14 DAY TRIAL // Once in a while the photographic market is hit by an amazing product which sets new trends. Well, that product is not exactly out yet (instead we get hit by dozens of models which look the same and share almost the same features), but Casio might be onto something with their new prototype.
It doesn't have a name yet, but it will be on display at the IFA, a consumer electronics trade show, in Berlin, Germany, which opens on August 31, 2007.
We're talking about a bridge-type camera powered by a CMOS sensor measuring 1/1.8 inches and with 6 megapixels. Notice the relatively large sensor size paired with the only 6MP, a blasphemy in today's 12MP world. But there's a catch, the bigger the sensor size and the fewer photodiodes the better the image quality will be. Moreover, the CMOS sensor will be "shiftable" to compensate for unwanted camera movement. It will also have a lens with 12x optical zoom, but so far, there's nothing astonishing.
Now, get ready for the astonishing part! Are you ready? Here it goes. Apparently, it will be able to capture 60 images per second at full resolution. As if this wasn't enough, this speed demon will also be able to capture movies at VGA resolution at 300 frames per second. As Casio's press release informs, this means "it can record movies for replay in ultra-slow motion, a function that has only been possible so far with a limited range of professional movie equipment."
If these specifications are really true, with no marketing tricks or anything, Casio might reshape the boring segment of bridge cameras where most manufacturers are only concerned with putting more megapixels and making the lenses longer and longer without taking care of the optical quality. I am really hoping they'll be able to pull it through. This market really needs a breath of fresh air.
Here's a list with the main specifications of the prototype
Effective pixels: 6.0 million Imaging element: 1/1.8 inch high speed CMOS sensor (total pixels: 6.6 million) High speed burst shooting: 60 images per second at 6.0 million pixels, JPEG High speed movie: 300fps, Motion JPEG, AVI format, VGA Lens/focal distance: 12 lenses in 9 groups, F2.7 to 4.6, equivalent to approximately 35 to 420 mm on a 35 mm film camera Zoom: 12X optical zoom Image stabilization mechanism: CMOS-shift image stabilization Monitor screen: 2.8-inch widescreen TFT color LCD, approx. 230,000 pixels Viewfinder: Color LCD, approx. 200,000 pixels Dimension and weight: 5.01" (W) x 3.13" (H) x 5.12" (D). Approx. 22.93 oz (excluding battery and accessories)
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