Picture-Perfect Imaging Gifts for Mom

Nine Cameras & Accessories That Make an Enticing Display of Mother’s Day Gifts

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Every April, Digital Imaging Reporter happily turns its attention to the spring and summer picture-taking seasons. For photo retailers, this is also a time to take advantage of several important gift-giving holidays and events—from communions and engagements to graduations—and not the least of these is Mother’s Day!

While we think of Mother’s Day as the day we pamper our mothers, it is also a time to celebrate the influence of mothers on society. In the imaging industry, we know one of those vital influences is mom’s role as the family historian—the preserver and communicator of generations of memories! And her go-to method of memory keeping and sharing is photography. So it’s only natural that Mother’s Day offers the opportunity to encourage your customers to buy the ultimate present to enhance mom’s picture taking. Here are our picks for cameras and accessories to display as picture-perfect Mother’s Day gifts.

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Olympus Stylus Tough TG-870

Olympus Stylus Tough TG-870. For the outdoorsy mom, this adventure camera is waterproof to 50 feet, freezeproof to 14º F, shockproof from 7 feet, crushproof to 220 pounds of force and dustproof. Its TruePic VII processor, the same used in OM-D mirrorless cameras, is paired with a 16MP CMOS sensor so mom can capture clear images with true colors, day or night, even underwater. The rugged camera sports an ultrawide-angle 21–105mm f/3.5–5.7 lens that will get everyone in the shot. And a 920,000-dot, 180º tilting LCD monitor is perfect for taking selfies. Plus there are four sportcam modes with Full HD video, super macro mode, 13 art filters to bolster mom’s creativity and, of course, built-in Wi-Fi that lets mom easily share the moment. $279.99. olympusamerica.com

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Canon Selphy CP1200

Canon Selphy CP1200. This wireless, compact photo printer offers on-the-go printing. An optional direct-attachable battery prints 54 photos per charge, and a Wi-Fi button simplifies the process for easy operation. Notably, the CP1200 offers crafty features to help mom create photo keepsakes and souvenirs. For example, a 2.7-inch, tilt-up LCD allows her to view and edit images computer-free. With card-size printing options, she can create pass cases, messages and decorated albums, with the option of adding white or black borders to the layout. She can also print stamp-size sheets with eight thumbnails or a combination of images. Other techy stuff: borderless printing and image optimization can be adjusted via a smartphone; dye-sub technology provides accurate color reproduction; a water-resistant coating Canon says will help photos last 100 years; and connection preferences that include SD cards, Wi-Fi and USB. $109.99. usa.canon.com

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Pentax Q-S1

Pentax Q-S1. If your customers want to give mom DSLR functionality and the flexibility of interchangeable lenses but in a smaller body, there’s the mirrorless Pentax Q-S1. Panache and performance are brought together in this compact interchangeable-lens camera, but we like the idea that it comes in fashionable color combinations. The Q-S1 measures just 4.1×2.3×1.3 inches yet offers a 12.4MP, 1/1.7-inch CMOS sensor and Q processor that promise high-quality images and Full HD 1080p video. With shooting features to make photography more enjoyable, it has a top sensitivity of ISO 12,800 and a reliable shake-reduction system for crisp imagery. Mom can use the camera’s bokeh control to produce SLR-like artistic background blur with ease, and apply nine smart effects and 11 creative filters with the turn of a dial. Other features include: a 3-inch, 460K-dot LCD with a 170º viewing angle; 5-fps continuous shooting; RAW shooting; auto picture mode selection; and support for Eyefi wireless cards. $249.95 (sans lens). ricohimaging.com

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Crumpler Pleasure Dome

Crumpler Pleasure Dome. No Mother’s Day gift list would be complete without a bag! This medium-size shoulder bag holds a compact DSLR with a kit lens, a mirrorless camera with two accessory lenses or a compact video camera. It’s made from water-resistant polyester over a padded, brushed nylon interior that helps protect mom’s gear from the elements as well as against bumps and everyday impacts. The main compartment features a gusseted, clamshell opening to prevent gear from accidentally falling out. Within the dual-zippered compartment is a slip pocket that can hold a lens cap, memory cards, cables or spare battery. Its shoulder strap is adjustable and removable to comfortably tote the bag by its handle. And the rear side has a touch-tab webbing to secure the bag to a belt, another bag or a shoulder strap. $29.95. crumpler.com

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Fujifilm FinePix XP90

Fujifilm FinePix XP90. With a perky, eye-catching contemporary style, Fujifilm’s cool, go-anywhere adventure camera has an upgraded 1/2.3-inch 16.4MP CMOS sensor and is four-way proof so mom can capture life’s exploits. It’s waterproof to 33 feet, shockproof to withstand a 5-foot drop, freezeproof to 14º F and dustproof. It delivers ultrafast start-up and shoots continuous full-res bursts at a fast 10 fps, so mom won’t miss a thing. Other key features include: a 2.7-inch, antireflective LCD; a 5x, Fujinon 28–140mm f/3.9–4.9 zoom lens with a hardened glass lens barrier and water repellent coating; Full HD 1080p video capability; advanced sensor-shift IS; creative filters; AF tracking to capture fast-moving kids and pets; and Wi-Fi connectivity. $229.99. fujifilmusa.com

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Nikon 1 J4

Nikon 1 J4. The mirrorless, interchangeable-lens J4 is portable, versatile and delivers beautiful 18.4MP images. Sleek enough to fit in a purse, it’s fast enough to capture fleeting moments, with a burst rate of 60 fps fixed focus and 20 fps with AF and touch-shutter. Mom will be able to take tack-sharp photos of everything from energetic children to an evening on the town—and record steady 1080p Full HD video using electronic Vibration Reduction, simultaneous still-image capture and creative modes. She can even change the focal point by tapping a finger on the 3-inch, 1,037K-dot LCD. For formal portraits, she can use sophisticated effects like motion blur and background softening. And family and friends don’t have to wait until mom downloads images to her computer; she can share them immediately using the camera’s Wi-Fi and a mobile device. Plus, creative modes include selective color, miniature effect, creative palette, cross process and toy camera. Even mom’s videos will stand out using fast motion, jump cut and 4-second clip capture. $399.95 with a kit lens. nikonusa.com

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Lomo’Instant Marrakesh

Lomo’Instant Marrakesh. A nod to one of the most romantic destinations, this instant film camera from Lomography will charm mom with its creative features. Cast in a warm-toned leather inspired by the “Pink City,” the camera’s auto flash mode will let mom easily shoot fantastic instant photos with one touch. She can switch to two manual shooting modes for experimental shooting possibilities. The camera’s built-in, wide-angle 27mm lens is compatible with multiple lens attachments for more creative options. The fisheye lens attachment lets mom take 170° circular snapshots; the 35mm-equivalent attachment is great for portraits, indoors and out; and mom can shoot at less than 4 inches away with the close-up lens. She can also create light-streaked photos, shoot multiple exposures, and choose blue, red, purple and yellow gel filters to add flair. The Lomo’Instant creates credit-card-size snapshots using Fujifilm Instax Mini film. $169. lomography.com

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Sony HDR-AS50 with waterproof housing

Sony HDR-AS50. This POV action cam boasts Sony’s video technologies—including SteadyShot IS to keep footage steady, high-bit-rate XAVC S recording and 4K time-lapse capture. Time-lapse capture shoots still images at preset intervals. The images can then be turned into a 4K time-lapse movie using the Action Cam Movie Creator software. And mom can shoot practically anywhere with this action cam and its wrist-wearable live-view remote. The remote acts as an extension of the camera, permitting mom to control its capabilities, including start/stop recording and power on/off. The remote also attaches to various accessories, like a shooting grip and handlebar mount. The cam features an 11.1MP CMOS sensor paired with a Zeiss Tessar lens. An improved interface has larger, more intuitive icons and buttons for easy operation. And mom can control the AS50 with her smartphone via the PlayMemories Mobile app. $350. sony.com
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Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS60. The svelte flagship of Panasonic’s ZS series of P&S cameras packs a lot into a stylish, compact package. It uses an 18.1MP, 1/2.3-inch High Sensitivity MOS sensor for capturing memories in low light, and its 30x, 24–720mm f/3.3–8 Leica DC Vario-Elmar lens is terrific for travel photography. 4K video capture, in four times the resolution of 1080p Full HD, will let mom preserve the action in ultra high def. It’s also one of the few cameras in the P&S long-zoom class to include both a 3-inch, 1,040K-dot touch-screen LCD and a live viewfinder. Other features mom would like include: hybrid OIS+, 5-axis image stabilization (IS) for blur-free imaging; RAW capture; starlight autofocus functions; a DSLR-like lens ring control; a post-focus function that lets her refocus images on the LCD after they’re captured; and a 4K photo function that grabs a 4K still from video. It connects wirelessly to a mobile device for remote shooting and sharing. $449.99. panasonic.com

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