Could Apple's new iPod Touch bring iPhoneography (or should that be iPodography) to the masses?
Saturday, September 15, 2012 at 2:48PM | Editor 
On Wednesday, alongside the new iPhone 5, Apple announced an update to its iPod range. Most notably, and most importantly for iPhoneography was the new and improved iPod Touch. With the same 4" display as the iPhone 5, 5 megapixel iSight camera with HDR and new Panorama shooting modes, 5 element f/2.4 lens, this new iDevice really opens up the world of high quality iPhoneography to those who don't own or don't want to own an iPhone.
In addition to the improved stills camera, this new generation iPod Touch adds something no iPhone or previous Touch has had, and that is a very useful "loop holder", which allows you to attached the Apple supplied colour matching Loop/lanyard.
When it comes to video, just like the iPhone 5, this new Touch benefits from the same 16:9 ratio display, HD 1080p video recording (over the previous models 720p), and the same improved video stabilisation.
With all these improvements, and prices starting from £249.00/$299.00, Apple really have pulled one out of the bag, and whilst this new Touch may not offer a physical zoom lens like a traditional point and shoot digital compact camera (neither does the iPhone), with such a vast array of photo taking, editing and sharing apps, I think this new Touch will appeal to many people both young and old, who are looking for a point and shoot camera that does more than just take photos; and should give the new breed of Android based cameras a run for their money.
iPod Touch, iPod Touch 4th Generation, iPodography in News
Reader Comments (8)
On the development side, it seems that Apple has seized upon photography (along with gaming) as the key to keeping this product relevant, even compelling, in a sales environment dominated by smartphones. I find it hard to imagine they won't follow through with marketing -- and I'd expect this marketing to be designed and targeted quite differently than the larger push for the iPhone. For instance: big holiday season approaching; how do you stuff this thing into as many Xmas stockings as possible?
Oh and Glyn: I'm heartened to see you sticking resolutely to "whilst". This show of principle is refreshing in an era of collapsing standards.
A look at my facebook wall shows that everybody and their brother's best friend's uncle already has a smartphone and pics are everywhere. iPhoneography has already reached the masses. The ones on the iOS side of the platform war, anyway.
My reasoning is this:
1) the price of the iPod touch 32gb is the same as the IPhone 5 32gb $299
2) The camera for the Touch is only 5mp where as the iPhone is now 8mp
3) The processor is A5 as compared to A6
You are paying the same price but getting less. Am I missing something?
"You are paying the same price but getting less. Am I missing something?"
Yes - the iPod Touch does not come with the eye wateringly large 24 month airtime agreement (and the associated handset subsidy) that the iPhone 5 comes with.
Look at *TOTAL* cost of ownership - not up front cost!
My reasoning is this:
1) the price of the iPod touch 32gb is the same as the IPhone 5 32gb $299
2) The camera for the Touch is only 5mp where as the iPhone is now 8mp
3) The processor is A5 as compared to A6
You are paying the same price but getting less. Am I missing something?"
Well first of all, You aren't paying the same price at all. Yes you only pay $299 up front but the cell company has subsidized that and paid Apple the full amount. They make up that loss in charges along your contract life. So you actually end up paying about the same full out of contract price over that 2 year span, thus making the iPod touch A LOT cheaper than the iphone.
As for the camera. Apple is a business, and their cash-cow is the iPhone so of course they would give it a selling point like the better camera over the iPod's camera. But, make no mistake, the iPod's camera is the same as the iPhone 4, which was really the iPhone that jumpstarted iPhoneography. It is an extremely capable camera.
The processor, as for as photography goes, really isn't a concern. The A5 will get you to the same place as the A6, just a little slower, and really it would be hardly noticable considering the number of background processes slowing down the iPhone's processor, that aren't present in the iPod.
In reality, the iPod is a very comparable device to the iPhone that is actually hundreds cheaper.
1) The idea of upfront cost compared to contractual cost is really not valid. I shake my head at people who say "I always just buy my phones rather than get stuck into a contract for 2 years" Well yes but if you want a phone, you still need to pay for your monthly bill whether in a contract or not so if you can get it subsidized but then you need to calculate which is more. I have know some people pays 800 for an unlocked iPhone then pays 60/month without a contract but I don't think he is getting a deal in my opinion. Especially if difference may only be 10 or 15 dollars a month on the bill. I say take advantage of that subsidy if it makes sense.
With that being said, separate the fact that you have pay for the monthly phone bill anyway because you want to use it, it still boils down to what you get for your $299.00 and the iPod touch is inferior compared to the iPhone, most likely on purpose. Yes it may be just as good as iPhone 4s NOW but jeez isn't it 2012, couldn't they have given the same camera exactly and bump up the price to 350? I guess it is better than .8 MP.
Sorry for my whining, I guess I will never get a iphone for the phone aspects but would have loved to have gotten a ITouch with an updated Camera.