Animated Chart: The Smartphone Effect on the Camera Market: An interesting perspective. This will really add fuel to the conversation about the future of Cameras.

jerold222 Loc: Southern Minnesota

An interesting perspective. This will really add fuel to the conversation about the future of Cameras.
https://www.visualcapitalist.com/cp/charting-the-smartphone-effect-camera-market/?utm_source=join1440&utm_medium=email

alexol

It should be clear by now that, long term, there IS no future for cameras as we know them today.

The young person who has any interest in conventional camera hardware is definitely a rare animal.

On a recent trip to a particularly touristy area in Switzerland, I made an effort to see who was using what: a surprisingly large proportion of Japanese tourists were using Fuji X100v, a small number of Canon/ Nikon/Sony mirrorless and one poor soul looking like a refugee from photography boot camp with a big bag of gear, and not one but two tripods.

Oh yes, and the vast, vast majority waving cellphones around.

Almost all were taking photos of themselves and their friends with some of the world's most spectacular scenery in the background.

Talking to one group, someone said "I can look up beautiful scenic images online, or buy a book, or a print for my wall, but WE may never be here again".

Hard to argue with that...

jerold222 Loc: Southern Minnesota

I wonder about the companies, they must still be making a profit or at least some return on investment in developing ultra high tech cameras for a rapidly shrinking market.

Bill 45

alexol wrote:

It should be clear by now that, long term, there I... (show quote)

You are right. I am old film camera person(77 years old.) It becoming harder and harder to fine the right kind of film one wants to use. Add to that fine a good place to have your film made into pictures. Yes, you have Wallmark and
Wallgreen, I had at both places film get lose or I end up with someone else pictures. No one talk about the cost of using a smartphone and that in less than year today smartphone will end up in the trash can. So as long as I can; I will keep using film camera.

alexol

I can't think of any good reason why, but for whatever reason, using a film camera is just so very satisfying in a way that a digital camera is not.

Maybe it's similar to the difference between vinyl albums and CDs. Somehow, even the very highest definition digital version - and there are formats out there that blow the doors off CDs - just don't sound as good as an analogue recording.

Sometimes - many times - it is is good to be old.

rmorrison1116 Loc: Near Valley Forge, Pennsylvania

alexol wrote:

I can't think of any good reason why, but for whatever reason, using a film camera is just so very satisfying in a way that a digital camera is not.

Maybe it's similar to the difference between vinyl albums and CDs. Somehow, even the very highest definition digital version - and there are formats out there that blow the doors off CDs - just don't sound as good as an analogue recording.

Sometimes - many times - it is is good to be old.

Digital sound and digital images are two entirely different things. Digital music isn't as good as analog music simply because the music was created in analog, and digital recording actually changes the sound. High resolution digital images recorded with a quality digital camera, look just the same as a comparable images recorded on film. Sound is a result of vibrations in air, and photos are a recording of light; two entirely different media.

alexol

Hence the word 'maybe'.

Also worth pointing out that analogue recordings almost always become digital recordings at some point, even if they end up on vinyl.

Being something of a recovering hifi buff - I gave away a Linn Sondek LP12 to the house moving crew a few years ago - I do follow your point.

But you remind me, still have a box of LPs that have to go to eBay soon!

Architect1776 Loc: In my mind

alexol wrote:

It should be clear by now that, long term, there I... (show quote)

Absolutely true about seeing the scene everywhere. I have commented on it several times.
Only off the tour trap trail where people are herded around and jostle to get "The shot" is the camera worth it.
There are billions of Eiffel tower shots and as they said they will be there once and selfies are more FUN.
Going off the tourist trail, looking for truly interesting and unique shots that are not everywhere is where a capable camera shines.

sodapop Loc: Bel Air, MD

rmorrison1116 wrote:

Digital sound and digital images are two entirely different things. Digital music isn't as good as analog music simply because the music was created in analog, and digital recording actually changes the sound. High resolution digital images recorded with a quality digital camera, look just the same as a comparable images recorded on film. Sound is a result of vibrations in air, and photos are a recording of light; two entirely different media.

That was true in the early days of digital. Nowadays digital is as good if not better than analog. Music sounds better on analog because it is older music which is far better than that which is put out today (IIMHO)

LFingar Loc: Claverack, NY

I wouldn't worry about the cellphone replacing "real" cameras. After all, look at all the claims that have been made that the horseless carriage would replace the horse. Like that could ever happen!
Gotta go! Have to drive over to the farm supply to get grain for the horses.

Architect1776 Loc: In my mind

LFingar wrote:

I wouldn't worry about the cellphone replacing "real" cameras. After all, look at all the claims that have been made that the horseless carriage would replace the horse. Like that could ever happen!
Gotta go! Have to drive over to the farm supply to get grain for the horses.

I don't know, my cousin finally replaced her horses with an ATV last year.

photon-collector Loc: Tampa Bay Area, Florida

alexol wrote:

I can't think of any good reason why, but for whatever reason, using a film camera is just so very satisfying in a way that a digital camera is not.

Maybe it's similar to the difference between vinyl albums and CDs. Somehow, even the very highest definition digital version - and there are formats out there that blow the doors off CDs - just don't sound as good as an analogue recording.

Sometimes - many times - it is is good to be old.

Totally agree, alexol. When you get old, film, analog vs digital, vinyl records, tube-type amplifiers, and smoking a pipe, each provide a level of simple enjoyment. "Slow down, you move too fast. Gotta make the morning last."

DJCard Loc: Northern Kentucky

LFingar wrote:

I wouldn't worry about the cellphone replacing "real" cameras. After all, look at all the claims that have been made that the horseless carriage would replace the horse. Like that could ever happen!
Gotta go! Have to drive over to the farm supply to get grain for the horses.

👍😄👍

SuperflyTNT Loc: Manassas VA

alexol wrote:

Hence the word 'maybe'.

Also worth pointing out that analogue recordings almost always become digital recordings at some point, even if they end up on vinyl.

Being something of a recovering hifi buff - I gave away a Linn Sondek LP12 to the house moving crew a few years ago - I do follow your point.

But you remind me, still have a box of LPs that have to go to eBay soon!

Nowadays the analog signal is converted to digital as it’s recorded. Not many record to tape anymore. There was a recent scandal where a high end vinyl record company that claimed their pressings were made from original analog masters was exposed as having a digital step in the process. Nobody could hear the difference. Essentially digital sound is no different than photography. The higher the bit rate the better the detail.

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

jerold222 wrote:

An interesting perspective. This will really add fuel to the conversation about the future of Cameras.
https://www.visualcapitalist.com/cp/charting-the-smartphone-effect-camera-market/?utm_source=join1440&utm_medium=email

When a cell phone can do the following, I will sell my equipment.