Incentive - September 2011

Cameras
The motivational power of these small wonders
lasts as long as the memories they produce

Perfect

Picture

By Andrea Doyle

According to Incentive’s 2011 Merchandise IQ survey, cameras are one of the top 10 products used in corporate incentive programs, largely because of their tremendous motivational power.

It’s not just the camera itself that generates goodwill and appreciation. The pictures that the incentive recipient captures during vacations, family celebrations, and other special occasions also serve as constant reminders of the company that awarded the camera.

The motivational power of cameras applies to women as much as men, Baby Boomers as much as Millennials, and Luddites as much as tech-nophiles. Plus, cameras are available at a wide range of price points and boast myriad features. Even the less expensive models take great pictures. Here are a few of the newest models that will motivate participants.

digital cameras. They
combine intuitive use
with advanced features,
including a new 16-mega-
pixel EXR-CMOS sen-
sor, a Fujinon 15-times
super-wide-angle lens
(24-360-millimeter equiva-
lent), and a three-inch,
high-contrast LCD with a 160-degree view
range. Another feature is full high-definition
video capture, at 1080p resolution. The
F550EXR also has geotagging. $329.95 and
$349.95, www.fujifilmusa.com

with the powerful technologies that have made Canon’s G Series renowned, such as the HS (for high sensitivity) System, 2.8-inch Vari-angle PureColor System LCD, and RAW and JPEG image-format modes. The PowerShot G12 boasts G Series upgrades like 720p HD video recording, stereo sound for high-quality audio playback, multiple aspect ratios, an electronic level, and tracking auto focus. $499.99, usa.canon.com/ corporategifts

NIKON

Since its launch earlier
this year, Nikon’s Cool-
Pix S9100 has become
one of the company’s
most popular point-and-
shoot cameras. Highlights
include12.1-megapixel
resolution and 18-times
optical zoom. There is
full-HD (1080p) movie recording with one-
touch operation, optical zoom, stereo sound,
and the ability to capture still images while
recording. The camera sports a three-inch,
high-contrast, high-resolution VGA display.

$329.95, www.nikonusa.com

PENTAX

The Pentax Q offers the versatility and precision of an advanced digital SLR camera in a body that is said to be significantly smaller than every other digital interchangeable lens camera on the market today. Pentax says that with a 12.4-megapixel, 1/2.3-inch CMOS image sensor, the Q model carves out an entirely new camera category, extending beyond traditional digital-compact, APS-C, and 4/3 digital cameras. It shoots high-quality video at 1080p, 30-frames-per-second HD. $800 with standard lens kit, $249.95 for optional shoe-mounted viewfinder, www.pentaximaging.com ■