Tech Talk

The pointless megapixel war among digital camera manufacturers is over!

Yes, you know it’s over when last week, in an almost unprecedented move, Canon released its PowerShot G11 with a reduced megapixel count of 10 megapixels, compared to the 14.7 megapixels of its predecessor. The new image sensor of the G11 is supposed to be of higher sensitivity, improving noise performance by two stops over the G10.

Canon PowerShot G11

Canon is not alone in this paradigm shift. Several of its competitors are coming up with innovative features to entice smarter consumers, rather than using the age-old megapixel myth that’s not working anymore.

For example, Sony’s upcoming Cyber-shot TX1 and WX1 will use a new image CMOS 10.2-megapixel sensor, Exmor R, which is supposed to be twice as sensitive compared to conventional image sensors.

Sony Cyber-shot TX1

Fujifilm also surprised everyone when it announced the world’s first consumer 3D digital camera with its FinePix Real 3D W1, which utilises two lenses and two image sensors to give you 3D still and moving images.

Fujifilm Finepix Real 3D W1

Nikon kept the good news rolling with its S1000pj that comes with a built-in projector. So instead of everyone crowding behind a tiny LCD screen struggling to look at the pictures , everyone can now enjoy the images on any wall at any party!

Nikon Coolpix S1000pj

Samsung has also announced that it will soon release the 2View ST550 and ST500, both of which tout a front and rear LCD that allows you to shoot self-portraits with absolute ease.

Samsung 2View ST550

These are exciting times. I prefer a fight in features over a futile battle in megapixel count any day. The megapixel race has done nothing to improve the photography market other than taking up more hard disk space and making hard disk manufacturers happy.

With more innovative features being released into the market, camera makers have to keep up and come up with more creative traits of their own in order to compete. This can only be good for the consumers.

But now, consumers will have another battle on their hands trying to discern whether these latest features  - such as face, smile or scene recognition – are genuine enhancements or pure marketing gimmicks. Some of these features, like face detection, have even made it into the DSLR (digital single-reflex) camera realm. I definitely wouldn’t mind having “gimmicks” like 3D imaging or image projection in my DSLRs.

Marketing gimmicks or real features aside, the camera must ultimately be able to perform well in all aspects, like handling, hardiness, user interface and image quality. All the additional features will fall flat on their face if the camera is difficult to handle, if buttons are on the wrong place, or worse, if image quality is poor.

So, while I welcome the new age in innovation with new digital cameras, I sincerely hope it will not be a creative letdown.

Trackback URI | Comments RSS