With a thousand cameras on the market, why isn't there one which does not overwhelm one with more choices than the cockpit of a jet? It's nuts.
Wednesday, September 18, 2013
What do we want? A simple camera! When do...
I've talked about this in the past. But the 500-pound gorilla of photo blogging is now also proselytizing for it, so maybe it'll happen. A simple camera.
With a thousand cameras on the market, why isn't there one which does not overwhelm one with more choices than the cockpit of a jet? It's nuts.
With a thousand cameras on the market, why isn't there one which does not overwhelm one with more choices than the cockpit of a jet? It's nuts.
@ Eolake: "the 500-pound gorilla of photo blogging"
ReplyDeleteThat's not a very nice thing to say about our Mr. Johnston! I know the man wears a beard, and he is on a diet, but he's never been that heavy!
Shame on you! : ]
Oh, I'd never say it to his *face*!! That guy is strong.
ReplyDeleteOh the memories, I used to own one of those cameras when I was a kid. The ultimate "point and shoot". Focus, no problem. Lighting, no problem. Zoom, no problem. There were none of those so, no problem..
ReplyDelete:-)
Oh yeah, I got my first camera about nine. So I've been photographing over 40 years!
ReplyDeleteHorrible camera though, 98% cheap plastic. Even leaked light.
Had one setting: sunshine or dull. It shifted the hole in the lens to a bigger one!
I don't think Canon and Nikon will ever make a simple camera. They make most of their money on big, complex cameras, SLRs for many years, and now DSLRS.
ReplyDeleteI think there is an unwritten rule that less expensive cameras made by C&N must never discourage people from buying a DSLR. A simple camera that gave good results in a variety of situations would discourage people from buying any new camera, DSLRs included.
In general, don't expect to be happy with most of the cameras made by Canon and Nikon. That goes agains their business model.
Of the other brands, I think Sony and maybe Panasonic would be candidates to build a simple camera, but they are not desperate enough yet. As cell phone cameras get improved sensors, image stabilization, and glass optics, the traditional camera makers may have to compete on ease of use.
Today I would suggest an iPod touch to someone who wants a simple camera. The controls are simple. Ease of editing, storing, and sharing are a big improvement over a typical point and shoot. The light gathering system of an iPod touch is not up to what Mike was discussing in his post though.