• by Aaron Baar , February 9, 2012

Kodak is getting out of the camera business.

Eastman Kodak Company, which recently filed for bankruptcy protection, announced Thursday it will phase out its camera divisions, including digital cameras, pocket video cameras and digital picture frames, within the first half of 2012. The company will continue online and retail-based photo printing as well as desktop inkjet printing, as well as an expansion of its brand licensing.

 “For some time, Kodak’s strategy has been to improve margins in the capture device business by narrowing our participation in terms of product portfolio, geographies and retail outlets. Today’s announcement is the logical extension of that process, given our analysis of the industry trends,” said Pradeep Jotwani, President, Consumer Businesses, and Kodak Chief Marketing Officer, in a statement.

After the phase out, the company said it expects annual operating savings of more than $100 million, though the company will take a $30 million charge related to getting out of the business. The company’s Commercial Business unit (which includes digital and functional printing, enterprise services and solutions and graphics entertainment and commercial film divisions) will continue.