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The future of photography

Hybrid - The camera is no longer just a camera.

In terms of digital cameras than the word hybrid can fall under two categories. Firstly there are hybrid cameras that are still cameras of a certain type that that incorporate other features, then there are hybrid gadgets that are not cameras but a product with a camera feature. Both are significant in the development of camera technology and both will have a massive impact on the future of the digital camera market.

In August 2008 Panasonic announced the micro four thirds system and this technology opened up the DSLR market to the masses. The following month Panasonic announced the Lumix G1, the first micro four thirds camera and since its release in 2008 this model has changed the formula of the design of the DSLR. Interchangeable lenses on a small and compact body opened up a very exciting gap in the market.

Many cameras of 2009 fall into the category of hybrid camera so it would be pointless to name them all however there is one that cannot go without mention. The most exciting camera to be announced recently is the Olympus EP1 Pen. This camera has a compact body yet has the capabilities of a DSLR. It is not just the professional that wants high image quality and interchangeable lenses, but the novice and enthusiastic photographer also place these aspects high up in their objectives.
 
Ironically one of the most influential cameras on the market presently appears to represent an old film camera. The significance of the reaction from the masses to the looks of the Olympus E-P1 is noteworthy as recently, many cameras (even compact models) appear to resemble the looks of a film camera. Bigger lenses have also become a common feature on many compacts. The Olympus E-P1 has a nostalgic feel, so although the future of the digital technology is advancing the aesthetics of the camera body may be returning to more traditional means. 

One of the most important transformations in the budget end of the consumer market is the advancement of the camera on a mobile phone. This technology literally means we all carry a camera around with us everywhere. Mobile phones on average are shooting images at 8 million megapixels however the lens technology is struggling to keep up with the high resolution and image quality is suffering. If a significant development could be made to the mobile phone camera lens than the future of the lower end compact camera market could be looking bleak. However the mobile phone camera is still trying to overcome the problem of incorporating optical zoom that has been a problem for some time now.

In the last year HD video has made a significant technological development when it comes to hybrid recording devices. The line between a camcorder and a camera is becoming more blurred and most HD video camcorders will now include a still capture mode. The technology works vice versa as now most compacts includes HD video or some sort of movie caption device. The advancement of HD video in the still camera was greatly influenced by the Canon EOS 5D Mark II as this was the first DSLR to incorporate full HD video. The technology between moving and still imagery is becoming incredibly close and soon the camcorder and camera could absorb one another and we will be left with just one device. 

Hybrid gadgets and cameras are all significant in the development of camera technology and the integration of one product into another will greatly shape the future of digital cameras. The possibility of what is achievable is endless so this may be one part of the digital camera market where the future is hard to calculate.

“2009 has seen the development of hybrid cameras which are neither DSLR or compact, but which seem to be the best of two worlds - the quality and functionality of a DSLR in a lighter and more compact body. Time will tell if this is what consumers want from their camera.”  Debbi Allen, Digital Photographer and Digital Camera Essentials.

“The new trend for cameras combining the benefits of both compacts and DSLR has potential, but the prices need to drop dramatically before the average consumer will get interested.” Matt Tuffin, Digital Camera Essentials.

The screen and the future

Most photographs taken in 2009 will never make it past the screen therefore images have become immaterial and only exist in the world of technology. It is only right then that the screen has made a significant technological development in the medium of digital photography.

The digital photo frame has had a massive impact into how we display images in our home. Material photograph albums are becoming a rare entity and social networking, the computer and the screen is presently how we are sharing our images. The future can only move us further into the screen and with technology increasing at a rapid rate we may find the material photograph completely disappears.

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