Tag Archives: digital camera

Modular camera concept keeps you focused on the magic of the moment

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Smartphones have become very powerful and convenient tools for recording precious memories and sharing them with loved ones, but they can also be sources of stress, distractions, and dissatisfaction. The Instagram generation has many people snapping up photos or short video clips and then losing themselves in a sea of notifications and social media posts just as they try to quickly share those moments. It is quite ironic that these devices that connect us with others also disconnect us from the world around us and, more importantly, from ourselves because of those incessant distractions. A dedicated digital camera, even one with Wi-Fi, is a solution but an inconvenient one at that because of its bulk and complicated features. A better answer might be the evolution of the point-and-shoot camera, but one with a flexible design that can scale to people’s ever-changing needs and situations.

Designers: Mason Fetter, Alejandra Giron, Grant Huntsman, Cooper Phelps, Summer Glenn

Point-and-shoot digital cameras were the first to be obsoleted by the rise of smartphones, unable to keep up with the growing number of connectivity features and fun filters that these mobile devices offered. At the same time, however, it is exactly those lack of features that now gives the design its appeal, as people using Polaroid-style instant cameras have discovered. Their simplicity allowed people to simply have fun and enjoy the moment, without having to worry about instantly applying filters or even immediately uploading photos and videos.

Keepsake is a concept design that embraces that simplicity but with an added twist. Unlike those very basic cameras, it can actually expand to add features needed by users. Best of all, it can also go back to that basic functionality once those extra tasks are done. In other words, it has a modular system that keeps it agile and flexible in ways that even a smartphone might have problems keeping up with.

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At the heart of the Keepsake design is the screenless digital camera itself and four basic modules which include a mic recording and flash that stick to the front of the camera, as well as a MagSafe clip and a wide charging hub that connects to the back. With this kit, shutterbugs have most of what they need to have an enjoyable disconnected experience that simply focuses on the world around them. At the same time, it keeps the doors open to even more possibilities with future add-ons.

Of course, Keepsake also connects and syncs with a mobile app so you can still share your photos when you want to. It gives users the freedom and control to put their phones away and just immerse themselves in the moment but still gives them the power to enjoy the conveniences of the Internet afterward. And with the modular design, they can take only what they need with them and hold a compact device, unlike a powerful yet bulky and heavy camera.

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Miniature digital camera lets you add filters to your media

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In the middle of a concert where I was surrounded by Gen Z and younger millennials, I noticed that what some of the kids were using to take photos and videos were not their smartphones but digital cameras. That’s when I realized that the adage that “everything old is new again” is still very much true and that the younger generation was discovering gadgets that my generation thought was already dead. We’re seeing brands come up with different variants of digital cameras and now we’re seeing what might be the smallest yet.

Designer: Kenko Tokina

The Pieni M may seem like a toy at first given its tiny size but it’s actually a fully functional miniature digital camera. The name itself, Pieni, is actually the Finnish word for “small” even though the brand is Japanese. Lest you think that it’s just purely for aesthetic purposes, the tiny camera lets you take photos and videos and can even give you filters to make your multimedia look even more hipster than you initially intended. It looks like just any regular camera except that it’s a miniature version.

The camera even has an LCD display that can show you what it is you’re actually taking a photo or video of. Well, given its size, you may have to squint a bit to be able to fully see what’s on the screen. There is a button on the side that lets you switch between video recording and photographing. And if you’re using it for the former, you can actually record voices and ambient sounds. It also has a feature that gives your photos a watercolor-like look or you can use the other filters available including monochrome, orange, blue, or green.

The device is small enough for regular hands to hold it between your two fingers. There’s a USB port so you can easily transfer your media to your laptop or tablet or you can save it on a microSD card for easy storage and transfer. The Pieni M is available in black or grayish blue but it would also be nice to have it in other cuter colors eventually. Personally, I’d probably still use my smartphone to take photos or videos for better quality but if I wanted something more hipster, then this would be a good device to have.

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Nikon Zf Mirrorless Camera Review: Vintage Design, Modern Strengths

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PROS:


  • Beautiful vintage design

  • Dedicated Black & White mode switch

  • Fully articulated touch screen

CONS:


  • No proper hand grip

  • Outdated micro HDMI port

RATINGS:

AESTHETICS
ERGONOMICS
PERFORMANCE
SUSTAINABILITY / REPAIRABILITY
VALUE FOR MONEY

EDITOR'S QUOTE:

The Nikon Zf mirrorless camera finally gets the right mix of a classic design that photographers love and the modern performance that photographers need.

The powerful cameras inside our smartphones were touted to spell the end of dedicated cameras, but that couldn’t be farther from the truth. Not only are smartphones severely limited by their sizes, mobile photographers actually graduate into pros and switch to these more powerful and larger cameras. Digital cameras, both DSLR and mirrorless, have also been progressing in their designs, though some seem to have hit a wall in bringing classic aesthetics to present-day specs. Nikon has had a few hits and misses in the past, but that hasn’t stopped it from trying yet again. With the Nikon Zf, the brand makes another attempt at reviving its classic SLR aesthetic for the 21st century, and we give it a good look to see if it manages to finally pull it off.

Designer: Nikon

Aesthetics

Unless you count outliers inspired by Polaroid-style instant cameras, the basic design of cameras hasn’t changed that much in decades. Sure, there are new components like LCD touch screens, D-pads, joysticks, and buttons, but the shape, knobs, dials, and even the location of these elements have mostly stayed the same. There is definitely staying power in the classic camera designs, and Nikon has been trying to bring back those memories and grow a new appreciation for them with the new Nikon Zf, and to much success, we’re happy to say.

The Nikon Zf accurately captures the look and feel of the brand’s early SLRs almost to a fault. It has that all-black finish on a simple and almost featureless rectangular body, wrapped in leatherette covering, and topped by a collection of chunky dials made from brass. The back does have modern amenities like a touch screen, a directional pad to navigate certain options, and buttons as shortcuts to most-used functions, but the overall look remains classic and vintage to some degree. Unfortunately, Nikon opted to really stick close to the old design of cameras like the 80s FM2 to the point that it barely added a hand grip that has become a necessity in this day and age.

Unlike the camera maker’s previous attempt, namely the Nikon Zfc, the Nikon Zf feels just as premium as it looks. You can definitely feel the magnesium alloy body that gives it a solid build, and the brass controls add more to that heft, for better or worse. Unfortunately, the choice of materials may have limited Nikon’s color options, as there is no combination that uses a silver finish for the top section, though there are other leatherette colors available to match your preferred style.

Ergonomics

The Nikon Zf’s solid construction helps it feel premium, but that also works against it in one particular manner. The mirrorless camera has quite a bit of heft to it, which wouldn’t be a problem except for one design quirk. Unlike some cameras today, the Nikon Zf doesn’t have a substantial hand grip that would have improved the ergonomics of the design. It does have a small elevation on the right side of the camera body, but not exactly enough to offer confidence and stability. And that’s not even considering the weight of the lenses you will be attaching to the camera.

You can add a hand grip courtesy of an official Nikon accessory, but that’s an added $40 on top of the camera’s already substantial price tag. There are Nikon cameras that do have such a large hand grip built-in, so it’s not like it’s an alien concept for the manufacturer. It just intentionally chose to stick to this old-school design that, unfortunately, didn’t have that kind of focus on ergonomics.

Fortunately, using the Nikon Zf isn’t that much of a difficult chore, with most of the important dials and buttons within easy reach of your right thumb. The analog dials give a satisfying tactile experience while switching modes, ISO levels, and more. The vari-angle LCD screen makes it possible to capture photos and videos even from difficult angles, though the mushy circular directional pad makes it a little less enjoyable to navigate the camera’s menus, at least compared to a joystick.

Performance

It might look vintage, but the Nikon Zf is definitely equipped to handle the challenges of modern photography. In addition to the tried and tested 24MP full-frame BSI CMOS sensor that it has been using on well-received mirrorless cameras, Nikon has installed a newer Expeed 7 processor that opens up more possibilities for photographers, particularly when it comes to subject recognition and object tracking with autofocus. It’s quite an impressive combination that puts the Nikon Zf on par with many modern digital cameras these days. Admittedly, it’s not exactly a revolutionary new feature but at least it won’t be lagging behind its peers.

The images the Nikon Zf produces are definitely no joke, with clear and crisp details matched with accurate colors that are neither too warm nor too cold. The 8-stop in-body image stabilization makes short work of shaky hands, though you’ll still want to grab a tripod for features like pixel-shift multi-mode that composes multiple shots together for a higher-res image, or 14fps continuous shooting. The Nikon Zf has plenty of other interesting modes that let photographers flex their artistic muscles. Black and white modes offer basic Flat or red filter Deep Tone controls, and it even has a dedicated switch on the dial for this mode. You can also record videos, something the original SLRs couldn’t, at up to 4K 30fps (full-frame) or 60fps (1.5x crop).

The mirrorless camera, powerful as it may be, also has a few design quirks when it comes to hardware. Some of them look good on paper, while others might leave you scratching your head. There’s a second memory card slot that can be used for backup, for example, but it can only fit a slower microSD card compared to the main UHS-II SD storage. There’s also an HDMI port for an external monitor, but it’s of the older and somewhat rare micro HDMI variety, not even a mini HDMI port. Not exactly deal breakers, but something you might want to keep in mind when buying accessories.

Sustainability

The choice of magnesium alloy for the body and brass for the controls gives the Nikon Zf a bit of an edge when it comes to sustainable materials. Sure, there is still plenty of plastic inside, especially in places where Wi-Fi radio signals have to pass through, but the amount of plastics used is reduced to some extent.

Those materials also help preserve the camera’s longevity and long-term value. The solid construction adds to the product’s durability, while the magnesium alloy shell is advertised to be dust and drip-resistant. The brass metal components also gain character as the surface develops unique patinas over years of use.

Value

One of the biggest hurdles that aspiring photographers have to climb over is the seemingly insurmountable price tag attached to these cameras. You could easily buy two or even three of the most powerful smartphones for the price of a single mirrorless or DSLR camera and you’d be able to use those devices for more than just photography. Of course, this is comparing apples to oranges, but it’s a challenge that all budding photographers will have to overcome someday.

The Nikon Zf, for example, goes for a hefty $1,999.95, and that’s for the camera body alone, which you can’t use as-is. You’ll need to attach a lens, and if you’re scratching from scratch, you’ll need to throw in another $400 or more for a complete kit. Might as well add the $40 SmallRig to get the extension grip that will help prevent accidents that will flush that expensive investment down the drain. In the end, the Nikon Zf is exactly that: an investment. It definitely has the right mix of features that will let you capture stunning and potentially award-winning shots or videos, features that won’t become obsolete in just a few years, unlike smartphones.

Verdict

The digital camera market is far from dead, though some will definitely say it is crawling to a stop. That doesn’t mean there’s no more room or opportunities for improvement, especially when trying to find the right mix of design, performance, and price. We only need to look back to the past to see where we went wrong and what we did right, and the Nikon Zf is definitely putting those hard-earned lessons to heart in order to bring a fusion of the past and the present while looking toward the future.

It’s far from being the best mirrorless camera in town, even among Nikon’s roster, but it strikes a good mix of essential features that photographers from all ranges will be able to appreciate and utilize. It packs those in a design that embraces Nikon’s legacy wholeheartedly, as if trying to prove that those designs are far from being obsolete, even decades later. Sure, there are some things we wished Nikon did differently, especially with the grip, but those don’t detract from the fact that the Nikon Zf is one solid and stylish mirrorless camera that photographers need to take note of.

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A colorful version of the classic Contax G2 camera can be yours for $8,300

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In another case of everything old is new again, we’re seeing a trend of digital cameras becoming popular with the younger generation. While of course most people still use their smartphone’s camera to take pics and videos, there are still those who prefer to bring around actual cameras to capture selfies, moments, landscapes, and other imagery. So we’re seeing a welcome resurgence of these kinds of cameras and accessories. Back “in the day” (and we mean the late 90s to early 2000s), the Contax G2 was one of the most advanced rangefinder cameras and now we’re seeing a reimagined design for this “classic”.

Designer: MAD Paris and Casablanca

The MAD Casablanca Contax G2 Camera is a colorful reimagining of this classic digital camera by MAD Paris and Casablanca. Instead of just the classic black, silver, and gray from the original version, we now get a color-blocked design that showcases the brands’ distinctive looks. You get blocks of green, yellow, blue, and red with occasional black and silver colors as well and the signature diamond logo branding to top it off. The camera gets a hand-applied ceramic multi-colored coating finishing.

In terms of the features, you still get what the Contax G2 is famous for. That includes the Carl Zeiss Planar 45mm f/2 lens, the 35mm autofocus, a four-frame-per-second integrated motor drive, up to 1/6000 per second shutter speeds, etc. When you purchase the set, it also includes a CR123A battery, neck strap, and a Superia Premium 400 film roll. The camera itself uses plastic, aluminum, and glass materials.

While the original Contax G2 was manufactured in Japan, this version was created in the U.K and is a limited edition only. For now, it’s actually sold out on the Casablanca Paris website but hopefully, they are able to produce more. Well, you would have to spend $8,300 to have one of these babies so the fact that they have already sold out means a lot of people are willing to spend that much to be able to have a colorful version of this classic camera.

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Canon PowerShot V10 is a minimalist video camera for content creators

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When I watched a concert a week ago, I was surprised at how many kids were holding actual digital cameras instead of just their smartphones. And then when I went on Tiktok, I found out that this former gadget staple was actually making a “comeback” for Gen Z-ers that didn’t want to be too attached to their phones but still wanted to capture photos and videos that had better quality. So it’s not really a surprise that Canon is developing a line of products that’s aimed specifically at content creators that want to go back to digital cameras.

Designer: Canon

While a lot of smartphones are good enough for video content creation, there are still some that prefer something that has better video quality and is created specifically for that purpose. DSLRs can sometimes be too bulky so a compact option is always welcome. The Canon PowerShot V10 is their latest offering and if you want to experiment with videos but don’t want a complicated device, then this compact and minimalist video camera is for you.

It is pretty easy to use as you just need to press the record button and it will start doing its job. There’s a flip-out screen so you’ll see what’s going on. There are of course different filters that you can use including 14 color ones and a Smooth Skin mode for those who want digital skincare. If you want to record action shots, it has a Movie Digital IS mode that can reduce the shaky camera view (unless that’s actually what you’re going for). It has a built-in stand and lets you shoot through the app, as well as other features that should appeal to creators.

The PowerShot V10 is very lightweight and can fit into your pocket or your small bag. It can shoot in 4K30p or in FullHD at 60p.. It has a 19mm wide lens and can also shoot photos with its 15.2MP lens. It has two stereo mics and a third mic to help reduce background noise. You can also use it as a webcam in case you’re more into live streaming. The camera comes in black and silver colors in keeping with its minimalist look.

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This instant film camera brings the digital camera convenience to the art of film photography

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Moir 21 is an instant film camera concept designed to blend the quality of film photography with the convenience of digital cameras.

While today’s world is swarmed with endless content and digital photographs, we’ve lost touch with the art of analog photography. Most of today’s feeds feature photos taken from smartphones and digital cameras, but you can always tell the difference between those and photographs taken on film.

There’s a mystique to film photography, but for modern purposes, we tend towards digital mediums. Blending the two together, design team Sarwan Bhinder and Vishnu R conceptualized Moir 21, an instant film camera that takes the best of both worlds to meet the beauty of film cameras with the convenience of digital photography.

Moir 21 is named after the French word mémoire, which loosely translates to the concept of recordkeeping. Maintaining the integrity of a film camera and resolving the limitations set by current digital cameras, Moir 21 allows for multiple prints of hand-selected photographs. Many photographers who enjoy takings photos on film appreciate the medium for its single-shot takes.

In order to keep that spirit alive, Sarwan and Vishnu designed Moir 21 to automatically erase a photograph only a few minutes after it has been taken. Additionally, the team of designers equipped Moir 21 with a minimal control panel so that modern users can remain close to the clean display of most digital cameras.

The actual photograph won’t be erased, but the photographer will only be able to see it again after been printed. Through the electronic viewfinder (EVF), photographers can change the settings on their cameras to produce different photographs, similar to a film camera.

Speaking to this, the designers suggest, “The controls are fluid and seamless in order to give a smoother and faster experience while shooting and printing.”

Designers: Sarwan Bhinder and Vishnu R

Sarwan and Vishnu designed Moir 21 to maintain the simplicity of a modern digital camera’s display.

Moir 21 has been conceptualize din two different colors, sleek black and optic white.

The post This instant film camera brings the digital camera convenience to the art of film photography first appeared on Yanko Design.

This digital camera for globe trotters focuses on minimalism + taking things easy

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Henry Smallbone’s FLANEUR digital camera bends the general notion of how a smart camera needs to look like and how’s one going to use it. The unique design and functionality are the USP of his creation, and I like the idea completely!

Taking things slow is associated with being wise – just like a tortoise. The FLANEUR digital camera is the result of this very philosophy to slow down and being considerate in the digital world. Just like the tortoise, the camera motivates the user to not just go berserk with clicking photographs (simply because it could be done) but take a slower approach to every aspect of everyday life. The camera stores 37 photos in its memory for that very intent – making the user mindful of limited clicks he/she has at her disposal.

In fact, “Flaneur” in French means a person who’s a stroller. This term was used in the 19th century by French poet Charles Baudelaire to denote an observer of modern urban life. Now, it has taken up the meaning for someone who meanders around observing things keenly. The camera’s design is inspired by this notion – hence, the very colorful, casual form factor that one can carry around. Henry gives the accessory a bold aluminum casing design with large buttons and dials, inviting curiosity by onlookers.

The smart camera has a powerful performance quotient – courtesy of the crossed section of closed lens that hide from plain sight in a series of plastic casings that move independently. Depending on the shot being taken, the lenses can be swapped with the push of a button. A telephoto for taking a portrait shot or a wide lens for shooting panoramic landscapes on a golden sun bathed evening.

The viewfinder can rotate in 180 degrees direction for portrait shots or 90 degrees for a wide shot without moving the camera instead. The functionality is also kept to the bare minimum to let you focus on capturing memories. The flash intensity is controlled via the large wheel, while the positional switches lend the option to toggle between colored or monochrome photos or videos.

Designer: Henry Smallbone

This iPhone camera inspired mirrorless digital camera makes your photography session distraction free!

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Apple’s smartphone cameras remain some of the best when it comes to smartphone photography. While the argument for the best smartphone camera could easily go on for hours, the iPhone’s camera is trusted by many for its high-performance ISP and fast shutter speeds, among other defining features. Taking the best qualities from the latest iPhone camera and transferring them to a digital camera, Nuno Teixeira recently debuted his Apple camera concept that takes on a mirrorless design for a lightweight carry and speedy performance grade.

Mirrorless digital cameras essentially work without a reflex mirror, an angled mirror that reflects light from the lens into the viewfinder. When a digital camera takes on a mirrorless design, light passes directly through the lens to the digital sensor, which displays the lens’s captured image on the camera’s LCD screen. Opting out of including a reflex mirror means a few things. Teixeira’s mirrorless Apple camera would have a much more lightweight feel, a more compact body, and could be a lot more efficient at snapping quick photographs on the go as well as videos. Like the iPhone camera, mirrorless cameras don’t come equipped with a bunch of extra hardware, so some smaller details are left out of the build, making for a digital camera that’s ergonomic in design and easy to carry. In addition to its mirrorless design, Teixeira’s camera also offers a full-frame sensor which means that no part of the image captured will suffer from crop factor due to the camera’s sensors being too small. Best of all, no silly notifications to disturb you while taking that amazing shot!

Supplementing all the perks of a conventional digital camera, including flash, zoom, video-recording capabilities, light meter, and shutter speed adjustment dials, Nuno Teixeira’s Apple camera concept also comes with a waist-level LCD viewfinder for those stealthy shots ready to be taken at any given moment. Built from carbon steel, these cameras have been rendered in white steel, baby blue, and charcoal and even come with in-camera charging features.

Designer: Nuno Teixeira

Designed with Carl Zeiss details, Teixeira’s Apple camera concept was designed for the creative workflow.

Teixeira’s Apple camera concept comes with a large LCD screen.

Teixeira’s Apple camera has a nonslip, diamond-etched carbon steel body, allowing for a secure grip and durable build.

Teixeira’s Apple camera concept has been rendered in baby blue, chrome white, and charcoal black.

A waist-level LCD finder helps to show you exactly what your captured photograph will look like.

In-camera charging features equip Teixeira’s Apple cameras with the ability to be charged anywhere there’s an accompanying outlet.

This Apple-inspired conceptual camera is the bridge between DSLR cameras and smartphones

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Ever wanted more than a phone camera but less than an advanced camera? This conceptual Apple-esque iCamera perfectly fits that gap! DSLR cameras can be daunting if you are just starting out but if you want to learn beyond the simple point-and-shoot then this camera is the perfect stepping stone into your visual art journey.

Get those professional shots without having to study the manual and watch several YouTube videos, the iCamera aims at breaking down the complexity of advance cameras to make people comfortable with the idea of shooting with a gadget that is not their phone. “It increases your ability and easily leads you to the world of cameras,” says the designer about the gap he wants to bridge with this concept design. The designer wanted to simplify the existing advanced cameras’ user experience by making the body more compact and lighter. The bulk of the lens is reduced but it still includes the revolving functionality to zoom. However, now you can do it comfortably with just a finger. It also aims to make transferring your files easier through cloud-based technologies – that one tedious task every photographer hates to do but has to do. So say goodbye to HD cards, setting up Bluetooth, and keeping a track of multiple accessories that one usually needs to transfer. It charges wirelessly and has a handy flash that attaches magnetically to the body!

The idea revolves around letting you control everything with one hand. The ergonomic form and intuitive design make the process of creativity flow smoothly. The iCamera was envisioned with the latest technology like triple lenses (wide + normal + zoom) and highly calibrated sensors so you don’t have to rely on carrying additional lenses. It also features WiFi connectivity and eSim so you can share your memories from wherever you are. I love the idea of the iCamera, it is the perfect gateway into advanced photography and the right solution for businesses that have creative requirements which can be met without buying unnecessary equipment. This camera is basically Goldilock’s perfect mid-range choice!

Designer: Cha Hee Lim

The SIGMA fp is the ‘world’s smallest’ full-frame mirrorless camera

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Sigma is known for being extra. It's pulled off stunts like a super wide-angle version of its super wide-angle camera, experimented with peculiar shapes and introduced lenses that let you shoot macro from a distance. Now, the company has unveiled the...