Kodak Canada has introduced two camera lines in the 35-millimetre point-and-shoot camera segment.

Both the Kodak Cameo and Kodak Star, each of which are available in manual and motorized versions, retail for less than $100.

The lowest-priced camera in the group, the Star 275, sells for $38.50.

According to Kodak, the only 35-mm. cameras on the market retailing for less than the Star 275 are ‘single-use’ cameras, which are discarded after snapping one roll of film.

Most major camera manufacturers, including the makers of professional level products such as Kyocera, Fuji and Canon, offer point-and-shoot models at various points in the price continuum.

Ted Knight, Kodak’s manager of marketing publicity, says ‘virtually everybody has products in these categories, adding ‘everybody’s trying to search for that right feature-benefit combination that will generate the kind of sales volumes that will make it profitable.’

An estimated 95% of families have cameras in their homes.

The Kodak Cameo incorporates features such as a flip-up flash to eliminate ‘red-eye,’ which occurs from the flash being reflected in the subjects’ eyes.

As well, motorized versions of the Cameo and Star automatically pre-wind and advance the film.

This eliminates the problems that result from improper loading and from the accidental opening of the camera before the film inside has been exposed and rewound, Kodak says.

Beyond the technical innovations, Kodak is hoping its well-known name and long history of producing inexpensive cameras will give it an edge over its competitors.

‘Historically, Kodak products have been the lower-priced product, making picture-taking accessible to the average family,’ Knight says.

Kodak believes the brand awareness developed through its advertising of film products will carry over into the camera market.