KindaSpikey Loc: English living in San Diego

So after wringing the last little bit of life from my beloved old phone, the time arrived for me to replace it. I didn't go for the latest and greatest, (and most overpriced), but I wanted something decent. Sorry to all the apple owners out there, but I converted and became a Samsung fanboy years ago and have been very happy with them ever since. Anyway, I wasn't particularly interested in the photographic capabilities, I'm happy with my dslr already, but I wanted a "good phone", sleek, easy to use, reliable, good battery life, no problems with calls, fast enough for web surfing and texting.. You get the idea, just a nice phone. So I bit the bullet and got myself a new Samsung galaxy note 10 plus. Now I wouldn't say it was cheap, but it was less than the newest version. So after a few days using it and setting it up how I like it, I'm as happy as can be with it. Works better than I was hoping for and the big bright clear screen is a pleasure to look at. Here's the bit we're waiting for, I finally played with the camera, and wow, I'm blown away. Picture quality is awesome. It has wide, normal and zoom. Image stabilization. More filters than I'll ever use. Shoots in "night mode" with no need for a flash and sucks in enough light for great images. This particular phone has a stylus you can slide out for writing notes and also is really helpful In a lot of apps, but it also works as a remote for the camera, which works perfectly, especially when on a tripod. As you can see, I could go on and on about this and I've only scratched the surface, and I'm still learning how to use it to its full potential. So here's the real talking point. Do you think that these phone cameras will get to the point where a substantial percentage of people will stop buying "real" cameras? I realize that lens choice can't be replicated on a phone, and personally I like the feel of a real camera in my hands. But for non-enthusiasts these are not really issues, and in a lot of ways the capabilities offered by these phones can exceed those found in cameras. A lot of camera companies are struggling right now, and some have already quit. Do you think owning and using a real camera will become a niche hobby, or the realm of professional photographers? Honestly, my new phone camera will never replace my regular camera, but it's light, slips into my pocket, and takes awesome shots, and I know that there's gonna be times when I'm choosing not to bring my camera, because I already have the phone with me, and I concider myself an enthusiast, so imagine how many young people will never have that urge to go out and buy their first camera. Anyway, I think I've said enough, I just hope the camera industry can survive, and that camera prices don't go through the roof!

ELNikkor

I think you are spot-on. The camera phones are so much better than the Instamatic 124 I got as a child when I was first interested in photography. Now, EVERY child (and adult!) has a still camera AND video at their disposal that far exceeds anything that could have been imagined back then. Why buy a "real" camera that is bulky, and may take some brains to make work right?

Orphoto Loc: Oregon

It has already happened. Phones have wiped out the low end of the former camera market.

BebuLamar

Real cameras are bulky, sometimes more expensive sometimes not but they are easier to use than the smart phones.

billnikon Loc: Pennsylvania/Ohio/Florida/Maui/Oregon/Vermont

OH darn, my cell phone can't do the first image.
OH DOUBLE DARN, my cell phone can't the second image.
OH TRIPLE DARN, MY CELL PHONE CAN"T DO THE THIRD IMAGE. OH DARN THAT PHONE!!!!!!!! WHAT WILL I DO!!!! WHAT WILL I DO!!!!!!!!!

yssirk123 Loc: New Jersey

Wow - those are some beautiful images Bill!

Bison Bud

Cell phone cameras have indeed improved and are a viable option for many and this has indeed affected the market when it comes to camera sales. Virtually all the lower end, point and shoot type cameras are gone now and it's even affected DLSR sales with only upper end, pro-sumer and up cameras being the only ones really sold in real quantities. Manufacturers have no choice but to respond to these sales and I think we will see less and less of the lower end models as we go forward.

On another note, I think that phone manufacturers have done us all a big wrong in that they have pretty much done away with removable batteries and the use of dedicated SD card slots. These used to be common if not required, but they have figured out that people will hold on to a phone longer if they can replace the battery and they are in the business of selling phones. Not sure what the justification is for eliminating the SD slot, but for me this is a requirement. Unfortunately, greed and corporate profit dictate what is manufactured and sold, but this trend has offended me and I'll give up my phone entirely before I buy one that has no SD slot or removable battery regardless of the new tech stuff that comes out, including the improvements in their cameras!

uhaas2009

There are still enough situations where cameras easily beats the cell. Cell are depending on software not necessarily cameras.
Some years ago I liked androids better than iPhones. At the moment I prefer iPhone. Android adjust software to different phone with different outcomes and restrictions. And you have software from android, Samsung, google and network provider. Where do you save your pictures...... and sure apple does there own stuff, too.....for years I use touch copy from wide angle software for Apple and now they have android too to my surprise. The popularity certain companies makes us forget about others like Sony or blackberry.....

Blair Shaw Jr Loc: Dunnellon,Florida

Yes....it's happening as we speak. Cameras are expensive and phones....not as bad. I hope we still see them being made but I am skeptical at the moment and still struggling to learn my camera and my present smart phone.

All my devices are smarter than I will ever be and it's nice to know that I'm not alone in my suffering.

jederick Loc: Northern Utah

To me, cell phones are great and do us a favor when we are out and about camera-less and want to take a quick snap.

A young family member and his girlfriend spend all summer each year hiking all the major U.S. Trails. They stopped by for a few days and I was blown away with his photos as he journal/documents their hikes. He was using his Samsung S21 and it is the equal of any good P&S if not better. Has a normal, wide angle and 30X zoom lens. His photos of moose at 30X (with no pp) were amazing....sharp from his feet to the moose ~75 yds. away!

I am now in the process of setting up my Samsung S21 and will share future pics...probably street photos. Have always been a denier but now realize they have progressed to a point where we have to give them there do!!

leftj Loc: Texas

Actually, you're a little behind the times. Many people have long since stopped buying real cameras. Have you looked at the sales figures lately?

billnikon Loc: Pennsylvania/Ohio/Florida/Maui/Oregon/Vermont

Yes, I have looked at the sales figures lately. And they are very encouraging. Why do you ask. Sales are up in Japan, up in China, up in India. This is where the bulk of the worlds population live, and camera sales are up.

jamesl Loc: Pennsylvania

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leftj Loc: Texas

They are only up now compared to the pandemic year. Camera sales are way down from what they were years ago which is generally attributed to cell phone cameras.

Horseart Loc: Alabama

I have the note 9, and love it and the pictures it gives me too. Thinking of getting a new one but it will never replace my cameras. Taking a picture of a bird close up at a long distance doesn't happen with the phone, so I will still carry at least one camera when I go out.