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It is a law of the market that products shall get cheaper, and manufacturers shall then introduce innovations we believe we cannot do without to make them more expensive again. In the world of high-end digital cameras, the cycle has reached the point where they are available for substantially less than W1 million (US$1,000)-- high-end meaning they have a resolution of at least 8 megapixels plus detailed manual features but are not necessarily for professional use.
Olympus on Oct. 11 released its SP-350 model priced at around W400,000 (US$400), making it the cheapest high-end digital camera around. Its use of a high refractive lens and aspheric lens maximizes the 8 megapixel resolution, the company says. It aims to please in terms of both portability and high quality photography, two concepts that can sometimes seem contradictory, with a 2.5-inch LCD, 3x optical zoom and 30-frame video recording. Its ¡°super-macro¡± mode allows for close-ups down to 2 cm. There are 24 different shooting modes.
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The SP-350 (left) by Olympus and the Pro 815 by Samsung Techwin
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Samsung Techwin has also jumped into the high-end market, introducing the Pro 815, which it says took two years and W10 billion to develop. Its battery life delivers 225 minutes or 450 pictures without recharging. The Pro 815 also features 8 megapixel resolution, 15x optical zoom, and a 3.5-inch LCD, the largest for a digital camera. According to the firm, pre-orders already outstrip production. The price is around W840,000.
Fujifilm launched its Finepix S9500 last month featuring 9 megapixel resolution and a 10.7x optical zoom as well as high sensitivity for shooting in the dark or snapping fast-moving objects. Reduced noise and an anti-shake feature also make the product stand out. It costs about W820,000.
Sony, meanwhile, released the latest in its Cybershot line-up, with a massive 10.3-megapixel resolution. The DSC-R1 has an extra-large CMOS sensor that is normally for professional use. But already it will cost a little over W1 million.
Kwon Myeong-seok of Olympus Korea says the taste of users is getting more sophisticated, which is why high-end products are gaining popularity regardless of their price. Nonetheless, competition is bringing the price down as firms jostle for market share.
(englishnews@chosun.com )
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