Canon is shutting down its factory in China (Page 2): A point for consideration. I recently read an article where a tech futurist predicted that by 2030 cell phones will be replaced by...

JBRIII

A point for consideration. I recently read an article where a tech futurist predicted that by 2030 cell phones will be replaced by wearable devices, no hand held phones. If so, I realize just one opinion, but where would that leave cell cameras. Will everyone be wearing video cameras filming everything 24/7 into the cloud? Personally, I don't care about cell phones, cameras or not, but the thought of everybody yelling into their headset everywhere is something I do not look forward to.

Wyantry Loc: SW Colorado

Jerry G wrote:

People will continue to buy interchangeable lens cameras for the same reason they bought them in the past instead of Kodak Instamatics, they want a camera capable of producing quality photos in a variety of situations.

It will be interesting to see if any camera/phone systems develop true lens interchangeability. If that were to occur, the viability of a standard digital camera might well decline rapidly.

It seems conceivable accessory-lenses could be developed for phones that would either “lock-in-place” or screw-in to successfully augment current capabilities found in DSLR or Mirrorless standard cameras, or even improve capabilities by the development of various application programs.

wrangler5 Loc: Missouri

Wouldn't that require (1) some standardization of a lens attachment system and (2) some stability in phone lens design - not new/better lenses in every or every other phone iteration? So third parties have time to design, produce and distribute the auxiliary units that work with a broad range of phones that are in use at the time the units are brought to market.

Given the cutthroat nature of competition in the phone business, in which a newer/better camera is a major selling point of most new editions, it seems unlikely that phone makers would want to cooperate with third parties in this kind of effort.

Nosaj Loc: Sarasota, Florida

Cell phone images are showing up in serious photo competitions with some very successful results. As this trend continues, the age of the general photographer population will decline, leaving the bugs, birds, and barns to the older generation of photographers using multi-lens DSLRs, regardless of the being mirrorless.

timb123

I think maybe canon should get into the phone business, with the phone part being secondary to the camera. May they should team up with one of the phone manufacturers. I don't know just thinking outloud.

Wyantry Loc: SW Colorado

wrangler5 wrote:

Wouldn't that require (1) some standardization of ... (show quote)

Standardization of one manufacturer’s phone system, perhaps.

What if (for example) Apple were to create their own line of lenses? They could have slots on each side of the lens-section that sticks up on the phone, where a lens could slide-in and lock.

Or what if Apple were to partner with a major lens maker like Sigma or Canon?

JBRIII

Wyantry wrote:

Standardization of one manufacturer’s phone system, perhaps.

What if (for example) Apple were to create their own line of lenses? They could have slots on each side of the lens-section that sticks up on the phone, where a lens could slide-in and lock.

Or what if Apple were to partner with a major lens maker like Sigma or Canon?

Not sure when people are joking here or serious anymore, but many good companies have failed trying to be something their not. Many times, especially in tech, once you miss the boat, it's too late to play catch up, things just move too fast.

therwol Loc: USA

JBRIII wrote:

Not sure when people are joking here or serious anymore, but many good companies have failed trying to be something their not. Many times, especially in tech, once you miss the boat, it's too late to play catch up, things just move too fast.

I think that Apple and Samsung don't need Canon or anyone else involved with their phones. They've got it covered. If Canon is going to make it with cameras, it will be with cameras, but those cameras will likely have to incorporate the tech that's going into the phones to be competitive.

Wyantry Loc: SW Colorado

Nosaj wrote:

Cell phone images are showing up in serious photo competitions with some very successful results. As this trend continues, the age of the general photographer population will decline, leaving the bugs, birds, and barns to the older generation of photographers using multi-lens DSLRs, regardless of the being mirrorless.

Someone is already on to accessory-lenses for iPhone 13. Not sure of quality:

https://www.sandmarc.com/collections/iphone-13-pro-lens.