Simple printing and speed for snapshooters
At last year's PMA, we saw lots of pocket cameras with resolution ranging from 2 to 5 megapixels. This year, 3-megapixel cameras in the $200 range are taking over the entry-level market, and we expect to see plenty of high-res compact models. Camera manufacturers have been putting a lot of effort into making digital photography easier and more accessible to general consumers. To that end, most of the point-and-shoot models unveiled at the show will support PictBridge, a new standard that lets you connect your camera directly to any PictBridge-compatible printer. (We'll be looking out for those at the show, too.)

The supersvelte, superfast SL300R

Manufacturers have been talking up their in-camera image-processing technology, and we expect to see some improvements in shooting speed from mainstream cameras. Kyocera has already announced the Contax SL300R T*, an upscale version of the Kyocera SL300R, which brought impressive continuous shooting to consumers late last year.

Eight-megapixel models all around
This year looks to be the year of the 8-megapixel EVF (electronic viewfinder) camera. Sony started the ball rolling late last year with the Cyber Shot F828, but that camera will suddenly find itself with a lot of company at PMA 2004. Nikon has already announced its Coolpix 8700, Canon has unveiled the PowerShot Pro1, and we expect other vendors to follow suit. These cameras will offer big optical zoom ranges and lots of advanced features along with their high resolution.

Sony's 8-megapixel F828

Electronic viewfinders aren't every photographer's cup of tea, however. For serious amateurs who prefer the through-the-lens optical view and interchangeable lens system of an SLR, Nikon will be showing off its new D70 at this year's PMA. At last year's show, Canon thrilled serious amateurs everywhere by dropping the entry-level digital SLR price to less than $1,000 with the Digital Rebel. The D70 brings another option for shooters looking in that price range and promises to keep the semipro SLR competition lively. Leica will be showing its 5-megapixel Digilux 2, which was announced last year but will be seen for the first time at PMA. At $1,850, it won't give the Digital Rebel or the D70 much competition, but it may attract recalcitrant analog photographers with its film-camera-like controls.

On the high end, Canon has already unveiled its follow-up to the EOS-1D SLR, the EOS-1D Mark II. It offers 8-megapixel resolution and 8.5fps capture, and we're betting it will fly off the shelves and into the hands of professional photographers as soon as it ships. Fuji has released the successor to its popular S2 Pro. The S3 Pro SLR takes Nikon lenses and incorporates Fuji's new Super CCD SR to capture increased dynamic range.

But these are just a few of the highlights, so make sure to check out our rundown of all the new gear for 2004. We expect plenty of surprises and announcements over the next few days, and we'll be sure to bring you all the juicy details.