Kodak Ektra: The smartphone for photography purists
Inspired by a 1940s design classic, Kodak is seeking to carve out a niche in the crowded cameraphone market
Less a phone with a camera than a camera with a phone, the Kodak Ektra is aimed squarely at the serious photographer.
The name is familiar to many of us. It first appeared in 1941 on Kodak's groundbreaking rangefinder camera, now considered a design classic. The new Ektra, therefore, has big boots to fill.
First impressions are encouraging: it's a handsome beast, with a big lens standing proud of a dark mottled finish. Fine leather pouches and cases bring a retro aesthetic, as does Kodak's commitment to revive its photo printing service. Upload images from your phone and they'll be posted through your letterbox a few days later in a bright yellow envelope.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
Built in partnership with the British smartphone-maker Bullitt, the Ektra is more than just a nostalgia trip. Its wide, fast f/2.0 lens is paired with a 21-megapixel sensor, while a ten-core Helio X-20 chip and 3GB of RAM should ensure fast, smooth image-processing. The 32GB of built-in memory can be expanded with microSD cards.
Flip the handset over and it looks more like a high-end smartphone – it runs on Android Marshmallow – and it performs like one too, although the bright aluminium frame sets it apart from ubiquitous Apples and Samsungs. As does its heft: though only 2.5mm thicker than the iPhone 7 across most of its surface, and 26g heavier, the lens and handgrip bulge out to 14mm, almost twice the thickness of the Apple flagship. It takes up a lot more pocket space.
The screen is slightly bigger, though – 5in rather than 4.7in – and quite a lot sharper, with a resolution of 1,920 by 1,080 instead of 1,334 by 750. All the better for admiring those glorious photographs.
And if they're not glorious, you really can't blame the tools. The Ektra's virtual clickwheel – an onscreen version of the traditional SLR control wheel – lets you select from a range of powerful camera modes, including full manual, which hands over control of ISO, shutter speed, exposure, white balance and focus.
As well as pre-sets for portraits, landscapes, action and night shots, there's a "bokeh" mode, which blurs the background of a shot to make the subject stand out. Sample shots printed by Kodak are truly impressive, with faultless richness and detail.
At £449, the Ektra is aggressively priced, as it will have to be to lure customers away from the iPhone, the Samsung S7 and the Google pixel – all of which come with very good cameras. But not good enough for some, Kodak is hoping.
The Kodak Ektra will go on sale in early December
Create an account with the same email registered to your subscription to unlock access.
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
-
'Criminal trail?'
Today's Newspapers A roundup of the headlines from the US front pages
By The Week Staff Published
-
Grindr 'shared user HIV status' with ad firms, lawsuit claims
Speed Read LGBTQ dating app accused of breaching UK data protection laws in case filed at London's High Court
By Rebecca Messina, The Week UK Published
-
The best dog-friendly hotels around the UK
The Week Recommends Take a break with your four-legged friend in accommodation that offers you both a warm welcome
By Adrienne Wyper, The Week UK Published
-
The Westbury Hotel review: stunning suites in charming Dublin
The Week Recommends This hotel is the perfect spot to while away a weekend in Ireland's capital
By Kaye O'Doherty Published
-
Drama movies 2024: new films out this year
In Depth Latest reviews include The Boys in the Boat, One Life and Tchaikovsky's Wife
By The Week UK Last updated
-
Best new hotels and places to stay in 2024
The Week Recommends Featuring stylish island resorts, historical properties and wilderness retreats
By The Week UK Last updated
-
Albums of the year: best music of 2023
The Week Recommends A look back at the best pop, rap, jazz, dance, classical and rock releases
By The Week UK Published
-
Savoy Grill by Gordon Ramsay review: an institution reinvented
The Week Recommends Traditions are maintained and the tweaks are clever and modern
By Neil Davey Published
-
Tulum: a Mexican beach town of 'two halves'
The Week Recommends With the 'pueblo' and 'Zona Hotelera', Tulum is home to great hotels, restaurants and beach clubs
By William Leigh Published
-
La Zebra review: beach chic, perfect tacos and secret cenotes
The Week Recommends Enjoy a stylish stay in Mexico at this family-friendly beach hotel and restaurant
By William Leigh Published
-
Atlantis Paradise Island Bahamas review: a mythical beachside resort
The Week Recommends Combine the classically simple pleasures of sun, sea and sand with upmarket fun and food
By Adrienne Wyper Published