I am constantly amazed at the features that camera manufacturers are incorporating into their new models. A few of the features that caught my eye were face detection, GPS positioning and Wi-Fi.
Face Detection: This feature has actually been offered on cameras in the market for several months. Fuji has a camera that will detect up to 10 faces in any one photo. It recognizes the faces and automatically prioritizes them with the face closest to the lens getting the highest priority. Then the camera adjusts the focus and exposure to ensure a sharp and crisp photo of the face regardless of the background in the photo. I expect that more manufacturers will start adding a similar feature.
GPS positioning: This feature is really targeted towards the business and professional market and come with price tags that only the true professional would want to pay. Contractors, city planners and archeologists will find the camera a valuable tool for documenting locations. It actually embeds the location coordinates into the photo. Several GPS enabled devices are incorporating their technology into cameras. For example, cell phones are also being offered with GPS camera features. Although I wouldn’t recommend taking priceless photos with your camera phone.
Wi-Fi enabled: Wi-Fi remote printing, Wi-Fi downloading to your personal computer, Wi-Fi to your online album or gallery, even Wi-Fi emailing from your camera to family and friends. The possibilities are endless. But your battery life is not endless. Wi-Fi will consume your battery power quicker than you can drink the White Chocolate Mocha Frappuccino at your local Starbucks while you upload your photos to your online gallery.
Neither one of the cameras I own have any of the features listed above. The face detection intrigues me the most. Anything that would help me take photos of family and friends with more consistent clarity has my vote.