Polaroid PDC-2000 Digital Camera
Polaroid Corporation
www.polaroid.com
Polaroid Corporation introduced its first digital camera: the PDC-2000. The PDC-2000 is the only digital camera to combine professional-quality images with the ease-of-use features of a fully automatic camera, at a much lower price than other high-end digital cameras.
Featuring a "megapixel" sensor based on Polaroid's imaging science technology, the sleek-designed PDC-2000 captures sharp, vibrant, 24-bit color digital images that can be easily transferred to any computer or printed at a resolution level as high as 1600 x 1200 pixels.
"The PDC-2000 combines the ease-of-use features of a fully automatic camera with the look, feel and quality of a single-lens-reflex camera," said Henry Ancona, Polaroid executive vice president. "The PDC-2000 captures professional-quality images for professionals in business and government who cannot afford to sacrifice image quality when they convert to digital photography. Like all Polaroid electronic imaging products, the PDC-2000 gives customers a higher quality imaging tool at a lower cost than the competition."
Unlike other digital cameras, PDC-2000 images are not compressed, so there is no loss of image data or visual quality. With one million pixels of image data per shot, PDC-2000 images look great even when enlarged to 8 x 10.
With such superior image quality, PDC-2000 images can be used in many business, commercial and professional applications, including desktop publishing, graphics, print production, advertising, government, law enforcement, image archiving, security and identification, entertainment, multimedia programs, World Wide Web development and many more.
In features and operation, the PDC-2000 is very similar to an easy-to-use, compact 35mm point-and-shoot, including automatic exposure control, auto-focus and automatic flash up to 15 feet. Users can also manually control the flash and backlight conditions and set the cameras for shots in different types of lighting, such as incandescent or fluorescent.
The PDC-2000 comes in three different models offering customers a choice of storage options to meet their particular imaging needs. Customers can select a model that stores either 40 images, 60 images, or a 'direct connect' version that relies on a computer for storing images. Pictures are captured at the original one million pixel resolution and can be transferred to any computer system at 1600 x 1200 super high resolution or 800 x 600 high resolution.
Each image is automatically recorded with the date and time and can be labeled with letters or numbers for easy identification when transferred to any Macintosh or Windows compatible computer. Pictures can be deleted one-at-a-time or all at once and retaken on-the-spot.
Lightweight and portable, the PDC-2000 has an optical viewfinder and comes with a 38mm equivalent lens that focuses from 10 inches to infinity. An optional 60mm equivalent lens that focuses from 24 inches to infinity is also available.
An LCD status panel on the top of the cameras provides feedback on all camera functions and conditions, such as battery power, number of images taken, time and date, and exposure settings.
All PDC-2000 models use a SCSI-2 interface to ensure fast image transfer in a matter of seconds from camera to computer. An optional PCMCIA to SCSI adapter is available for connection to portable PCs through a PCMCIA slot.
Users can preview, transfer and save images using Polaroid PDC-2000 Direct software that comes with the camera. Accessories include a plug-in for Adobe Photoshop for Windows and Macintosh and a TWAIN driver for Windows applications. The PDC-2000 comes with four rechargeable AA NiCad batteries, a lens cap and neck and hand straps for easy carrying and shooting.
The charge-coupled device (CCD) sensor used in the PDC-2000 was designed by Polaroid and is manufactured by IBM's Microelectronics Division in Vermont. The cameras are assembled and manufactured by Polaroid in the United States.
The 40 megabyte PDC-2000 camera system has a U.S. suggested list price of $3,695 while the 60 megabyte version is $4,995 and the direct connect model is $2,995. International prices vary and are available by calling a Polaroid dealer in each respective region. Worldwide shipments are scheduled to begin within the next 90 days.
The cameras come with a 12-month warranty and Polaroid Total Satisfaction Guarantee, allowing any product to be returned within 30 days. Part of an exciting line-up of electronic imaging products from Polaroid, the PDC-2000 line will be available through authorized Polaroid resellers and other computer and photographic product dealer.
www.polaroid.com
