3.6 - f/8.0
ISO Equivalent | 100
Scripting | ?
Burst Capture | ?
Time Lapse | ?
Orientation Sensor | ?
Self Timer | ?
Tripod Mount | ?
Flash | Strobe flash (8' range)
File Formats | JPEG (.JPG)
User Interface | ?
Power | 4 AA batteries
Dimensions | 4.45” wide x 3.19” deep x 2.1” high
Weight | 0.475 lb without batteries
Video Out | NTSC only (US Version) or NTSC/PAL (Canadian Version)

### 2.2.6. DC290

CDD Resolution | 1901 x 1212 pixels
Image Resolution | 2240 x 1500; 1792 x 1200; 1440 x 960; 720 x 480 pixels
Image Quality Options | ?
Image Storage | Compact Flash Card
Viewfinder | 2.0” TFT color LCD and optical viewfinder
Lens | 3x zoom, autofocusing
Digital Zoom | 2x
Focus Range | 12” to infinity
Exposure | Auto with manual override
Shutter Speed | 1/400 - 16 second
Aperature Range | Wide: f/3.0 - f/15.3; Telephoto: f/4.7 - f/16.0
ISO Equivalent | 100
Scripting | DigitaOS
Burst Capture | Yes
Time Lapse | Yes
Orientation Sensor | Yes
Self Timer | 10 seconds
Tripod Mount | Yes
Flash | Strobe flash (9.8' range) and optional external flash sync
File Formats | JPEG (.JPG) and Flashpix (.FPX)
User Interface | GUI
Power | 4 AA batteries or AC Power Adapter
Dimensions | 4.6” wide x 2.2” deep x 4.2” high
Weight | 1.2 lb without batteries
Video Out | NTSC or PAL

### 2.2.7. DC280

CDD Resolution | 1901 x 1212 pixels
Image Resolution | 1760 x 1168; 896 x 592 pixels
Image Quality Options | Best, Better and Good
Image Storage | Compact Flash Card
Viewfinder | 1.8” TFT color LCD and optical viewfinder
Lens | 3x zoom, autofocusing
Digital Zoom | 2x
Focus Range | 0.5m - Infinity; 0.25m - 0.5m
Exposure | Auto with manual override
Shutter Speed | 1/2 - 1/755 second
Aperature Range | Wide: f/3.0 - f/7.6; Telephoto: f/3.8 - f/9.6
ISO Equivalent | 70
Scripting | ?
Burst Capture | ?
Time Lapse | ?
Orientation Sensor | ?
Self Timer | 10 seconds
Tripod Mount | ?
Flash | Strobe flash (9.6' range)
File Formats | JPEG (.JPG)
User Interface | GUI
Power | 4 AA batteries or AC Power Adapter
Dimensions | 5.2” wide x 2.0” deep x 3.0” high
Weight | 0.75 lb without batteries
Video Out | NTSC or PAL

### 2.2.8. DC265

CDD Resolution | 1548 x 1032 pixels
Image Resolution | 1536 x 1024; 1152 x 768; 768 x 512 pixels
Image Quality Options | Best, Better, Good
Image Storage | Compact Flash Card
Viewfinder | 2.0” TFT color LCD and optical viewfinder
Lens | 3x zoom, autofocusing
Digital Zoom | 2x
Focus Range | 12” to infinity
Exposure | Auto with manual override
Shutter Speed | 1/4 - 1/400 of a second
Aperature Range | Wide: f/3.0 - f/14.0; Telephoto: f/4.7 - f/22.0
ISO Equivalent | 100
Scripting | DigitaOS
Burst Capture | Yes
Time Lapse | Yes
Orientation Sensor | Yes
Self Timer | 10 seconds
Tripod Mount | Yes
Flash | Strobe flash (9.8' range) and optional external flash sync
File Formats | JPEG (.JPG) and Flashpix (.FPX)
User Interface | GUI
Power | 4 AA batteries or AC Power Adapter
Dimensions | 4.6” wide x 2.2” deep x 4.2” high
Weight | 1.2 lb without batteries
Video Out | NTSC or PAL

### 2.2.9. DC260 (discontinued)

CDD Resolution | 1548 x 1032 pixels
Image Resolution | 1536 x 1024; 1152 x 768; 768 x 512 pixels
Image Quality Options | Best, Better, Good
Image Storage | Compact Flash Card
Viewfinder | 2.0” TFT color LCD and optical viewfinder
Lens | 3x zoom, autofocusing
Digital Zoom | 2x
Focus Range | 12” to infinity
Exposure | Auto with manual override
Shutter Speed | 1/4 - 1/400 of a second
Aperature Range | Wide: f/3.0 - f/14.0; Telephoto: f/4.7 - f/22.0
ISO Equivalent | 100
Scripting | DigitaOS
Burst Capture | Yes
Time Lapse | Yes
Orientation Sensor | Yes
Self Timer | 10 seconds
Tripod Mount | Yes
Flash | Strobe flash (9.8' range) and optional external flash sync
File Formats | JPEG (.JPG) and Flashpix (.FPX)
User Interface | GUI
Power | 4 AA batteries or AC Power Adapter
Dimensions | 4.6” wide x 2.2” deep x 4.2” high
Weight | 1.2 lb without batteries
Video Out | NTSC or PAL

### 2.2.10. DC240 / DC240i

CDD Resolution | 1344 x 971 pixels
Image Resolution | 1280 x 960; 640 x 480 pixels
Image Quality Options | Best, Better, Good
Image Storage | Compact Flash Card
Viewfinder | 1.8” TFT color LCD and optical viewfinder
Lens | 3x zoom, autofocusing
Digital Zoom | 2x
Focus Range | 19.6” to infinity; 9.8” to 19.6”
Exposure | Auto with manual override
Shutter Speed | 1/2 - 1/755 of a second
Aperature Range | Wide: f/2.8 - f/16.0; Telephoto: f/4.5 - f/25.7
ISO Equivalent | 140
Scripting | ?
Burst Capture | ?
Time Lapse | ?
Orientation Sensor | ?
Self Timer | 10 seconds
Tripod Mount | Yes
Flash | Strobe flash (9.8' range)
File Formats | JPEG (.JPG)
User Interface | GUI
Power | 4 AA batteries or AC Power Adapter
Dimensions | 5.2” wide x 2.0” deep x 3.0” high
Weight | 0.7 lb without batteries
Video Out | NTSC or PAL

### 2.2.11. DC220 (discontinued)

CDD Resolution | 1174 x 884 pixels
Image Resolution | 1152 x 864; 640 x 480 pixels
Image Quality Options | Best, Better, Good
Image Storage | Compact Flash Card
Viewfinder | 2.0” TFT color LCD and optical viewfinder
Lens | 2x focus free zoom
Digital Zoom | 2x
Focus Range | 8” to infinity
Exposure | Auto with manual override
Shutter Speed | 1/2 - 1/360 of a second
Aperature Range | Wide: f/4.0 - f/13.5; Telephoto: f/4.7 - f/16.0
ISO Equivalent | 140
Scripting | DigitaOS
Burst Capture | Yes
Time Lapse | Yes
Orientation Sensor | Yes
Self Timer | 10 seconds
Tripod Mount | Yes
Flash | Strobe flash (9.8' range) and optional external flash sync
File Formats | JPEG (.JPG) and Flashpix (.FPX)
User Interface | GUI
Power | 4 AA batteries or AC Power Adapter
Dimensions | 4.6” wide x 2.2” deep x 4.2” high
Weight | 1.2 lb without batteries
Video Out | NTSC or PAL

### 2.2.12. DC215 / DC215 Metallics

CDD Resolution | 1174 x 884 pixels
Image Resolution | 1152 x 768; 640 x 480 pixels
Image Quality Options | Best, Better, Good
Image Storage | Compact Flash Card
Viewfinder | 1.8” TFT color LCD and optical viewfinder
Lens | 2x focus free zoom
Digital Zoom | ?
Focus Range | 8” to infinity
Exposure | Auto with manual override
Shutter Speed | 1/2 - 1/362 of a second
Aperature Range | Wide: f/3.0 - f/13.5; Telephoto: f/4.79 - f/16.0
ISO Equivalent | 140
Scripting | ?
Burst Capture | ?
Time Lapse | ?
Orientation Sensor | ?
Self Timer | 10 seconds
Tripod Mount | Yes
Flash | Strobe flash (9.8' range)
File Formats | JPEG (.JPG) and Flashpix (.FPX)
User Interface | ?
Power | 4 AA batteries or AC Power Adapter
Dimensions | 4.5” wide x 1.7” deep x 2.7” high
Weight | 0.66 lb without batteries
Video Out | NTSC or PAL

### 2.2.13. DC210 (discontinued)

CDD Resolution | ?
Image Resolution | 1152 x 864; 640 x 480 pixels
Image Quality Options | ?
Image Storage | Compact Flash Card
Viewfinder | 1.8” TFT color LCD and optical viewfinder
Lens | ?
Digital Zoom | ?
Focus Range | ?
Exposure | ?
Shutter Speed | ?
Aperature Range | ?
ISO Equivalent | 140
Scripting | ?
Burst Capture | ?
Time Lapse | ?
Orientation Sensor | ?
Self Timer | ?
Tripod Mount | ?
Flash | ?
File Formats | JPEG (.JPG) and Flashpix (.FPX)
User Interface | ?
Power | 4 AA batteries or AC Power Adapter
Dimensions | ?
Weight | ?
Video Out | NTSC or PAL

### 2.2.14. DC210 Plus

CDD Resolution | 1174 x 884 pixels
Image Resolution | 1152 x 864; 640 x 480 pixels
Image Quality Options | Best, Better, Good
Image Storage | Compact Flash Card
Viewfinder | 1.8” TFT color LCD and optical viewfinder
Lens | 2x focus free zoom
Digital Zoom | ?
Focus Range | 8” to infinity
Exposure | Auto with manual override
Shutter Speed | 1/2 - 1/362 of a second
Aperature Range | Wide: f/4.0 - f/13.5; Telephoto: f/4.7 - f/16.0
ISO Equivalent | 140
Scripting | ?
Burst Capture | ?
Time Lapse | ?
Orientation Sensor | ?
Self Timer | 10 seconds
Tripod Mount | Yes
Flash | Strobe flash (9.8' range)
File Formats | JPEG (.JPG) and Flashpix (.FPX)
User Interface | ?
Power | 4 AA batteries or AC Power Adapter
Dimensions | 5.2” wide x 1.9” deep x 3.2” high
Weight | 0.75 lb without batteries
Video Out | NTSC or PAL

### 2.2.15. DC200 (discontinued)

CDD Resolution | 1160 x 872 pixels
Image Resolution | 1152 x 864; 640 x 480 pixels
Image Quality Options | Best, Better, Good
Image Storage | Compact Flash Card
Viewfinder | 1.8” TFT color LCD and optical viewfinder
Lens | focus free
Digital Zoom | ?
Focus Range | 27” to infinity
Exposure | Auto
Shutter Speed | 1/2 - 1/362 of a second
Aperature Range | f/4.0 - f/13.5
ISO Equivalent | 140
Scripting | ?
Burst Capture | ?
Time Lapse | ?
Orientation Sensor | ?
Self Timer | 10 seconds
Tripod Mount | Yes
Flash | Strobe flash (9.8' range) and optional external flash sync
File Formats | JPEG (.JPG) and Flashpix (.FPX)
User Interface | ?
Power | 4 AA batteries or AC Power Adapter
Dimensions | 5.2” wide x 1.9” deep x 3.2” high
Weight | 0.75 lb without batteries
Video Out | NTSC or PAL

### 2.2.16. DC200 Plus

CDD Resolution | 1160 x 872 pixels
Image Resolution | 1152 x 864; 640 x 480 pixels
Image Quality Options | Best, Better, Good
Image Storage | Compact Flash Card
Viewfinder | 1.8” TFT color LCD and optical viewfinder
Lens | focus free
Digital Zoom | ?
Focus Range | 27” to infinity
Exposure | Auto with manual override
Shutter Speed | 1/2 - 1/362 of a second
Aperature Range | f/4.0 - f/13.5
ISO Equivalent | 140
Scripting | ?
Burst Capture | ?
Time Lapse | ?
Orientation Sensor | ?
Self Timer | 10 seconds
Tripod Mount | Yes
Flash | Strobe flash (9.8' range) and optional external flash sync
File Formats | JPEG (.JPG) and Flashpix (.FPX)
User Interface | ?
Power | 4 AA batteries or AC Power Adapter
Dimensions | 5.2” wide x 1.9” deep x 3.2” high
Weight | 0.75 lb without batteries
Video Out | NTSC or PAL

### 2.2.17. DC120 (discontinued)

CDD Resolution | 850 x 984 pixels
Image Resolution | 1280 x 960 pixels
Image Quality Options | Uncompressed, Best, Better, Good
Image Storage | 2MB Internal Storage and Compact Flash Card
Viewfinder | 1.6” color LCD
Lens | 3x zoom, autofocusing
Digital Zoom | ?
Focus Range | 7.9” to infinity
Exposure | Auto with manual override
Shutter Speed | 1/500 - 16 seconds
Aperature Range | Wide: f/2.5 - f/16.0; Telephoto: f/3.8 - f/24.0
ISO Equivalent | 160
Scripting | ?
Burst Capture | ?
Time Lapse | ?
Orientation Sensor | ?
Self Timer | 10 seconds
Tripod Mount | Yes
Flash | Strobe flash and optional external flash sync
File Formats | ?
User Interface | ?
Power | 4 AA batteries
Dimensions | 4.3” wide x 5.7” deep x 2.2” high
Weight | 1.15 lb without batteries
Video Out | ?

### 2.2.18. DC50 (discontinued)

No specifications have been submitted for this camera yet.

### 2.2.19. DC40 (discontinued)

No specifications have been submitted for this camera yet.

### 2.2.20. DC25 (discontinued)

CDD Resolution | ?
Image Resolution | 493 x 373; 320 x 240 pixels
Image Quality Options | ?
Image Storage | Compact Flash Card
Viewfinder | 1.6” color LCD
Lens | focus free
Digital Zoom | ?
Focus Range | 0.5m to infinity
Exposure | Auto
Shutter Speed | 1/30 - 1/4000 of a second
Aperature Range | f/4.0 - f/11.0
ISO Equivalent | 800/1600
Scripting | ?
Burst Capture | ?
Time Lapse | ?
Orientation Sensor | ?
Self Timer | 10 seconds
Tripod Mount | ?
Flash | Strobe flash
File Formats | ?
User Interface | ?
Power | 2 3V Lithium
Dimensions | 5.1” wide x 1.6” deep x 2.8” high
Weight | 0.59 lb with batteries
Video Out | ?

### 2.2.21. DC20 (discontinued)

CDD Resolution | ?
Image Resolution | 493 x 373; 320 x 240 pixels
Image Quality Options | ?
Image Storage | 1 MB Internal
Viewfinder | ?
Lens | focus free
Digital Zoom | ?
Focus Range | 0.5m to infinity
Exposure | Auto
Shutter Speed | 1/30 - 1/4000 of a second
Aperature Range | f/4.0 - f/11.0
ISO Equivalent | 800/1600
Scripting | ?
Burst Capture | ?
Time Lapse | ?
Orientation Sensor | ?
Self Timer | ?
Tripod Mount | ?
Flash | ?
File Formats | ?
User Interface | ?
Power | 3V Lithium
Dimensions | 102mm wide x 31mm deep x 61mm high
Weight | 0.26 lb without batteries
Video Out | ?

### 2.2.22. EZ200

CDD Resolution | 640 x 480
Image Resolution | 640 x 480, 320 x 240; 160 x 120 pixels
Image Quality Options | ?
Image Storage | 4 MB Internal
Viewfinder | ?
Lens | manual focus
Digital Zoom | none
Focus Range | 2” to infinity
Exposure | Auto
Shutter Speed | 1/4 - 1/500 of a second
Aperature Range | f/2.3 fixed
ISO Equivalent | ?
Scripting | ?
Burst Capture | Yes (and streaming)
Time Lapse | ?
Orientation Sensor | ?
Self Timer | ?
Tripod Mount | Yes
Flash | ?
File Formats | JPEG (.jpg) and AVI (.avi)
User Interface | ?
Power | 2 AAA Batteries and USB
Dimensions | 2.6” wide x 1.4” deep x 2.7” high
Weight | 0.2 lb without batteries
Video Out | Computer Teleconferencing

## 2.3. Communicating With Digital Cameras

### 2.3.1. RS232 Communications In a Nutshell

### 2.3.2. USB Communications In a Nutshell

### 2.3.3. IrDA Communications In a Nutshell

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Introduction |  | Communicating With the DC-Series Cameras