Apple iPhone 7 May Have Camera Image Stabilization

* * *  See which iPhones Apple plans to announce in 2017  * * *

Apple is expected to announce the iPhone 7 on September 7, 2016. Apparently the phone comes in two models, the smaller one will have a 4.7 inch screen and only one camera while the larger iPhone will have dual front and rear cameras. Both models will be equipped with Image Stabilization, apparently.

The upcoming Apple operating system, iOS 10 will have RAW image data. Read my earlier post on how smartphone cameras compare with DSLR cameras. Apple is in for some serious competition from the Samsung Galaxy Note 7. It is available the last week of August.

Canon Patent - 3D Lens Style Camera For Smartphone

Sony DSC QX100 attachable lens style camera

Egami discovered a new Canon patent for an add on camera to smartphones. Sony announced the attachable lens-style camera, DSC-QX100 last year. The new Canon camera can apparently shoot 3D images.

Frankly, I think this is really much ado about nothing. The camera on the newer top-of-the-line smartphones like the Apple iPhone 6 or Samsung S6 and S7 are just fine. If a person wants to take more serious photos, then bring along a DSLR. How many people will lug around a small camera to attach to a smartphone when they want to 'take better photos'? It is so cumbersome. See my post on Smartphones vs DSLR cameras.

Patent Publication No. 2016-10133

• Published 2016.1.18
• Filing date 2014.6.26

Canon patent

• The first device having a camera function (101 smartphone of)
• The second device having a camera function (102 lens-style camera)
• The second unit (102 lens-style camera) is provided with a retractable mechanism
• Equipped with a marker that represents the collapsed position
• The first device (101 Smartphone of) is to shoot so as to include a marker
• Depending on the tip position of the collapsed, to get the mounting position to the first device of the second unit (102 lens-style camera) (101 smartphone of)

Smartphone Cameras vs. DSLR Cameras

A bit of humor from Canon. Personally, I find the camera on my smartphone very handy but limited in capabilities and image quality. Therefore, my rule of thumb is, if the images mean a lot, I will reach for the real camera in my equipment bag, provided I have it with me. If not, the smartphone will have to do and let's hope for the best.

Canon PowerShot Cameras vs. Apple iPhone 6

* * *  Apple iPhone 6S and Canon Powershot G3X both announced  * * *

Apple announced the new iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus today. Both phones have a retina screen display, with a resolution of 1334 x 750 for the former and a resolution of 1920 x 1080 for the latter. Since this is a photography blog, I will just concentrate on the camera section of this new phone :

The camera that changed photos now does the same for video.

Every day, people take more photos with iPhone than with any other camera. That’s because the iSight camera makes it so remarkably easy. Now, in addition to its large 1.5-micron pixels and ƒ/2.2 aperture, the world’s most popular camera is packed with new technologies to help everyone take more great photos.

To make it just as easy to shoot amazing video, we added new features like the option to capture 1080p HD at 60 fps, 240-fps slo-mo, and time-lapse video. And you can shoot HD video and then watch the stunning results on the large Retina HD display.

Canon and other camera manufacturers have been losing sales (particularly in the low end) in the last few years. Part of the reason is the much higher quality cameras found in high end smartphones. Some people have decided the photos taken with their smartphones is good enough and the new iPhone 6 will go even further to reinforce that point. Certainly Canon is concerned about the competition from Apple and Samsung's high end phones but my own feeling is their apprehension is misplaced.

I believe those who will trade a high end PowerShot camera for a high end smartphone with camera to take photos are mostly interested in convenience first. Those who are passionate about photography, like yours truly, will own and generally carry both. There may be some overlap between the two groups but by and large, I think they are mostly mutually exclusive.

The best way for Canon and other camera manufacturers to stay competitive is to keep producing high quality, innovative photographic products and cut down on some of the fluff and marketing glitz. Photographers will respond to genuine improvement and not same old technology, wrapped in new camera and lens housing. Photokina 2014 is just round the corner. Many manufactures like Zeiss and Hasselblad have already announced new products. Canon is still holding their cards very close to its chest but is expected to announce the EOS-7D Mk II camera some time late this week.

Canon Ad Campaign Against SmartPhone Photography

The times they are changing. Apparently, Canon is 'concerned' enough that the latest smartphones may have enough photographic technology to challenge the point-n-shoot cameras and seriously make a dent in their sales. Thus, they have embarked on an ad campaign, with the tag line 'Don't Let A Call Interrupt Your Photo' to try and stem the tide.

Apple, Samsung and others are coming up with optical zoom and LED flash technology in their smartphones to even try and challenge the low end DSLR cameras. Read my latest post on this topic. Frankly, I think this 'fear' is a tempest in a teapot, just like the prominence of image sharing websites are supposed to diminish the appeal of still photography. My philosophy is simple. There are always those who will choose simplicity and multitasking capabilities in a piece of equipment over the pursuit of excellence with a dedicated purpose.

Unique and high quality still photography will always be in demand. The people and equipment manufacturers responsible for making this happen will be secure in the knowledge that they just need to do one thing, and do it the best. The rest will take care of itself. You can see my work with smart cameras on MichaelDanielHo.com