Photo news: It wasn't all just AI in 2024

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As 2024 draws to a close , our column takes a look back at what the marketing strategists in the photography industry like to call "mega trends". In other words, the things that supposedly sell particularly well with the same buzzwords. As in every area of technology, two years after the widespread availability of ChatGPT, this naturally includes everything that can be described as "artificial intelligence". This also applies to cameras and software.

What used to be "scene recognition" is now commonly known as "AI autofocus", even if the statistical functions behind it are basically the same. However, what the compact cameras of the 2000s were already capable of is not quite comparable to what modern cameras can do. They can not only roughly recognize whether a person or animal is in focus, but can also track this motif.

AI in cameras enables new functions

If you cleverly combine this with a different operation, such as eye autofocus when looking at image content in the viewfinder, the result is a completely different way of working. Canon has implemented this in a new way with the R5 II. It is to be expected that even more such concepts will follow from what the cameras here can already do in terms of processor performance and software. In general, software: While Nikon turned its Z series on its head with fast and extensive updates – the Z8 was at times able to do more than the Z9 – Sony stood out with some botched updates. Unlike security updates for PCs or smartphones, one lesson from 2024 is that it's better to wait a few days or weeks if you don't want your camera to suddenly stop working.

Standardized platforms prevail

A less noticeable trend in 2024 was the implementation of the platform concept for cameras. What has been established practice in PCs and automotive engineering for decades is now also being implemented by camera manufacturers: the same processors are used for different applications, or the same housing for different cameras. The former can be seen in the new Nikons such as the Z50 II, where the 1000-euro camera has the processor of the 5000-euro flagship. And the two top models from Sony, the A9 III and Alpha 1 II, share the same housing, apart from a few control elements.

This is of course particularly good for the manufacturers, who save on development and production costs. However, thanks to the high computing power even in inexpensive cameras, one can at least hope that new functions such as internal image processing or new memory cards can be exploited to the full in the future through updates. But, as already described here: That's just hope. You should evaluate a camera based on its capabilities at the time of purchase – and not put too much faith in promises of future updates. Some, such as Pentax and Sony, also offer special functions for an update fee – This is the other side of the coin of the flexibility of modern cameras.

Instant photography and analog photography remain strong

Two other trends of recent years have also consolidated in 2024 and are no longer fads. Firstly, the fun of instant photography, which is no longer limited to Instax snapping. As these films are still available and affordable, others also want to score points with the established format. Lomography claims to have developed nothing less than "the best instant camera in the world", and only because it also has a lens made of glass and not plastic.

The Pentax 17 is a completely new development, from well, Pentax. It is so named because it accommodates two half-images on one frame of 35 millimeter film rather than a 35 mm film, i.e. 17 millimeter wide portrait photos. As a classic photographer, you may find this stupid, but the fact is that portrait format is the aspect ratio of the day for young people. So it is only logical that Pentax has also made this decision. The camera caused some discussion, not least because of its price of 550 euros, and its bold new development is the best proof that analog photography is no longer just a trend, but a firmly established niche.

Hybrid cameras for creators

This also applies to a special type of so-called hybrid camera. This term itself is unwieldy, as it refers to devices that are intended to be suitable for both photography and filming, and every modern camera can now do this. However, there is a new category among the hybrids that is primarily intended for filming, let's call them creator cameras. They are no longer as cheap as they were a few years ago; Panasonic's Lumix S9 costs a whole 1700 euros just for the body. In return, you get filming with an open gate, i.e. the entire sensor, and LUTs for an easy-to-achieve image look.

This is all part of the professionalization that can be seen across popular video platforms such as TikTok and YouTube: Standards are getting higher and higher, even beginners hardly dare to get in front of the camera without perfect LED lighting and noise-free 4K video. This trend may be lamented, but it seems irreversible. If you are successful and can make being a creator your main job, you will quickly end up with studio setups with several synchronized cameras and employees for editing. Even if this is not always admitted: Even slightly larger creators often have entire teams of technical, editorial and marketing staff behind them.

Long read only on Friday

For the time being, we have to hold off on the long read for the holidays, as well as a closer look at individual cameras, as this will be published on Friday, December 27, 2024. We will also provide the link here. The next issue of Fotonews will be published on Friday, January 10, 2025, and will certainly include some news from CES, which starts the same week in Las Vegas. Until then, all that remains is for me to thank you for reading and commenting so diligently and to wish you happy holidays and a good start to the next year.

(nie)