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September 05, 2009
[GIMMICKS, GADGETS AND GOOD IDEAS]
Last week we were out and about with Samsung's latest compact camera, the ST550 (on sale here this month). This particular camera's claim to uniqueness is that it has not one but two LCDs. One on the back, where we expect it to be, and one on the front that takes us by surprise. Why?
Well, the man from Samsung explained that the LCD on the front is for taking self-portraits. He also told us that the ST in the model name stand for “style”. We think this shows a distinct lack of imagination. How about Narcissus?
What's more, if you put the camera into the “Children” scene mode the front LCD plays an animation of a clown. That will make the little tackers laugh their heads off which makes for a good snap.
This set us thinking. Where do these ideas come from? And what is a genuine picture taking aid and what a mere gimmick? We think we know how this thing works.
The biggest bloke from the marketing department, with a reputation for ferocious and cruel sarcasm, is detailed to represent marketing in the R and D laboratory of the camera company. His job is to let the boffins know, in no uncertain terms, that they'd better get on with it, or else. It has been six days since the last model was released and a replacement is long overdue. It had better have more pixels, a longer zoom range and fit in a mouse's earhole. And it had better come in at least six designer colours.
So, over the years we have been given things we never knew we needed. Face detection, just in case you don't know what a face looks like. Now face recognition, in case you've forgotten which one is Aunty Dot. A Beauty mode to fix Aunty Dot's wrinkles and moles. When Aunty smiles the camera itself pushes the button. When she blinks it takes another shot immediately. You can even have a Grainy Black and White Film filter for the days when you are missing your over-developed Kodak Tri X.
Total automation is taken for granted. The camera selects the ISO speed, the shutter and aperture values, whether or not the flash fires and the main focus point (almost always the wrong one). But the big bloke from marketing is not happy. He wants more and he wants unique.
Nikon has just announced the world's first compact camera with inbuilt projector, the Coolpix S1000pj. Bet you didn't see that coming. Or know that you needed it. But wait, this is all kid's stuff.
What the man from marketing is demanding from the boffins is the Holy Grail of camera design – the camera that can be sent out on its own to take perfect photos and bring them back home without the photographer ever going out the door. You think we jest?
Take a look at Sony's Party-shot camera base. You put your Sony camera on the base which automatically swivels and tilts, following people in the room, and when the faces and composition are right it takes the picture. It goes on sale this month and should settle once and for all the old argument: Is photography an art?
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Posted by terry at September 5, 2009 12:51 PM
