Camera manufactures - READ THIS. The ultimate camera.

[cheese...]

Just thought I'd say it even though it won't help.

Everything I want from a camera:

GREAT QUALITY PHOTOS
Ultrazoom
Compact
FULL Manual controlls
A good set of programed modes automation
Waterproof
Shockproof
WiFi/bluetooth compatable
Bulit in red-eye rduction software. (Not those flashes that go off a thousand times)
Low noise at higher ISO's
Image Stabalisation (The CCD-shift one, not just increase the ISO)
Replaceable batteries, AA i guess (so much more convienent)
Bulb mode
Good continuous shooting modes
Zoom while in movie mode
And all the other general stuff that cameras come with these days anyway


Feel free to add to the list

[DonSchap]

that people in Hades want ice-water, too...

An ultimate camera would have ultimate-weight and ultimate-cost associated with it... ultimately. I'm relatively certain that there is a "wish-list" for the camera body that is being addressed, as we speak. This bunch of engineers have been at this for... well, a little while. :rolleyes:


GPS
Dashboard mounting
Cellular
Calculator
Pinpoint Radar-type focal range sensor for following high speed subjects (vehicles, aircraft, trains, boats)
Nightvision/Starlight capability
Ruggedized/Anti-drop design
Thumbprint security-Intruder protection
EXIF labeling (add titles)... micro keypad


just some thoughts... for additional junk

[nism]

bluetooth in a camera would be pretty sweet

[XaiLo]

Glare resistant LCD; min size 2.75
High resolution veiwfinder
Non proprietary RAW format
No shutter lag

[mbjones]

Hi. You miss the two most important features for the older folks (myself included) who NEED both image stabilization and an optical viewfinder. Hands shake and we have tought time adapting to an LCD viewfinder

[David Metsky]

Hi. You miss the two most important features for the older folks (myself included) who NEED both image stabilization and an optical viewfinder. Hands shake and we have tought time adapting to an LCD viewfinder
In a counter point, my dad is 80 and loves to use the fold out LCD on his A95, which doesn't have Image Stabilization. It wasn't a hard change for him from the opitical viewfinder. And my mom, who never used the film camera before now uses the digital nearly as much as my dad. She finds it hard to use the viewfinder and probably never would have used the camera without the LCD.

So it's not clear that this is a universal need for older folks.

The list reminds me of a Dilbert cartoon where a marketing guy is spouting features for a new product. "It has to have a 50" screen AND fit in your pocket!" A lot of those features are great, but I don't want them if they detract from other things, such as price, size, or reliability. For example, I don't see the need for WiFi, , keypad, thumbprint security (you wanna be on a 3 week trip when that fails?!)

[cheese...]

Hey DonSchap no need to bag it. Just ideas

[David Metsky]

The problem is that is no single ultimate camera. If I want one that fits in my shirt pocket that will eliminate interchangable lenses and a hot shoe. You need to put a a few parameters around the end result to get meaningful input.

-dave-

[wicker_man]

My personal 'perfect' camera would be just some improvements on my Panasonic Lumix LX1.

(In order of preference):

>Lower noise levels (like Fuji)
>Higher refresh rate on LCD (60fps?)
>MPEG4 movie mode (with HD 1280x720 resolution) with a 'past movie' function like Casio
>A few GB of internal memory
>A bit more optical zoom (but not too much to make it bulky) such as 6x
>Wifi with remote access/picture taking would be cool too
>Good Mac software included

And thats about it!

Hopefully something like this will be available in the not too distant future (maybe the Panasonic LX6?!)

[cdifoto]

My perfect camera already exists. I just can't afford it. :o