BenQ’s new camera is totally different in it’s approach and quaintly re-defines innovation in digital point-and-shoot cameras. The camera has fairly standard features:  10-megapixles, 3x optical zoom and a large 3.0-inch touch screen display. It also has a Super Shake-Free Hotkey which provides crystal-clear action shots, with a built-in Red-Eye Remover, and 29 shooting modes, customized for specific environmental scenarios, which include a Night Scene mode to take clear pictures even in low-light settings.

On top of those, it also has an 16:9 HD mode with 1920×1080 pixels picture size, and an AF Assist Lamp which enables picture taking in dim light without any flash.

But that’s not what’s innovative about this camera.  BenQ had made the 3.0 inch touch screen display a whole lot more useful.  Various movements on the touch screen replace button functions on other cameras.  The touch interface assigns movements on the touch-screen to shoot pictures, zoom in on a subject and to view the pictures on the camera.

The “Tap to Shoot” function allows users to take a picture by tapping on the touch-screen display, instead of pressing on the shutter button.  You can also follow the subject on the touchscreen with your finger.  This focuses the camera on the moving subject, and letting go of the touchscreen captures the image.

To zoom in on the picture, draw a circle with the fingertip.  The camera will zoom in on the area up to (up to 3x optical zoom or 12x digital zoom).  Cropping can also be done by the same movements, and the cropped picture will be saved as a new file.

While browsing pictures on the touchscreen, swiping the display will move to the next picture.  Much like the movements on the iTouch or the iPod Touch.  Swiping also works for as controls while watching video.

Note taking can also be done with a “scribbling” feature, where you can write your comments or notes about the picture in real time.

The touchscreen features is a very intuitive approach, and does away with most of the buttons of the camera.  This surely puts the point-and-shoot back to a gentler learning curve for beginners.  And as anyone familiar with rich touchscreen controls, these features are a more fun than playing with the buttons.

BenQ, like a lot of electronics manufacturers have dabbled into photography because of the synergistic opportunities it provides.  They already have the manufacturing equipment, the parts and the software, and distribution network.  With the E1050t, BenQ is maximizing it’s leverage on technologies, and proposing a new way of using the camera.  It may not necessarily be better, but it is a different way to access the pictures and camera functions.

Definitely, with less buttons, it would be less intimidating to newbies and a lot easier to learn how to use.  At the same time, it has a novelty factor to it for early adopters and those who like touchscreen controls.  10 megapixels is not too shabby either, and the 3x optical zoom is about par for the market.