Wi-Fi capability, more powerful zooms and a new Compact System Camera was the new big digital imaging news coming out of International CES held January 10-13 in Las Vegas.
FujiFilm made the loudest noise as it added to the growing field of CSCs that includes models from Olympus, Nikon, Panasonic, Samsung, Pentax and Sony. This type of camera offers many of the pluses of DSLRs but without the bulk. The new X-Pro1 (due late February) features a 16-megapixel APS-C sensor (the same size as a DSLR), has a very retro look buts shoots a modern Full HD video. Also impressive is the price which will range between $1,500-$1,700. Lenses for the new X mount cost $650; there will be three at launch.
FujiFilm X-Pro1
Samsung DV300F
With smartphones making deep inroads into the camera market, manufacturers are adding Wi-Fi capability in order to compete. It's not nearly as untethered as a cellphone but if a Wi-Fi network is nearby, you can share your photos with friends and family. Samsung unveiled four Wi-Fi enabled cameras with the WB850F ($349.99) the top model. It has a 16MP Back Side Illuminated (BSI) CMOS sensor, 21x optical zoom, 3-inch AMOLED display, 1080/30p Full HD video with Dual Capture and built-in GPS. Its popular Dual View series with screens on the front and back will also get Wi-Fi including the DV300F Dual View ($199.99) with a 16MP BSI CMOS sensor, 5x zoom, 3-inch screen plus a 1.5-inch front LCD and 720p video.
Kodak also introduced a Wi-Fi enabled digicam at CES, the EasyShare M750 ($169.95). The 16MP, 5x optical zoom camera with 3-inch touchscreen offers Wi-Fi to email and sites such as Facebook, Wi-Fi copy to smartphone or tablet and auto Wi-Fi backup to computer. Kodak also has an EasyShare camera app for Apple iOS, Android and Blackberry. It's expected to arrive sometime in Q2 2012.
Long Zooms And More
Canon PowerShot G1 X
Canon introduced three new PowerShots at CES. The G1 X ($799.99) is targeted to enthusiasts while the two ELPHs--the 520 HS and 110 HS—are for everyday shooters. The G1 X is an interesting camera. Although it has a 4x optical zoom like a point-and-shoot, it has a sensor that's even larger than Micro Four Thirds interchangeable lens cameras such as the Olympus PEN models.
Panasonic unveiled five new models--all under $200. The slim Lumix SZ7 and SZ1 have 10x optical zooms. Both feature Leica lenses that start at 25mm. The 14.1-megapixel DMC-SZ7 can record Full HD AVCHD video while the 16.1MP CCD DMC-SZ1 records 720p HD video.
Sony took the wraps off of three very basic point-and-shoots. The top model is the 16.1MP CCD DSC-W650 will be available in silver, black and red for about $140.
Olympus introduced five new digicams at the show and while none have built-in Wi-Fi, a pair is compatible with optional Eye-Fi cards. The SP-620UZ ($199.99) has a 21x wide-angle zoom, 7 fps shooting and HD video. The SZ-12 (also $199.99) has a 24x zoom, 7 fps burst, high-def video and 3D capture. They are adding to their Tough line-up with the TG-320 ($179.99) which is shock-, water-, freeze- and dust-proof.
Casio's new Exilim EX-ZR200 which arrives in March ($379.99) features a 12.5x optical zoom (24-300mm). Casio claims the ZR200 needs as little as .27 seconds between photos. The compact 16.1MP CMOS digicam offers 30 fps shooting speeds, Full HD video, HDR, HDR-ART and Premium Auto Pro to handle issues like backlighting and night scenes.
Along with the CSC, FujiFilm introduced 19 new digicams ranging from the new X-S1 ($799) which adds long-zoom capabilities to the family that already includes the X10 and X100 to the AX550 for $89. That low-priced model has a 16MP CCD and a 5x zoom with a range of 33-165mm.
Nikon announced a new DSLR right before the show—and at $6,000 its appeal is limited to pros or very serious hobbyists. The new D4 has a 16MP full-frame sensor and captures a sparkling 11 frames per second.
##
There are no comments yet