We all know that the race is on for the camera manufacturers to maintain relevance in the compact camera field.

We also know that for the most part, compact cameras actually do take better photographs.

So what to do?

Make cameras that are at a price point that gives you things like telephoto lenses, larger megapixel files, scene selections, etc., may be the best way to maintain.

Of course the toughest hurdle is the sharing aspect. Smartphones just own that space at this point.
With the exception of Samsung, all of the wi-fi enabled cameras have to stop off at a proprietary site before you share with Facebook, twitter, email or others.

The funny thing about all of this is that people know when you have made a better photo. A sweet smartphone shot is always called out because it’s not expected.

We use both/all. Smartphone, compact cameras, mirrorless cameras, DSLRs. And the quality difference is obvious between them all.
It’s all about what do you need the image to do.
So the major manufacturers, like Nikon, have come out with some amazing compact cameras for a low price point, and one even is the perfect outdoorsy compact camera.
Seriously, a 20megapixel camera fro $120.? Not bad.
And you won’t need a monthly plan to use em.
Wiat till you see what they came out with fro the pro and enthusiast.
Further down the post……..

The Nikon COOLPIX S5200: The Camera for Staying Connected
The COOLPIX S5200 is a versatile camera with a 16.0-megapixel backside-illuminated (BSI) CMOS sensor that captures high-quality images and video, even in low-light conditions. Featuring a wide-angle 6x (26mm to 156mm) optical zoom-NIKKOR glass lens, the compact and slim S5200 ensures crisp, detailed images in a pocketable body. Images and videos can be uploaded and shared instantly using the camera’s built-in Wi-Fi® capabilities1, allowing users to share images and videos with compatible smart devices via the Wireless Mobile Adapter Utility application1.

While sharing photos is fun, the COOLPIX S5200 makes creating flattering photos easy. Users have access to simple editing and shooting features including Best Smile Selector, a tool that automatically helps select the shot that best compliments the subject. In addition, an upgraded version of Glamour Retouch lets the user brighten faces using a variety of retouch effects. All shooting features, including Quick Effects and Target Finding AF, are accessible using the camera’s simple yet intuitive 3-inch TFT LCD monitor.

The Nikon COOLPIX L28: A Compact Camera for Everyday Life
The 20.1-megapixel COOLPIX L28 features easy-to-use shooting functions and streamlined operation that allow users to capture unique and expressive photos and videos effortlessly. Equipped with a 5x optical zoom (26mm to 130mm) and simple shooting functions such as Easy Auto Mode, this new COOLPIX camera allows the user to capture pristine still images and HD video at the touch of a button. The COOLPIX L28’s Smart Portrait Mode has six functions including Face-priority AF, Skin Softening, Smile Timer, Blink Proof and In-Camera Red-Eye Fix that allow users to take their creativity to new heights. For comfortable operation, the L28 also sports a 3-inch TFT LCD screen and an easy-to-hold grip and button layout that fits in a user’s hand comfortably. The COOLPIX L28 uses widely available AA-size alkaline batteries, so users can conveniently keep their cameras powered.

Pricing and Availability:
The COOLPIX S5200 will be available in February 2013 for a suggested retail price of $179.95* in Plum, Red, Blue and Black. The COOLPIX L28 will be available in February 2013 for a suggested retail price of $119.95* in Red, Black and Silver.
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While up at a trade show, there was a little soiree thrown by Canon.
Off in quiet section, a photo business analyst, and Ben Thomas from Canon, were examining a camera.
Had to peek in and see.
It was the new Canon PowerShot “N”.
Square, articulated screen, no shutter button, zoom lever.
And white.
Yes, it shoots HD video (1080p), and the flash can be set to be a constant light for video.
This tiny wonder, 3.09 x 2.37 x 1.15 inches caught my attention for the from factor alone.
It uses a micro-sd card (you have to buy yet more media cards.They are tiny, but usually come with an SD shell for uploading.
Yes, it has a zoom lens that goes from 28-224 optical (35mm equivalent).
Yes, it has a wi-fi connection that goes to the Canon site, and from there you can share.

How come Samsung is the only one hat lets you upload right to Facebook, Twitter, email, etc??

Oh well.

One of the big party tricks on this camera, other than the touch screen and the rings to shoot (watch the vid, you’ll see) is the creative mode.
You take the picture you want, and the camera takes 5 more. One B&W, One recomposes,one is Bleached, and 2 others I can’t remember. Decide on what you want to keep, and you still have your original.
Interesting, but we’ll have to use it more to see the results.

This Canon is pretty sweet and it seems to be a perfect point and shoot camera.
Oh, wait…one thing we forgot to mention:

It appears from these company specs that (look at 4) it can do a square image. very cool. haven’t seen this in a compact before.

1) 16:9 – Large: 4000 x 2248; Medium 1: 2816 x 1584; Medium 2: 1920 x 1080; Small: 640 x 360

2) 3:2 – Large: 4000 x 2664; Medium 1: 2816 x 1880; Medium 2: 1600 x 1064; Small: 640 x 424

3) 4:3 – Large: 4000 x 3000; Medium 1: 2816 x 2112; Medium 2: 1600 x 1200; Small: 640 x 480

4) 1:1 – Large: 2992 x 2992; Medium 1: 2112 x 2112; Medium 2: 1200 x 1200; Small: 480 x 480

WiFi certified
HS System
Full HD 1920 x 1080
DiGiC 5
12.1 Megapixel CCD
(CMOS)28mm wide, 8x optical zoom
Intelligent IS
2.8-inch Tilt-up Touch LCD
Mobile Device Connect Button
Zoom Ring
Shutter Ring
Smart Auto 58 scenes
Hybrid AutoCreative Shot

Look for this in April 2013.
Cost about $300.

OK, seriously.
We are talking about a tripod. It is the Brian model. Lightweight, carbon fiber legs, one leg comes off to use as a monopod, and lots more. And we did bring it to your attention before.
But what we want to point out here is the company that brings us this tripod line, plus a lot more products for the photographer.
When we first met Danny Lenihan, it was outside the ThinkTank Photo booth at PhotoPlus Expo a couple of years ago.
In his hands was a prototype tripod: compact, lightweight versatile. And came in a sweet case.
The passion in this guys presentation of his new baby/product was palpable.
So the next year we had in our hands, the production model of Brian.
Wow.
Impressed, did all it should and promised. There were a couple minor production issues, but we knew they’d get worked out.
This past Oct, when we saw the latest iteration of the full 3LeggedThing tripod line, there was no doubt they had arrived.
The tooling on all of the parts was as clean as any gear we’ve used. We tried a new ball head that exceeded all of our expectations.
And the Brian just keeps getting better.

We use this tripod, and applaud the company for many reasons.
In a very tough marketplace, to see a new company enter, create, continually improve, and give consistent great value, warms our photographic heart.
There are a lot of products that come to play, but don’t have the heart. Or the design.

3 Legged Thing comes fully loaded with great product. And keeps on keeping on. Check out the rest of their line of products.

Now what that means is that everyone with a press credential goes to a hotel where manufacturers have arranged to present their new news. Alert the media, as the saying goes.
And we were alerted.
Although there were some crazy waits for key presentations (like Samsung), that were 2.5 hours long!
We love ya but, no way.
Others lines were much shorter, but the fact is that a lot of the products had been tipped before CES.
So we like to hit up special press events where smaller companies present their products. Like #Pepcom

Highlights:

Met the folks behind @Dropcam, the simplest home security camera we’ve seen. Why security cams on photoinduced?
Travel ever? Leave your house? Yes, you’re insured but wouldn’t you like to have some visual proof of what went down?

This camera sets up in 10 mins. plugs in anywhere, and watch your home/office from your smartphone. AND have a weeks worth of vid backing you up in the cloud for about $10. a month. It has a built in mic/speaker and allows you to talk to whomever may be on the other side.
OK, maybe you won’t catch a burglar (hopefully, that never happens),but you can tell Rover to stay off the couch from where ever you are in the world. Good dog.

#FitBit, the health tech item we loved last year, must have realized that it was so small, it was easy to lose (yeah, we did that) and announced a wrist band version.
One thing we particularly like about this unit, is it’s ability to track your sleep.

#Gogo, the airline internet carrier, gave us a real good tip: Seems that the prices have gone up since it was introduced, and the once great deal of $14 for the flight, became $6 for an hour and on up. a cross country trip gets ridiculous. So, the deal is- buy it before you fly, online and pay $14..And if you don’t use it, it remains in your account. Much better.

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#snappgrip had some samples at the show, where you add on a shutter, zoom button, and mode settings to your iPhone. $100? hmmm, maybe.But we just backed it on Kickstarter, and it only costs $47. USD.

#Gazelle was there. Know who they are? Only the best folks to sell your used phones, iPads, etc.
contact them, tell em what you have, and they send a box to ship the unit back to them. they examine, assess, and make you an offer.

Do it. We sold our iPhone 4 for $168. Take it in Amazon credit, and add 10% .Easy, peasey.

More products to come when we wrap up the show.
2 more days.

In the press room with the new media:

and the old guard:

The press do get taken care of, though.

Check this lunch-

Finally being released in the states, Nikon announced the D5200, with 24.1 mp, DX sensor, and an articulated screen.
After months being out in Europe, not sure why the delay to the US, but…..

This is a small step up from the D3200, but at a price point of $900. msrp, the extras are well worth it.
39 point AF, ISO up to 25,600, 1080p@ 60i HD video, and a variety of onboard effects, in addition to the standard scene settings.

Nikon seems intent on using an external dongle for $60 for your wi-fi access. I’m hoping that is so when it gets better, a dongle is easier to upgrade than a camera.
Intended to be the step up unit from a compact camera, the new DSLR user gets into the quality line-up of Nikon lenses, without breaking the bank.
And you get body colors to choose from.

If a compact camera is still your preference the new Coolpix S6500, has full HD vid, 16mp, built-in wi-fi, 12x optical zoom ( 25mm-300mm) lens and all the same color correction features from the D5200.
Use an app to control your camera as well, so your never out of the group picture. Oh yeah, and VR for sharp pix in low light and extended lens
Looks like a huge winner right here for only $220.
(yes, you get choices of colors)

The Nikon 1 series keeps growing.

Still one of the fastest auto-focus systems outside of a DSLR, the promise of expansion slowly comes in.

Using the external wi-fi dongle system, you can control your camera from a smartphone or iPad.
More lenses have been added,thankfully.

We have now seen that the shortfall of all of the mirrorless systems available today is the availability of lenses designed for the system. Wonder if they didn’t want to commit to far til they saw the acceptance.
makes sense.

And now for the official word:
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