A New Breed of Digital Camera
Samsung NX10
The biggest news out of PMA was Sony’s announcement of a “DSLR Lite,” a new compact camera with interchangeable lenses and a large APS-C sized CMOS sensor. This type of camera will have a traditional DSLR’s fast response times, solid photo quality, and range of lens flexibility, plus it’ll take AVCHD videos. Since it doesn’t have a mirror assembly, it will be much smaller, lighter and easier to carry around, however. Similar in theory to the Micro Four Thirds cameras from Panasonic
and Olympus as well as Samsung’s new NX10—which also uses an APS-C CMOS imaging device – expect this category to be white hot in 2010. Sony gave few additional specifics other than that the new camera would arrive this calendar year. A big blow-out at the Photokina trade show in Germany this September seems likely. Stay tuned…
Less Equals More
Canon EOS Rebel T2i
Good news for those sick of increasingly ridiculous marketing hype: Manufacturers have stopped cramming point-and-shoots with even more megapixels. You won’t find any compact digicams with more than 14 megapixels here shortly, which is more than enough for most shooters. DSLRs with their heftier prices and larger sensors peak at 24.6MP, but no new models were otherwise introduced at the two shows. Granted, industry and DSLR giant Canon wasn’t at PMA, but did introduce the Rebel T2i (due March) before the show. It’s an $899 18MP DSLR that shoots 3.7 fps and captures HD video. But mostly, expect more DSLRs later this year–especially around Photokina.
You won’t want to edit with Native Canon EOS 7D MOV files, most CPU’s bottleneck when scrubbing through these files on a timeline. It’s very CPU intensive and not really meant for editing. Do you have access to HD Video Converter? If so that’ll help you to convert your files to another friendlier format.
Solution for editing H.264/MOV footages shot by Canon EOS 7D，550D camera
Megapixel Counts Come Down
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-TX5
As we’ve pointed out in many of our reviews, more megapixels are not necessarily a good thing for digital cameras, since smaller pixels are prone to digital noise, especially in low light. Camera makers are introducing models with “only” 10MP sensors, but the color is better and speed (frames per second) is dramatically enhanced. Canon and Sony started this trend in 2009. This year we’re seeing similar introductions from Fujifilm, Samsung, Nikon along with new models from Sony such as the DSC-TX5. Remember, more megapixels don’t necessarily mean a better camera.
Prices Continue To Drop
Nikon Coolpix L22
You’ll have no problem finding a solid aim-and-forget camera for under $150 in 2010. In fact, the bulk of the cameras purchased cost below $199, even though we tend to like those costing more. A good example of 2010’s affordable pricing is the Nikon Coolpix L22, a 12.2MP model with a 3.6x zoom and 3-inch LCD screen for a sweet $129.
HD Video Is Everywhere
Sony Cyber-shot HX5V
More cameras than ever feature high-definition video recording capability at one level or another. Lower-end high-def (720p) is now fairly common, but this year will see the introduction of many that can record at top-end HD resolution (1920 x 1080). Sony’s new 10MP DSC-TX7 ($399) and HX5V ($349) are the first cameras that record true AVCHD video, something once only found in $500-plus camcorders.
Social Networking Becomes King
Kodak Easyshare M575
Facebook and YouTube didn’t have exhibits at CES or PMA, but their presence was felt in a big way. Digital imaging manufacturers of all types (cameras, camcorders, printers, etc.) announced new ways for people to quickly upload their stills and videos to these ridiculously popular sites. A good example is Kodak’s new share button found on its latest digicams. You just mark the files in the camera you like and once you connect it to a computer, they’re uploaded to Facebook, YouTube or the Kodak Gallery, the company’s photo sharing site.
Super Zoom Options Keep Expanding
Fujifilm FinePix HS10
Last year, Olympus introduced the 14MP CCD SP-800UZ, the first 30x mega-zoom digicam with a range of 28-840mm; it even grabs 720p video. Fujifilm just topped this effort with the new FinePix HS10 ($499, due April). It has a wider-angle 30x lens (24-720mm), captures Full HD movies, and even grabs 10 fps thanks to its BSI 10MP CMOS chip. Beyond these models, there’s no shortage of potent zoom cameras ranging from 7x-10x with slim form factors to DSLR-like cameras with 15x, 20x and 24x zooms. Every manufacturer has them. Have fun finding your pick.
Flash Memory Takes Over
HP V1020H1
Between the two shows, we’ve seen practically every new breed of camcorder out three—including fully featured models as well as Flip-type pocket cams. No shocks here: Flash memory rules as tape- and DVD-based camcorders have gone the way of the CD. Although there are still HDD models, their number is shrinking as card- and imbedded Flash-based editions take over. The good news here being that the costs on Full HD AVCHD camcorders have dropped below $499 SRP. Although sub-$199 Flips remain wildly popular, we’ll take a real camcorder with a true optical zoom and a quality lens anytime. The big news out of PMA was HP re-entering the business with low-priced ($199) camcorders and digicams.
Rugged Gear Reigns
Panasonic Lumix DMC-TS2
Whether it’s the endless winter or the coming approach of summer prompting the uptick, almost every camera manufacturer now has a “rugged” digicam in its product lineup. Here you have a choice of simply waterproof options to others that can be dropped, frozen and submerged. Olympus popularized these digicams with its TOUGH series, but now there’s strong competition from Canon, Pentax, Fujifilm, Panasonic and Sony. Panasonic’s just-announced Lumix DMC-TS2 ($399) can go 10 feet underwater, be dropped from 6.6 feet, and handle cold to 14 degrees F, plus the 14MP digicam takes AVCHD Lite videos.
What is AVCHD Lite ?How to edit AVCHD Lite footage on MAC/Windows?
How to convert Lumix AVCHD Lite to MPEG-4 MP4 and H.264 MP4 formats?
