Nikon Announces D3100 D-SLR with Full-time Auto Focus

August 19th, 2010 by Allison Gibson Posted in Blog, Cameras, News

Nikon announced today the new D3100—the world’s first D-SLR to introduce full time auto focus in Live View and D-Movie mode, in order “to effortlessly achieve the critical focus needed when shooting Full HD 1080p video.” The D3100 also boasts Nikon’s new EXPEED 2 image processor and a 14.2-megapixel DX-format CMOS sensor. The D3100 will be available for $699.95 in September. See more images and info from Nikon below.

Read the rest of this entry »

Nikon Announces COOLPIX S1100pj

August 18th, 2010 by Allison Gibson Posted in Blog, Cameras, News

Nikon has announced the new COOLPIX S1100pj–an update to the S1000pj, which was the first compact digital camera to boast a built-in projector. If you recall, we reviewed the first generation camera at the beginning of the year, and quite liked it. Upgrades with the 14.1MP S1100pj include: a 40% increase in projector brightness (14 lumens), a 3-inch touchscreen LCD and the ability to connect the device via USB to project images from a computer. The look of the new generation camera seems to be a lot less sleek and more aimed at maybe seeming like professional equipment—there are knobs and dials where once there was only brushed metal and flat surface. The projector on the front is also much more prominent (helped along by the fact that PROJECTOR is written across it). The COOLPIX S1100pj will be available for $349.95 in September. Read more from Nikon below.

Read the rest of this entry »

Rock ‘N’ Roll Picture Show

July 5th, 2010 by Allison Gibson Posted in Blog

Yeah Yeah Yeahs, 2007, photo by Michael Young (Nikon D70)

Nikon recently launched NikonLIVE, a website for photography and music fans that has exclusive music-related content, including tips on shooting concerts. A cool feature of the site is the Rock ‘N’ Roll Picture Show, which lets you browse an enormous archive of concert shots taken by pro photographers at shows across the country. If you’re headed to a live music show this summer—and let’s hope you are—this gallery is great inspiration for those who plan to capture the moment forever with a photograph (if the venue allows, of course).

Band of Horses, 2007, photo by Andy Argyrakis (Nikon D200)

Dave Matthews, 2009, photo by Mike Corrado (Nikon D3)

Nikon Announces NIKKOR 200-400mm f/4G ED VR II lens

April 26th, 2010 by Allison Gibson Posted in Blog, News

Nikon has just announced the NIKKOR 200-400mm f/4G ED VR II lens. This pro lens can be used widely and is especially ideal for sports and nature photography.  Being the second generation of this lens, it has a lot of updates, including gaining an extra stop of IS with the new VR II image stabilization, as well as M/A and A/M focus modes.

The NIKKOR 200-400mm f/4G ED VR II will be available in May for $6,999.95. Full press release below.

From Nikon:

MELVILLE, N.Y. (April 27, 2010) –  Today, the evolution of the super telephoto lens continues as Nikon Inc. announced the new AF-S NIKKOR 200-400mm f/4G ED VR II lens which delivers optical excellence and stunning image quality for professional photographers. Ideal for bringing to life exquisite detail for sports, nature and travel photography, this new lens affords a constant maximum aperture of f/4 and rugged construction for maximum versatility. Continued refinements and new technologies such as Vibration Reduction (VR) II, Nano Crystal Coat, and optimized autofocus (AF) modes enhance functionality and improve performance for discerning FX and DX-format photographers.

“The AF-S NIKKOR 200-400mm lens builds upon a proven design for professional level optics by incorporating the latest Nikon lens technologies to give photographers the edge in the field, and the ability to capture the most intricate of details with extraordinary fidelity,” said Lisa Osorio, general manager of Marketing at Nikon Inc.  “As both camera capabilities and the roles of photographers expand, NIKKOR enhancements will continue to meet demands and exceed expectations to remain the pinnacle of optical excellence for all types of photographers.”

Whether photographing the decisive play at home plate or predators of the Serengeti, the 200-400mm f/4 lens is an essential tool for photographers who require long focal lengths and maximum versatility without sacrificing image quality. The 200-400mm lens benefits from the addition of Nikon’s proprietary Nano Crystal Coat to reduce instances of ghosting and flaring.  The result is unparalleled clarity and sharpness in challenging lighting environments typical to sports venues or harsh sunlight.

Additionally, this new NIKKOR lens features Nikon VR II image stabilization, which is specifically engineered for each lens for maximum performance. VR II is a valuable asset to those shooting photos or HD video, as image blur introduced by camera shake and telephoto magnification is significantly reduced. Users are able to shoot up to four stops* slower than otherwise possible, overcoming many of the challenges of handheld shooting with such extreme focal lengths. VR functionality is further augmented with Automatic Panning Detection and an Active VR Mode to help compensate for movement from an unstable position such as a moving vehicle.  Additionally, VR is always engaged when shooting in the D-Movie mode on select Nikon D-SLRs, helping to stabilize HD video capture.

The new 200-400mm f/4 lens features a host of professional focusing features to further enhance functionality. Photographers can now select from three focus modes to match shooting conditions, including manual mode (M) and autofocus with manual override (M/A) mode, and new A/M mode which is used to avoid cancelling the AF setting by unintentionally moving the focus ring while shooting. The M/A and A/M focus modes enhance AF control with fast, secure switching from automatic and manual focus to adapt to personal shooting preference and techniques. Additionally, photographers can activate the AF Recall Mode at the press of a button that allows for instant return to a predetermined point of focus to confidently capture anticipated shots.

This professional lens is constructed of die-cast magnesium for maximum durability and is sealed to resist dust and moisture, with protective Meniscus glass to safeguard the lens’ front element. The optical formula features four Extra-low Dispersion (ED) glass elements for superior sharpness, color and image quality, while minimizing chromatic aberration. The lens also features Nikon’s exclusive Silent Wave Motor (SWM) technology, which enables high-speed autofocus performance with exceptional accuracy and powerful, super-quiet operation. Nikon’s Super Integrated Coating further suppresses flare and offers superior color consistency throughout the frame.

Price and Availability
The AF-S NIKKOR 200-400mm f/4G ED VR II lens is scheduled to be available at Nikon authorized dealers in late May 2010 with an estimated selling price of $6,999.95**. For more information, please visit www.nikonusa.com.

PMA ‘10 Sneak Peek

February 20th, 2010 by Allison Gibson Posted in Blog, Cameras, News, PMA

A day before the PMA show officially opens here in Anaheim, the press gets a “sneak peek” at an eponymously named event. Today, at that event, I got to see a lot of the cameras that have been recently announced by Pentax, Nikon, Samsung and Olympus, and several new PMA announcements from the likes of HP and GE. This is also the venue where I get the time to check out gear like bags and innovative new ideas from smaller companies, such as PhotoFramed.com.

I got to get my hands on newly announced Pentax cameras, including the teeny tiny, adorably retro-looking Optio I-10; the brand new Samsung TL350, which was just announced this morning; and the Nikon COOLPIX S8000, with its ultra bright 3-inch LCD screen that’s similar to that of the pro level D3s D-SLR—which I also got to check out.

New from GE (General Imaging) is a line of super automatic point-and-shoot digicams—meaning they leave almost nothing to the photographer other than to press the shutter release. The memory is all built-in, as well as the battery, but General Imaging says that’s what consumers asked for. Point. And. Shoot. The most important feature of these cameras, for the fashionistas they’re geared toward, anyway, is that they were co-designed by Jason Wu, an exciting young New York fashion designer, and feature an assortment of color choices and leather finishes.

New from HP is a lineup of affordable point-and-shoots, including the 12.2MP PW550 with 5x optical zoom and the 12MP CW450 with a 2.7-inch touch LDC.

The just announced Lowepro SlingShot AW series was the most exciting bag selection I saw today. Lowepro’s SlingShots have been wildly popular with photographers since they first came out five years ago because of the way they allow for rapid access to cameras and gear. For this new generation, they’ve made a few upgrades based on consumer feedback from the field to further enhance that experience, including the ability to carry a smaller tripod on the outside, and interior space for personal items besides camera gear.

Check back for more in-depth, hands-on looks at new cameras and gear over the next couple of days, as we traverse the crowded landscape of the PMA show floor.

Nikon COOLPIX S1000pj Review

February 11th, 2010 by Allison Gibson Posted in Camera Reviews, Nikon COOLPIX S1000pj

Text and Photos by Allison Gibson

The Nikon COOLPIX S1000pj’s built-in projector seemed like a gimmick at first, but after using it, I found that the feature quickly moved beyond the realm of “party trick” into that of functionality. Boasting a 12.1-megapixel CCD sensor, a 5x optical zoom 5-25mm f/1:3.9-5.8 Nikkor lens, and an ISO range from 80-6400, the COOLPIX S1000pj fares well against competitors in its category specs-wise. The compact Nikon camera feels sturdier in-hand than many other point-and-shoots, and looks more professional with its gunmetal black finish and bright 2.7-inch LCD.

Image Quality

The compact COOLPIX S1000pj is an impressive image taker for its class. This point-and-shoot camera doesn’t offer Manual shooting mode—or even Aperture or Shutter Priorities—but its Auto and Scene selections do tend to make the right setting choices for capturing crisp, vivid shots. The shooting modes offered are: Auto, Smart Portrait and Subject Tracking, as well as a solid lineup of Scene modes, including: Scene auto selector, Portrait, Landscape, Sports, Night portrait, Party/indoor, Beach/snow, Sunset, Dusk/dawn, Night landscape, Close-up, Food, Museum, Fireworks show, Copy, Backlight and Panorama assist. It also shoots movies with sound (640 x 480 at 30fps). Capture is to 36MB internal memory or an SD/SDHC card.

Low-Light

The COOLPIX S1000pj also boasts a generous ISO range, though the numbers may impress more than the results. I was prepared for the worst when I set out to shoot at ISO 6400, but was actually impressed with the results once I did. Not surprisingly, there is a good amount of noise, but much less than I expected, and the images retained better detail than I expected as well. Still though, you probably don’t want to venture above ISO 800 to be safe. But being as this is a point-and-shoot camera, it is really meant to make taking pictures as simple as possible, and the Scene mode options listed above do the work for you quite well—even the modes meant for low-light shooting.

One seemingly insignificant feature of this camera that made me happy was the fact that whatever flash mode you set it to stays set even after you turn the camera off. Too often with point-and-shoot cameras, you turn the Auto flash mode off and then next time you go to take a shot, the flash is back on again by default, forcing you to take the step to turn it off again before each shot.

Projecting Your Pictures

The stand-out feature of the Nikon COOLPIX S1000pj—and most definitely the reason for the $430.00 price tag—is the built-in projector, which allows you to display your photos and videos directly from the camera (via internal memory or SD/SDHC card) onto a blank wall or projector screen. The camera comes bundled with two small, plastic projector stands, but I found them to be unnecessary, as setting the camera on any flat surface works. I even projected images stably onto a brick wall in downtown Los Angeles while holding the camera in my hand. There is a sliding focus adjustor on top of the camera to make sure the projections are sharp. You can set the camera to project a slideshow of all of your images, or just share one, and there is a remote control so that you can step away and control the projector from elsewhere.

The projector has up to 10 lumens of brightness, and its throw distance is 10-inches to 6-feet 6-inches. According to Nikon the battery endurance when running the projector is approximately one hour (on a fully charged battery).

Handling The Camera

The COOLPIX S1000pj is compact and thin enough to fit in a pocket, but it feels sturdy compared to the plasticky lightness—okay, cheapness—of many small point-and-shoot cameras. At 5.5 ounces, it is actually heavier than most others, and the brushed metal surface of the face-plate adds a stylish sophistication to the look of it. I supposed if you’re going to have Ashton Kutcher hold one in ads, it had better look good.

As is almost always the case with point-and-shoots, the S1000pj lacks an optical viewfinder, but the 2.7-inch LCD with anti-reflection coating is bright and clear. The small selection of buttons to the right of the LCD are what you’d expect: the camera button for switching between shooting modes, playback, menu, delete and the four-way control for flash, exposure compensation, macro mode and self-timer. The projector button is conveniently located on top of the camera, right next to the focus slider, on/off button and shutter release. The digital menu is easily navigable and zooming in and out with the toggle on top of the camera is smooth.

It’s Really All About That Projector

Though the COOLPIX S1000pj does have many of the features one would want in a stylish and slightly more advanced point-and-shoot camera, the feature that really sets it apart is the built-in mini projector. This feature is admittedly impressive, and useful, and I imagine we will see it become more common in the near future (Sony is reported to be working on it, according to Photo Rumors). However, you would have to decide whether it’s worth the approximately $150.00 more you’ll likely be paying for it since cameras with similar specs and no projector can be found for well under $300.00, even by Nikon.

Nikon COOLPIX S1000pj

Nikon Announces Seven New COOLPIX Cameras

February 3rd, 2010 by Allison Gibson Posted in Blog, Cameras, News

Nikon has added seven new cameras to their COOLPIX lineup, including the 10.3MP CMOS sensor P100, which shoots full HD video (1080p) and has a 26x Optical Zoom-NIKKOR ED lens; the 14.2MP 26x optical zoom S8000; and the 12.1MP 15x optical zoom L110.

From Nikon:

At the forefront of product innovation and market firsts, Nikon Inc. today introduced seven new COOLPIX compact digital cameras, marrying performance and design for an enhanced user experience. Building on the success of the COOLPIX brand, Nikon continues to lead innovation in game-changing categories, including the introduction of a CMOS sensor and 26x optical zoom lens into the flagship Performance Series with the new COOLPIX P100. Because of the growing popularity of content-generation and High Definition (HD) video, Nikon has equipped five of its new COOLPIX cameras with HD movie capabilities, making creating and sharing memories fun and easy. A hallmark of the COOLPIX line, Nikon offers elegantly designed compact cameras in vibrant must-have colors to suit personal style, including the new COOLPIX S8000, COOLPIX S6000, COOLPIX S4000, COOLPIX S3000 and COOLPIX L22. Additionally, the new COOLPIX L110 offers 15x super zoom and HD video recording with stereo sound and easy shooting versatility.
“These latest Nikon COOLPIX cameras reflect the easy-to-use technology in compact and stylish cameras that consumers have come to expect from Nikon,” said Bo Kajiwara, director of marketing, Nikon Inc. “With new features such as HD movie and long-zoom shooting capabilities, these COOLPIX cameras empower consumers with powerful, yet easy-to-use features that also serve as an expression of personal style.”
The Nikon COOLPIX cameras incorporate Nikon’s world-class NIKKOR lenses, delivering accurate detail and brilliant color, as well as Nikon’s EXPEED™ digital image processing concept, which helps to ensure high-quality pictures with stunning color and sharpness. A new enhancement in select camera models is Advanced Flash Control, which creates a more natural-looking appearance in low-light settings. Other COOLPIX features include Vibration Reduction (VR) Image Stabilization, which minimizes blur that may appear in pictures, even in low-light or unsteady conditions while shooting handheld; and Scene Auto Selector, which automatically recognizes the shooting situation and adjusts camera settings accordingly.  Also, the new Night Landscape Mode found in the P100 combines a series of consecutive shots into a single, clearer image with low noise when photographing at night. Adding to the overall functionality, many of the new models sport an easily accessible video record button to make recording movies a one-step process. To make sharing images and HD video fun and easy, many of the new COOLPIX cameras also feature enhanced HDMI connectivity.
New COOLPIX P100 Digital Camera Features 26x Super Telephoto-Zoom Lens and CMOS Technology for Shooting Versatility
Nikon continues its commitment to high performance in the compact digital camera category, offering photo enthusiasts ultra long-zoom capabilities, high-speed action and shooting versatility in a compact body. New to the COOLPIX line, the P100 is the first Nikon COOLPIX camera to incorporate a 10.3-megapixel backside illumination CMOS sensor, which enables high-speed shooting at 10 frames per second (fps) at full resolution and exceptional image quality even when shooting in low-light settings. Other functions benefitting from the lower noise and exceptional image quality of the new CMOS image sensor include an in-camera high dynamic range (HDR) function, which merges images of the same scene to achieve a single image with a broader range of tonal detail.
Additionally, a Night Landscape Mode combines a series of consecutive shots taken into a single image, with reduced noise. An expansive 26mm wide-angle to 678mm super-telephoto 26x Optical Zoom-NIKKOR ED glass lens brings users closer to the action, which can be utilized while capturing Full HD movies (1080p) with stereo sound recording. The P100 also features a high-speed Sport Continuous Mode for shooting up to 120 fps (1.1 MP) and a pre-shooting cache to help ensure users never miss a shot.
Additional COOLPIX P100 features include: 3.0-inch vari-angle 460,000-dot Clear Color Display LCD; Electronic Viewfinder; 5-way hybrid VR Image Stabilization System for crisp, blur-free photos; Mode Dial; Active D-Lighting; Subject Tracking; Scene Auto Selector Mode; Nikon’s Smart Portrait System.
The P100 will be available in March 2010, and retails for $399.95 MSRP.

New COOLPIX S8000 Digital Camera Boasts 10x Zoom, Ultra-High Resolution 3.0-Inch LCD Screen and Enhanced Creativity with Class-Leading* Slim Design
Built on the success of Nikon’s previous long-zoom compact cameras, the new 14.2-megapixel COOLPIX S8000 is the thinnest camera in its class*, featuring a powerful and versatile 10x (30mm to 300mm) telephoto Optical Zoom-NIKKOR ED glass lens to capture incredibly sharp, crisp images. Additionally, the S8000 has the ability to record HD movies (720p) at 30 fps with built-in stereo sound recording, and also features a 3.0-inch ultra-high resolution 921,000-dot Clear Color Display LCD for composing and sharing images or movies.
Allowing the user to enjoy more creative freedom with convenient in-camera functions, the COOLPIX S8000 features the Creative Slider, a fun new way to apply effects when shooting in Auto Mode. Brightness, saturation and hue can be adjusted using the Rotary Multi Selector, all while watching a real-time preview on the camera’s LCD monitor. The COOLPIX S8000 also features new functions to enhance image quality in dark settings, including Advanced Flash Control to enable users to create more natural-looking flash shots by utilizing higher ISO settings and faster shutter speeds in low light.
Additional COOLPIX S8000 features include: High ISO up to 3200; 4-way VR Image Stabilization System; ultra-fast start-up; Sport Continuous Mode up to approximately 3 fps for 45 frames (3 MP); Subject Tracking; Scene Auto Selector Mode; Nikon’s Smart Portrait System and an ultra-stylish design.
The COOLPIX S8000 will be available in February 2010 for $299.95 MSRP in a choice of colors, including black, red, bronze and champagne silver.
The New COOLPIX S6000 Digital Camera Delivers Super Slim Design and Fast Response
The new COOLPIX S6000 blends style and performance into a compact, go-anywhere package. Measuring at only 25mm (approximately 1.0-inch) in depth, the COOLPIX S6000 is the thinnest in its class**. With a versatile 7x wide-angle Optical Zoom-NIKKOR ED glass lens, users can capture the action near and far. The COOLPIX S6000 includes a bright 2.7-inch 230,000-dot Clear Color Display LCD and the ability to record HD movies (720p) at 30 fps.
Additional COOLPIX S6000 features include: 14.2-megapixel resolution; ISO 3200; 4-way VR Image Stabilization System; Ultra-fast start-up (approx. 0.75 sec.); HDMI Connectivity; Sport Continuous Mode approximately 3 fps for 45 frames (3 MP); Advanced Flash Control; Subject Tracking; Scene Auto Selector Mode; Nikon’s Smart Portrait System and a sleek design.
The COOLPIX S6000 will be available in March 2010 for $249.95 MSRP in a choice of colors, including champagne silver, black, red and bronze.
The New COOLPIX S4000 Digital Camera Combines Stylish Design with Intuitive Touch Controls
Integrating sleek design and intuitive touch operation, the new COOLPIX S4000 digital camera is all about the user experience. Whether it’s recording HD movies or exploring creative possibilities, the COOLPIX S4000 places the camera’s controls at the touch of a finger. The COOLPIX S4000 incorporates a new 3.0-inch, high-resolution touch-panel 460,000-dot Clear Color Display LCD which makes it easy to compose, review and share pictures. Advanced touch features include Touch Shutter, allowing users to select their subject with a single touch on the screen to adjust focus and exposure, and to automatically release the shutter, as well as Subject Tracking to automatically follow and focus on a subject selected by touching the screen.
The COOLPIX S4000 features 12-megapixel resolution; a 4x wide-angle Zoom-NIKKOR glass lens; ISO 3200; HD movie (720p); 4-way VR Image Stabilization System; Scene Auto Selector Mode; Nikon’s Smart Portrait System and a sleek design.
The COOLPIX S4000 will be available in March 2010 for $199.95 MSRP in a choice of vibrant colors, including plum, champagne silver, pink, red and black.
New COOLPIX S3000 Style Setter in Sleek Design, Vivid Colors
Sleek design, eye-catching colors and innovative technology make the COOLPIX S3000 the ideal tool to express one’s personal style. Measuring at just 19mm (approximately 0.8 inches) in depth, the COOLPIX S3000’s stylish looks and color options make it a great camera for capturing and sharing memories on the go.
The COOLPIX S3000 features 12-megapixel resolution; a 4x wide-angle Zoom-NIKKOR lens; ISO 3200; 4-way VR Image Stabilization System; Subject Tracking; Scene Auto Selector Mode; Nikon’s Smart Portrait System and a colorful yet compact design.
The COOLPIX S3000 will be available in March 2010 for $149.95 MSRP and comes in a vivid array of colors, including orange, green, blue, plum, black and champagne silver.

New COOLPIX L110 Delivers Uncomplicated Awe-Inspiring Zoom
Optimized for action shots, high-powered zoom and simple operation, the COOLPIX L110 is equipped and ready to easily capture life’s precious moments up close or far away with stunning quality and clarity.  The ideal choice for consumers seeking a fully-featured long zoom camera at a great value, the COOLPIX L110 achieves its versatility through its 15x Optical Zoom-NIKKOR glass lens. Covering a focal length from a wide 28mm to 420mm super-telephoto, the lens’ broad focal range can readily handle the task of capturing all of life’s events, including action shots at the kid’s soccer game or stunning landscapes from the family vacation. The COOLPIX L110 also features Sport Continuous Mode, allowing users to capture the best highlights from the stands or the sidelines. The power-efficient L110 digital camera can shoot approximately 840 still images or record seven hours*** of HD video with a set of four AA Energizer® Ultimate Lithium batteries, which are included with the L110. Nikon EN-MH2 Ni-MH rechargeable batteries, which are available separately, can also be used for rechargeable convenience.

Additional COOLPIX L110 features include: 12.1-megapixel resolution; 3.0-inch high-resolution 460,000-dot Clear Color Display LCD; HD movie (720p) with Optical Zoom and Auto Focus while recording video and a built-in stereo microphone; 5-way VR Image Stabilization System; Smart Portrait System; Scene Auto Selector.
The COOLPIX L110 will be available February 2010 for $279.95 MSRP and will be offered in black or red.
New COOLPIX L22 Digital Camera is Compact and Easy To Use at an Affordable Price
The COOLPIX L22 is the ideal camera for consumers who are looking to easily capture all of life’s memories at an affordable price, but without compromising performance. The COOLPIX L22 features 12- megapixel resolution for stunning image detail, a 3.6x Zoom-NIKKOR lens for creative compositional freedom, while a huge bright 3.0-inch 230,000-dot LCD screen makes sharing and composing photos enjoyable.
Additional COOLPIX L22 features include: 3-way VR Image Stabilization System; Smart Portrait System; Easy Auto Mode and can be powered by two AA-batteries or Nikon EN-MH2 Ni-MH rechargeable batteries which are available separately.
The COOLPIX L22 will be available in February 2010, for $129.95 MSRP and will be offered in various colors, including black, red, blue and champagne silver.

Midweek Photo News Roundup- A Festivus for the Rest of US

December 23rd, 2009 by Allison Gibson Posted in Blog, Midweek Photo News Roundup, News

photo via dvice

Although this particular Wednesday—two days before Christmas— isn’t actually the middle of the work week for many of you, we’d still like to share some photo world news with you this afternoon. And since today, December 23rd, marks the unofficial day of celebration for a lesser-known December holiday called Festivus, I couldn’t resist leading with the above photo from the Seinfeld episode that spurred the Festivus phenomenon.

- Lifehacker’s list of the most popular DIY projects of 2009 features a tutorial on how to “Deter Thieves by Uglifying Your Camera.”

- Nik Software’s photo editing software, Viveza 2, for Photoshop, Lightroom & Aperture is now available.

- Tamron shares tips by Rick Ferro on using a shallow depth-of-field in portrait photography.

- Nikon’s latest podcast features professional photographer, Chase Jarvis, who talks about self promotion and multimedia photography in the digital age.

Continuing the Discussion: The Future of Point-and-Shoot Cameras

November 25th, 2009 by Allison Gibson Posted in Articles, Blog

photo © Stefan Baudy (Flickr creative commons)

UPDATE: In order to get several perspectives on our discussion about the future of point-and-shoot cameras (see original post about the topic below),  I approached Ed Lee, Director of Consumer Imaging Services Group for InfoTrends to get his “insider’s” take on the issue. He had a lot of great insight, and some very explicit views about the digicam VS camera phone questions we raised, which would be interesting to both people in the camera manufacturing business and camera consumers. Here’s what Ed had to say:

“Point and shoots will continue to hold a strong position in the digital camera market. Camera phones will co-exist. While some people will decide to forego a digital camera and just use the one on their phone, others will be inspired by their camera phone photography to go out and buy a digital still camera. As for sophistication, digital still cameras will continue to offer better features than camera phones because they are dedicated devices and do not have to make compromises because of other product constraints. They also continue to work hard at staying one step ahead of camera phones, for instance, digital still cameras offer 14 MP resolution today and camera phones are just getting into the 5 MP range. Digital cameras have a good flash, which when used drains the battery, something that phones cannot afford to happen, if people want to still use the phone function and have a long idle time between charges. Decent 10 MP digital cameras can be purchased for well under $100 now, so in many instances, the up charge to buy a more fully-featured camera phone will far exceed what an entry-level digital camera will cost. So besides the integration feature, some will not see the benefit of paying the extra money. 5 years from now, it may not matter what device you use to capture the image. The key will be what can you do with the image after capture. That is where the real value begins.”

Now we want to hear what you have to say about this topic. Do you think Ed Lee’s predictions are correct? Do you see yourself continuing to use digital point-and-shoot cameras down the road even as your cell phone’s camera advances it’s technology? Comment below or join the discussion at the DP Facebook Page.

Original Post:

As fans of both the art of photography and the complex tools that help us to capture images–namely cameras–we at Digital Photographer would like to pose a question:

What do you think the future holds for point-and-shoot cameras, when it’s possible that in, say, five years time the cameras built into cell phones will meet the level of shooting sophistication of most consumer level digicams? Will point-and-shoot digital cameras as we know them today become irrelevant or, perhaps, extinct?

So called “instant cameras” have been around on the consumer level since 1948, when the Polaroid Model 95 went on sale (ref. The Impossible Project); and beginning in 1963, the Kodak Instamatic began to make photography accessible to the masses.

As it stands today, there are over 130 new compact digital cameras on the market, offered by Nikon, Canon, Sony, Olympus, Pentax, Samsung, Fujifilm and Kodak, and each of these manufacturers seems to be in a never-ending race to crank out more. Meanwhile, most anyone who owns an Apple iPhone (like myself) would agree that the image quality of the camera feature in the phone is inferior to even the lowest level point-and-shoot digital camera on the market. Sure, the 3MP camera boasts a built-in auto focus (iPhone 3GS) and a tap-induced digital zoom, but most digital cameras being produced by the above named companies come standard with, at the very least, an 8MP image sensor and 3x optical zoom. Oh, and there’s also always a little helpful feature called flash, which the iPhone still lacks. But the iPhone does record video as well as stills–something that a large number of the current point-and-shoot cameras on the market cannot also claim.

Join the discussion by posting a comment with your thoughts here, or at the DP page on Facebook.

The Future of Point-and-Shoot Cameras

November 20th, 2009 by Allison Gibson Posted in Articles, Blog

As fans of both the art of photography and the complex tools that help us to capture images–namely cameras–we at Digital Photographer would like to pose a question:

What do you think the future holds for point-and-shoot cameras, when it’s possible that in, say, five years time the cameras built into cell phones will meet the level of shooting sophistication of most consumer level digicams? Will point-and-shoot digital cameras as we know them today become irrelevant or, perhaps, extinct?

So called “instant cameras” have been around on the consumer level since 1948, when the Polaroid Model 95 went on sale (ref. The Impossible Project); and beginning in 1963, the Kodak Instamatic began to make photography accessible to the masses.

As it stands today, there are over 130 new compact digital cameras on the market, offered by Nikon, Canon, Sony, Olympus, Pentax, Samsung, Fujifilm and Kodak, and each of these manufacturers seems to be in a never-ending race to crank out more. Meanwhile, most anyone who owns an Apple iPhone (like myself) would agree that the image quality of the camera feature in the phone is inferior to even the lowest level point-and-shoot digital camera on the market. Sure, the 3MP camera boasts a built-in auto focus (iPhone 3GS) and a tap-induced digital zoom, but most digital cameras being produced by the above named companies come standard with, at the very least, an 8MP image sensor and 3x optical zoom. Oh, and there’s also always a little helpful feature called flash, which the iPhone still lacks. But the iPhone does record video as well as stills–something that a large number of the current point-and-shoot cameras on the market cannot also claim.

Join the discussion by posting a comment with your thoughts here, or at the DP page on Facebook.