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.

Weeks after we ran the update on Nikon’s Android-powered Coolpic S800c, Samsung announced the release of the Galaxy Camera powered by the latest Android Jelly Bean (4.1) OS, compared to the relatively old Gingerbread (2.3) on the Coolpix. The Galaxy Camera is a big step towards integration of the imaging industry with the constantly evolving world of apps, where a photographer will be able to do all the post processing, cloud computing, direct uploads to photo websites etc. on the go, while being able to play games, check out restaurants, and access Twitter at the same time.

The Galaxy Camera is equipped with a 16 megapixels sensor and a 4.77 inch HD Super Clear Touch Display with a resolution of 308 pixels per inch, which will make sure that you won’t have to look for a computer every time you want to review your pictures. It is also equipped with a voice control feature, with the help of which you could command the camera to zoom in, zoom out, click the picture etc. by your voice. The camera can connect through WiFi, 3G, as well as 4Gnetworks, though that might be subject to the markets it is released in.  The lens is a 21X zoom, with a focal length range of 23-481 mm. The back panel of the camera also looks like a smartphone, completely free of the traditional compact camera dials and buttons. How well it serves the purpose will only be seen once we get it in our office for review.

As photographers world over have stopped investing in compact cameras as nearly all the high end smartphones these days are equally capable, the Galaxy Camera has an edge over most of its competitors. It encompasses the best of both smartphone and compact camera worlds; you can shoot high quality photographs because of the imaging abilities of the camera as well as upload your photographs on a social network because of the Android OS. There is no doubt that this will start a war of sorts among the imaging and smartphone makers across the world to come out with the best compact/smartphone prototypes, and by the looks of it, the consumers are in for a lot of surprises. 

With the increase in the impetus on the mobile and user friendly interfaces today, everything seems to be moving from the complex to the friendly. And Nikon has taken it one step forward with their latest release, the Coolpix S800c, an Android based compact camera. With Nikon’s expertise in the imaging technology and endless possibilities with Android’s app market, photography enthusiasts around the world have been asking for something exactly like this for a long time now.

The camera operates on Android 2.3 Gingerbread, and the photographs shot with the camera’s 16 megapixel BSI CMOS sensor can be instantly uploaded to Flickr, Twitter, Instagaram or pretty much any social network available in the Google Play store. Apart from that, cloud storage services, on-camera photo editing and Internet browsing are some of the endless things one can also use the camera for. The interface of the 3.5-inch OLED multi touch display is very similar to that of a modern day smartphone, and though multi touch has been there in the imaging industry for quite some time now, the Android-powered operating system makes it something very different from anything we might have seen before. The camera is expected to smoothly toggle between the camera and Android modes at the touch of a button, providing the user with full control on the interface.

The camera will be priced at $350 in the US market, but the price for the Indian market hasn’t been declared yet. The battery might prove to be a problem, as there are two (camera and Android) rather than one mode to run on the same battery, and Android devices are known to have faced battery issues in the past. The Android system is also 2.3; all the apps currently available on the latest 4.1 system will not be available for this device. But this is definitely a start, as it will surely result in other brands dedicating research to better products in the time to come, and the consumers are sure to win.

Nikon recently released the Coolpix L610, its latest zoom compact camera.  It is equipped with Nikon’s 14-fold optical zoom, from 25 mm to a comfortable 350 mm, and the level of performance at all the focal lengths is promised to be high. The camera comes with a resolution of 16 megapixels, which sounds good for an entry level compact, as a lot of photographers need a lighter alternative to their heavy DSLR’s. It runs on AA batteries, which can prove to be very convenient for travellers as there are no power sockets in a lot of remote places around the world. The camera comes with a high quality Nikkor lens, equipped with a built-in lens-shift vibration reduction, built with 11 elements in 10 groups with two ED glass elements. The lens is able to shoot wide angle shots at a focal length of as less as 1 cm, but that feature is only available in the wide-angle setting. Vibration reduction (VR) helps minimize the effects of camera shake resulting in vivid, colourful photographs, while shooting both macros as well as wide-angle shots. The camera is expected to perform well in low light conditions, given its Backside Illuminated (BSI) CMOS sensor. It is also equipped with a Target Finding AF, which helps the lens dynamically autofocus on the subjects according to the frame, a technology Nikon has dedicated a lot of research to develop. There are a lot of available shooting modes apart from the Easy Auto mode, like Portrait, Landscape, Selective Colors, Filters, etc.

The Coolpix L610 records full HD, 1980X1090p videos at 30 fps with stereo sound. The camera is priced at around Rs. 14000 (expected), which is very reasonable looking at the features. It can prove to be a helpful on a family road trip as well as a quick substitute to the heavy DSLR for a professional. 

After years of sitting out of the mirrorless battle, Canon has finally announced the arrival of the much-awaited EOS M, its first mirrorless camera. We had a firsthand look at the product at our office, and we give you a quick rundown of the concept it was designed with. Canon has engineered the EOS M with the intention of providing the users with the same image quality as its DSLRs, but in a compact size. The EOS M fits into the existing Canon EOS family smoothly, as all the accessories available for the other EOS DSLRs are perfectly compatible with it. Canon has kept in mind the ease-of-use its products offer, and has kept the generic body layout essentially the same as all of its EOS DSLRs.

The EOS M is equipped with an easy to operate touch screen interface and an 18MP sensor; just like the newly launched EOS 650D, Canon’s latest offering in the DSLR segment. The EOS M comes with a new, highly compact EF-M lens mount especially designed for its mirrorless products, though Canon does plan to offer an adapter along with the camera that allows users to mount any lens on the EOS M compatible with the EOS family. This means that existing Canon DSLR owners need not invest in a new set of lenses and can breathe easy!

But what makes the EOS M stand out from the rest? The camera works on a slightly different concept from the rest of the products in the market. The other brands, like Olympus and Panasonic (the original inventors of the technology) or for that matter even Sony, have concentrated on getting the Compact Camera technology up to the level of a DSLR minus the bulk. Canon has designed the EOS M in an attempt to reduce a DSLR to a more compact form, while at the same time delivering the same exact photo quality, as they have not compromised on the sensor size at all. 

Two new lenses have been introduced for the EF-M mount; an 18-55mm F/3.5-F5.6 IS and a 22mm f/2.0. The lenses are, when held, much more compact than their DSLR counterparts. The quality of the shots taken by both was at par with the 650D. A lot of Canon users have been eagerly awaiting the release of an adept mirrorless camera by the Japanese imaging giants, and the EOS M seems perfectly poised to fill that void.­

The camera is targeted at users who don’t want to bother with heavy equipment without compromising on the photo quality and ease of use, like street photographers, women, etc. The camera is equipped with a lot less buttons than its DSLRs, which combined with the firm grip makes holding it a lot easier. The 1040k dot 3:2 Clearview II LCD on the back panel of the camera is a multi touch interface that allows you to swipe through the photographs and menu functions just like a smartphone.

The camera however doesn’t feature a built-in flash, a small compromise in order to keep its size compact. But the company officials have mentioned to us that an external flash unit will be supplied in the kit with the EOS M, which can be mounted on any DSLR in the EOS range too. 

As seen in the images, the flash unit seems to be very compact, much more so than its competitors in the market. The camera’s sensor is an 18MP APS-C Hybrid CMOS, the same as the 650D; which, as we said before, is capable of delivering the same high resolution photographs and image quality as the existing Canon DSLR’s under the same price segment.

The camera’s body is an amalgam of magnesium alloy, stainless steel, and composite materials, though the final finish on each of the red, grey and black variants is done according to the colour. The EOS M is what we call the mirrorless version of the 650D; the sensor is exactly the same, which is expected to give the photos the required SLR-like quality; the touchscreen functions are also almost identical, and it enters the market at about the same time. The tentative price of the camera is expected to be somewhere around Rs. 50,000, including the 18-55 kit lens, but as it is not released here yet, the exact price will only be seen when it is. We will be doing a full performance review as soon as it arrives in the Indian markets. Considering Canon’s prowess in the imaging industry, the EOS M sure has the potential to be the next best thing in the already thriving mirrorless market. 

Nokia recently released its revolutionary 808 PureView, Nokia’s first smartphone to include its award winning PureView technology. The 808 PureView comes with a 41 MP sensor with Carl Zeiss optics, which makes it the best device the smartphone imaging industry can offer right now. This phone is one big step towards the smartphone imaging revolution, with more and more companies now trying to provide the customers with a better imaging experience in a smartphone than most high-end cameras.

After its launch, the 808 PureView has won the Best Mobile award at the prestigious Mobile World Congress, 2012, as well as the Best Imaging Innovation award from TIPA (Technical Image Press Association) The 808n PureView comes with a single core, 1.3 Ghz processor, with 512 MB of RAM, running on the Symbian Belle platform. The screen is a 16:9 4” inch AMOLED unit of nHD (640 x 360) resolution, covered by the sturdy Corning Gorilla Glass. The phone is only available on Amazon UK and Amazon US right now, but a worldwide release is expected.

As Samsung recently overtook Nokia in terms of worldwide smartphones’ sales, it can be safe to say that Nokia is planning to take the market by storm. The PureView technology looks promising, and Nokia plans to release more smartphones based on it .For the photographers too, it’s not really a bad deal either. Even though it is launched at a steep price of 500$, the 41 MP sensor makes sure that resolution will not be a problem, and add the latest imaging processing apps from the OVI store, and we might be looking at the best imaging oriented phone till date. Its performance can only be fully judged after its worldwide release, but it sure looks very promising on paper.