Compact Digital Camera: Variety of Functions
An advanced technique for taking a picture with the main object kept focused and the background flowing by applying an image-stabilizing function only to vertical movement.
© CANON
Today, even compact digital cameras have standard features such as automatic shutter speed control and automatic flash operation to adjust exposure according to scenes. These functions are useful when shooting nighttime landscapes and fireworks. Another notable standard function is a full high-definition video mechanism with image quality just as good as that of many video cameras.
A unique function very popular among women is a “beautiful skin” mode available in some cameras. It automatically adds a soft skin effect to the picture of a woman to make her skin appear brighter and smoother and make blemishes and wrinkles less noticeable. Moreover, there is another new camera that can add beauty effects after a picture is taken, making a woman’s eyes appear larger and brighter and changing the colors of her lips, cheeks or eye shadow if desired. Women can try different colors and then keep the lovely pictures they like.
Miniature effect makes a landscape appear like a miniaturized model. © NIKON
A fisheye view for a distorted, comic effect.
© CANON
One new camera can take as many as 60 continuous shots in one second for shooting such targets as an athlete in motion or a quickly moving animal; another camera can take up to 30 shots before and after the shutter button is fully pressed after having been kept half-pressed for a while. With functions like those, missing a split second of an optimum shooting chance is almost impossible.
In addition, various editing functions are available to add attractive effects so pictures look more professional. There are around 30 types of editing effects – monochrome or sepia coloring, a diorama effect showing a landscape like a miniaturized model, a fisheye view, and a pop-art effect – made available by Japanese camera makers exclusively for digital cameras. None of these effects needs special knowledge or techniques; they are available at the push of a button.
Mirrorless Camera: Small But High Quality
In 2008, Japanese camera makers introduced compact, mirrorless interchangeable-lens cameras (MILCs) with the functions of regular SLR cameras. These are bringing more of the joy of photography to ordinary people.
A compact and yet fully functional mirrorless system camera can use interchangeable lenses. © CANON
Regular SLR cameras have a mirror behind the lens to reflect the incoming light, or the image of an object, for a photographer to see. MILCs have got rid of the mirror, creating a different kind of image-viewing system. Thus, the body is more compact and lightweight. Still, much like SLR cameras, the MILC can use interchangeable lenses such as telephoto, macro or many other lenses for higher-quality photography.
Before, SLR cameras were used almost exclusively by older hobbyists or professionals. With the arrival of MILCs, which are lightweight and easier to carry, there is a new photography boom among women, known as “camera girls,” who now carry one wherever they go, clicking away at travel destinations and in daily life.
There is little wonder then that Japanese digital cameras, packed with advanced functions, are the most popular in the world camera market. Japanese manufacturers will continue to make cameras even easier to use and keep people amazed not only in Japan but around the world with new functions they may not even have dreamed of.
(November 2012)