Trends In Digital Cameras

Many people are considering a camera purchase before heading out for summer travel and this may be a good time to consider the latest trends in digital cameras and how that may change your next camera purchase.

More Than Just Photos

Probably the most disruptive technological advance in digital cameras has been the fusion of video and still pictures. While you may not be ready to buy a Canon 5D MK III, a set of rails, and follow focus system, multimedia is far too big of a trend to ignore in digital photography.

Even point and shoot cameras are coming out with an amazing array of video and still photo effects and it's worth taking some time to learn about those features as some of them are nothing short of ingenious.

Instant Sharing

Many cameras are now including WiFi capability and other ways to instantly share your photos. While perhaps not as convenient as the built-in sharing inherent in devices like the iPhone 4S, several models from Canon, Nikon and Samsung offer higher resolution than a camera phone, plus wireless connectivity at a much lower cost.

Geo-tagging

GPS capability is probably one of the most fun and interesting advancements in digital photography to come along in quite a while. There are, literally, hundreds of camera models that allow you record your GPS coordinates when taking photos, some even will tell you which direction you were facing when you took the photo.

Even if your camera doesn't have built-in GPS support, there are several devices on the market to allow you to add that functionality later.

Greater Exposure Latitude

Another recent development in digital photography is the rapid advancement of lighting and exposure systems that provide amazing latitude and crisp colors. When you step up to DSLR technology there are new capabilities for wirelessly linking your camera to external flash systems that help the camera with the exposure settings.

Phone Cameras

Smartphones are changing photography, of that there is no longer any doubt. Statistics on Flickr are clear that the most popular camera is the one people already have with them. Beyond the mere carrying convenience is the ease that smartphone and cell phone photos can be shared. A couple keystrokes and your photos are instantly published on Flickr, Facebook, TwitPics or any number of other photo sharing sites or email them directly to friends and relatives.

Going forward, the greatest assets that will keep professional photographers in the game are fantastic composition, high resolution RAW photos and superior work flow. I don't see smartphones ever being good enough to overcome those advantages completely.

New developments in digital camera technology make this an exciting time to be thinking about buying a new camera. With all the options available on the market today, it's important to take a minute and reflect upon which features would be most useful for you.