We were recently invited to the Samsung Forum 2012 in Thailand where Samsung introduced a plethora of products for the APAC market. From TVs to fridges, Samsung left no stone unturned to entice its consumers the coming year. The event featured the much awaited Samsung Galaxy Beam mobile phone and the Samsung Galaxy Tab 2 310. Closer to the imaging front, the manufacturer launched some new DSC cameras with interesting features. Bhavya Desai finds out more.

While Samsung has been missing from the imaging radar with product launches few and far between, the manufacturer seems to have hit the nail on its head in terms of IT products. Most noticeable amongst them are its mobile devices including the tablets. B. D. Park, MD and CEO, APAC Region, Samsung informed us at the launch that, “the company touched a staggering global sales figure of $143 billion in the last financial year while retaining the No.1 market share in the South-East Asian region in the categories including flat panel TVs, side-by-side fridges, large format displays and mobile devices among others.”

Centered on the concepts of ‘SMART’ and ‘Pushing Boundaries, Park introduced a host of products under consumer electronics and imaging category. Infact no less than five Wifi enabled cameras and camcorders and a printer targeted towards the contemporary user were launched at the forum. These include the innovative WB850F; the WB150F’s 18x optical super zoom and 14.2MP sensor; the new 2View offering in the name of DV300F, and the slim ST200F. All of these are based on WiFi capability and easy sharing concept. 

Samsung also launched the SCX-3406FW printer for wireless mobile printing; enabling printing from any mobile to the SCX-3406 with a simple installation of Samsung’s MobilePrint application. Besides, a one-touch WPS button instantly and effortlessly connects to the network and a high-speed processor delivers the power needed for superb print performance in a compact design.

We spoke to Raj Kumar Rishi, Vice President and Business Head for Samsung’s Audio Visual (AV) business, about the company’s plans for the coming year in the imaging industry. He was aware that the manufacturer received a lukewarm response for its cameras in the past. But he was optimistic about all that changing soon with the company setting some aggressive targets for the year ahead, in terms of market share. Although he wouldn’t share what those targets are but it is expected to be more than single-digits than the current financial year. 

Rishi plans to achieve these aggressive targets set out on the basis the new features that the latest cameras have to offer alongwith the entire eco-system of imaging that Samsung has to offer. One of the many interesting features is the WiFi Sharing option which allows you to connect with other devices seamlessly. “Our focus in the camera segment will be on mid to high-end camera segment since this has shown promising growth in the recent past. We will have to grow atleast 2-3 times the market growth in order for us to come up to a significant level,” said Rishi.

Talking about the perception of the consumers of not instantly connecting with or recognising Samsung as a photo-imaging company, Rishi chooses to see the positive side and so believes that with its strong brand name the company has become a leader in many segments in these past few years, not just the photo-imaging segment. “Although we haven’t enjoyed the same success in the camera segment, but there are many markets around the globe where we enjoy a significant market share in the camera category,” he said. “Every organisation would go through this phase where we start somewhere and we would like to be somewhere else, and this segment is no exception.” He believes that it is the brand strength; support infrastructure and the set channel, which will allow Samsung to achieve the objectives that it has set out to attain.

Whether all of this will be possible or not, only time will tell. We will be getting our hands onto the newly launched Samsung products soon, so make sure to catch the review of the same in our upcoming issues.

Epson recently launched its newest mini photo printer – the Epson PictureMate PM245. It is a portable compact 4 x 6-inch format photo printer that allows users to enjoy cost savings and good print quality at the same time. 

In addition to 4 x 6-inch photos, the mobile photo printer also allows users to customise special prints like their ID or passport photos with a click of a button. It also delivers prints with excellent speed – it takes 37 seconds to produce a 4 x 6-inch photo. 

Mr. S M Ram Prasad, Deputy General Manager – Consumer Products, Epson India commented, “It is designed to suit home users or print-for-pay users who require portability and high performance at the same time.” 

The Epson PictureMate PM245’s print head employs Epson’s proprietary Micro Piezo inkjet printing technology which features Variable-Sized Droplet Technology (VSDT) that achieves a maximum print resolution of 5760 x 1440 dpi, and a 1.5 picolitre minimum ink droplet size for smooth image gradations.

PM245’s Custom-ID function allows users to easily customise various ID and passport or visa photo sizes without using a PC. It allows users to duplicate multiple copies of the same image onto a   4 x 6-inch photo paper and print according to the sizes required. 

The Epson picture pack (four colour ink set) costs Rs. 1,400 per pack, and prints up to 150 pages of 4 x 6-inch photograph; resulting in a cost of Rs. 8-9 for each 4R size photograph. Epson Claria Photographic inks are smudge, water and fade-resistant, allowing photographs to be preserved up to 200 years. 

Users can print directly from their memory card through the built-in slots or connect their digital camera directly using the printer’s PictBridge USB port, while viewing them from the 2.5-inch LCD screen on the PictureMate.

With its compact size, carrying handle and the optional rechargeable battery pack, the Epson PictureMate PM245 makes it possible for users to use the printer anywhere, and at anytime without needing to plug it to a power source. 

On 2^nd March Canon announced the launch of the 5D Mark III, almost 4 years after the launch of the 5D Mark II. While the speculations regarding the camera have been doing the rounds since few years, professionals will finally get their hands on one when it is out by the end of March 2012. So we got an exclusive preview look at the camera even before it was announced and here are some interesting facts about the same.

The Canon EOS 5D Mark III will be priced in India at Rs. 2,05,095 (body only) and Rs. 2,50,095 (24-105 lens kit).

The 22.3 megapixel camera is built around a full frame sensor, is capable of shooting 6 frames per second, an improvement from the 3.9 frames over the Mark II. Boasting of an improved viewfinder with approximately 100 percent coverage, a newly developed CMOS sensor capable of shooting pictures with little or no digital noise even at ISO 6400, and significant other new features, the 5D Mark III packs quite a punch! 

Enhancements

Some of the big changes when compared to the 5D Mark II are the sensor, the image processor, and the viewfinder that covers almost 100 per cent coverage. In terms of pixel count, the 5D Mark III’s 22.3 megapixel sensor is only a slight bump compared to the 5D Mark II’s 21.1 megapixel sensor. With the new sensor, Canon has aimed at increasing the sensitivity and reducing the noise. Canon says their aim was to achieve at ISO 25600 the same noise levels exhibited by the 5D Mark II at ISO 6400, realizing superior image quality in night scenes when compared to the 5D Mark II. Along with a drastic decrease in noise levels across the normal ISO range, noise reduction performance beyond ISO 25600 has also been improved. The standard ISO range is expandable to 50-102,400. The new sensor, coupled with Canon’s latest DIGIC 5+ processor enables continuous shooting at 6 fps. 

The camera gains the 7D’s Live View switch which makes switching from shooting stills to video recording a breeze. A built-in headphone socket for audio monitoring has also been introduced. Changing exposure settings while recording video without having to rotate any dials and other disruptions is another issue that has been addressed and it is now possible to do so with the newly introduced touch sensitive rear control dial. Among the most important features found in the 5D Mark III for videographers is the ability to shoot video longer — as much as 29 minutes and 59 seconds long, a significant improvement from the 5D Mark II which would automatically stop filming after about 12 minutes.

Its 61-point focus system borrowed from the flagship EOS-1D X comes with a completely new tab in the menu for managing its complex AF system based on a range of usage-scenario presets. AF configuration is simplified with a choice of 6 presets defined by subject behaviour. 

Some of the entirely new features include in-camera Higher Dynamic Range shooting and multiple exposure capability. The ability to define a specific minimum shutter speed when using Auto ISO makes it less likely for photographers to get shaky pictures while shooting in low light conditions. The viewfinder features a dual axis electric level allowing you to level your frame exactly as you’d like before shooting. A dual card slot makes the use of both CF and SD cards possible. In playback, it is now possible to compare images side by side. You can now compare composition and focus of two versions of the same shot, histograms, or check sharpness of different areas of the same image. 

Our first impressions about the camera are extremely positive, but we’ve not really had our hands on the camera long enough to fully explore its capabilities, and I must say, we can barely wait to do a detailed review of the camera. Other products announced along with the 5D Mark III are an EF 24mm 1:2.8 IS USM lens, a 28mm 1:2.8 IS USM lens, and the 600EX-RT Speedlite. 

Specifications

• 22.3 Megapixel full frame sensor
• 61 point autofocus
• Up to 6 fps continuous shooting
• Native ISO 100-25600; expandable to 50-102400 
• Full HD video with manual control 
• 14 bit DIGIC 5+ processor 
• Enhanced weather sealing 
• 8.11 cm (3.2 inch) 1,040,000 dot screen 
• HDR mode with presets

While the file for bankruptcy came as a shock for consumers at large, Kodak India released a press release in order make some damage control to the rumours stockpiling in India about its operations. We spoke to the company exclusively on its ongoing strategic review process and drive to rapidly improve profitability. The company will focus its Consumer Business on Personal & Professional Imaging Products and Services. These include online and retail-based photo printing, as well as wedding, school and souvenir photo imaging businesses – areas that offer the most significant opportunities for profitable growth. As a result, Kodak plans to phase out of the market for dedicated capture devices – digital cameras, pocket video cameras and digital picture frames – in the first half of 2012.

While the company will discontinue production in the first quarter, it will work closely with its retail partners to ensure an orderly transition, continuing to honour all warranties, and providing technical support and service for its cameras, pocket video cameras and digital picture frames. “For some time, Kodak’s strategy has been to improve margins in the capture device business by narrowing our participation in terms of product portfolio, geographies and retail outlets. 

Today’s announcement is the logical extension of that process, given our analysis of the industry trends,” said Pradeep Jotwani, President, Consumer Businesses, and Kodak Chief Marketing Officer. In addition to its Consumer Businesses segment, Kodak has a Commercial Businesses segment that includes the Digital and Functional Printing, Enterprise Services and Solutions, and Graphics, Entertainment and Commercial Films units. Kodak’s digital businesses now comprise approximately

three-fourths of total revenues.

Kodak continues to have a strong position in the personal imaging market. While photos are increasingly taken on multi-function mobile devices, Kodak technology makes it easy for consumers to produce a broad range of photo products, anywhere, anytime – from prints to photobooks, photo greeting cards and personalized calendars. These items can be made on Kodak products, with Kodak quality at retail, at home, and ordered for delivery to home.

Kodak’s continuing consumer products and services include:

Retail-based photo kiosks and digital dry lab systems, a market in which Kodak is clear worldwide leader. Kodak pioneered the retail-based kiosk market, and the company now has more than 100,000 kiosks and order stations for dry lab systems around the world, with some 30,000 of those units connected to the most popular photo-sharing sites.

Kodak Facebook apps, which make it easy for consumers to obtain photo products using photos from their Facebook albums. 

The Kodak camera accessories and batteries businesses. These products are universally compatible with all camera brands, and extend into other consumer product segments such as charging units for smartphones.

The traditional film capture and photographic paper business, which continues to provide high-quality and innovative products and solutions to consumers, photographers, retailers, photofinishers and professional labs.

Consumer inkjet printers, where Kodak has outpaced overall market growth for several years. Kodak consumer inkjet printers provide consumers with high quality output and the lowest total ink replacement cost. Consumers can send documents and photos to Kodak printers from anywhere, using any web-connected device.(currently not marketed in Asia Pacific Region)

Commenting on the global announcement, Ravi Karamcheti, Managing Director, Kodak India said, “Kodak India will continue to operate as usual, with our consumer business continuing to focus predominately on retail-based photo printing services & professional photo printing services and in developing new segments such as schools photography services. Kodak India had negligible revenues from the discontinued products in Q4 of 2011. Our employees will not be impacted by this announcement

and it is business as usual for India.”

While the writing has been on the wall for quite sometime now, Kodak finally filed for bankruptcy protection under Chapter 11, yesterday, 19 January 2012. Currently the company has secured financing for $950 million from CitiGroup, which will keep them afloat during the bankruptcy proceedings. Although the state of affairs today seemed inevitable going by the company’s recent past and was expected by many in the imaging industry, it has come as a shock for consumers and individuals outside the photography space.

Kodak has tried a number of strategies to turnaround its looming business in the past few years, but has failed miserably with its sales reducing by 50% since 2005. It is widely believed that it’s Kodak’s slow transition in adopting digital technology that is to be blamed for the American Giant’s fate along with unprecedented surge in sales of handheld devices. The two factors together lead to the demise of industry’s seasoned stalwart.

It is common knowledge that film business has been declining for most part of this decade. It was originally projected that film business would decline at about 10% year-on-year. Kodak had projected an estimate of 20% every year. But in reality the decline in this market, annually, has been 40%.

India’s first woman photojournalist, Homai Vyarawalla, breathed her last on 15 January 2012 in a private hospital in Vadodara, Gujarat. At 98, Vyarawalla slipped and collapsed in her home and fractured her left thighbone. The leg injury aggravated respiratory complications that she had developed due to old age, and lead to her sad demise.

Vyarawalla started her career in 1930s, moved to Mumbai and Delhi and chronicled India’s changing face and times. She photographed many political and national leaders including Mahatma Gandhi, Jawaharlal Nehru and Indira Gandhi with some of her black and white images went on to become icons of India’s history.

She did a diploma in Arts from JJ School of Arts, Mumbai, and learnt photography from Maneckshaw Vyarawalla whom she married in 1941. After the death of her husband in 1969, she moved to Vadodara in 1973 and retired from photography sorrowful about the “bad behaviour” of the new generation of photographers.

Vyarawalla was awarded Padma Vibhushan, the second highest civilian award of the Republic of India, in 2011. To lose such a dignitary is a loss for the entire nation. With her talent and passion for photography and the indelible work that she has left behind, Vyarawalla is a figure etched in Indian history.

The DPF-W700 & DPF-WA700 digital photo frames will be available in selected countries in Asia Pacific from December 2011 and January 2012 respectively.