Is smart phone photography killing interest and use of mirrorless digital cameras ? It might be an old and dumb question but the progress in quality of pics taken by new and newer...

Silkway2017

It might be an old and dumb question but the progress in quality of pics taken by new and newer iPhones renews interest in it.

insman1132 Loc: Southwest Florida

From what I can determine the interest in the Smart Phone as a Camera is affecting the sales of the Point and Shoot style of camera. Perhaps the lower end Bridge Cameras as well. A true dedicated Photo Hobbyist and the Professional, and semi-professional, Photographer will always continue to use the dedicated higher end Digital Cameras, mirrorless or otherwise.

By the way, there is a fine section on this site dedicated to Smart Phone photography.

MrBob Loc: lookout Mtn. NE Alabama

insman1132 wrote:

From what I can determine the interest in the Smart Phone as a Camera is affecting the sales of the Point and Shoot style of camera. Perhaps the lower end Bridge Cameras as well. A true dedicated Photo Hobbyist and the Professional, and semi-professional, Photographer will always continue to use the dedicated higher end Digital Cameras, mirrorless or otherwise.

By the way, there is a fine section on this site dedicated to Smart Phone photography.

It does not take much vision to see where the road is headed.... Transitions are taking place whether we like it or not.

Longshadow Loc: Audubon, PA, United States

It's not helping?

I doubt that many people using the smart phones are as cognizant of "mirrorless vs. mirrored" as are photography aficionados.

BebuLamar

The smart phones would reduce interest in all cameras because they are often treated as cameras. However, it's not a bad thing as there are way too many cameras bought in the beginning of the 21st century. So the number of cameras bought each year would go down and a lot of them will be replaced by smart phones.

Longshadow Loc: Audubon, PA, United States

BebuLamar wrote:

The smart phones would reduce interest in all cameras because they are often treated as cameras. However, it's not a bad thing as there are way too many cameras bought in the beginning of the 21st century. So the number of cameras bought each year would go down and a lot of them will be replaced by smart phones.

davidrb Loc: Half way there on the 45th Parallel

Silkway2017 wrote:

It might be an old and dumb question but the progress in quality of pics taken by new and newer iPhones renews interest in it.

Apple is actively pursuing customers for their iPhone products. By comparison Canon, Nikon, et. al. are sitting on their laurels and waiting for customers to flock to their products. Guess which philosophy is gaining headway. One company is selling like mad while the others are not. The "quality" of which you speak is for "snap shots" and "point and shoot" photographs only. "Quality" is now being defined as "Effortless." iPhones were designed for ease and comfort and the results indicate as such. Landscapes and portraits are NOT complete photography, so why bother with such a limited selection? Which iPhone would Ansel have used? The answer: NONE, he worked usually in isolation and didn't want to be bothered with phone calls!

Tomfl101 Loc: Mount Airy, MD

One thing is for sure about smart phones; they are indeed smarter and more intelligent than DSLR and Mirrorless cameras in their auto modes. Camera manufacturers should take note and build similar in-camera processing capabilities for those that don’t care to learn advanced photo techniques. Coupled with superior optics and resolving power, camera manufactures could possibly slow the tide, but I doubt it.

L-Fox

MrBob wrote:

It does not take much vision to see where the road is headed.... Transitions are taking place whether we like it or not.

That's a fact...our progenitors started clubs and rocks. Now we have hydrogen bombs. 'PROGRESS' cannot be stopped.

StanMac Loc: Tennessee

Tomfl101 wrote:

One thing is for sure about smart phones; they are indeed smarter and more intelligent than DSLR and Mirrorless cameras in their auto modes. Camera manufacturers should take note and build similar in-camera processing capabilities for those that don’t care to learn advanced photo techniques. Coupled with superior optics and resolving power, camera manufactures could possibly slow the tide, but I doubt it.

Agree . . .

Stan

lamiaceae Loc: San Luis Obispo County, CA

insman1132 wrote:

From what I can determine the interest in the Smart Phone as a Camera is affecting the sales of the Point and Shoot style of camera. Perhaps the lower end Bridge Cameras as well. A true dedicated Photo Hobbyist and the Professional, and semi-professional, Photographer will always continue to use the dedicated higher end Digital Cameras, mirrorless or otherwise.

By the way, there is a fine section on this site dedicated to Smart Phone photography.

Good analysis.

gvarner Loc: Central Oregon Coast

BebuLamar wrote:

The smart phones would reduce interest in all cameras because they are often treated as cameras. However, it's not a bad thing as there are way too many cameras bought in the beginning of the 21st century. So the number of cameras bought each year would go down and a lot of them will be replaced by smart phones.

They’re treated like cameras because their cameras are cameras hidden inside an unfortunate monicker.

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

I think some people like the technology of cameras (I'm one of them), and some people like to snap pictures throughout the day. Cameras for the first group and phones for the second. Of course, there is a third group: those who like to take great pictures with a good quality phone.

pithydoug Loc: Catskill Mountains, NY

insman1132 wrote:

From what I can determine the interest in the Smart Phone as a Camera is affecting the sales of the Point and Shoot style of camera. Perhaps the lower end Bridge Cameras as well. A true dedicated Photo Hobbyist and the Professional, and semi-professional, Photographer will always continue to use the dedicated higher end Digital Cameras, mirrorless or otherwise.

By the way, there is a fine section on this site dedicated to Smart Phone photography.

Well said!

Longshadow Loc: Audubon, PA, United States

davidrb wrote:

Apple is actively pursuing customers for their iPh... (show quote)

Apple is going after the "Instamatic" crowd.

"Complete photography" is relative, eh?