What's the end game for camera manufacturers outside of targeting pros?

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Batman

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#2549838 26-Aug-2020 10:08

MikeAqua:

I have a compact digital camera that I use mainly for fishing/kayaking. It's fully waterproof and takes better photos than my iPhone or Samsung phones. Also, having physical buttons makes it much easier to use with cold/wet hands.

yes phones are missing buttons!

i think what many people don't realise is how good these flagship phones are in low light with stationary subjects. you can take photos when you eyes can't see anything just about.

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MikeAqua

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#2549855 26-Aug-2020 10:30

Batman:

yes phones are missing buttons!

i think what many people don't realise is how good these flagship phones are in low light with stationary subjects. you can take photos when you eyes can't see anything just about.

I've found that if I'm on deck in a stiff SE I often can't even unlock the phone. Have to go into the wheelhouse, dry hands, warm hands and then it works. On the plus side nothing undead will be able to use my phone.

I find my Lumix takes better photos in low light conditions than either of my phones. Photographing lava in Hawaii in twilight/darkness from a boat, the Lumix was awesome.

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#2549901 26-Aug-2020 11:39

I love my DSLR. They are not high end but they take great shots and in my circumstances they are easier to take photos. With my phone (iPhone) I find it hard to hold still on days when my Essential Tremour is playing up. However I can hold the DSLR still and I believe its the greater grip area and heft. I also don't suffer from one very annoying problem on my DSLR that I have with a phone camera that is, constantly getting one of my fingers in the sodding shot.

Carrying the DSLR and getting it out for a shot is easier (in my experience) when I am in my chair or walking than it is to get out a phone from a pocket. I do find that phone cameras can get some excellent shots in opportunistic point and shot situations but the DSLR is way better for setting up the planned shot.

rayonline

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#2551487 28-Aug-2020 17:26

With the CIPA stats camera sales have been dropping since 2009 I think. I think it is now below photographic good consumption prior to digital (so in the film days). I guess those in the film days had compact cameras or family SLRs with the single kit lens, those are now using phones.

Technology is now so good, even for my own hobby my Nikon D600 does everything I could eve dream of. Even when the 10yr anniversary comes along I still don't have an excuse to buy a better one. That was my last new item. Since then my Nikon lenses are have been second hand 18-35 and 70-200. My Fuji XT1 second hand again and my pocket large sensor Ricoh GR. SLRs or mirrorless at the end of the day for they only produce images and really they are just shared online or printed to A3 for my own because no one else are interested.

I think they will continue to have a entry model camera because people have to get introduced to a camera system before they plonk down extra cash. Or else photography will just go away with the dinosaurs. B/c over the years when pro photographers retire you need the young to get into this field ... Not sure if Nikon or Canon would just have this with the APS-C sensors and then if they like it they can upgrade to a full frame body and start again essentially and rebuy all the lenses but they both don't have much crop sensor lenses anyway. Sony has a APS-C also. I can say my Nikon D600 captured better quality images than my Fuji XT1 which both are around the same age but the XT1 still does the job for me esp most of it is just shared online or printed modestly but the drawcard for the Fuji for me is the compact size and to avoid larger zooms. If I was a zoom user to be compact maybe I would use M4/3. Plus a premium compact is just great because you don't need a bag to carry it.

To me those who get into it is a dedicated job / hobby. Even those who I see at the camera club, it's not that common that people go out just for photography, doing that sunrise or heading to a wildlife park or attending a sport game just to photograph or that they go to the Rugby 7s to photograph the colorful attendees or attend a festival or a on-stage performance and shoot that. Many of them go to a concert or enjoy the vineyard or maybe they are overseas with the family, and they just happen to have their camera with them and half the time they are just using their iPhones.

rayonline

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#2551491 28-Aug-2020 17:33

dejadeadnz:

I suspect the likes of the X100V, Sony RXxxx, and the high quality superzooms you are talking about are at the kinds of prices that people who aren't already predisposed towards photography will avoid, which tends to suggest that, at most, the makers are trying to expand the existing market by convincing prosumers and up to buy one more body. Interchangeable lens cameras' sales have dropped over the last ten years but the drop is nowhere near as catastrophic as digital cameras with built-in lenses. See here.

Yep, even those into photography find it hard to stomach. They can be seen as an expensive compact device that isn't as versatile as their dSLR or mirorless camera. Or that in the most situations why not just use their high end smartphone .... Add to that list the Canon G7x and G6x right, Ricoh GR, Fuji X100's. Many photographers see is they will bring their best dSLR or mirrorless cos they paid for it, if it is not as important then just us a phone.

dejadeadnz:

I don't necessarily disagree with the 2nd point; if you need to take a lot of shots, the first point is valid. However, you gotta remember that for the posed and still shots that lots of people like, the phones work quite well. Most importantly, the processing engines are so good that many phone photos look extremely pleasing to the ear without any retouching.

IMO, the camera makers are really missing a step with their failure to introduce more AI into their devices. Sony and Canon has done quite a bit in the auto-focusing area and that is great. But there's more that can/should be done, if they are interested in expanding the market.

Yep for myself that photograph stuff that is not moving, I've never really needed a faster AF camera or sport tracking and what not. I take a shot of the scenery, that building, that landmark, that tourist attraction, my food, my train or airplane seating ... I'm maybe like most people, I don't go out with my camera and I am in photography mode. I don't have my camera next to me so I can shoot 4 or 8hrs every day.

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#2551508 28-Aug-2020 18:04

MikeB4:

I love my DSLR.

I've been tidying my old digital photos, deduping etc. One thing strikes me is just how good my old Nikon D90 was. Some amazing photos from that, especially portraity type of photos.

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