The digital compact camera market is really crowded. With the silly pixel war finally settles down, camera manufacturers are trying to distinguish themselves from competitors with innovative products.
One of the latest we know is the Nikon Coolpix S1000pj digital cameras with built-in projector, which seem to have received quite some media buzz. If you think about it, it is fun to show off the pictures you just take but it doesn’t really help you to take better pictures.
Nikon isn’t the only who is doing the “add-on” innovation. Samsung adds a second LCD display on the front side of the DualView series digital cameras for people who love to take self-portraits. It also has a Child Mode that displays funny cartoons to grab the attention of small children. Unlike the built-in projector on Nikon Coolpix S100pj, the Samsung camera’s 2nd display does help people to take better photos.
“Can your compact digital camera do this?” In some marketing videos showcasing its new compact digital cameras, Nikon challenges the audience with this question. To quite a few, this is going to be nerve-touching (enticing).
Over the years, compact digital cameras have become ever sophisticated although it doesn’t mean they are more difficult to use. On the contrary, technology made modern point-and-shoot compact digital cameras easier to use and produce better images. Not only 10+ mega pixel sensors become the norm, we also see image stabilization, face detection, smile shutter, dynamic lighting, creative filters, and other features becoming prevalent. Bringing out a “me-too” product is not going to help much in the current economic situation. As a matter of fact, Nikon just post significant loss for the 1st quarter of fiscal year 2010. Nikon has vowed to “concentration on development of new products exceeding customers expectation” and obviously didn’t disappoint us with the recent announcements.
The Nikon Coolpix S70 has what appears to be Muititouch-like screen on the back. You can zoom with two fingers and you can also select focus point by touching on the screen. For iPhone users, these are familiar features.
The Nikon Coolpix S1000pj has a built-in projector that can show your images up to 40 inches across on a surface such as wall or ceiling.
Both compact digital cameras feature 12.1 mega pixel sensor and 5X optical zoom lens with vibration reduction (VR). The S70 has a 3.5 inch OLED touch screen at the back while the S1000pj has a 2.7 inch TFT LCD with anti-reflective coating.
People who like the convenience of digital compact cameras are often disappointed by the dismal battery life that is only good for a couple of hundred shots. Now Casio just released a new compact wide angle super zoom digital camera that is the world’s thinnest and lightest in its class but can take a thousand shots on a single charge. Other than that, the nice-looking photography gadget takes 720P HD videos, shots up to 10 frames per second at 1280 x 960 resolution (Up to 20 shots), and does whatever else you’d expect from a compact digital camera. Check out the product images and press releases below.
Spring is here. People’s spirit may be getting better despite the bad economic news. In a recent email newsletter, Nikon introduces 8 new Coolpix models in hope of freshing up their businesses. No, these are not completely new, some have been on sale since February.
The new models are in Nikon COOLPIX P (Performance), S (Style), and L (Life) series. The Coolpix P90 is a 24x super-zoom (most expensive) while the Coolpix L19 is the most economic compact new model you can get with a Nikon brand.
One of the S (Style) series model is the Coolpix S230 with 10 megapixel sensor, 3x Zoom-NIKKOR lens, and a huge bright 3.0-inch high resolution touch panel LCD. It comes with 5 elegant colors, which look great even thought they are not as sensational as the colors of Canon PowerShot SD780.
Multiple gadget blogs (Engadget, CrunchGear) are reporting the Kodak 24x megazoom point-and-shoot digital camera Z980 that will be officially introduced at 2009 CES. The camera features a 12 megapixel sensor, 24x (26mm – 624mm?) stabilized optical zoom lens, detachable vertical grip with shutter release, and HD video recording capability.
Nikon has just announced the D60 DSLR that appears to be a replacement for the D40(x) models and an array of SLR lenses. Read the details by following the links below.
I am a little disappointed by the D60 because I was expecting a D80 replacement. The new lenses are a little boring as well. Nikon’s consumer grade zoom lens lineup just became even messier with the introduction of the DX Nikkor 16-85 f/3.5-5.6G ED VR. The other two lenses are more targeted towards professional photographers in an effort to revamp Nikon’s aging full frame lens offerings. I guess it becomes necessary with the recent introduction of the D3 full frame (FX format) DSLR camera.
CNet UK has a fascinating article about the history of digital camera. It is amazing to compare what we are shooting today with the very first digital camera (imagine a 4kg/8.8lb toaster sized machine!). I picked up the story on Slashdot.
has what appears to be Muititouch-like screen on the back. You can zoom with two fingers and you can also select focus point by touching on the screen. For iPhone users, these are familiar features.
has a built-in projector that can show your images up to 40 inches across on a surface such as wall or ceiling.
is a 24x super-zoom (most expensive) while the 
is the most economic compact new model you can get with a Nikon brand.
