Every year, the PMA (Photo Marketing Association) show is the premiere launching pad for new camera hardware and software. I didn't attend myself, but I have read lots of new equipment reviews and wanted to pass on what I have learned.
The move to digital continues. Fewer and fewer companies are now making paper, film and film cameras, and the accessory market for them has dried up even further. The latest to go was what is called the medium format cameras - film cameras that use a much larger film than 35mm for better photo quality. Most medium format camera manufacturers are now using what are called "digital backs" which replaces the film part of the camera with digital.
In general, there really wasn't a lot of change this year, just refinement. The point-and-shoot and prosumer cameras continue to improve, the primary enhancements being higher megapixel count sensors and better internal software. Most cameras are now in the 6 to 8 megapixel range, which is fine enough to rival film quality in all but the biggest enlargements. The only issue with these high megapixel cameras is that they generate bigger photo image files, requiring ever larger digital film modules. On the other hand, digital film memory is getting cheaper and PC hard drives are getting so huge that they dwarf almost any home user requirement.
More significant improvements are in the internal software in the digital camera. Many people may not be aware, but there is extensive software inside the camera. The software not only controls the menus and displays, but also gets heavily involved in the actual photo composition. Most cameras now have multiple shooting modes, where you can select the type of photo you are taking and the camera optimizes settings for that. New this year are smarter programs that can actually, for example, sense faces in the image and optimize the focus on the faces. Cool stuff.
Digital SLR cameras continue to advance also, with the primary enhancements being higher megapixel counts also, faster turn-on speeds, faster shutters and higher ISO capability. The Nikon D200 that I am trying to justify purchasing has 10 megapixels. Interestingly, in the SLR arena, there is less emphasis on in-camera software; many photographers (as I do) shoot in RAW format. Using RAW format, the camera does minimal processing and all the subsequent work is done in the PC (or Mac!). This illustrates the primary difference between the point-and-shoot and SLR crowds - the SLR users are much more serious about their photography and are willing to post-process in the PC to get it right.
Which brings up a point: Back in the old 35mm film days, most people who were at all serious about their photographs used SLR cameras. Point-and-shoot users were relegated to low level amateur status. A shift has occurred now, partially because the point-and-shoot cameras do have high quality and obviously are smaller and more convenient to use. But, on the other hand, you just can't rival the facilities available in an SLR.
As an example, I recently shot some photos of my grandson playing in his baseball league. The shots were taken with a digital SLR (my Nikon D70) from the sideline about 150 feet from home plate. Using the camera mounted on a tripod, a fast shutter speed, and a telephoto lens with an effective focal length of 450mm, I was able to get some very close shots. You just can't do that with your typical point-and-shoot.
If you want to view some of the shots, go to http://www.bobseidel.com/jb2006; click on any photo to enlarge, and Back to return to the thumbnail page. Dial-up users beware - the photos are too large to conveniently view - but, then, who is using dial-up these days anyhow - hint!
(Bob Seidel is a local computer consultant in the Southport - Oak Island area. You can visit his Website at www.bobseidel.com or e-mail questions or column ideas to him at bsc@bobseidel.com. For specific inquiries, please call Bob Seidel Consulting, LLC at 278-1007.)