As it happens, camera makers, driven by the competition, are bringing lots of features to their cameras. Here are 11 trends in digital cameras, as exemplified by 11 relatively new models (or soon-to-be-released ones). Retail prices are included, if available.High-definition videoA number of cameras, like the Canon PowerShot SX1 IS ($600), have been equipped with full-blown high-definition video capabilities — yet another reason to ditch your video camera. You can connect the SX1 IS directly to a high-definition monitor.“Intelligent” optionsAutomatic doesn’t just mean the camera adjusts settings for lighting. Camera makers keep trying to make automatic even smarter. With Nikon’s “scene auto selector” capabilities, available in the Coolpix S640 ($250) and other models, the camera analyzes a scene and makes adjustments depending on whether it’s a portrait, landscape or other type of shot.

Canon’s PowerShot SD980 IS ($330) includes touch-screen controls, making it possible to select a focus point, flip between images, and otherwise control the camera by touching a screen.

“Wow this thing is weird!”. “I have to move to compose my shot?”. Not to sure how I was going to like this new lens. I moved forward and back, side to side and “Gasp” all the way around my subject to get a composition that wasn’t going to make my eyes bleed, on viewing the LCD. Click. Wow that’s better than a stick in the eye. Lets try another. Compose, move, compose, move again. On and on this dance went until I saw that certain something that made my subject compelling. I let the shutter fall like the guillotine it is, shaving off a piece of time an tucking it away to devour later at my computer.