The imaging industry witnessed some
interesting innovations in technology last year, which we have listed in the
article “The year gone by” in this issue. At the same time, we're looking ahead
as well. So what is it that you should expect in the year to come? How will
2013 pan out for the photographic industry? With 2012 having witnessed numerous
introductions in technologies and trends, from mirrorless becoming the major
focus of every manufacturing brand to user-friendly interface, these trends are
an indicator of what might be the next big thing(s) in 2013.
1. Smaller cameras, bigger sensors
From their inception as compact or point
and shoot cameras, the cameras in the same category have gone through constant
change and technological improvisation. For instance the cameras today are
ultra-thin and compact; less than three-fourth of an inch in thickness, making
them easy to fit in a pocket or a purse. One of the biggest change we see
happening this year is the emergence of compact cameras with relatively bigger
sensors. For example, Sony's RX1 is one of the first digital compact cameras to
have a full frame (35mm) sensor which is generally available on most pro-level
DSLR cameras. Although not all camera manufacturers may follow suit but they
are likely to be inclined to introduce bigger and better sensors on digital
compact cameras.
2. The rise of mirrorless cameras (MILC)
The mirrorless category doesn't need an
introduction. It is safe to say that it has fast become one of the most popular
segments of cameras amongst consumers and is surely here to stay. While 2012
saw the MILC category gather momentum, we feel that 2013 will witness the same
category reaching newer heights. The right lenses combined with the lightweight
and compact nature of mirrorless cameras makes them perfect for most
photographers as a second body. Just like the more popular and versatile DSLRs
seem to have replaced the large format cameras, the MILC might just become the
sole camera in a photographers' kits.
3. Sound quality on DSLR and compact cameras
Earlier most digital compact cameras had a
built-in mono mic which supported video recording. But over the years, most
digital cameras (DSLRs/Compact Cameras/MILCs) adopted the stereo audio
recording. With the availability of 5.1 audio channel technology, sound
recording has reached a new level. Adopting a 5.1 channel sound recording using
the built-in mic could just be the next big thing to complement the HD video
recording.
4. Going the ‘app’ way
Technology has made it possible for phones
and tablets to execute tasks nowadays that one could only do using a desktop
computer or a laptop. With Android and ¡OS operating platforms for phones, photography
has taken a new dimension. Other than the various apps which enable a user to
click a picture with their phone, edit it (in the phone or tablet) and share
it, there are a few that can be directly used with professional cameras and
lighting equipment.
DSLR Controller - This app enables the user
to control their Canon EOS DSLR from a phone or tablet through USB. The user
can control functions of the camera like metering, AF mode, white balance and
exposure compensation using a Live View mode.
Trigger trap Mobile - This app is an
alternative to traditional triggers and offers more features at a fraction of
the cost. Available on both Android and iOS platforms, a DSLR is connected with
a specialized dongle cable via the phone's 3.5mm earphone jack to the camera's
shutter release slot. This app has various modes such as time lapse mode, time
warp mode, sound sensor mode, shock and vibration sensor mode, metal and
magnetism sensor mode, face recognition mode, LE HDR Mode, distance lapse mode,
motion detection mode, cable release mode, star trail mode, bulb ramping time lapse
and many others.
Elinchrom Skyport Wi-Fi - One of the well-known
names in camera lighting, Elinchrom isn't far behind in the app game. This app
enables the remote control of Elinchrom FIX flash units from Apple mobile
devices such as iPhone, iPad and iPod Touch. It has features like adjustable
frequency and group settings, up to 50m outdoor in Wi-Fi mode and up to a 100m
in Skyport mode. Indoor it goes up to 20m in Wi-Fi mode and up to 40m in
Skyport mode.
Adobe Photoshop Touch and Light room Photo
editing is an imperative part in photography. Adobe's decision of launching
their most used software, Photoshop and Light room, in the Android and ¡OS
platform based tablets is definitely a start of a new trend. With tablets
entering the market with better and faster processors, it's only a matter of
time when most professional photographers will be using these touch based apps
to edit their photographs.
5. A buttons free, intuitive interface
As awkward as it may sound, there is a high
possibility that in the years to come, a camera is manufactured with limited or
no interface buttons. With many new cameras loaded with the touchscreen
feature, it is possible that it may just be the next trend in camera
technology. Cameras may no longer require a shutter button, just tap the screen
at the back and the photograph is recorded. It is expected to give the
manufacturers an edge in design. With motion detection, voice control, gesture
control etc., photographers can use a voice command, or simply wink or snap
their fingers to tell the camera to click a photo.
Types of some of the newer and more
user-friendly interfaces are already being witnessed in cameras like the Nikon
S800c and the Samsung Galaxy camera. The future will probably see introduction
of a lot more such devices.
6. Camera connectivity
The launch of Samsung and Nikon smart
compact cameras in 2012 which feature 3G and Wi-Fi connectivity options have
created a new benchmark in the camera industry. Similarly in the DSLR segment,
Canon's EOS 6D with built-in Wi-Fi feature is the first of this kind. Now Wi-Fi
enabled SD cards are available but you must be within a certain distance of an
established network for the transfer of files to a computer to work. Having 3G
built into cameras, DSLRs and point and shoots would allow for instant uploads
to blogs, photo sharing sites and social media networks.
7. Home printing
In the last few years, home printing has
grown into a substantial segment. Initially, when home printing solutions were
launched there was a serious concern over their use by most consumers
eventually causing the slowdown of traditional lab printing. However, the cost
of both consumables such as the ink and the print media was quite high, which
didn't attract the expected volumes, in recent times, the print quality of home
printers has drastically improved and there has also been a decrease in printer
and consumable costs, leading to an increase in the popularity of this segment
in the market.
In addition, new technologies, which enable
printers to print metallic colors like gold and silver in 3D, are coming out.
It might just happen that home printing becomes the next big thing in printing
in 2013.
