CES 2013: Four new camera and video features could change how you shoot

Lots of cameras and camcorders were introduced at CES 2013. Here are a few of the most intriguing offerings I encountered, which may well change the way you shoot photos and videos in the coming months or years:

3D comes to Lytro. This company is one of the most innovative camera manufacturers in the industry, introducing a new kind of camera that lets you adjust a photo's focus after you've shot it. At CES, I got a chance to talk with their director of photography, who told me that they would be introducing 3D capabilities to their camera this year, including the ability to apply a 3D effect to images you've already shot with a Lytro.

4K video recording. Now that almost every camera and camcorder can capture HD-resolution video, it's ironic (some might say annoying) that the TV industry has decided to up the ante by debuting ultra HD-resolution (or 4K) television, which quadruples HD resolution.

However, these new TVs are impressive. So some camcorder makers are following suit: Companies like Red Digital Cinema, Sony, and even, GoPro are producing camcorders that can capture 4K or ultra high HD-video. Of course, Red Digital Cinema's Scarlet-X will set you back $8,000 or so for pro quality 4K video. GoPro costs about $400, but will only produce 4K video at 12 frames per second, which will make for extremely choppy video. But as with previous "early adopter" technologies, 4K recording is bound to drop in price and increase in capability over time.

Apps to use with your camera or camcorder. Nearly every digital-imaging company has been overhauling or introducing new apps to download on iOS and Android tablets and smart phones that you can use to control your camera or camcorder in new ways. For instance, on some wireless Sony and Samsung cameras and camcorders, you can use your tablet or phone to make a camera or camcorder zoom in and out, snap a photo, or capture video. I expect such apps to continue to evolve in 2013.

New smart features for cameras. Just a few years ago, one of the first smart features, face detection, led to a host of other capabilities, such as smile detection. Now, some camera manufacturers, such as Samsung, are adding new types of smart features, such as the ability to control cameras via voice commands or hand gestures.

See our complete CES 2013 coverage.

Related:
Lytro camera, despite flaws, is groundbreaking (video)
CES 2013 video: What's new in televisions

—Terry Sullivan