6Sight

Leica offers full-frame 18-megapixel Rangefinder

The new Leica M9 is the first digital Rangefinder with a full-frame 24-by-36mm sensor – making it “the smallest full-frame system camera,” Leica Camera AG announced.

The camera is “perfect for all fields of photography, from reportage and ‘available light,’ to the capture of discreet, spontaneous images,” the company adds.

At the heart is a new 18-megapixel image sensor Kodak developed “to exploit the particular qualities of the M lens system.” Kodak says “matching the larger image capture area with the unique Rangefinder optical design required a redesign of both the sensor pixel and microlens configuration.” Micro lenses at the sensor edges are laterally displaced toward the image center to match the characteristics of M lenses precisely, to capture “even the most oblique rays on the sensor.”

The KAF-18500 sensor also incorporates a new IR-absorbing cover glass, as well as a new red color pigment for improved color fidelity and improved image quality, the companies claim.

At 24-by-36mm, the CCD is in the full 35mm film format needed so all Leica M lenses offer the same focal length as originally intended, with “the enormous potential performance of the current M lens portfolio, with focal lengths from 16mm to 135mm,” Leica says.

Sensitivity ranges from ISO 80 to ISO 2500, and a new ISO button makes adjustments easier. Leica says “all functions important for everyday photography” are accessible by pressing a button.

Shutter speeds range up to 1/4,000 second, and the shutter is “almost silent,” which is “another enormous advantage for discreet and unobtrusive photography,” Leica says. 

The M9 lacks a standard moiré filter, “allowing full exploitation of the superb resolution of M lenses”; but moiré patterns are eliminated in its processing. 

Despite the considerably larger sensor, the M9 “maintains the compact size of the M8,” Leica says, measuring 5.5-by-3.15-by-1.5 inches and weighing 19.9 ounces. The camera is made with a 1-piece magnesium alloy housing, and will come in standard black, and a steel-gray model with a “classic leatherette finish.” It has a 2.5-inch LCD.

Pricing will be around $7,000.

Leica also announced the compact X1, with a fixed f/2.8 lens, a 12-megapixel APS-C sensor, and a 2.7-inch LCD for around $2,000.

September 14, 2009

In the Weekly Briefing September 14, 2009

6SIGHT SPOTLIGHT: Top stories

Leica offers full-frame 18-megapixel Rangefinder

DIGITAL CAMERAS

Tiniest camcorder

Tougher surveillance cameras

Night vision for Nikon 

MOBILE AND INTERNET IMAGING

Motorola “Cliqs” pics

COMPONENTS AND ARCHITECTURES

InvenSense offers first compact dual-axis gyroscopes 

INDUSTRY UPDATES

Improved pico

Epson projects at home

Accusoft Pegasus releases ScanFix, ImageGear SDKs 

PANASONIC CLAIMS SMALLEST INTERCHANGEABLE LENS CAMERA WITH FLASH

The Lumix DMC-GF1 is “the world’s smallest and lightest interchangeable lens camera with built-in flash,” claims Panasonic. “It packs powerful DSLR and HD video capabilities into a sleek and easy-to-use compact body.”

The camera has an “elegant, compact design reminiscent of classic film cameras,” the company says. The 12-megapixel camera measures 4.7-by-2.8-by-1.4 inches. It matches the small size of the Olympus E-P1, but adds the built-in flash – a $200 attachment for the Olympus model.

The first Panasonic mirror-free Micro Four Thirds camera was the smallest interchangeable lens model; the GH1 added high-definition 1080p video recording with continuous autofocus. The GF1 is an even smaller camera. “Its sophisticated, small body makes it easier and more convenient to carry,” says Panasonic Imaging senior product manager David Briganti.

The camera captures 720 video in AVCHD Lite, not 1080p – but it adds a Movie Program mode allowing consumers to adjust the depth-of-field while shooting in HD video, “so background and foreground can be blurred to give creative effects – something typically only possible with expensive professional camcorders.”

The GF1 has a 3-inch LCD with live view and automatic backlight control.

Additionally, Panasonic announced two new Micro Four Thirds interchangeable lenses. The Lumix G 20mm f/1.7 ASPH is a compact, lightweight “pancake” lens with outstanding brightness, the company says. Also due soon is “the first Leica Micro Four Thirds lens,” the Leica DG Macro-Elmarit 45mm f/2.8.

The GF1 camera is $900 with either one of the lenses.

September 7, 2009

CANON 18-MEGAPIXEL DSLR CAPTURES HD VIDEO

Canon claims its latest DSLR is “far more than a slight improvement from a previous model: the EOS 7D DSLR is a brand-new product standing on its own, with new features never before seen in any Canon camera. It is a revolutionary camera that redefines the highly competitive mid-range DSLR product category.”

Key features of the $1,699 camera include: 

• Recording 24p full HD video

• 18-megapixel CMOS sensor and dual DIGIC 4 imaging processors

• Shooting at 8 frames per second for up to 126 JPEGS 

• Focusing with Zone AF mode 

• Speed settings ranging from ISO 100 to 6400 

The camera “takes DSLR video to new heights,” Canon says, with its HD capture featuring fully manual exposure control, and selectable cinematic frame rates for both National Television System Committee (NTSC) and Phase Altering Line (PAL) standards. Video is captured at 1,920-by-1,080 resolution with selectable frame rates of 24p, 25p, or 30p. 

“Native 24p recording helps videographers achieve a more cinema-style look for their footage without the need for post-processing,” Canon says. It also can use an external stereo microphone “for professional audio effects” or a built-in monaural microphone. 

The 7D AF system includes a new multi-axis cross-type 19-point AF grid, where the focusing points are evenly spread across the image plane and clearly displayed through the viewfinder. For architectural and landscape photography, the Dual Axis Electronic Level makes it easier to shoot accurate angles and perspective. It has a 3-inch LCD with VGA resolution and live view.

“The EOS 7D represents a completely new chapter in digital photography and Canon product development,” says Consumer Imaging Group senior vice president and general manager Yuichi Ishizuka. “This camera stands alone as the most functional and innovative DSLR Canon has released to date, bringing together all the best professional features offered, along with numerous user requests at a price point everyone can appreciate.”  

Body-only, the camera is $1,699; with a 28-135mm lens, it’s $1,899.

Along with the EOS 7D, Canon announced three new lenses: the EF 100mm f/2.8L Macro IS USM, the EF-S 15-85mm f/3.5-5.6 IS USM, and the EF-S 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS. 

The EF 100mm f/2.8L Macro IS USM lens is the first SLR camera lens to feature “Hybrid Image Stabilization,” which compensates for both angular camera shake and shift camera shake.

Also, the WFT-E5A wireless file transmitter for the EOS 7D connects the camera via IEEE802.11a/b/g or Ethernet. It is $699.

September 7, 2009

“FRANKENCAMERA” EXTENDS COMPUTATIONAL PHOTOGRAPHY

In an effort to extend computational photography research, scientists at Stanford University developed an “open-source camera” that lets programmers change camera features. 

  “Some cameras have software development kits that let you hook up a camera with a USB cable and tell it to set the exposure to this, the shutter speed to that, and take a picture; but that’s not what we’re talking about,” says Marc Levoy, professor of Computer Science and of Electrical Engineering. “What we’re talking about is, tell it what to do on the next microsecond in a metering algorithm or an autofocusing algorithm; or fire the flash, focus a little differently, and then fire the flash again – things you can’t program a commercial camera to do.”

  Dubbed the “Frankencamera,” the prototype combines a Texas Instruments processor running Linux, an imaging chip from a Nokia N95 phone, and off-the-shelf Canon lenses, reports the Stanford online news service. An outside manufacturer may, in the future, mass produce the cameras for less than $1,000 each. 

  Stanford says programmers will have the freedom to experiment with new ways of tuning camera response to light and motion, adding their own algorithms to process the raw images in innovative ways.

  For example, one algorithm researchers have achieved in the lab, but which no commercial camera allows, is enhancing the resolution of videos with high-resolution still photographs. While a camera is gathering low-resolution video at 30 frames a second, it could also periodically take a high-resolution still image. The extra information in the still could then be recombined by an algorithm into each video frame. 

September 7, 2009

WITH NEW NANO, APPLE RETURNS TO THE CAMERA BUSINESS

Apple announced a new line of music-playing iPods -- and one model now sports a video camera.

  "The iPod nano is the most popular music player with more than 100 million sold," says Apple CEO Steve Jobs in the announcement. "Now we've added a video camera to its incredibly thin design, without any additional cost to the user."

  The 8GB nano is $149, while the 16GB model is $179.

  The iPod nano with built-in video camera also has a 2.2-inch display, microphone, and speaker, while maintaining a tiny size much smaller than competing camcorders. The nano measures just 3.6-by-1.5-by-0.24 inches, and weighs 1.28 ounces.

  "The iPod nano video camera lets you record fun as it happens," Apple says. "Then, share it with friends on the internet. It's the video camera that's small enough to take everywhere."

  The Apple camcorder lags in one key spec: Whereas everyone else is rushing to embrace HD, the nano video is H.264 1.5 Mbps video at 640-by-480 resolution -- not top of the line by any means; but, as Apple puts it, "the video file sizes are perfect for sharing on YouTube or emailing to friends." The iPod has a "special effects department included," Apple says, with 15 in-camera effects including mirror, X Ray, motion blur, and film grain.

 Other features on the iPod include an FM radio with live pause capability, and a new built-in pedometer that keeps track of steps taken and calories burned. The nano does not capture still photos: video is forgiving of VGA resolution, while stills are not.

  More than two decades ago, one of the first consumer digital cameras came from Apple -- long before the market or the technology was ready: the QuickTake was high-priced and low-powered. Eight years ago, the portable music player field  was already seen by some as mature and saturated with me-too products. Apple entered with the iPod, and soon dominated the market.

  Of late, pocket video cameras abound. The niche was started by Pure Digital with its Flip flash storage-based camcorder, and is contested by cameras from Sony, Kodak, Creative, and others.

  Today, cameras are a mature technology in a crowded market. Pocket camcorders are a growing product field, but one for which pundits have long been predicting an early death any day now when other devices provide video capture. Those other devices? Phones and iPods.

  With the iPhone, Apple already has the best-selling smart phone, and by some tallies such as Flickr's image uploading statistics, the iPhone is the most-used camera. The latest model added video capability. But as successful as the iPhone is, its sales don't come near those of the iPod line -- and so the new video-equipped nano may have an even greater impact on the video camera market.

  For still photography however, we await a device like the rumored iPod Touch update, with a higher resolution camera and innovative features such as the touch-focus function. Freed of the carrier and pricing restrictions that hold back the iPhone, such a device could shake up the camera market.

September 7, 2009

In the Weekly Briefing September 7, 2009

6SIGHT SPOTLIGHT: Top stories

With new nano, Apple returns to the camera business

“Frankencamera” extends computational photography 

Sony plans 3D TV

DIGITAL CAMERAS

Canon 18-megapixel DSLR captures HD video

Panasonic claims smallest interchangeable lens camera with flash

Samsung zooms 24x 

Olympus lowers DSLR price

You can star in a video

Two more cameras from Casio

MOBILE and INTERNET IMAGING

idthis photo 

Ontela eases uploads from phone to Photobucket

Latest camera phones 

COMPONENTS AND ARCHITECTURES

No news this week.

INDUSTRY UPDATES

U.S. Military enlists Digimarc 

Kodak adds Wi-FI to printer

Epson improves 17-inch printer

Corel combines photo and video 

Micron sells Aptina Imaging 

SONY SUPES UP DSLRS WITH HDR, 24 MEGAPIXELS

With three new DSLRs, Sony says it is bringing “the performance of a higher class of cameras within the reach of a broader group of consumers.” 

The A550 is a 14.2-megapixel model priced at $950, body only – making it the first in its class, Sony says, with a fast-shooting speed of 7 frames per second for less than $1,000. Also, it can achieve an ISO of 12,800 “without sacrificing fine detail.”

It’s not just fast: In-camera High Dynamic Range combines the highlight and shadow detail of two separate captures into one natural-looking image – in the camera, within 2 seconds.

Sony adds its “unique positional interpolation technology can overcome slight changes in camera position and align individual shots, so a tripod is not required” for the HDR function.

The camera has a 3-inch LCD screen that tilts 90 degrees up or down. Sony Quick AF Live View uses two sensors to maintain the same focusing speed on the LCD as you’d get with an optical viewfinder, the company claims. 

The Live View now works with Face Detection that tracks up to 8 faces, and the Smile Shutter takes the shot when the subject smiles. 

The similar A500 is a 12.3-megapixel version priced at $750, body only. Each camera is available with an 18-55 kit lens for $100 more. All Sony DSLRs feature in-camera mechanical image stabilization that works with all new lenses. Unlike many new consumer-aimed DSLRs, neither new Sony model captures HD video.

AFFORDABLE FULL-FRAME

If 14 megapixels aren’t enough for you, the new A850 shares the same full-frame 24.6-megapixel sensor of the top-of-the-line Sony A900, but it’s priced at $2,000, body only, which is $1,000 less than its predecessor’s original price.

Sony says it is “bringing the benefits of a full-frame DSLR camera to a broader group of consumers” with its 35mm full-frame Exmor CMOS sensor and many other high-end features from the A900. With continuous shooting at 3 frames per second, it’s a little slower than the A900, and it’s sans IR remote. It measures 6.2-by-4.6-by-3.2 inches.

August 31, 2009

In the Weekly Briefing August 31, 2009

6SIGHT SPOTLIGHT: Top stories

Sony supes up DSLRs with HDR, 24 megapixels

Faster color printing

DIGITAL CAMERAS

Two more cameras from Casio

MOBILE and INTERNET IMAGING

YouTube increases ads, revenue 

Animoto adds video

More sharing photos socially

Augmented Reality iPhone applications

Nokia: Tablet or phone?

COMPONENTS AND ARCHITECTURES

OmniVision aims 1080p sensor at mobile conferencing

INDUSTRY UPDATES

Portable ViewSonic, 3M projectors 

Global epaper market to exceed $2.5 billion

Sony expands ebook line

Sony Walkman plays video

Sony “crystallizes” photo frame

LCD for better rearview sight

IPHONE IMAGING

• Flickr regularly graphs which cameras captured the photos uploaded to its sharing service – and its latest report shows the iPhone, with its 2-megapixel sensor, is now the most popular capture device, as it surpasses the Canon Rebel XTi SLR. It’s no surprise, then, a wide variety of imaging applications continue to flood the Apple iTunes App Store for use on the popular smart phone.

• Tiffen adds to its Dfx Digital Filter Creative Effects software for the iPhone and iPod Touch: the $3 Photo Fx 2.0 has 61 filters with 615 presets. The edits are nondestructive, made on a copy without overwriting the original image.

• Lucidiom Inc. Pocket Pics synchronizes online photos with an iPhone. It’s free to account holders with Photo Finale, the Lucidiom white-label, photo sharing, and ordering site. Lucidiom now claims more than 55,000 APM photo kiosks worldwide.

• Shoot It! LLC is offering a postcard messaging application for the iPhone. With Postcard Messaging, users can take a picture, create a personal message, and have it mailed as a real postcard to anyone in the world. Mailed card costs range from 99 cents to $1.50.

• Athentech Imaging Inc. has ported its Perfectly Clear image correction to the iPhone and iPod Touch. The $3 application can optimize images for exposure, color accuracy, sharpness, and depth with a single touch, the company says. It also provides tools to fine tune the look of photos by adjusting sliders and presets.

Athentech says its image correction algorithms separately optimize every pixel in an image for exposure, color accuracy, color vibrancy, tint, sharpness, depth, and noise – and “essentially operates like the human eye, optimizing and correcting the light in every pixel to perfectly preserve the photographer’s memory. An accurately reproduced image will retrigger memories far better than an inaccurate correction.”

   Perfectly Clear is currently used in more than 50,000 retail photo kiosks, several thousand minilabs, and multiple online photo sites and labs, the company says, in addition to the stand-alone software package. 

August 24, 2009

CANON CAMCORDER CAPTURES COMPLETE DAY

The VIXIA HF S11 camcorder from Canon can record up to 24 hours of HD video to its 64GB internal flash drive. As if that isn’t enough, this Dual Flash Memory model also has a slot for SDHC cards for more storage.

Canon says the new Dynamic SuperRange OIS system delivers “the ultimate in shake correction by providing continuous adjustment throughout the entire zoom range.” Also, the Advanced Video Snapshot function creates “the perfect highlight movie to share with families and friends” by recording a series of 4-second clips in shooting and playback modes.

The $1,499 camcorder can snap 8-megapixel still photos, or record video in 24p cinema mode or 30p progressive mode. It has a 10x optical zoom lens.

August 24, 2009

CANON POWERSHOT LINE ADDS TOUCH SCREEN MODEL

Canon U.S.A. Inc. announced six new PowerShot cameras, among them its first compact ELPH model with a touchscreen.

The PowerShot SD980 IS has a 3-inch touch screen and a “cutting-edge interface for easily navigating through images and menus,” Canon says. It has a 12-megapixel sensor, and can also capture 720p HD video – with HDMI output to play back directly on an HDTV. The $330 camera has a 5x optical zoom lens that starts at the equivalent of a wide 24mm. It measures 3.9-by-2.1-by-0.9 inches.

The SD940 IS ELPH also has a 12-megapixel sensor, but with a 4x lens that starts at 28mm, and a 2.7-inch LCD. It is priced at $300.

At the large end of the line is the PowerShot G11. Canon says its new 10-megapixel “high sensitivity system” results in a faster shutter speed to help reduce subject blur and camera shake. That’s right: 10 megapixels – and the previous G10 was a 14-megapixel camera! Could this be a sign that continual resolution escalation is over? 

The G11 has a 5x optical zoom lens starting at the equivalent of 28mm, a 2.8-inch vari-angle LCD, mode dials for adjusting ISO and exposure compensation, and multiple shooting modes that include RAW + JPEG. It’s $500, and measures 4.4-by-3.0-by-1.9 inches.

The PowerShot S90 also has the high sensitivity system, coupled with a 28mm wide-angle f/2.0 lens with a 3.8x optical zoom. Its control ring can be customized for manual and creative settings. It has a 3-inch LCD and sells for $430.

The compact SX line adds two models. The PowerShot SX20 IS, a 12-megapixel camera with a 20x optical zoom lens and 2.5-inch vari-angle LCD, also captures 720p HD video, with HDMI output to play back directly on an HDTV. It’s priced at $400. The SX120 IS has a higher model number, but a lower-resolution sensor and shorter zoom: 10 megapixels and 10x zoom. Its LCD is larger, at 3.0 inches; and the price is much lower, at $250.

All the new cameras have optical image stabilization, and sport an improved Smart Auto that Canon says can now track moving faces and 22 different shooting situations (up from 18 previously) by identifying the surroundings to help ensure proper lighting and focus.

August 24, 2009

AUGMENTED REALITY ADVANCES

“We believe we have created a worldwide platform that will bring both fun and relevant Augmented Reality experiences in one application to a growing audience.” 

That’s the claim of Layar, the Netherlands-based developer that launched its first “Reality Browser” in June – and last week rolled out the second generation with new contents.  

Augmented Reality may be the most futuristic use of mobile imaging, and the most complete use of a device that has a GPS sensor, camera, display, and connectivity to all the data on the web. Based on either location data or what a phone camera is aimed at, it displays data overlaid on the phone screen. Users can view houses for sale, popular bars and shops, tourist information of the area, and much more.

Layar says its Reality Browser platform serves as an enabler for mobile location services, and any database with geo-location information can be turned into a content layer.

For every “point of interest,” several actions can be taken, such as linking to a mobile site for more information, linking to a video or sound clip, clicking to call for reservations, and looking at a route description. 

Layar is a free application, now available on all Android phones. It will be available for the iPhone 3GS by the end of the summer, the company says.

-----------------------------

GoWeb3D, of Boulder, Colo., and Gurgaon, India, is a developer of mobile Augmented Reality content. Its new layers for Layar include:

• Yelp, which connects people with local businesses, restaurants, shopping, arts and entertainment, and services – with reviews and recommendations.

• The Wikipedia layer, which displays contextual Wikipedia information based on the phone location.

• FlickAR, which displays photos from the Flickr photo sharing site.

August 24, 2009

In the Weekly Briefing August 24, 2009

6SIGHT SPOTLIGHT: Top stories

Augmented reality advances

DIGITAL CAMERAS

Canon PowerShot line adds touch screen model

Canon camcorder captures complete day

Microsoft takes LifeCam to 720p 

MOBILE and INTERNET IMAGING

iPhone imaging 

COMPONENTS AND ARCHITECTURES

More flexible displays

INDUSTRY UPDATES

Epson claims preferred prints

Canon prints via voice

Akvis improves Sketch 

MIT MEDIA LAB RESEARCHER EXPLORES COMPUTATIONAL PHOTOGRAPHY

The state of the art in advanced imaging takes center stage as Ramesh Raskar of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, Mass., presents the latest developments in the field of computational photography at the 6Sight Future of Imaging Conference.

Computational photography exploits plentiful, low-cost computing and memory; new kinds of digitally enabled sensors; optics; probes; smart lighting; and communication to capture information far beyond just a simple set of pixels. 

Raskar is head of the Camera Culture research group and codirector of the Center for Future Storytelling, both at the MIT Media Lab. He predicts a richer, multilayered visual experience including depth, fused photo-video representations, or multispectral imagery. 

“Computational photography offers the promise of major advances in visual expression and communication,” says Alexis Gerard, 6Sight cofounder and conference chair. “It will enable us to create images that break out of traditional constraints to retain more fully our fondest and most important memories, and it will extend the archival and artistic possibilities of photography. Our attendees will witness the absolute state of the art as Professor Raskar explains and demonstrates advances his group is working on in the areas of generalized optics, sensors, illumination methods, processing, and display. His talk will truly be a window into the future of imaging.”

The 6Sight conference brings together technologists, marketers, futurists, artists, industry and financial analysts, educators, high-volume users, and members of the media who meet to preview breakthrough technologies; forecast innovative uses; and spark new ideas and alliances that benefit current and potential customers, participating companies, and the imaging industry as a whole.

The 6Sight Future of Imaging Conference is Nov. 10-12, 2009, at the Monterey Conference Center in Monterey, Calif.

SAMSUNG SEES SOCIAL NETWORKING, NEW TECHNOLOGIES

Samsung Electronics, Ridgefield Park, N.J., makes some bold claims with its latest cameras: “Never before has a manufacturer provided such a range of technologies in a compact digital camera.” 

One camera combines geo-tagging, Bluetooth, and Wi-Fi; two models are the first to feature front-facing LCDs for self-portraits. All three cameras also have a Smart Gesture user interface with a built-in gravity sensor to access certain features, and scroll through photos when tilted. 

Touch screens feature haptic technology that provides a slight vibration and audible beep for touch feedback. The One Touch autofocus system lets the user pinpoint the area on which to lock focus by touching the location on the LCD screen, and releasing the shutter by continuing to press. Post-capture functions include rotating an image by drawing a circle on the screen.

The CL65 camera has a GPS location sensor, and embeds geographical location data directly into each image EXIF file. Its Wi-Fi function automatically reduces image resolution to 2 megapixels before uploading. The CL65 has a 3.5-inch touch screen, 12-megapixel CCD, 5x zoom, and Bluetooth connectivity. It captures 720p HD video, and can play to an HDTV via HDMI output. It will sell for $400.

Samsung says its “DualView Cameras” deliver twice the fun, with 1.5-inch LCDs on the front “allowing the user to take photographs they simply couldn’t take before.”

Primarily aimed at social networking users who post self-portrait profile pictures, the Self-Portrait mode engages the smile detection to automatically taking a photo when it recognizes a smile.

In addition, there is a Child Mode in which the front LCD plays a “fun animation” to capture a child’s attention while taking a photo.

When taking a group photo using the self-timer, the front LCD will show a preview of the shot – as well as a visual countdown timer so everyone knows exactly when the photo will be snapped.

The $350 TL225 has a 12-megapixel CCD, 4.6x zoom lens, and 3.5-inch rear touch screen. The $300 TL220 has a 3-inch lower-resolution touch screen.

August 17, 2009

In the Weekly Briefing August 17, 2009

6SIGHT SPOTLIGHT: Top stories

Samsung sees social networking, new technologies

MIT Media Lab researcher explores computational photography

DIGITAL CAMERAS

Small, sensitive, super-speed cameras 

MOBILE and INTERNET IMAGING

LicenseStream spans “America”

Online imaging for real estate

Patent issued to Imatronics 

COMPONENTS AND ARCHITECTURES

Glasses with adjustable focal length 

Toshiba touts fastest, biggest SD card

INDUSTRY UPDATES

3D developments

eMagin OLEDs earn record profits

LEADING ANALYST FIRMS DEBATE AT 6SIGHT FUTURE OF IMAGING CONFERENCE

Major imaging analyst firms will contrast and compare their varying opinions on the future of imaging at the 6Sight conference. 

Also, for the first time, the top imaging analysts will provide discussions with conference attendees in the 6Sight Tech Fair during the conference. The analyst session is moderated by InfoTrends founder and consumer electronics reporter, Kristy Holch, with top industry analysts from Future Image, Gfk, IDC, InfoTrends, Lyra, NPD, Photo Imaging News, and PMA comparing and contrasting views and predictions.

The 6Sight conference brings together technologists, marketers, futurists, artists, industry and financial analysts, educators, high-volume users, and members of the media to preview breakthrough technologies; forecast innovative uses; and spark new ideas and alliances that benefit current and potential customers, participating companies, and the imaging industry as a whole.

The 6Sight Future of Imaging Conference is Nov. 10-12, 2009, at the Monterey Conference Center in Monterey, Calif.

SONY AUTOMATES PARTY PICTURES

At a party, ever wish you could just have fun while your camera captured the experience for you on its own?

A new photography accessory will let you do just that: the Party-shot IPT-DS1 autonomously pans a camera 360 degrees, while face- and smile-detection trigger the shutter. Sony says the Party-shot provides “a new style of photography that enriches time with families and friends.”

The $150 unit operates for up to 11 hours on AA batteries, Sony says.

So far, it’s compatible only with the new WX1 and TX1 Cyber-shot cameras. It’s a cool device idea – and as it’s marketed with new cameras with the Sony “sweep panorama” function, we’d guess it could also be set to capture panoramas.

SONY SENSOR SEES MORE IN THE DARK

The two latest Sony compact cameras feature its new “Exmor R” back-illuminated CMOS sensors, which yield “unprecedented advances in low-light performance with approximately twice the sensitivity of cameras with traditional image sensors,” the company says, to improve shooting in low-light scenarios, enhance image clarity, and reduce grain.

The cameras also have handheld twilight and anti-motion blur multi-shot modes that capture six separate images in less than a second, which are combined into a single image “of extraordinary detail and low noise.”

They can shoot 10 frames per second in a burst mode, and the Sweep Panorama function lets users “press and sweep” to “reach beyond the traditional wide-angle lens.” Hold down the shutter button and pan the camera across the room, and it stitches together multiple shots into an ultra-wide 7,152-by-1,080 horizontal image. 

The TX1 has a 10-megapixel sensor and, apart from the shutter button, it is controlled via the 3-inch touch screen. It has a 4x optical zoom, measures 3.7-by-2.3-by-0.6 inches, and is priced at $380.

The WX1 lacks the touch screen, but has better optics: the equivalent of a 24-120mm 5x optical zoom with an f/2.4 maximum aperture that Sony says offers nearly twice the light gathering capability of conventional lenses. It is priced at $350.

NIKON PACKS PROJECTOR INTO POCKET CAMERA

The Coolpix S1000pj is the first compact camera with a built-in projector: a VGA-resolution module shines a 5- to 40-inch image, measured diagonally, from its 0.9-inch thick body.

The combo “transforms photo sharing into a multimedia experience,” Nikon says. It even has a slide show function that plays pictures with music, effects, and transitions. While photography purists may scoff at the gimmickry, we think it’ll have a lot of appeal for gadget lovers, and will also find favor with photo sharing teens and families with toddlers.

The $430 camera has a 12.1-megapixel CCD, a 5x zoom lens, and 2.7-inch LCD. The projector is good for distances of 10.0 inches to 6.5 feet, has a brightness of 10 lumens, and a 30:1 contrast ratio. When projecting, the battery lasts about an hour, Nikon says. The camera measures 3.9-by-2.5-by-0.9 inches, and has an internal microphone and speaker.

Nikon also announced the Coolpix S70, a $400 camera with similar specs, sans projector, but with a 3.5-inch organic LED display, with a capacitative touch screen that can trigger the shutter release. It also has 720p video capture.

The S640 is $250, and has a slightly smaller 2.7-inch LCD.

The S570 is a $200 no-frills unit that lacks optical image stabilization.

In the Weekly Briefing August 10, 2009

6SIGHT SPOTLIGHT: Top stories

Nikon packs projector into pocket camera 

Sony sensor sees more in the dark

Sony automates party pictures

DIGITAL CAMERAS

3D helmet camera

Three Pentax cameras

MOBILE and INTERNET IMAGING

Google to acquire On2 Technologies

Social web users share photos

Tough camera phone at center of surveillance system

Getty Images lowers cost for mobile images

iPhone-based “fine art”

Phanfare provides Pro package

COMPONENTS AND ARCHITECTURES

Cameras capture bar codes long distance

INDUSTRY UPDATES

Touchable holograms 

Build Rome in a day

Sixty times more pico projectors coming to mobile devices

HD projectors for less than a grand

Brighter pocket projector

Enhanced video forensics 

Photomizer fixes photos automatically