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Phones will never fully replace cameras; though I concede hobbyist photographers can get decent results out of a phone these days. But anyone trying to create a
by exelius 11y ago
Phones will never fully replace cameras; though I concede hobbyist photographers can get decent results out of a phone these days. But anyone trying to create a unique image just has so many more options to adjust with a DSLR (and even more options than that if you shoot with film).
Unless you're a professional or doing "art" photography, these days you really don't need much more than a cameraphone. And even then, a 5-year-old midrange DSLR with a few lenses is more than enough gear. But the images from a phone just don't look as rich, or have as much dynamic range thanks to the small sensor. They can do some neat tricks to approximate an SLR 80% of the time, but for the other 20% you still need a real camera.
- toomuchtodo 11y agoPhones will keep eating cameras until only the high end cameras are left for pros, similar to what's happening with desktops and phones/tablets. "Good enough" really is good enough.
- exelius 11y agoAgree completely. But photography has a strong nostalgia quotient with old gear. A 40-year-old Hasselblad that takes amazing photos, and is worth more than it was 10 years ago. What's also happening is that DSLRs are taking market share from even more high-end pro cameras (Leica, Hasselblad digital) and video cameras due to their more approachable form factor. So "good enough" can cut both ways (though the loss from the hobbyist market dropping out is far bigger than the gain from the high-end).
- ghaff 11y agoPros and prosumers. What we're seeing is a real hollowing out of the middle. DSLRs and other interchangeable lens cameras are still selling pretty well and there's still some business at the high-end of the P&S space (differentiated by bigger zooms or larger sensors etc.) or other specialty cameras (e.g. waterproof/ruggedized). But there's not a lot of reason to buy a cookie-cutter low-end or midrange P&S these days. I use my interchangeable lens camera but it's been a few months since I've bothered to take my Canon S100 (highish end but older P&S) anyplace even though it's very compact.
- VLM 11y agoAnother example: GPS units. I have a handheld that cost less than my phone, runs 48+ hours continuously on a set of two AA batteries (that I can replace in about 30 seconds) and it floats and operates in water and is physically indestructible, and its very sensitive in heavy foliage. I almost never use it anymore. The phone is a complete piece of junk in every comparison, but its usually with me and map upgrades don't cost $125, so ... Once in awhile I load it up for a big geocaching binge or when camping/hiking, that's about it.