MrBob Loc: lookout Mtn. NE Alabama

The new industry is already here and thriving. is called the phone cam industry and it is responding to the demands of the masses... an easy to use, decent quality camera integrated with the phone and internet. This is the new culture whether we want to admit it or not. Millenials don't want to change lenses or carry bulky camera gear around. They like and are used to the form format of the phone cam. Of course there wil always be a certain demand for cameras that have features that advanced users demand. Phone cams will get better and the sales of larger, bulkier cameras will continue to decline.

Bill_de Loc: US

My grand nephew (I think that's the term) is taking photography classes as part of his high school curriculum. It is taught through the county trade school program at a separate location. He currently uses a good bridge camera for video and a dslr for stills. The students had to go through an interview process to get in due to its popularity.

It could be us old farts, I'm closer to 70 than 60, just don't shoot in the same places the young'uns do.

There are enough Hogs putting cameras in the hands of their grandchildren to keep the hobby going.

--

Elliern Loc: Myrtle Beach, SC

Yes..."most" of us on UHH are probably older. Younger people have children and their activities that takes up a lot of their free time. They are the same as most of us were when we were younger.

Most of us used instamatics. As our children became adults and we had more time and money to spend on our hobbies and interests, we bought more expensive and
technologically advanced cameras. The younger people of today will do the same.

So the cycle of members on UHH being of the older generation will continue on. And some day one of those members will be asking this same question about the younger generation of those future times. 😁

bsprague Loc: Lacey, WA, USA

I think the numbers are saying that the market is dying. The snap shooters are NOT adopting the desire for traditional high quality cameras.

Other articles are suggestion that as the market drops it will stabilize into specialties. For example, Nikon recently announced they were going to aim (again) at the professional market.

I wonder if anyone of the known brands will aim for a market that wants cameras that work like smartphones with optics and sensors that produce better images? How about a 1" sensor bridge camera with an Android driven touch screen interface that can edit in camera and post directly to social media?

G Brown Loc: Sunny Bognor Regis West Sussex UK

Probably more to do with who has more disposable income! Individuals 50+ earned a 'family' income. Now young people get individual's income....they need their partners to work as well just to get by.

Pre digital photography was expensive and difficult. There was no alternative to SLR. Now there are lots of alternatives at all price points and photography is also 'free' with cell phones.

The demise will probably be most felt in the beginner and semi pro range as Technology makes these uneconomic as far as 'ability' to use is concerned for those sticking to Auto settings and family snaps.

The professional range will continue for those that need its abilities...and those that like to pose with a big lump on their shoulder.

It is not really the camera's that are the problem - it is more that the 'mystique' surrounding photography is disappearing fast as 'everyone' can now join in. And they will continue to 'join in'.

'think' about cars....certain models look the same across all manufacturers now. There is still high value cars BUT still less 'individual looking' cars. The masses want cheap cars not high end vehicles that satisfy individuals needs. BMW make a 4x4 that is actually smaller than a saloon car and is only front wheel drive on low profile tyres! But there is still a market for hand made cars at affordable prices.....if you can afford the price!

All equipment and tools are becoming 'the lowest common denominator' Cheap and cheerful that it is claimed 'will do the job'. Yet some people still demand tools that last.

Photography isn't doomed. It may become a dying art for many. The few will continue to strive for their kind of perfection.

Have fun - while it lasts for you

LFingar Loc: Claverack, NY

Instamatics and point&shoot cameras didn't die because people lost interest in photography. They died because something that most consider superior came along. The cellphone camera. More people then ever are taking pictures. If the DSLR dies it will be because something superior replaced it. The professional market is still there and is not going to switch to cellphones anytime soon. It may end up costing more, but manufacturers will be servicing the pro's for quite a while yet. In 2016 8.2 million DSLR's were sold and 19 million lenses. Not as many as in past years, but still a desirable market. Besides, I'm not going to worry about it no matter what happens.

MrBob Loc: lookout Mtn. NE Alabama

Your last paragraph was spot on... I have always wondered why more phone cam features have not been used in traditional cameras; the display and computing power is already there, along with WiFi, why not apps...

Bill_de Loc: US

Going through the menu of my Sony RX last night looking for the remote app, I found they have other apps, for a fee. I didn't stop to see what the were, but the remote app was free.

--

Bruce with a Canon Loc: Islip

Not old here, only 66and a half

charles brown Loc: Tennesse

I think for the most part, you are right. With recent improvements in smartphone cameras and improvements being discussed, smartphones will eventually replace a large segment of the camera market. Will they replace top of the line cameras, of course not. But, P&S and low end DSLRS days are probably numbered. It wasn't that long ago that people were saying that DSLR resolution will never match that of film. Yea, right. At just about every large public event or tourist attraction that I attend I see a few DSLRs being used but a large number of smartphones being used as cameras. And I have noticed that the people with DSLRs tend to be older than those using their phones.

DirtFarmer Loc: Escaped from the NYC area, back to MA

Well, at least I'm not a professional

repleo Loc: Boston

Unfortunately this seems to be the case. One of the most frequent themes here on UHH is 'I am too old / weak / feeble to lug my DSLR around anymore - what mirrorless should I get'. Another one is 'I used to shoot film back in the good old days..'
My camera club usually has at least 100 members show up every week and there aren't 3 of them less than 60 years old'.

GPS Phil Loc: Dayton Ohio

And there you go thinking again! You do realize that common sense and logic could very well destroy this thread.

Peterff Loc: O'er The Hills and Far Away, in Themyscira.

What's special about this thread?

steve_stoneblossom Loc: Rhode Island, USA

The primary casualty of the migration to the 'non-dedicated' camera is the point-and-shoot, not all cameras. Maybe because I live in an area with several colleges and universities, some with strong arts programs, I see many, many people throughout the city well under 40 years with traditional cameras.