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-------------------------------------------------------------- This story was printed from CNET Asia. --------------------------------------------------------------
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Digicam highs and lows in 2008
By Leonard Goh 25/12/2008 URL: http://asia.cnet.com/reviews/digitalcameras/0,39001469,62049531,00.htm With the digicam market becoming increasingly saturated, manufacturers have to come out with more enticing and innovative features to differentiate themselves from the crowd. While there were some news that really made us sit up and listen, we had our fair share of disappointments as well. Here are some news and products which lifted our spirits, or dampened our mood.
Highs While most shutterbugs were in awe of the Nikon's D90 720p-quality (1,280 x 720 pixels) video capture, Canon wowed the industry by announcing the EOS 5D Mark II. This full-frame dSLR trumped the competition by offering 1080p-quality (1,920 x 1,080 pixels) video recording, and top it all off, a sweet price of  When Olympus and Panasonic jointly announced this new format in July, we knew a mini-revolution is going to take place in the imaging industry. This format not only offers interchangeable lens system, but it also claims to shrink the size of such cameras, too. There are also a good number of compatible lenses on the market (via the use of an adapter). Will the entry-level dSLR market face more competition with this new kid on the block? Related stories: Review: Panasonic Lumix DMC-G1 Olympus concept Micro Four Thirds camera  When RED One said it wanted to enter the digital still camera segment, our first question was: Which lens mount would it adopt? It turns out that the US-based company has planned for its new dSLR system to be modular, meaning you can buy different components to fit onto the core (which house the sensor) as deem fit. We think this idea is great because you buy only what you need, and future upgrades can be cheaper, too, when you purchase only the needed parts instead of a new camera.  While other brands are chasing the megapixel bandwagon or dishing out gimmicky features to entice consumers, Fujifilm is heading in a slightly different direction. The Japanese company has a 3D camera in the works, and we've got a hands-on with it. Why is this innovation eye-catching? If the 3D system takes off, it can radically change the way we shoot, view and share pictures.  The typical convention we held towards resolution and digital noise is that as one factor increases, so does the other. But DxO Lab proposed the contrary, stating that more megapixels equates to less noise. If its theory stands, than chasing pixels isn't such a bad idea after all, since it should deliver better image quality.
Lows The first thing that hit us when Sigma announced the DP1 was that the shooter uses an APS-C-sized sensor (the same ones used in most dSLRs), and it promises image quality that will rival all point-and-shoots. We forgive it for not having a zoom (due to the size of the sensor and distance of optics to it), but its operation was horrendous. Sure, it did deliver exceptional great picture quality, but that couldn't hide the fact that it is pricey and not user friendly.
 With the Canon EOS 5D Mark II already trumping Nikon's D700, we thought the latter would at least introduce video-capture function into its latest pro-level dSLR, the D3x. When that didn't happen, we were a little disappointed. But the real shock came only when we saw the US$8,000 price tag. For 3 megapixels lesser and a slower frame rate, we can get the 5D Mark II which has one of the undisputedly best video qualities for a digital still camera.  Although the company said it was a case of fraud which led it to bankruptcy, we cannot deny the fact that digital photography has a hand in it, too. While Polaroid's Instant Film was a hit when film was widely used, digital cameras are now the cheaper alternative. While few would lament the loss, those of us who once learnt photography with film would still feel disappointed.  It can be seen as an almost desperate attempt to try and sell more cameras, but manufacturers are still doing it. From the Olympus limited edition E-420, Imperial stormtrooper white Pentax K2000 to the lust-worthy Leica D-Lux 4, it's as though the sales of snappers will shoot up when the aesthetic is changed. We're not sure if it did, but we rather the companies concentrate on making better cameras. |
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