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Have We Arrived at the Final Destination with Digital Cameras?


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The last few updates with my Sony cameras having been minor and meaningless for me. The newest RX10 is impressive . . . but I see no need to carry a 600 mm lens with me routinely. The main change in the RX100-3 and 4 is in video.

 

What do you think?

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I don't imagine that camera manufacturers would ever tolerate a final destination. They will always be trying to peddle the next new and amazing features, even if they do appear to be fairly meaningless to most users. My guess is that cameras will continue to look and function more like smart phones (now that phones look and function more like cameras).

 

But if I may quote T.S. Elliot:

 

"We shall not cease from exploration, and the end of all our exploring will be to arrive where we started and know the place for the first time."

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There will be no final destination for cameras.

 
As long as computing continues to advance, then digital cameras (Also Known As computers) will continue to advance.
 
Cameras will evolve beyond our wildest dreams. Think of your mind as a camera, and your camera as your mind. Your camera a tool for a Vulcan mind meld, sharing your brain with another being.
 
Wait not for arrival because there is none, but enjoy the endless journey instead.
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One thing I can see in the future is that noise will almost be a thing of the past. Nobody will need fast lenses for ordinary stock shooting because very high ISO in new cameras won't be penalized. People might only own one fast lens for portraits for the bokeh...and possibly macro. As a result, lenses can be made much lighter.

 

And yes, I'm aware some use macro for portraits, but I didn't have the studio space indoors to get far enough away with my Nikon 105. Outdoors, I used it often for portraits.

So the new cameras will go hand in hand with new lenses.

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Whatever is Bill smoking these days... B)

 

 

Only take the odd vitamin, nothing else. But I do get naturally high on all the great things going on with photography, which helps me to muddle through.

 
Fantastic link John. Not far from a Vulcan mind meld. Any creative work is all about one mind meeting another over distance or time. Its all about communication, and the less a future camera tool gets in the way of that, the better.
 
Prepare for the future. Communication over description.
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The image quality attained by the 1" sensors of Sony RX100 & RX10 cameras is yet unattained for any sensors smaller than the routine crop sensors (1.3x to 1.6x or DX). There are two possible routes for further advancement from here onwards, (1) further reduction in sensor size while maintaining IQ, (2) further improving IQ and/or image-size (megapixels) in 1" sensor itself, (3) make real-time slow-motion available either at a faster fps for 1080p or, develop a decent slow-motion towards 4K resolutions. 

 

We have seen a 600/2.8 equivalent lens (the fastest 600mm equivalent yet) for a much smaller sensor (Panasonic FZ200), it was a fairly effective reach at least for videos, as core 2 MP was used for the purpose. Sony has done creditably well in getting 600/4 for its RX10_iii. It may well attempt a faster/longer lens ... just as 200mm/2.8 of RX10_i has been enhanced to 600/4 of RX_iii.

 

Image stabilization may still be made far more effective. Of course minor advances in these Sony models may include fully-rotable hinged screens and incorporation of intervalometer etc. Shutterlag may me further reduced as higher focusing speed is attained.

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The image quality attained by the 1" sensors of Sony RX100 & RX10 cameras is yet unattained for any sensors smaller than the routine crop sensors (1.3x to 1.6x or DX). There are two possible routes for further advancement from here onwards, (1) further reduction in sensor size while maintaining IQ, (2) further improving IQ and/or image-size (megapixels) in 1" sensor itself, (3) make real-time slow-motion available either at a faster fps for 1080p or, develop a decent slow-motion towards 4K resolutions. 
 
We have seen a 600/2.8 equivalent lens (the fastest 600mm equivalent yet) for a much smaller sensor (Panasonic FZ200), it was a fairly effective reach at least for videos, as core 2 MP was used for the purpose. Sony has done creditably well in getting 600/4 for its RX10_iii. It may well attempt a faster/longer lens ... just as 200mm/2.8 of RX10_i has been enhanced to 600/4 of RX_iii.
 
Image stabilization may still be made far more effective. Of course minor advances in these Sony models may include fully-rotable hinged screens and incorporation of intervalometer etc. Shutterlag may me further reduced as higher focusing speed is attained.

 

 

I'm not very technical, but those sound like good predictions to me. Again, the emphasis seems to be on improving video rather than still shooting. That seems to be the direction in which things are heading at the moment.

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Hi again,

 

Don't know if somebody's said this already...  I reckon digital cameras and most other technology will not stop evolving, particularly in this 'computer age', which is relatively new, because of the capitalist consumer society we live in, where we live to be peddled products to, unfortuanately.  (Socialist here!)

 

By the way,  I had to return the Nex camera because it had been sold without the original lens (why so cheap!), but i was really lucky on ebay and got an rx100.  Am so happy about this. Came with load of accessories.  No scratches.  Way lighter than the Nex.  I love it already.  More like £200.00 than £100.00, but the best choice.

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Best of luck with your new RX100, young lady.

 

I may have tripped over a future event with this post. I think in fact we have nearly arrived at the endgame with our present digital cameras. Small changes and gains in specific areas is not going to get enough buyers to up grande -- a little bit better this, a touch better that? I'll stand pat, thanks. But . . . but perhaps something totally new is about to appear.

 
Two years ago, when I started selling off my Nikon gear at Adorama, they were offering me fair prices. Even last year they were doing so.  A month ago they offered me $50 for my NEX-7 body. That's the same body I'd paid $900 for 4 years ago. I'm thinking they know something big is about to happen.  :huh:
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Best of luck with your new RX100, young lady.

 

I may have tripped over a future event with this post. I think in fact we have nearly arrived at the endgame with our present digital cameras. Small changes and gains in specific areas is not going to get enough buyers to up grande -- a little bit better this, a touch better that? I'll stand pat, thanks. But . . . but perhaps something totally new is about to appear.

 
Two years ago, when I started selling off my Nikon gear at Adorama, they were offering me fair prices. Even last year they were doing so.  A month ago they offered me $50 for my NEX-7 body. That's the same body I'd paid $900 for 4 years ago. I'm thinking they know something big is about to happen.  :huh:

 

 

Thanks.  (Yeah I'm 40 years young!).

 

Sorry, don't mean to hiiack your thread...

 

Off to stroke camera...

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You only have to look at the reaction to the announcement of the Canon EOS 5D Mark IV a few days ago: better than the Mark III in many respects, but howls of derision/protest/disappointment with its shortcomings (and price). Nirvana will never be reached.

 

Graham

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I'd be happy with a digital camera which had a dynamic range which avoided highlights being blown out while retaining shadow detail (instant in-camera HDR which looked natural and authentic?).  Also an autofocus which recognised what I really want to focus on rather than focusing on everything but my intended subject (yes, I know I can select my focus point, but we re talking about evolving intelligent cameras here.). All this, and good quality glass at a price I can truly afford.

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