Digital Cameras with Face Recognition

Face recognition is a new feature among digital cameras. No, this tool does NOT automatically draw up the name and personal information of the person you are shooting-at least not yet.

Simply put, face recognition technology allows a digital camera to automatically detect a face in a particular setting. After detecting a face, the camera automatically focuses and optimizes flash output and exposure on the face. A camera doesn't automatically go on recognizing faces unless if you turn on its face recognition mode.

Since face recognition is a fairly new technology incorporated in digital cameras, not a lot of people know when or how to use it. In general, face recognition is best used in these cases:

when shooting a large group of people,

when a person is some distance away from the camera , or

when the person being shot is shaking.

When in face recognition mode, a digital camera will stay focused on person's face and automatically adjust the exposure. In some cameras, the face recognition feature is taken a step higher- the camera can track singularly tracks a face and give priority to it. This feature is particularly handy when you are taking pictures of your child's school play, or if you simply want to focus on a beautiful face in the crowd.

In order for a camera's face recognition feature to work effectively, a person's face must, of course, be facing the camera. Face recognition is also known by another name: face-priority. You can activate your camera's face recognition feature by switching it to portrait mode or face detection mode. Face detection is generally faster than manually focusing on a face.

The first companies to incorporate face recognition technology in camcorders are Sony and Panasonic. Sony incorporated this technology in the HDR-SR10 and Panasonic in the HDC-SD9. These models were released in 2008. If you use one of these models, you will notice that faces have more clarity and sharpness. With this technology, excessive exposure to light practically becomes a thing of the past.

Since Panasonic and Sony have already taken the lead, other electronics companies are expected to follow, releasing camcorder models with built-in face recognition feature. It's safe to say that as more models come out, the prices of the pioneers' models will go down.

Where digital cameras are concerned, a fairly large number of models are already incorporating the technology. Improved features of face recognition for cameras are already being developed. For instance, eventually the camera may be able to authenticate the identity of the person you are shooting.

These advanced features may end up creating a fuss among those concerned about personal privacy.