Technology Research

      One of the main competitors in the portable compact camera market is GoPro. The GoPro system has thrived on its simplistic design and high quality images and video.  The almost universal application of the camera is what appeals to many athletic enthusiasts around the world. There have been many versions of the GoPro since its start, including the newest Hero 4, however all have maintained the basic design of an overall cube shape, a small display, and large but minimal buttons. The GoPro features Wi-Fi capabilities, a continuous shutter speed for photos up to 30fps (frames per second), and shutter speed for video up to 120fps. The simplicity of the design and hands free technology is what appeals to many users. This unique feature of the camera being able to be mounted anywhere is also one of its drawbacks. To mount the camera the proper cases and accessories must first be purchased and affixed to the camera. This narrows the available market to those that can afford the camera and its accessories. Another drawback to the GoPro camera is the small display used to change modes and any pictures or video taken cannot be seen directly on the camera which further limits its market.

     Other large competitors in the portable compact camera market are Samsung and Panasonic. The design for many Samsung and Panasonic cameras is a thin rectangle, a large display, and many buttons ranging in sizes. This design is more familiar to many people compared to the GoPro which is a completely different design. One of the models which is similar in price and quality of a GoPro camera is the Samsung NX500 which incorporates Wi-Fi capabilities, a continuous shutter speed for photos of 9fps, a shutter speed for video up to 30p, and 3.1x optical zoom. This is just one example of a portable compact camera in a similar price range and quality as GoPro. The Panasonic Lumix DCM-LX7K is another example with a similar design to the Samsung NX500. The Panasonic Lumix camera features a shutter speed for photos of 11fps, a shutter speed for video up to 60fps, and 3.8x optical zoom. Both of these cameras feature similar designs and applications. Compared to the GoPro the Samsung and Panasonic cameras have a wider market as they can be used not only by athletic enthusiasts but also people who simply want a good quality compact camera. Some of the problems with the design for both the Panasonic and Samsung cameras are their abundance of extra features and buttons designed to widen their market and appeal to more customers. This kind of design can be confusing to first time users and detract from the usability of the cameras.     

There are many different types of portable compact cameras available on the market with varying price ranges and quality of photos and/or video. These are just a few examples of portable compact cameras with similar features, quality of photos and video, and in the same price range. Although there are many similarities between these cameras of target market, applications, and quality there are many differences as well. Most apparent is the basic design and layout of the cameras.