Hybrid Devices

There are three exciting areas where digital imaging is converging with other functionality: phones with cameras built into them, digital camcorders with still picture capability, and still cameras that can record high-quality video.

Cameraphones

The most notable of the hybrid devices is the cameraphone. Manufacturers of these devices have already figured out how to add megapixel resolution, digital zoom lenses, and even electronic flashes to the devices that you've been using to make phone calls. Mobile phones have yet to evolve to the point where they can replace your compact camera, but they are becoming a more tempting alternative for the "camera you always have with you."
One of the downsides to cameraphones compared to dedicated compact cameras is the learning curve for managing your pictures once you've captured them. Typically, you don't simply connect the phone to your PC via a USB cable and let your computer take it from there (although some models do enable this). Here is an overview of the transfer options most often available with cameraphones:
Removable memory card Devices such as the PalmOne Treo 650 enable you to write your pictures to a Secure Digital memory card, remove the card from the device, and then transfer the pictures via a card reader connected to your computer.
Bluetooth wireless Some cameraphones have built-in Bluetooth wireless connectivity that allows you to "send" your pictures to another Bluetooth-enabled device. This could be your computer, another cameraphone, a PDA, or even a Bluetooth printer.
Infrared (IR) transfer IR image transfer works similarly to Bluetooth, but it isn't as fast. Again, both devices have to have an IR transceiver to move the pictures.
Email Many cameraphones enable you to send and receive email. You can attach a picture to an email and send it to your computer.
Multimedia Messaging Service (MMS) MMS is an extension of the text-only Short Messaging Service (SMS) that allows you to send pictures, audio, and even video from your cameraphone. Typically you'd send these messages to another MMS-enabled phone or to an online service such as Textamerica, where others can log on to see your work.
True, there is a certain "geek factor" that comes with managing cameraphone images. But there's no denying the portability of these devices, and handling the pictures they produce will only get easier with widespread adoption.

DV Camcorders That Capture Stills

The second area of convergence features digital camcorders that can capture megapixel still pictures. Many consumer models offer 2-megapixel or higher image sensors. The images are stored on a memory card not on the DV tape cassette.
You can transfer the pictures to your PC via a supplied USB cable, similar to the one that comes with your digital camera. You can also remove the memory card and insert it into a card reader connected to your PC.
One of the coolest features of these hybrid camcorders is their ability to print your pictures via a direct connection to your home printer. (Of course, both the camcorder and the printer will need to have either PictBridge or Direct Print technology for this function to work.) If you want to capture your vacation snapshots and travel movies with the same device, this tandem is something to consider.
If you're serious about shooting photos with your camcorder, look for a model that includes an electronic flash, accepts an external flash unit in its accessory shoe, and has a menu of useful still-photography functions, such as exposure compensation, white balance, panorama, and flash control options.
Many of the techniques explained in this guide work perfectly well with megapixel-equipped DV camcorders.

Still Cameras That Record High-Quality Movies

Another promising evolution in digital imaging features MPEG-4 movie capture abilities built right into digital still cameras. MPEG-4 provides high-quality video and audio in a very compressed format. Many of these hybrid still cameras can record 30–60 minutes of top-quality video to a 1-GB memory card.
Cameras with this capability often borrow many of our favorite features from DV camcorders, the most notable being a rotating LCD monitor This allows you to capture video from just about any angle, high or low. Another feature that's more often included is stereo audio recording via two microphones positioned on the body of the camera.
Of course, you don't have the overall control for movie capture with these digicams that you'd enjoy with DV camcorders. They seldom have inputs for external microphones or accessory shoes for video lights. But if you like to make the occasional movie and don't want to carry two devices, this new breed of digital still camera is worth a look.