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In focus [Global Times](Global Times Via Acquire Media NewsEdge) The convenient use of all sorts of mobile devices for sharing photos or videos on the Internet might be another nail in the coffin for especially low-end point-and-shoot cameras. On Flickr, a popular photo-sharing site owned by Yahoo, Apple's iPhone 5 tops the list of five most popular cameras in the site's global community, followed by the phone's other family members, the iPhone 4S, iPhone 4 and iPhone 5S, according to statistics on Flickr's website.The more expensive Canon EOS 5D Mark II, a 21.1-megapixel full-frame CMOS digital single-lens reflex (DLSR) selling for around $3,000, ranks fifth.A separate list of top camera brands used in the Flickr community showed Canon, Nikon and Sony hold the No.1, No.3 and No.4 position, while two smartphone market leaders, Apple and Samsung are the second and fifth most favored camera brands.Point and shoots have been losing market share to smartphones packing camera functionality, Liu Xueyan, Shenzhen-based principal analyst for consumer electronics research at consultancy firm IHS, told the Global Times on Tuesday.But meanwhile, DLSR remains a growth market, as users demanding high-quality images can't really be satisfied by camera phones, Liu commented. But even top camera makers dare not take the growth momentum in the DLSR segment for granted.In a push to add stylishness and portability to its existing machine portfolios, Canon unveiled the EOS 100D in March 2013, claiming it to be the smallest and lightest APS-C DSLR ever made. In addition, a white version of the camera featuring a compact size hit shelves a few days before Christmas, making it one of the hot gift options for female photography lovers. "I have long considered buying a DLSR, but I haven't found a nice combination of lightweight body and powerful performance," said Kitty Zhu, working at a publication group in Beijing. After seeing recent ads promoting Canon's EOS 100D, Zhu, in her late 20s, told the Global Times on Tuesday that she may buy it as a New Year present for herself. The likes of the EOS 100D will certainly woo female customers, Liu at IHS said.But he noted however such cameras sporting compact design would only be complementary to the existing DLSR models rather the trigger for a reshuffle of the DLSR sector. Canon EOS 100DClaiming the title of the smallest and lightest in its class, the Canon EOS 100D, the camera veteran's addition to its entry-level lineup measures 116.8mm by 90.7mm by 69.4mm, just a palm size. The default device in black weighs approximately 407 grams, including battery and memory card, according to the company. The newly launched white model weighs 410 grams. In comparison, the Canon EOS 700D launched simultaneously with the 100D, measures 133.1mm by 99.8mm by 78.8mm. The EOS 700D weights roughly 580 grams. Despite the compact body, the EOS 100D features an 18-megapixel APS-C Hybrid CMOS AF II Sensor, and is capable of shooting movies in 1080p Full HD. And it still has room for an optical viewfinder and a 3-inch touch screen.The white version kit with the EF 40mm f/2.8 STM lens going for 4,399 yuan ($727) has run out on Canon's official online store for China as well as jd.com, a leading e-commerce site in China. It remains unknown when the stockpiles will be refreshed. Sony Alpha a3000For amateur photography fanciers, portable DSLR-style machines might well be good choices. The DSLR-like Alpha a3000, released by Sony in August, could be one of the choices.The camera designed to work with E-mount lenses, is actually a mirrorless model resembling a DLSR look. The Alpha a3000 boasts a 20.1-megappixel APS-C-sized CMOS sensor, featuring dimensions of 128.0mm by 90.9mm by 84.5mm and weight of around 353 grams - the main unit only. The Alpha a3000 has a built-in pop-up flash and a 3-inch LCD monitor. It can record 1080p Full HD video as well. The street price is around $400 with 18-55mm f/3.5-6.5 kit lens.Highlighting growth potential for the mirrorless models, IHS said in a research note in July that "in an otherwise stagnant camera market hurt by the growing competition from smartphones, the DSLR market is growing as a result of the demand for mirrorless models." Nikon Coolpix ANikon, which has long been courting serious photography aficionados, took the wraps off the Coolpix A in March, its first stag at a compact body touting a DSLR performance. Featuring a 16.2-megapixel DX-format CMOS sensor and a fixed wide-angle 28mm f/2.8 lens, the camera sports a body of 111mm by 64.3mm by 40.3mm, weighing about 299 grams. The machine, packing a 3-inch TFT LCD, is also capable of producing Full HD 1080p videos.The Coolpix A with built-in flash offers Wi-Fi compatibility as well.The price tag for the machine is less affordable than for a compact camera, going for more than $1,000. Nokia Lumia 1020While the Finish phone maker has hardly been mentioned in the ever cramped smartphone world, its flagship gadget, the Lumia 1020, released last summer is recognized as one of the best camera phones.With a 41-megapixel sensor, the Lumia 1020 can not only beat its peers in the smartphone arena, but even many DLSR cameras. The 4.5-inch gadget features the main 41-megapixel camera with Xenon flash, which also allows shooting in HD mode.The phone, powered by Windows Phone 8 platform, weights 158 grams, with dimensions of 130.4mm by 71.4mm by 10.4mm. The camera phone comes in three colors, yellow, black and white, and it now retails for around $600. The arrival of this camera killer has reportedly beefed up Nokia's performance in the smartphone market, although it is still far from making a comeback to its previous glory days. In the third quarter of 2013, Nokia held the eighth spot in the global smartphone market, far trailing the two top vendors, Samsung and Apple, according to data from the US research firm Gartner. (c) 2014 Global Times. All rights reserved. Provided by Syndigate.info, an Albawaba.com company [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] |