The Future of The Camera.

These are big words, but necessary to predict.

What will we see in 2013?
I am convinced that all of the major manufacturers agree that bigger sensors is the key to survival. Rumor has it that Sony will release a NEX with Full Frame. The evidence that Sony really will come with such a model is that Tamron patented a lens called 300 mm f/2.8 for a mirrorless camera with Full Frame. Sony owns 11% of Tamron. Rumor also has it that Olympus comes with Micro Four Thirds sensors in compact cameras and possibly even larger sensors to develop E-M5 further. Panasonic is rumored to use larger sensors in future models, but nothing is clear in the case of APS-C or Full Frame.

Fujifilm run APS-C in its X-series but may also turn against Full Frame despite that the lack of low pass will provide a similar experience. Fujifilm will also update its sensors with sequels to X-10 and X-100.

Rumors say that Canon has a camera with a 39.3 megapixel sensor out in the field. It also looks like Canon gives the failure of G1X a second chance as the sequel will use an APS-C sensor.

Nikon does not seem to be content with the success of its J-series (J1 was the most sold mirrorless camera in Japan 2012) as a patent reveals a lens made for a Nikon mirrorless camera with APS-C. Will Nikon leave their one inch sensors to keep up with the competition in the rest of the world?

Polaroid releases a mirrorless camera that seems built on Nikons J-series operated by Android.

The Megapixel race is not over. Toshiba releases a new CMOS image processor that makes it possible to build point-and-shoot cameras with 20 megapixel resolution. The sensor will have size 1/2,3 inches, and offer Full HD 1080p at 60 frames per second. The image processor Tcm5115cl will be sent out to camera manufacturers this month.

The only way for camera manufacturers to take marketshares from the videogiant GoPro is passing the underwater matching GoPros 60 meters. Today the cost of a waterproof case to any of the existing Tough, FT, AW, D, WG, EX and TX series as much as a complete GoPro. However, with the difference that the digital camera in many cases better than shooting camcorder. The alternative secret should be that digital cameras will work with the same type of mounts that GoPro.

Apple’s main manufacturer Foxconn has bought 8.8% of Woodman Labs GoPro. This perhaps explains why Apple Store is the cheapest of all regarding the GoPro? Apple has done cameras before, in the 90s for the series QuickTake. Model 100 and 150 were made by Kodak and Model 200 by Fujifilm. That perhaps explains why Apple is one of the companies that buy on the Kodak’s patents. Maybe there will be a camera from Apple in 2013 or 2014?

Sony is sure to surprise. Will an RX10 arrive with APS-C? It seems that they are strengthening their position in the photographic world by first and foremost their sensor manufacturing but also ownership of such as Olympus and Tamron.

Otherwise, the apps, WiFi and GPS continue to be on everyone’s lips 2013. Accessibility and simplicity are the possibilities for digital cameras to stand ground against the revolution of the smartphone. More about that fight in a future post.

Personally, I look forward to the sequel of the Panasonic DMC-GX1.

What do you think about the future?