The perfect digital camera

One of my favourite items to cover on my shows has long been digital cameras. They have been on a brilliant advancement trajectory for 20 years or so.

Actually the technology is getting so good that they’ve put one whole market, the low-end point and shoot cameras, in trouble. And top-end smart phones from Apple, Samsung and HTC have terrific built-in cameras that are almost as good as a point and shoot.

So if you’re going to make a splash in the camera market, it had better be a good splash — and the good folks at Pentax seem to know a thing or two about making a splash.

The new Pentax Q may be an outstanding gift idea for the picture taker in your family.

The Pentax Q is a new breed of digital camera — a hybrid with the quality and removable lenses of the Digital Single Lens Reflex (DSLR), but the size and convenience of the point and shoot. The hybrid metaphor extends into the optics of the camera. It has no mirrors! It has the removable lenses found on DSLR cameras which all have mirrors bouncing the image onto the receptor. The Pentax Q images directly onto the sensor, meaning the body can be smaller and lighter.

Some photo snobs will pooh pooh the lack of a mirror, but not photo expert Frank Tent who filled me on on the benefits of the Pentax Q.

The Pentax Q also boasts full resolution HD video, which is a total bonus and of jaw dropping quality.

I don’t gush about too many cameras these days, but the Pentax Q has set a really high standard for all the other camera manufacturers to shoot for.

Long live the hybrid!

Steve Dotto is Canada’s most respected geek. For over 15 years, as host and executive producer of Dotto Tech, a nationally syndicated TV show, Steve has entertained and educated millions of Canadians on all aspects of technology. Steve has a passion for understanding the social impact of technology. His DVD Cybersafe with Steve Dotto , teaches parents and caregivers about the opportunities, dangers and challenges of social networking.