Kodak system promises perfect pictures

Kodak has unveiled a new technology which it believes will make expert photographers out of everyone.

The aim is to reduce the chances of ever taking a bad picture with a new colour filter that compensates for dark conditions or moving subjects.

Kodak's share price jumped after its New York headquarters confirmed the existence of the unnamed system that is between two and four times more sensitive than normal camera sensors.

The new system can 'see' colours more quickly, allowing a reduced shutter speed without degrading the picture. This dramatically increases the chances of getting a good shot of a moving object.

The second benefit is that it will pick up images and colours in situations where a flash would normally be needed.

Most existing sensors and filters pick out the colour green more than any other. This means that the less data that is received the more a picture is swamped and merged into a dark green or black when the image is printed.

The new filter opens itself up to more colours so that the picture becomes more distinct.

Kodak is hoping that the system will appeal to phone makers in particular, as it reduces and may eventually eliminate the need for flash photography.