The festival season (primarily Diwali) is that time of the year when all the imaging brands in the market announce exciting new offers and discounts to attract more customers. As competing brands are always trying to outdo each other, the users are usually the ones who get the best out of these deals. Let us give you a quick rundown on what to buy this Diwali.

Sony

Sony has a lot of offers lined up for its consumers this festive season, including the lucky draw ‘This Diwali Bond with Sony’, which is in collaboration with the upcoming James Bond movie- Skyfall. Talking about cameras, Sony has recently added the full-frame α99 with interchangeable lens and Cyber-Shot DSC-RX100 to its range of products. Customers will also receive free 4 GB Sony memory cards and original carrying cases in the box on the purchase of any Cyber-shot or Alpha camera.

Canon

Canon’s new product range for this festive season (Onam till Diwali) includes 23 cameras and 9 new lenses. Moreover, Canon has also announced a price drop of Rs. 500 – Rs. 11,000 for 16 models, 3 DSLRs and 13 digital cameras.

Nikon

This Diwali Nikon will be handing out free United Colours of Benetton watches with its compacts, the Coolpix L25 and the Coolpix L26. Apart from that, Nikon is also offering gold-plated Parker pens on the purchase of the point-and-shoot Coolpix S2600, Coolpix S3300, Coolpix S4300, and Coolpix S6300. A camera pouch, 4GB memory card, and an HDMI cable will also be available with all the compatible Nikon models during the time of Diwali. Do check their official site for revised prices as well.

Fujifilm

Social media platforms have become one of the biggest touchpoints for all the imaging brands. This year Fujifilm has organized a competition for its Facebook users, where you stand a chance to win a FinePix JZ100 digital camera.

Consumers can log onto https://www.facebook.com/fujifilmindia for further details. Apart from that, you can also win a Benetton bag worth Rs. 1299 /- on the purchase of any Fujifilm Digital Camera.

Do check all the options available online before making a decision, as sites like Amazon and Flipkart also announce offers of their own on selected products. As Diwali is almost here, brands are announcing more exciting schemes and offers by the minute, so do keep yourselves updated on the latest.

Happy Diwali, and Happy shooting!

The annual Canon PhotoMarathon is back this year, with a record-breaking number of participants expected in the highly-anticipated competition, up from 2,078 in 2011. This year’s event, Canon PhotoMarathon X, is the tenth edition of the largest photo competition in the region and promises participants lots of exciting prizes and a never-seen-before Celebrity Challenge. The event will see the local photography community participating in the Singapore leg on 3 November at Marina Bay Sands. The Canon PhotoMarathon is also held in various countries in Asia including India, Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand and Vietnam.

“Canon PhotoMarathon X marks our 10th Canon PhotoMarathon in Singapore. The growing local interest in photography is clear; over the past decade, we’ve not only seen an increasing number of participants, but also a significant improvement in the quality of the photos submitted. I believe the Canon PhotoMarathon will continue to be an event that photographers of all levels come together and have lots of fun while learning from one another and sharpening their photography skills,” said Andrew Koh, Senior Director and General Manager of the Consumer Imaging and Information Products Group, Canon Singapore.

The age-old debate of whether the camera-phone will replace the digital camera has resurfaced again. With the onslaught of sophisticated camera-phones flooding the market, this year Photokina witnessed it as one of the trending topics at the show. The global smartphone shipments touched 482 million units in 2011 and are expected to touch 600 million units in 2012, and with Apple and Samsung slugging it out as the top-ranking vendor in terms of shipment volume, the race is only going to get hotter.

According to the new report by the Global Industry Analysts, Inc. The world market for digital cameras is projected to reach 155 million units by the year 2017. Growth will be primarily driven by continued digital advancements in photography, growing popularity and consumer acceptance of digital single lens reflex (SLR) cameras, and falling product prices. The strong demand in developing Asian and Latin American countries also bodes well for the future of the market.

TechNavio’s analysts forecast the Global Digital Camera market to grow at a CAGR of 10 % over the period 2011-2015. One of the key factors contributing to this market growth is the increasing demand for digital cameras in emerging markets. The Global Digital Camera market has also been witnessing the availability of user-friendly image processing software. However, the increasing smartphone penetration could pose a challenge to the growth of this market.

These devices and tablets are eating all other electronics alive, says the Consumer Electronics Association (CEA), the organizer of the “The Consumer Electronics Show” held early this year. “Smart phones and tablets are really sucking up most consumer spending,” said Steve Koenig, director of research at CEA, during an opening keynote outlining key trends for the industry this coming year. The massive growth of mobile is cannibalizing sales of almost everything else in the CE space, from game consoles to PCs, TVs, DVD players. MP3 players, digital cameras, home audio and even printers.

According to Koenig’s numbers, sales of almost all consumer electronics products will slow down or go negative in 2012 thanks to explosive growth of just two categories: tablets and smart phones. Outside of mobile, Koenig said the only other bright spots are high-end DSLR cameras and ultra book mobile PCs, which are hanging in from the assault from Apple and Google.

However cameras continue to surge forward. Take for instance the numbers from Japanese manufacturers, who shipped nearly three times as many cameras in January this year as it did in the same month of 2003, when the camera phone was still in its infancy. For several years, it has been predicted that smartphone adoption would cut into digital camera sales but the exact opposite has happened, say market analysts.

There are a number of factors for cameras surviving this onslaught. Photography is a very emotive issue. People may merrily take snaps with a cell phone but it turns out that most of us won’t entrust key memories to such basic devices. Even smart phones may not meet consumer approvals. This in turn benefits the established players, because users are reluctant to entrust their photos to an untested brand. “We may be ready to try out a new brand of cellphone, laptop or TV, but when it comes to family snaps we’re more conservative. ”

Currently, smartphones are highly popular among consumers around the globe. First, they may open up new user groups but hinder the development of digital cameras. Smartphones have a large number of comparable features, such as megapixels and autofocus, but the ability to access the internet, is one of the advantages they have over digital cameras. In China, smartphones may cut out demand for low-end cameras, but at the same time, they are increasing demands for high-end models as consumers are becoming more enthusiastic about photography – this is why the share of compact system cameras is higher in Chinaand the Asia Pacific region than in European countries.

The biggest feature that makes the camera phone stand apart from the digital camera is still its capability to share images with family and friends. But many new cameras these days offer similar features, although they might not be accessed as often as a camera phone. Another point in favour of smart phones is the app store, which allows the users to access variety of fun features. 

The ease with which photos can be taken on a phone is feeding an interest in taking better photos, expanding the middle of the market into a “pro-sumer” segment of devices which cost a bit more but offer the user options so far unavailable on the mobile phone. This is driving manufacturers to push more and better technology from their upper end models into cheaper devices. Prices have fallen dramatically in the past decade. Ten years ago a 3-megapixel DSLR camera would cost $3,000; now a better quality 18-megapixel DSLR can be found for less than $500.

But Apple and Samsung could hamper camera growth. With Apple slated to ship 266 million iPhone 5 by 2013, camera sales could be affected. Smartphone shipments are expected to rise sharply from 11.2 million units in 2011 to 73.4 million units in 2015 comprising 25 % of the total mobile handsets market in India. Growth in smartphones is likely to surpass the overall growth in the mobile handset industry.  The segment is anticipated to continue its ride with a CAGR of 60 % during 2011-2015, while the mobile handsets will register a CAGR of 13 % in the same period.

With IDC forecasting total shipments of smartphones to touch one billion by 2015, an annual average growth of 20.6%, smartphones usage will continue to grow more prominent globally as consumers embrace the new technology.

For serious photographers, a digital single-lens reflex (DSLR) camera is the way to go. A DSLR allows a photographer to explore much more than camera phones, but only in the hands of photographers who know what they are doing with one.

Ultimately, the question that needs to determine your choice is whether your interest in photography is casual, or more serious. But if you have any interest in photography ranging from amateur status to the professional, you’ll want to invest in a DSLR. 

At Photokina 2012, Leica surprised its visitors by presenting the Leica M and X2 – Paul Smith edition. The Leica M is the first camera to implement a newly designed and constructed CMOS image sensor, and to feature additional focusing methods and functions like live view and full HD video capability. It unites the advantages of digital technology with a rangefinder technology that has been continuously perfected over decades. At the same time, it remains true to the values of the M-System, while expanding the opportunities offered by rangefinder photography, and, for the first time, offers compatibility with Leica R legacy lenses.

The Leica M is the first in a long line of Leica rangefinder cameras to feature a completely new development in sensor technology; the Leica Max CMOS image sensor. This 24 MP, full 35 mm format sensor was designed and constructed in collaboration with CMOSIS especially for the camera and its use with M and R Lenses. This development transfers the characteristic advantages of CCD sensors to a CMOS sensor. The sensor offers you a sensitivity range of ISO 200 to 6400. In combination with the high-performance, Leica Maestro processor, this new, full format sensor guarantees maximum imaging quality and speed. Leica M can also shoot video at 1080p HD with 24/25fps.

The Leica M offers new features like live view, live view focus, the focus tracking highlight and so on. Image composition can now take place in real time with the Live View. A useful feature for photographers using the live view is its two additional focusing methods – Live View Zoom and Live View Focus Peaking  that can be selected with the new focus button on the front of the camera.

On offer are also some interesting accessories. The new Leica R-Adapter M allows almost all R-Lenses to be mounted on the camera. Some of the other accessories are the Leica EVF2, Visoflex electronic viewfinder and a multifunctional handgrip-M with an integrated GPS module. The Leica M will be available from authorised dealers in early 2013 with an approximate rate of 6200 Euros.  

The Leica also presented a new special edition, the Leica X2-Paul Smith. The X2’s look was developed from the creative mind set of the international fashion designer by himself. You might find most of Smith’s collection of work in bright and lively colours. Likewise with the Leica he has brought life to the very look of the Leica X2 body. This special edition is limited to 1500 examples and is likely to be an exclusive lifestyle product. The metal top plate of the camera is finished in dazzling bright orange while the dials on the top, for setting the aperture and shutter speed retain the classic black design of the X2. A hand-drawn, engraved light bulb ‘doodle’, with which Paul Smith calls attention to the unusual pop-up flash on the top, is a further design highlight. The designer chose an eye-catching brilliant yellow for the metal base-plate of the Leica X2 Paul Smith edition and a premium natural cowhide leather finish in ‘Racing Green’.

Leica calls this as an X2 makeover. The camera includes a stylish camera strap and a camera protector in taupe-coloured, premium calfskin. Even the lens cleaning cloth labelled ’Paul Smith for Leica’ and a certificate of authenticity is part of the package. In addition to its own unique serial number, each camera also bears one of the series of consecutive limited edition numbers, plus a special package in coordinated colours. The Leica-Paul Smith Edition will be available at select authorised Leica dealers globally in October 2012. 

The world of technology is so exciting, we get to see it evolve every day. For Samsung, technology is a commitment put forward in their products. Samsung reveals its much awaited Galaxy camera EK-GC 100, a successful combination of point-and-shoot camera and a smartphone, at Photokina 2012.

Going by the clear edge of today’s smartphones, overwriting the point-and-shoot cameras at the imagery division, the Samsung Galaxy EK-GC 100 has combined the interface of a smartphone and the body of a compact camera. Samsung’s smart camera is powered by Google’s Android 4.1 Jelly Bean. From the back the camera looks a lot like a phone. The EK-GC 100 has a 4.8 inch HD LCD touch display which makes it a capable media player and web-surfing device as well. The camera has a voice control feature found in some of Samsung’s smart TVs.

The camera sports a standard ½.3 – inch 16-megapixel BSI CMOS image sensor. It features a 21x optical zoom f/2.8-5.9, 23-480 mm lens, with built-in optical image stabilisation.

The Galaxy packs in a 1.4GHz quad-core processor, built-in 3G/4G and Wi-Fi connectivity. The camera can send images and videos wirelessly to a compatible tablet or smartphone so they can be uploaded using the data network. The 1,650 mAh battery provides up to seven hours of battery life while connected.

The camera’s main purpose for such an innovation is to carry the same Android feel in a dedicated smart camera. It also features ‘Smart Pro’ technology modes. These modes make professional photography easy for anyone to achieve. The Galaxy camera comes with an interesting Smart Content Manager app that will help the user to create folders, tag people and also identify and recommend bad shots for deletion.

Samsung Galaxy is the ultimate experience for people who are used to the touch experience of smartphones. This camera is applications oriented; Google app world would be the right place to get all the necessary apps. You can install the apps and add creativity to your images.

Among Fujifilm’s offerings that caught our eye was the XF 1, being showcased at the Photokina this year. The latest addition to their X-series cameras, the XF 1 is due to hit the markets in November this year. It features a newly developed f/1.8 Fujinon 25-100mm lens (on a 35mm camera), and a 2/3-inch EXR-CMOS sensor.

Newly developed for the XF 1, the wide-angle, f/1.8 lens features a manual 4× optical zoom (25mm-100m) that can be operated simply by twisting the zoom ring. The lens achieves its aperture of f/1.8 with a construction that features seven lens elements in six groups (four aspherical and three extra-low dispersion). Another unique feature is the camera’s Optical Image Stabilisation (OIS) mechanism that shifts one group of four lens elements to reduce blur, while avoiding colour shading and lost resolution at the edges of the image.

The 2/3 inch 12 million pixel EXR-CMOS sensor features Fujifilm’s three switchable sensor modes (SN – high ISO and low noise, DR dynamic range, and HR resolution) which can be selected according to the subject.

Undoubtedly Mirrorless System Cameras have now started having a firm grip on the digital camera segment and are considered to be the next big technological change. Today every manufacturer is introducing their version of the technology, which was first introduced by Olympus and Panasonic jointly in 2008. As the name suggests, the technology allows camera makers to skip the mirrors, prisms and the optical viewfinder to reduce the size and the weight of the camera.

Companies like Sony, Pentax and Samsung quickly jumped on to the bandwagon but Fujifilm, Nikon and Canon preferred to wait in order to gauge the response of the consumers. But with the growing popularity of the segment and an increase in the acceptance level of the technology, the combined share of the Japanese market for Canon and Nikon has fallen by 35%, while Sony’s share seems to have doubled, according to estimates at research firm BCN Inc. Mirrorless cameras accounted for 40.5% of SLR sales in Japan in July, surging from 5% in early 2009, according to BCN.

With advancements in the smartphone technology, the age old debate of camera phones versus digital cameras has gained momentum again, and this is one of the trending topics at Photokina this year. According to analysts, the camera market which was already facing competition from camera phones will now have to gear up for competition internally from the mirrorless segment itself.

According to Camera & Imaging Products Association (CIPA), the forecast for total shipments (the cumulative total of shipments from January to December) of digital cameras in 2012 is 117.30 million units, a year-on-year increase of 1.6%. Digital cameras with built-in lenses are predicted to reach approximately 99 million (a year-on-year decrease of 0.8%) and globally, sales of mirrorless cameras surged fivefold from 2.1 million units in 2010 to 18.30 million units now.

Of particular note is the expectation that the rapid growth trend will continue in the category of digital cameras with interchangeable lens for markets outside Japan, with shipments of 16.70 million, a year-on-year increase of 17.6%, anticipated.

The total shipments of lenses for interchangeable lens cameras continue their marked growth in step with the expanding market for digital cameras with interchangeable lenses and the broad range of product offerings, with a forecast for 2012 of shipments of 30.90 million units, a year-on-year increase of 18.8%.

The Japanese market is an early adopter of most technologies. Unfortunately, the mirrorless segment has still not managed to impress the consumers outside of Japan, allowing mainline traditional DSLR numbers in favour of manufacturers not present in the same category. Canon currently owns an estimated 45% share of the global market for DSLRs, and Nikon holds about 30%, according to researcher IDC. As per reports Canon earned 114.8 billion yen ($1.5 billion) in profit by selling 5.9 million traditional DSLRs last year, four times the profit it made from compact cameras, while Nikon earned more from SLRs and lenses last fiscal year than with any other product, according to Nomura Holdings.

Canon forecasts that the sales of the DSLR camera will increase 24% this year, helping offset the fallout from the factory disruptions caused by Japan’s March 11 earthquake and tsunami.

Photokina this year however is witnessing great action in the mirrorless sphere with launches from various manufacturers in the same segment. Canon has entered the mirrorless interchangeable lens camera space, with the EOS M. Despite its compact size, the camera has an 18-megapixel APS-C sensor and a Digic 5 image processor, which were previously found only in the company’s DSLRs. The EOS M also offers a beginner-friendly touchscreen interface which is similar to the one found on the EOS 650D.

Fujifilm on the other hand is showcasing the X-E1, the second interchangeable camera from the brand this year. Following hot on the heels of the highly acclaimed X-Pro1, the X-E1 boasts the same 16 megapixel APS-C X-Trans CMOS sensor with top-class OLED electronic viewfinder, a smaller body with built-in flash and the same X mount for the Fujinon XF lens range. In addition, Fujifilm will expand the lens line-up from three to five in the autumn, and up to 10 in early 2013.

Sony is also showcasing the NEX 6 that appeals to committed DSLR users who need to travel light without compromising picture quality. Offering big-sensor picture performance in a compact body, the new camera also makes an ideal option for step-up photographers looking to significantly expand their creative options.

Photokina is the largest convention the imaging industry throughout the world observes every two years. This is that time when the top brands in the industry put forward their latest state-of-the-art products for the world to see. As its venue has been since it started, Photokina 2012 will take place in Koelnmesse Trade Fair and Exhibition Centre in Cologne, Germany. It will go on from the 16th of September to the 23rd of September. During this time, imaging corporations from across the world are expected to launch their latest cameras, accessories, technologies, printers etc, as because of the congregation of delegates and enthusiasts from across the globe Photokina is when these products get the maximum visibility. We take a look at some of the top manufacturers participating at the event and the products they might launch during the event.

Canon

Canon will be coming out with the EOS-M, its multi touch equipped compact system camera, the exclusive preview of which we gave you in the August issue of our magazine. Apart from that, there are also rumours around Canon introducing a full frame touchscreen DSLR. There might be a new Powershot on the way too, but that will be seen once the fair is on its way.

Nikon

Nikon is scheduled to release the Nikkor 1 18-55 f/1.8 lens for its mirrorless cameras. The full frame, 24 megapixel D600 is also expected to hit the markets, which is touted by Nikon as an affordable version of the D800. As the D800 is already cheaper than Canon’s 5D Mark III, the D600 might help Nikon to seal its hold on the full-frame DSLR market.

Carl Zeiss

Carl Zeiss is all set to release a telephoto lens for SLR cameras, along with two completely new product families for the consumers. A new Carl Zeiss high-performance, full frame 55mm f/1.4 lens with manual focus will also be on display at the event. Given Carl Zeiss’s reputation for expensive, high quality products, its stall where all the Zeiss range of products will be displayed for the public is expected to receive a good response; including the 41 mp Nokia 808 Pureview which uses Carl Zeiss optics.

Fujifilm

 Fujifilm, is expected to release the X-E1, a cheaper alternative to the X-Pro1, along with a couple of digital compacts in the X series. There have been quite a few rumours about Fujifilm launching the X-Pro2, the successor to the popular mirorless X-Pro1, with the same X-Pro mount used in the X-Pro1. But as it was only released earlier this year, it might take some more time for Fuji to come out with the X-Pro2.

Sony

Sony should release the ∝99, a 35 mm full frame DSLT which uses the Sony translucent mirror technology. Expected to be a 24 megapixels sensor, the ∝99 is claimed to be the first full-frame camera in the world to have an electronic viewfinder. Rumours have been there around this one for quite some time now, and it seems sure that Sony will release it at this year’s Photokina. Apart from that, Sony is also all set to bring the NEX-6 to the imaging market, a 16.1 megapixels compact system camera. Three new lenses will also be released with the NEX-6, which will be compatible with all the cameras featuring the E-mount.

Leica

Being a Germany-based brand, Photokina is kind of like a home ground for Leica. Based on speculations, Leica might release the M10, the successor to the M9 featuring the M-system. There are also rumours that Leica will release another M-system camera featuring a regular viewfinder, which will be cheaper than the M9, though we won’t know for sure until the show starts.

Samsung

There have been rumours around Samsung releasing the mirrorless NXR at this year’s Photokina for some time now, but no concrete press releases or announcements have been issued to the public. Apart from that, Samsung’s latest Android 4.1 Galaxy Camera is expected to be launched at the event, and looking at the growing demand for smartphone/camera hybrids world over, it might be the main attraction at the Samsung stall.

Our daily magazine, Show Daily, will be available at the stands at Photokina 2012, covering day-to-day press releases, interviews and features based on the event. We will also be doing a full length feature on the show in the subsequent issue of Asian Photography. We don’t yet know the exact number of new products which are supposed to be released, but as nearly all the top imaging companies wait for this event to introduce their best products into the market, we are expecting to see the latest technology in imaging on display.