It's a balance. But the camera is still the tool you use to take/make the pictures. A bigger or newer hammer won't automatically make me better at driving in n

It's a balance. But the camera is still the tool you use to take/make the pictures. A bigger or newer hammer won't automatically make me better at driving in nails. But it is still a tool that I use to perform my trade. If there is a hammer that makes it easier, more enjoyable or even one that inspires me more (bad example with hammers probably), then it can make sense to buy that one. Objectively there are probably more cases of the equipment out-shining the user, than users held back by their equipment. But if people want the latest and greatest - go ahead.