Kodak today introduced the world’s first dual-lens digital still camera, the zoom digital camera. Using proprietary Kodak Retina Dual Lens technology, the five megapixel V570 camera wraps an ultra-wide angle lens (23 mm) and an optical zoom lens (39 – 117 mm) into a small, sleek package less than an inch thin. The camera features an ultra-wide angle lens coupled with an optical zoom lens that produces a total 5X optical zoom range using the non-extending all-glass, stacked Schneider-Kreuznach C-Variogon prism lenses. The camera features a 30 fps video mode, a 2.5-inch LCD screen, 22 scene modes, 32MB of internal storage, support for SD media, and photo tools such as automatic red-eye reduction, on-camera cropping, picture blur alert and auto picture rotation. It will ship later in January for $400.

“Today’s picture takers expect high-performance features in an attractive package. Kodak is first to give them a coveted but previously unavailable ultra-wide angle lens in a pocket-size camera,” said Mary Hadley, general manager of digital cameras for Kodak’s Consumer Digital Imaging Group. “Capturing high quality photos with maximum ease of use are at the top of people’s lists when buying a new digital camera. By delivering on these needs in a completely new way, the EASYSHARE V570 camera pushes the boundaries of innovative design for ultra-compact cameras.”

In addition to its dual lens design, the 5-megapixel V570 camera boasts a variety of notable features to enhance the photography experience, including in-camera panorama stitching, which automatically combines three pictures into a panorama photograph. Using the ultra-wide view in panorama scene mode, people can take in a 180-degree vista with just three shots — an industry exclusive.

Packing advanced video performance, the camera makes it easier for users to shoot all types of action in the way that many filmmakers prefer — with an ultra-wide angle to capture more of the scene. The Easyshare V570 camera records TV-quality video, up to 30 frames per second (fps) using advanced MPEG-4 compression. It features built-in image stabilization technology to reduce on-screen shaking from unintentional hand and camera movement. The camera also offers an optical zoom feature for video including auto focus. And it is simple to select any frame in a video, then save and print it as a “freeze frame” still picture in just seconds.