Canon unveils AI-powered automatic camera, the PowerShot PICK

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Geezer

Geezer

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From Derrick Story's site https://thedigitalstory.com. See more at DP Review.

The experimental PowerShot PICK camera can analyze a scene, identify people, track their faces and then, using artificial intelligence, determine the ideal moment to capture a photo. In a rough translation, Canon refers to the PICK as an 'automatic shooting camera.' The PowerShot PICK combines Canon's optical, video processing, and artificial intelligence technology.

The PowerShot PICK uses a 1/2.3-inch 12MP CMOS image sensor. The sensor is paired with a 19-57mm equivalent zoom lens with a maximum aperture of F2.8. The PICK includes built-in image stabilization. The PICK pans 170° in both directions and can tilt 110°. The PICK records to a microSD card and weighs a mere 170g. As you can see in the video above, the PICK is small, with a height of about 3.5" (90mm) tall.

While the PICK is designed to take photos automatically in the background, which Canon believes will result in more authentic images and better mementos, the PowerShot PICK can also be manually controlled using keywords. A user says, 'Hello PICK,' followed by commands to take a photo, record video, change subjects and stop capturing.

The PICK will launch alongside a dedicated smartphone app, allowing you to view and share photos and videos captured by PICK. The app automatically recommends the best photos, although you can view all images.

The Canon PowerShot PICK is currently available only to backers on Makuake. The price for the PICK works out to just under $400. Given the campaign's success, the only remaining units are for the PICK and charging cable. The tripod bundle has sold out. Canon intends to ship the PICK to backers this July. Canon hasn't announced global or public release plans, so it's unclear if the PowerShot PICK will be available outside of Japan.
 
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I see the technology as more applicable to security / surveillance cameras etc. If it finds it’s way into mainstream photography we’ll be reduced to simply pressing a button, sitting back and then choosing what we’d like to keep.
 
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Just looks like a glorified PTZ web/surveillance camera to me. Maybe the AI name and voice control or phone app are supposed to be impressive. Oh well. I'm definitely not the intended audience for this product!
 
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Funding aside, is this a distraction from the development of the types of cameras we're interested in? This technology is heavily software based and isn't software also driving many of the enhancements to mirrorless, and even DSLRs? Smartphones basically wiped out the compact, point and shoot market. I believe there is a large and growing, young, social media-oriented audience who would be content to push one button (or use simple speech commands) instead of fiddling with camera controls, as clever as they may be. It would be 'cool' - gotta have it. The marketing departments at the Canons and Nikons of the world must see this potential.
 
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Canon has an announced strategy to concentrate on the enthusiast and pro segments with their mirrorless cameras. They cut R&D for DSLR cameras - and they have a huge share. It does not make sense strategically for them to invest anything in a project like this. But is a small group can go out and fund the project with crowd funding, they have an option on something that might have value. This is a good way for them to explore something that is clearly outside their strategy. There could be value in exploring the technologies even if there is no commercially viable product coming out of the effort.

The other side of this is it probably means there are some people in Marketing or the consumer design team that have enough pull to get the project done, but are losers in a bigger power struggle over strategy and direction. If I'm leading the camera division, this is just a minor headache and diversion from the core strategy.
 
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