Point & Shoots Push Back

Point & Shoots Push Back

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From a number cruncher’s perspective, point-and-shoot cameras, as an overall product category, aren’t doing so hot these days. Japanese industry stats point to an erosion of about 10%–15% per year in the number of units sold over the past few years

However, before you jump to the conclusion that the digital point-and-shoot camera is becoming an endangered species in the age of the smartphone, it helps to take a closer look at what’s actually happening inside this fascinatingly diverse category, which is really a collection of consumer-based niches. As it turns out, there is more than just the devil in these details—there are several P&S subspecies that are doing quite well, thank you, and others that are rapidly expanding and evolving in amazing and unexpected ways.

One of the main problems in analyzing the point-and-shoot domain is that it’s a category that’s defined negatively. Any digital camera that doesn’t have interchangeable lenses is automatically lumped into this vast swirling potage. Also, if you focus strictly on unit sales rather than profit margins, it’s easy to overlook the fact that there is now a plethora of pricier point-and-shoot models aimed at serious enthusiasts, some of which can cost as much as a consumer-level or mid-range DSLR. Most of them have distinctive personalities, feature sets, form factors and use-profiles that DSLRs and compact system cameras (CSCs) cannot quite duplicate.

They include ruggedly styled “everything-proof” active lifestyle models, sleek ultrazoom compacts, DSLR-style models with and without EVFs, and high-end enthusiast “pride of possession” cameras with large sensors, high-speed lenses, RAW capture and full manual control options. Many of the coolest new models that have achieved cult status feature retro or minimalist styling that enhances their visceral panache.

One of the hottest tech trends in point-and-shoot land is built-in Wi-Fi connectivity, which to some extent is based on the philosophy that if you can’t beat the ubiquitous smartphone, you can at least seamlessly join it by accessing its vast Internet capabilities. Among other things, these cameras can upload images for sharing and social networking, either directly and/or via the cloud, and consumers can view and fire the camera remotely from a smartphone. With most built-into-the-camera Wi-Fi systems, you still have to program the camera to recognize your iPhone or Android device, but once done, the images are uploaded instantly as they are captured, without further ado.

Another emerging technology that’s offered in an increasing number of point-and-shoot models as well as CSCs and DSLRs is on-sensor phase-detection autofocus, which is designed to provide faster AF and AF tracking, thus enhancing AF performance with action subjects—and when shooting high-speed bursts or HD video. It’s just another way that P&S cameras can provide a shooting experience that’s similar to interchangeable-lens cameras.

Alas, it’s true that plain vanilla “price point” P&S compacts with limited range zooms may be getting a swift kick in the pants from their archenemy the smartphone, but camera manufacturers are clearly getting the message and delivering some truly enticing and innovative point-and-shoot cameras that provide style, substance, personality and performance.

Will these succeed in motivating more consumers to experience the real-world performance advantages of point-and-shoot cameras over phones, which include larger sensors, higher resolution, higher speed and longer zoom lenses, more powerful flash, better viewing systems, etc., etc.? Only time will tell, but if the amazing cameras we’ve carefully selected for this article are any indication, the future of P&S is getting a lot brighter. Here are the details and specs on some of the coolest ones your savvy customers will want to check out for themselves.

Panasonic Lumix DMC-TS5: Built for action
Cool and rugged but tastefully styled, the new Lumix DMC-TS5 provides waterproof (to 43 feet), shockproof (6.6 feet), dustproof, freezeproof (14ºF) construction for active lifestyle shooters. It also delivers blazing speed (bursts to 10 frames per sec) and built in Wi-Fi connectivity using NFC (Near Field Communication). Other key features include: a 28–128mm equivalent Leica DC zoom lens; a 16.1 megapixel CMOS sensor; a 3.0-inch, 460k-dot TFT LCD; built-in Power OIS image stabilization; Full HD 1080p video recording with a stereo microphone; and a wide range of built-in creative effects. The DMC-TS5 is available in blue, black, silver and orange. $399.99. panasonic.com

Sigma DP3 Merrill: A unique sensor plus a fast prime lens

Sigma’s cool, minimalist compact is aimed at connoisseurs that appreciate the high image quality virtues of its unique APS-C-format Foveon X3 sensor that provides three layers of 15.3 megapixels each—for a grand total of 46MP, with full RGB color information at every pixel point! (It uses the same sensor and engine processor as its DSLR counterpart.) Other key features include: a 50mm (75mm equivalent) f/2.8 zoom lens; a 3.0-inch, 920k-dot TFT LCD monitor; RAW+JPEG format recording; VGA movie modes; a 7-fps burst rate in RAW; ISO 100–6400; and a hot shoe. $999. sigmaphoto.com

Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX1: Beyond posh to professional

If you think a point-and-shoot model selling for the same price as an upscale DSLR is a nonstarter, think again. This instant cult classic has enthusiasts waiting in line. The RX-1’s signature features include a full-frame (24x36mm), 24.3 megapixel Exmor CMOS sensor and a 35mm f/2.0 Carl Zeiss Sonnar T* prime lens—which make it the first and only full-frame, fixed-lens camera. It also boasts: a 3.0-inch 1,229k-dot LCD; dedicated focus, aperture and macro rings with MF assist; high-speed AF; JPEG+RAW capture; Full HD 1080p video recording at 24 and 60 fps; a built-in pop-up auto flash; auto HDR; Quick Navi controls; SteadyShot image stabilization; and a hot shoe for an external flash or viewfinder. There’s much more, like its maximum full-res burst rate of 5 fps and creative effects. $2,799.99. sony.com

Olympus TG-2 iHS: Top-of-the-line Tough with fast lens
The latest Olympus Tough model looks very cool with its porthole-style front bezel. It shoots underwater to a 50-foot depth, will withstand a drop of 7 feet and temperatures as low as 14ºF, and is crushproof to 220 pounds. In keeping with its active lifestyle mission, it has built-in GPS, an e-compass and a manometer, with logging functions. Other key features include: a 12MP BSI CMOS sensor; a 25–100mm equivalent f/2.0–4.9 water-repellent lens; 60-fps burst shooting; dual image stabilization and multi-motion movie IS; iHS technology for superior low-light shooting; an LED illuminator; and a 3.0-inch, 610k-dot OLED display. It can simultaneously record Full HD 1080p video and stills and offers a range of specialized modes, such as four underwater scene modes, aperture priority, iAuto, HDR, magic filters and microscope mode for 7x–14x equivalent magnification. It can also be used with accessories that include fisheye and teleconverter lenses. $379.99. olympusamerica.com

Canon PowerShot N: One-touch Wi-Fi with style
Canon’s unique new N series offers a distinctive, minimalist form factor and functionality for on-the-go shooters. The PowerShot N features: dual shutter and zoom rings around its lens; a 12.1MP high-sensitivity CMOS sensor; an 8x, 28–224mm f/3.0–5.9 lens; an advanced Digic 5 image processor; a 2.8-inch, 461k-dot capacitive tilt-touch LCD; and a one-touch mobile device connect button. Also provided are: creative shot mode that produces and saves five variations of the captured image; Full HD 1080p video recording; optical image stabilization; and ISO settings to 6400. Its built-in Wi-Fi lets users wirelessly transfer images to social networking sites through Canon iMage Gateway, to a PC or upload virtually anywhere on an iOS or Android device with the free Canon CameraWindow app. The N comes in white or black. $299.99. usa.canon.com

Pentax MX-1: Classic style plus performance for enthusiasts
With a body design reminiscent of a traditional rangefinder camera, the MX-1 offers features that are thoroughly modern, including a 12 megapixel, 1/1.7-inch BSI CMOS sensor, a high-speed 28–112mm equivalent f/1.8–2.5 zoom lens optimized for limited depth-of-field effects, a 3.0-inch, 920k-dot tilting LCD monitor, and a unique body-based (sensor shift plus pixel track) image stabilization system. Other key features include: brass body construction; Full HD 1080p video recording; ISO 100–12,800; and macro shooting capabilities down to 2 inches (wide) and 8 inches (tele). $499.95. pentaximaging.com

Fujifilm FinePix HS50EXR: A sophisticated long-ranger
This DSLR-styled flagship boasts a 42x manual zoom lens with a 24–1,000mm f/2.8–5.6 equivalent range and a 1/2-inch EXR CMOS II sensor with fast phase detection. The 16MP sensor works with its EXR processor II to achieve a 0.5-sec start-up time, 0.5-sec interval time between shots and 11-fps full-res bursts. Other features include: a focus-peaking function to help photographers by highlighting high-contrast areas of a subject and provide a guide for focusing in situations where it’s difficult to tell if the subject is correctly focused; super macro shooting at 0.39 inch from 24mm wide angle to 1,000mm telephoto; a 920k-dot EVF; a 3.0-inch, 920k-dot tilting LCD; Full HD 1080p/60-fps movie recording with continuous phase-detection AF; a built-in stereo microphone; 10 film simulation modes that provide the effects of Fujifilm films like Velvia, Provia and Astia; multiple exposures; and filter effects. $549.95. fujifilmusa.com

Nikon Coolpix S9500: Long-zoom travel companion
This svelte, elegant compact sports an 18.1MP low-light CMOS sensor and a 22x, 25–550mm equivalent f/3.4–6.3 ED Nikkor zoom with VR (lens shift and electronic) image stabilization. Built-in Wi-Fi and GPS functions make for easy image sharing, orientation and image location. And, integrated mapping and an electronic compass help travelers navigate unfamiliar destinations, while Points of Interest (POI) show them nearby photo ops, like scenic lookouts and historic landmarks. Other key features include: a 3.0-inch, 614k-dot OLED touch-screen monitor; Full HD 1080p video capture at 30 and 15 fps; a pop-up TTL auto flash; panorama stitching mode; 3D mode; scene auto selector; and bundled Nikon ViewNX 2 software. The pocketable S9500 comes in black, silver and red. $349.95. nikonusa.com
   
Samsung WB250F: Smart, stylish and very well connected
This attractive ultrazoom combines a 14.2MP BSI CMOS sensor, an 18x, 24–432mm optical zoom lens, and a 3.0-inch, 460k-dot LCD for a satisfying shooting experience, but it also lets users access unique connectivity features. They can download the free Samsung Smart Camera app to take advantage of: MobileLink, which lets them select and send an image or album to an Android smartphone, iPhone or tablet; Remote Viewfinder, to control the camera by using the phone as a viewfinder; and AutoShare, which simultaneously sends every picture taken to a phone via Wi-Fi to make backing up and sharing photos easy. AutoShare also GPS tags photos with the user’s smartphone. The WB250F can also access the cloud via MS SkyDrive. Other key features include: Full HD 1080p/30p video capture; full manual mode; best face feature, which automatically selects the best facial expressions from a burst; smart mode; and motion photo for creative options. $229.99. samsung.com

Leica V-Lux 4: It’s not a DSLR, but it shoots like one!
It sure looks like a digital SLR, but the V-Lux 4 really is an all-in-one ultrazoom camera with a built-in 1.3 megapixel 100%-view EVF and a 24x, 25–600mm equivalent Leica DC Vario-Elmarit lens that maintains its fast maximum f/2.8 aperture over the entire zoom range (!) to provide a real DSLR shooting experience. Other key features include: a 12.1 megapixel CMOS sensor; 3.0-inch, 460k-dot tilt/swivel LCD; a full-res maximum burst rate of 12 frames per sec; Full HD 1080p AVCHD and MP4 video recording; built-in panorama mode; and a claimed start-up time of less than 1 second. The V-Lux 4 comes with a free Adobe Lightroom download. $899. us.leica-camera.com
   

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