CIPA makes camera sales predictions for 2009 and beyond The Camera and Imaging Products Association (CIPA), which represents the various
Japanese camera manufacturers, has released their outlook for digital camera
sales in the years ahead. A summary:
Units shipped in 2008 rose 19.3%, to 119,757,000. Digital SLRs were a big
part of that, with a year-on-year increase of 29.7%
Overall camera shipments are expected to drop in 2009 by 0.7%; fixed lens
camera shipments are forecast to drop by 1.3%, but D-SLR sales will help
mitigate that, increasing by 6.8%
Shipments are expected to increase in 2010 and 2011: fixed lens camera
should rise 2.4% year-over-year, with D-SLRs doing even better (8.2% in 2010,
6.6% in 2011)
Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS1 / DMC-ZS3 Panasonic today introduced a host of new cameras, including replacements
for the Lumix DMC-TZ4 and TZ5. The two new cameras sport ultra wide-angle lenses
(with plenty of telephoto power), large LCDs, an HD movie mode (ZS3 only), and
a load of other bells and whistles. Unfortunately, there are no manual exposure
controls or RAW support. Here's more on the new Lumix
ZS series:
Panasonic Lumix DMC-TS1 Next up, we have an all-new Lumix model: the DMC-TS1. This camera, which bears
a striking resemblance to Olympus' Stylus Tough series, is Panasonic's first
waterproof/shockproof camera. Here are the details on the TS1:
Panasonic Lumix DMC-FX48 / DMC-FX580 Now let's talk about two ultra-compact cameras
in Panasonic's FX series: the FX48 and FX580. The two cameras are very similar,
with the FX580 adding a 3-inch touchscreen LCD display.
Panasonic Lumix DMC-FS25 We finish today's Panasonic introductions with the Lumix DMC-FS25, which joins
the two FS-series
cameras released 11 days ago. Here are the specs:
Nikon Coolpix P6000 reviewed I've posted my review of the Nikon Coolpix P6000. If you want to see how Nikon's
flagship compact camera performs, then hit that link!
{ Friday, January 16, 2009 }
Panasonic Lumix DMC-FS7 / DMC-FS15 Panasonic is introducing three new entry-level cameras today. The first two
models are in their ultra-compact
FS-series:
Kodak EasyShare M1093 IS reviewed Hey, it's been a while, how about a camera review? This one is all about the Kodak EasyShare M1093 IS, an entry-level compact camera. Click the link to see if the M1093 is worth your $200.
{ Thursday, January 8, 2009 }
Casio Exilim EX-FC100 Casio announced six new cameras at CES 2009, with two models emphasizing ultra
high speed continuous shooting and video recording. If you're familiar with
the EX-F1 and EX-FH20, these two new models are the same idea -- just in a
much more compact body. Here's the first one:
F3.6-4.5, 5X optical zoom lens, equivalent to 37 - 185 mm
Sensor-shift image stabilization
Compact body comes in gray and white
2.7" LCD display with 230,400 pixels
Point-and-shoot operation, with 21 Best Shot (scene) modes to choose from
Can shoot at up to 30 frames/second at 6 Megapixel resolution; camera can
record up to 25 frames that were buffered when you press the shutter release
button
Slow motion mode lets you slow down the action to capture your subject
at the perfect moment
High Speed Anti-Shake and Night Scene functions combine several images
into one to reduce the effects of camera shake
High Speed Best Selection can automatically pick the best photo in
the burst (no blur, blinking, or frowns alllowed)
HD movie mode records videos at 1280 x 720 (30 fps)
High Speed movie mode lets you crank the frame rate as high as 1000
fps (though the resolution drops dramatically in return)
SD/SDHC memory card slot
Uses NP-40 lithium-ion battery; battery life not available
Casio Exilim EX-FS10 The second of the two high speed Casio cameras is the Exilim EX-FS10. It has
a lot of common with the FC100 above, except that it's thinner, has a less powerful
lens, and lacks image stabilization. Here are its specs:
Casio Exilim EX-Z270 / EX-Z400 The next three cameras can't shoot as fast as the two I just mentioned, but they
have another trick up their sleeve. The Dynamic Photo function on these cameras
lets you superimpose your subject over a background of your choice. You know,
like the weatherman on the TV news. I don't know anyone who has been clamoring
for a feature like this, but Casio seems pretty good at coming up with gimmicky
features like this. Enough ranting, here are the details on the EX-Z270 and
EX-Z400:
F2.6-5.9, 4X optical zoom lens, equivalent to 28 - 112 mm
Sensor-shift image stabilization
Ultra-compact body comes in black, gray, gold, and pink
2.7" LCD display with 114,960 pixels
Uses new Exilim Engine 4.0 image processor
Point-and-shoot operation, 37 scene modes
Dynamic Photo function allows you to "cut out the main subject
of interest in an image that has just been captured and then combine it with
another image to form the background"; you can combine several of these
images to give the appearance of motion (albeit very choppy motion); Casio
has set up a page of demos of this feature here
Makeup function smoothes wrinkles and removes blemishes from skin (this
is turning out to be the must-have gimmick of the year)
Records movies at 1280 x 720 (24 fps) with sound
SD/SDHC memory card slot
Uses NP-80 lithium-ion battery; battery life not available
Casio Exilim EX-S5 / EX-S12 The final two Exilim models are in the ultra-thin category. The EX-S5 is a pretty
basic point-and-shoot camera, while the EX-S12 has some of the bells and whistles
found in the Z-series models above. Here are the details on both of these:
F3.1-5.6, 3X optical zoom lens, equivalent to 35.5 - 106.5 mm
Ultra-thin body comes in SIX colors: blue, black, gold, pink, purple, and
silver
2.7" LCD display with 114,960 pixels
Point-and-shoot opreation, with 23 scene modes
From the you-can't-make-this-stuff-up file:
"As well as the rectangular focusing
frame usually displayed on the LCD monitor, users can choose designs
such as a heart or a butterfly for the frame design. When the camera
is correctly focused, a beautiful heart can be displayed, and when correct
focus is not achieved the heart pattern breaks up. This makes it easy
to ensure correct focus, and it is fun, too."
Records movies at 848 x 480 (30 fps) with sound
SD/SDHC card slot
Uses NP-80 li-ion battery; no word on battery life
Canon updates EOS-5D Mark II firmware Canon has released a firmware update for the EOS-5D Mark II that "improves and mitigates" two well-known problems on that camera: black dots and vertical banding. Download instructions and more info are available here.
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-G3 Yesterday Sony introduced a fairly run-of-the-mill compact camera. Today,
they have something much different. The new Cyber-shot DSC-G3 has built-in Wi-Fi
and can use any public hotspot (AT&T Wi-Fi is free for 3 years). Once you're
logged on, you can easily transfer photos and video clips to popular sharing
sites. Even crazier: the G3 has a web browser! That said, I've gotta wonder
how well this $500 camera will sell in this economy -- it seems like kind of
a luxury item. Anyhow, here are the details:
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W220 Sony announced a new ultra-compact member of their Cyber-shot family at CES today. The DSC-W220 crams a 4X zoom lens, image stabilization, and a 2.7" LCD into a stylish package costing less than $200. Here's more:
Samsung HZ10W Samsung has introduced four new cameras at CES, with the flagship being the new HZ10W. If you've been wanting an ultra zoom camera that starts VERY wide, then you might want to check this one out:
Samsung SL102 / SL420 The last of the Samsungs for today are two entry-level models in the SL-series. Unfortuantely, I don't know much about either of them. Here's what I can tell you:
Olympus SP-590 Ultra Zoom When an 18X or 20X ultra zoom just isn't enough, Olympus brings us the new SP-590
Ultra Zoom, which packs a whopping 26X optical zoom lens. I would imagine that
you're going to need either a tripod or a high ISO setting to shoot at full telephoto
if you want a sharp photo! Here are the specs on this mega zoom camera:
New scene modes include multiple exposure, soft background focus, birdwatching,
and "beauty" mode, which softens skin tones; there's also a Beauty Fix option
in playback mode to remove blemishes or enhance your subject's eyes
Built-in support for wireless flashes
Same Shadow Adjustment, Perfect Shot Preview, and face detection features
from previous models
VGA (30 fps) movie mode with sound
HDMI output port
Unknown amount of onboard memory + xD Picture Card slot
Uses four AA batteries; battery life not available
Olympus Stylus 7000 / 9000 Next up are two compact models in the Stylus series. Both pack a lot more zoom
than your typical ultra-compact camera: the Stylus 7000 and 9000 have 7X and
10X lenses, respectively. Here are the details:
F3.5-5.3, 7X optical zoom lens, equivalent to 37 - 260 mm
Sensor-shift image stabilization
Ultra-compact body comes in navy blue, black, and silver
3-inch HyperCrystal III LCD display with 230,000 pixels
Point-and-shoot operation
New Intelligent Auto Mode (Panasonic's lawyers must be thrilled with that
name) automatically selects a scene mode for you
New "Olympus Recommended" button gives you quick access to panorama shooting,
Perfect Shot Preview, and Shadow Adjustmenu features (now I've seen everything)
Same beauty mode as the SP-590 above
VGA movie mode (30 fps) with sound
HDMI output
16MB onboard memory + xD Picture Card slot
Uses LI-42B lithium-ion battery; battery life not available
Olympus Stylus Tough 6000 / 8000 Next we have two cameras in the recently renamed Stylus Tough series. As
the name implies, these are the cameras you can freeze, drop, step on, or dunk
in water.
F3.5-5.1, 3.6X optical zoom lens, equivalent to 28 - 102 mm
Sensor-shift image stabilization
Compact, ultra-rugged body is waterproof to 10 feet, drop-proof from 5
feet, freezeproof to 14F; available in white, yellow, blue, and orange
2.7" HyperCrystal III LCD display with 230,000 pixels; dedicated "backlight
boost" button quickly brightens the screen
Tap control makes it easy to adjust camera settings while you're wearing
gloves -- simply by "tapping" the sides of the camera
Same Intelligent Auto and Beauty modes as Stylus models above; camera also
features face detection, Perfect Shot Preview, and Shadow Adjustment Technology
Also has the Olympus Recommended (OR) button like the Stylus 7000 and 9000
above
LED illuminator helps brighten your surroundings for both stills and videos
VGA movie mode (30 fps) with sound
42MB onboard memory + xD Picture Card slot
Uses LI-50B lithium-ion battery; no battery life numbers available
Olympus Stylus 550WP There's one more Stylus camera for today, and it's a budget underwater model.
The Stylus 550WP can go up to 10 feet underwater -- more than adequate for the
beach or swimming pool. Here are the rest of the details:
F3.5-5.6, 5X optical zoom lens, equivalent to 36 - 180 mm
Sensor-shift image stabilization
Slightly thicker body, comes in plum, navy blue, and black
"Smile Shot" waits for a smile before taking a picture; "Expression
Edit" can literally turn a frown into a smile in playback mode (though
it's pretty creepy)
Kodak announces four new cameras Kodak announced four cameras at CES today, though they didn't bother to provide
many details (or product photos, for that matter). Here's what I can tell
you about both of these EasyShare cameras right now:
EasyShare Z980
12 Megapixel CCD
24X optical zoom lens, equivalent to 26 - 624 mm
Optical image stabilization
3-inch LCD display
Includes a removable vertical grip for portrait shooting
Smart Capture auto scene selection, plus full manual controls
Hot shoe for external flash
HD movie mode
Ships this Spring for $399
EasyShare M320
9 Megapixel CCD
3X optical zoom lens
2.7" LCD display
PerfectTouch feature removes redeye, brightens shadows, and more, at the
push of a button
Happy New Year! Welcome to 2009! I wanted to mention a couple of changes I'll be making to the site in the upcoming months:
The first is the addition of a DCRP Editors' Choice Award, for cameras that truly stand out. This award will not be passed out like candy on Halloween: only a select few cameras will receive it each year. Of the cameras on the Recent Reviews list, only the Nikon D90 and D700 and the Panasonic Lumix DMC-G1 would have been in the running for the award. I won't be going back and giving anything from last year an award -- this is all going forward.
Cameras that earn the Editors' Choice logo will be highlighted in the Reviews & Info Database and the Buyers Guide. The Editors' Choice graphic will be made available to the camera manufacturers free of charge, should they want to use it.
Second, I'm going to change the order in which I review cameras a bit. Typically, I review cameras in the order in which they arrive, with some exceptions. In 2009 I will continue doing what I started this holiday season: reviewing the cameras that are the most requested by our readers, based on page views in our camera database and requests in this forum thread. I may not always be possible to get every camera that people request, but I'll do the best that I can.
Finally, the links page is getting a much-needed update. It became out of date and loaded with spam websites (which, thankfully, never made it onto the public pages). I have cleaned up the page and will add links that are relevant to our readers. If you have feedback on what should or should not be on our links page, please visit this forum thread.
That's all for now. 2008 was a tough year for this site, and with the economy the way it is, 2009 isn't looking much better. Thank you for your continuing support!
