iPhone 3GS tap to focus

Robert S Donovan · 06-08-2009, 01:41 PM

Apple's new iPhone announced today has a new 3MP autofocus camera. It features a 10cm macro function and a tap to focus feature that it pure genius! I mean, who knows better what you are trying to focus on than the photographer?! Beats auto face recognition any day. Now, if it would only track what you tell it to focus on....

séamuis · 06-08-2009, 01:44 PM

seems like a very cool feature. I winder if the photos actually look as good as they do on the sight? I can hardly think so. still not interested though. haven't need a mobile thus far. don't need one now. besides, my ipod gives me enough grief as it is.

k100d · 06-11-2009, 05:55 AM

again not new
DSC-T900 | Silver Cyber-shot® Digital Camera DSC-T900 | Sony | Sony Stye USA

and · 06-11-2009, 06:20 AM

yep several touch screen p&s cams have that, including panasonic ones like fx500

johnmflores · 06-11-2009, 06:48 AM

that would actually be pretty cool on a Live View camera. Imagine touching the areas that you want in focus and then the camera setting the focus and depth of field accordingly...

johnmflores · 06-11-2009, 06:48 AM

Originally posted by k100d

again not new
DSC-T900 | Silver Cyber-shot® Digital Camera DSC-T900 | Sony | Sony Stye USA

but maybe the first for a phone?

séamuis · 06-11-2009, 06:50 AM

Originally posted by johnmflores

but maybe the first for a phone?

a digital compact is a digital compact. just because one has a phone as well doesn't really make it any different.

k100d · 06-11-2009, 08:15 AM

w/ all respect to Rob, this post seemed like Apple pimping like the Macbook SD card thread

legacyb4 · 06-11-2009, 08:22 AM

Funny how people get worked up by Apple's ability to turn the norm into something special. Also funny is how folks go strangely silent when actually encountering something new that is an improvement over the norm (a la the pinch-spread finger movements that the iPhone did introduce as new).

Meanwhile, the Pentax faithful go into throes of ecstacy because we now have AF assist lamps, 5 FPS, an "better" AF, all things that are clearly NOT new except to us...

Originally posted by k100d

again not new
DSC-T900 | Silver Cyber-shot® Digital Camera DSC-T900 | Sony | Sony Stye USA

séamuis · 06-11-2009, 09:13 AM

Originally posted by legacyb4

Funny how people get worked up by Apple's ability to turn the norm into something special. Also funny is how folks go strangely silent when actually encountering something new that is an improvement over the norm (a la the pinch-spread finger movements that the iPhone did introduce as new).

Meanwhile, the Pentax faithful go into throes of ecstacy because we now have AF assist lamps, 5 FPS, an "better" AF, all things that are clearly NOT new except to us...

except you are leaving out one thing that seperates pentax from apple.

price point.

apple is the most expensive of the bunch, but cant offer things that others have been offering for a while at much less cost. if pentax were the most expensive brand it would be the same way.

johnmflores · 06-11-2009, 10:40 AM

Originally posted by séamuis

a digital compact is a digital compact. just because one has a phone as well doesn't really make it any different.

That's funny, because when I go to the camera store I can't find the iPhone anywhere. And should DPReview be evaluating the latest Motorola or Nokia for bokeh? The iPhone is a phone first. Actually, it's a handheld computer first, then a phone, then a camera.

Originally posted by k100d

w/ all respect to Rob, this post seemed like Apple pimping like the Macbook SD card thread

What's so wrong about talking about a photography-related feature in new technology products? I'd be just as interested in reading about photo related features in new Blackberries, Palm Pres, and Nokias.

Originally posted by legacyb4

Funny how people get worked up by Apple's ability to turn the norm into something special. Also funny is how folks go strangely silent when actually encountering something new that is an improvement over the norm (a la the pinch-spread finger movements that the iPhone did introduce as new).

Meanwhile, the Pentax faithful go into throes of ecstacy because we now have AF assist lamps, 5 FPS, an "better" AF, all things that are clearly NOT new except to us...

Apple's genius is not inventing things, it's making them more usable. They didn't invent the MP3 player but changed the market with the iPod. Likewise with the iPhone with regards to the smartphone market. Kudos to them for that, and if it was so easy than others would be doing to too on a regular basis.

séamuis · 06-11-2009, 10:45 AM

Quote:

That's funny, because when I go to the camera store I can't find the iPhone anywhere. And should DPReview be evaluating the latest Motorola or Nokia for bokeh? The iPhone is a phone first. Actually, it's a handheld computer first, then a phone, then a camera.

irrelevent. the function is the same. just because the iphone is also a phone, computer whatever. those other aspects don't come into play here. it now features a tap to focus, for the camera. in this respect, it isn't a industry first, nor is it overly spectacular.

k100d · 06-11-2009, 10:47 AM

Originally posted by johnmflores

What's so wrong about talking about a photography-related feature in new technology products? I'd be just as interested in reading about photo related features in new Blackberries, Palm Pres, and Nokias.

there's nothing wrong, it's just the OP presented it as something Apple innovated

legacyb4 · 06-11-2009, 11:09 AM

So by that logic, "new" is only good if it's cheap?

I think what both Pentax and Apple excel at are making products that don't feel cheap and give the buyer a sense of satisfaction that they've bought a quality product. Absolutely nothing wrong with buying product that is well designed or made.

As it stands now, would you take a $600 feature-matched Rebel or Nikon equivalent over a sparkling new $1,200 K7? I sure wouldn't...

Originally posted by séamuis

except you are leaving out one thing that seperates pentax from apple.

price point.

apple is the most expensive of the bunch, but cant offer things that others have been offering for a while at much less cost. if pentax were the most expensive brand it would be the same way.

séamuis · 06-11-2009, 11:21 AM

Quote:

So by that logic, "new" is only good if it's cheap?

don't put words in my mouth. I never said that. you expect the higher cost products to at least have the features that the cheaper brands have. apple finally puts a card reader in their notebook, at the expense of the express card slot. my 600.00 ideapad has both.

06-08-2009, 01:41 PM	#1
Robert S Donovan Veteran Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Anderson, SC Photos: Gallery Posts: 361	iPhone 3GS tap to focus Apple's new iPhone announced today has a new 3MP autofocus camera. It features a 10cm macro function and a tap to focus feature that it pure genius! I mean, who knows better what you are trying to focus on than the photographer?! Beats auto face recognition any day. Now, if it would only track what you tell it to focus on....

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06-08-2009, 01:44 PM	#2
séamuis Banned Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Savannah, U.S./Baguio City, P.H. Posts: 5,979	seems like a very cool feature. I winder if the photos actually look as good as they do on the sight? I can hardly think so. still not interested though. haven't need a mobile thus far. don't need one now. besides, my ipod gives me enough grief as it is.

06-11-2009, 05:55 AM	#3
k100d Veteran Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Toronto Posts: 3,911	again not new DSC-T900 \| Silver Cyber-shot® Digital Camera DSC-T900 \| Sony \| Sony Stye USA

06-11-2009, 06:20 AM	#4
and Veteran Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Photos: Gallery Posts: 2,476	yep several touch screen p&s cams have that, including panasonic ones like fx500

06-11-2009, 06:48 AM	#5
johnmflores Veteran Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Somerville, NJ Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 5,361	that would actually be pretty cool on a Live View camera. Imagine touching the areas that you want in focus and then the camera setting the focus and depth of field accordingly...

06-11-2009, 06:48 AM	#6
johnmflores Veteran Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Somerville, NJ Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 5,361	Originally posted by k100d again not new DSC-T900 \| Silver Cyber-shot® Digital Camera DSC-T900 \| Sony \| Sony Stye USA but maybe the first for a phone?

06-11-2009, 06:50 AM	#7
séamuis Banned Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Savannah, U.S./Baguio City, P.H. Posts: 5,979	Originally posted by johnmflores but maybe the first for a phone? a digital compact is a digital compact. just because one has a phone as well doesn't really make it any different.

06-11-2009, 08:15 AM	#8
k100d Veteran Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Toronto Posts: 3,911	w/ all respect to Rob, this post seemed like Apple pimping like the Macbook SD card thread

06-11-2009, 08:22 AM	#9
legacyb4 Inactive Account Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Tri-Cities, British Columbia Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,784	Funny how people get worked up by Apple's ability to turn the norm into something special. Also funny is how folks go strangely silent when actually encountering something new that is an improvement over the norm (a la the pinch-spread finger movements that the iPhone did introduce as new). Meanwhile, the Pentax faithful go into throes of ecstacy because we now have AF assist lamps, 5 FPS, an "better" AF, all things that are clearly NOT new except to us... Originally posted by k100d again not new DSC-T900 \| Silver Cyber-shot® Digital Camera DSC-T900 \| Sony \| Sony Stye USA

06-11-2009, 09:13 AM	#10
séamuis Banned Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Savannah, U.S./Baguio City, P.H. Posts: 5,979	Originally posted by legacyb4 Funny how people get worked up by Apple's ability to turn the norm into something special. Also funny is how folks go strangely silent when actually encountering something new that is an improvement over the norm (a la the pinch-spread finger movements that the iPhone did introduce as new). Meanwhile, the Pentax faithful go into throes of ecstacy because we now have AF assist lamps, 5 FPS, an "better" AF, all things that are clearly NOT new except to us... except you are leaving out one thing that seperates pentax from apple. price point. apple is the most expensive of the bunch, but cant offer things that others have been offering for a while at much less cost. if pentax were the most expensive brand it would be the same way.

06-11-2009, 10:40 AM	#11
johnmflores Veteran Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Somerville, NJ Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 5,361	Originally posted by séamuis a digital compact is a digital compact. just because one has a phone as well doesn't really make it any different. That's funny, because when I go to the camera store I can't find the iPhone anywhere. And should DPReview be evaluating the latest Motorola or Nokia for bokeh? The iPhone is a phone first. Actually, it's a handheld computer first, then a phone, then a camera. Originally posted by k100d w/ all respect to Rob, this post seemed like Apple pimping like the Macbook SD card thread What's so wrong about talking about a photography-related feature in new technology products? I'd be just as interested in reading about photo related features in new Blackberries, Palm Pres, and Nokias. Originally posted by legacyb4 Funny how people get worked up by Apple's ability to turn the norm into something special. Also funny is how folks go strangely silent when actually encountering something new that is an improvement over the norm (a la the pinch-spread finger movements that the iPhone did introduce as new). Meanwhile, the Pentax faithful go into throes of ecstacy because we now have AF assist lamps, 5 FPS, an "better" AF, all things that are clearly NOT new except to us... Apple's genius is not inventing things, it's making them more usable. They didn't invent the MP3 player but changed the market with the iPod. Likewise with the iPhone with regards to the smartphone market. Kudos to them for that, and if it was so easy than others would be doing to too on a regular basis.

06-11-2009, 10:45 AM	#12
séamuis Banned Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Savannah, U.S./Baguio City, P.H. Posts: 5,979	Quote: That's funny, because when I go to the camera store I can't find the iPhone anywhere. And should DPReview be evaluating the latest Motorola or Nokia for bokeh? The iPhone is a phone first. Actually, it's a handheld computer first, then a phone, then a camera. irrelevent. the function is the same. just because the iphone is also a phone, computer whatever. those other aspects don't come into play here. it now features a tap to focus, *for the camera*. in this respect, it isn't a industry first, nor is it overly spectacular.

06-11-2009, 10:47 AM	#13
k100d Veteran Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Toronto Posts: 3,911	Originally posted by johnmflores What's so wrong about talking about a photography-related feature in new technology products? I'd be just as interested in reading about photo related features in new Blackberries, Palm Pres, and Nokias. there's nothing wrong, it's just the OP presented it as something Apple innovated

06-11-2009, 11:09 AM	#14
legacyb4 Inactive Account Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Tri-Cities, British Columbia Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,784	So by that logic, "new" is only good if it's cheap? I think what both Pentax and Apple excel at are making products that don't feel cheap and give the buyer a sense of satisfaction that they've bought a quality product. Absolutely nothing wrong with buying product that is well designed or made. As it stands now, would you take a $600 feature-matched Rebel or Nikon equivalent over a sparkling new $1,200 K7? I sure wouldn't... Originally posted by séamuis except you are leaving out one thing that seperates pentax from apple. price point. apple is the most expensive of the bunch, but cant offer things that others have been offering for a while at much less cost. if pentax were the most expensive brand it would be the same way.

06-11-2009, 11:21 AM	#15
séamuis Banned Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Savannah, U.S./Baguio City, P.H. Posts: 5,979	Quote: So by that logic, "new" is only good if it's cheap? don't put words in my mouth. I never said that. you expect the higher cost products to at least have the features that the cheaper brands have. apple finally puts a card reader in their notebook, at the expense of the express card slot. my 600.00 ideapad has both.