The DEATH of the Consumer Camera

[Dackelone]

I think this guy really nailed it....Tony & Chelsea Northrup...

[Dackelone]

[Diver]

Simple, today's consumer camera is a mobile phone or a tablet.

[Dackelone]

another one...

[dcstep]

Originally Posted by Dackelone

another one...

Thanks

[RABAUKE]

None of this should be a surprise really. Before smart phones all had a camera built in almost everyone had some form of camera or another and they were mostly cheap basic gear for family and holiday pix. This is all done on the phone now. There will always be people who look at photography as a hobby or profession, and lots of folks (mostly men) who like shiny things and who will spend money on the latest and greatest thing. And I think most manufacturers rely on this. A few simple examples of this are car mods or new cars, audio and video equipment, game stations, camera's etc.

[David70]

We still use one that goes under water can take an 8' fall, etc. that we use when we go on vacation. Hiking, swimming, boating, running, etc. where it is unlikely to be damaged, then if it is we don't have to deal with both the cost and hassle that comes with being on vacation and not having a phone.

[bosstones]

I didn't watch the 3rd video but I don't believe that smartphones are the death knell of consumer/prosumer cameras. There is certainly a segment of the market that doesn't need a standalone camera and is perfectly fine w/ their phone camera. That market segment has certainly shrunk for Canon, Nikon, etc... but that segment was oversold on cameras to begin with. If anything, camera phones replaced the entry level digital camera market. Plus, barring major breakthrough in physics for FPA technology and/or prescription optics (which camera companies will also benefit from), camera phones will peak out in IQ unless they grow in size. The pendulum is swinging away from the camera manufacturers but it will eventually settle out somewhere in between.

I would also disagree that the point that camera companies should act like a SW company, not a HW company. They should rather evaluate how they define their system and recognize the SW component/potential and grow that aspect. HW makes money and defines the platform whereas SW defines the experience.

If I may continue rambling, I wouldn't necessarily ditch the memory card but it should be readable w/o removing it from the camera (I believe it already is, though). USB charging but keeping the battery removable would be sweet. The battery for a 5D appears to be 7.2V (quick google search) which is an odd voltage (most integrated circuits/chips use 5V and/or 3.3V) but the capacity is only 1800mAh. My phone's Turbo charger puts out 5V, 9V, or 12V depending on the device it is connected to. I won't proclaim to know the internal voltages and respective currents needed by a camera's internal circuitry, but it seems like there is some voltage commonality that can be applied. Knocking down from 9 to 7.2V should be too bad since these are not high average current devices and I don't think I've ever had a thermal concern with my camera.

At the end of the day, there are parallels to the camera phone world that standalone camera makers could incorporate. I don't see why a smart phone couldn't be used as a RF camera remote, wireless image preview device, download pictures from a camera, etc... Make the smart phone a tool instead of just being competition.

[dcstep]

Remember, on DSLRs, some of that battery voltage is needed to drive the AF and IS on large, super-telephoto lens. It's also driving the mechanical shutter and mirror, not just circuits.

That said, how much the GPS runs and the back screen is on seems to be the biggest factor in battery life. Life and power are, of course, two different things.

[Dr3K0]

I don't believe crap of any of those 2 guys. I'm a consumer and bought a Nikon D500 on black Friday as recommended by The Angry Photographer.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C_CTKyjl73M

I could not be happier with that damn thing.

[Pixel8ed]

If manufacturers made a consumer camera that was better than a phone camera.... that would definitely help them a bit. Unfortunately that can't seem to get that. I am always looking for one to use on vacations when it is not a good idea to bring the good stuff. I have bought several to try and every one of them got sent back because they simply sucked.

Keep in mind the operative word here is consumer. Not professionals secord (third, or fourth) camera. Or semi pro... or photo enthusiast..... this eliminates all the upper half of point and shoot cameras as not many consumers are going to drop $800 on a point and shoot.

The only advantage to consumer cameras over phone cameras is optical zoom. literally everything else is a win for the phone camera.

Another thing that manufacturers do it cut their own throats, is having so many models. Even as a pro photographer who understands all the specs, it is hard to decide what one tops the list. It's easier to walk away and just use the phone. There is no point to having more than 4-5 models.

[GuidoK]

Originally Posted by Pixel8ed

The only advantage to consumer cameras over phone cameras is optical zoom. literally everything else is a win for the phone camera.

Are you sure?
I think an average consumer camera has the edge on all technical/photographic parameters compared to a phone camera. Less noise/better light sensitivity, sharper image, less distortion, better colourrepresentation, better control on shutter and iris, better build in flash, better image stabilisation etc etc.
The cameraphone however is better in how we handle our pictures and the device; uploading it to facebook, whatsapp, better portablility etc etc, and has a better screen in most cases.
So the cameraphone gets the upper hand when the technical aspects of the photo are good enough, when they are acceptable. A better photo at some point doesnt outweigh the convenience of a dedicated camera.

[dcstep]

Originally Posted by Pixel8ed

If manufacturers made a consumer camera that was better than a phone camera.... that would definitely help them a bit. Unfortunately that can't seem to get that. I am always looking for one to use on vacations when it is not a good idea to bring the good stuff. I have bought several to try and every one of them got sent back because they simply sucked.

Keep in mind the operative word here is consumer. Not professionals secord (third, or fourth) camera. Or semi pro... or photo enthusiast..... this eliminates all the upper half of point and shoot cameras as not many consumers are going to drop $800 on a point and shoot.

The only advantage to consumer cameras over phone cameras is optical zoom. literally everything else is a win for the phone camera.
....

For 90+% of the users, this is all true. You have to get into APS-C sized sensors before the non-phone cameras show advantage. For those where internet-size files are good enough, most of the extra features are wasted. If you're never going to print above 8x10", it hardly matters. You can even add an optical zoom to many phones.

[Mik3ymomo]

Camera phones have come a long way and under the right conditions you can get excellent photos. When you want to shoot in low light, create effects in camera and have creative control the DSLR still beats out the phones. While the gap is narrowing and software that creates effects in Post are trying to replace the effects shot with DSLR's.... it just isn't there yet.
But I have shot some nice photos with my iPhone 6 Plus for sure.
I still can't take panning shots at the track with it...
But for the average person. Yes, it will probably make due.

[ska///235i]

My wifes iphone 6 takes decent photos to post online...but I love my mirrorless sony camera (a6500)

[sygazelle]

Originally Posted by ska///235i

My wifes iphone 6 takes decent photos to post online...but I love my mirrorless sony camera (a6500)

I'm looking at the Sony a6500 mirrorless. I was at Best Buy when the Sony guy was there and he gave me a 30 min. demonstration. Very impressive.

I have a D80 Nikon right now and I hate it. Hate the size. Hate the poor autofocus. Too many crap photos.

I need something that is easier to lug around while traveling and something that has amazing auto focus capabilities. I love the SLR concept for seeing what your shooting. This mirrorless design seems to be the best of both worlds. Would you buy the a6500 again or is there another model I should be looking at? Thanks.

[ska///235i]

Originally Posted by sygazelle

I'm looking at the Sony a6500 mirrorless. I was at Best Buy when the Sony guy was there and he gave me a 30 min. demonstration. Very impressive.

I have a D80 Nikon right now and I hate it. Hate the size. Hate the poor autofocus. Too many crap photos.

I need something that is easier to lug around while traveling and something that has amazing auto focus capabilities. I love the SLR concept for seeing what your shooting. This mirrorless design seems to be the best of both worlds. Would you by the a6500 again or is there another model I should be looking at. Thanks.

I love it for what it is, use to have a nikon and its just too much to carry around with two young kids. I like the 4k videos and the autofocus, smaller/lighter body, etc but I dont like the small button in the back where I want to setup back button focus. Right now Im using it with a Sigma 30mm 1.4 and I have to say its a little beast.

Also checkout the fujifilm xt models, I heard good things about it.

[sygazelle]

Originally Posted by ska///235i

I love it for what it is, use to have a nikon and its just too much to carry around with two young kids. I like the 4k videos and the autofocus, smaller/lighter body, etc but I dont like the small button in the back where I want to setup back button focus. Right now Im using it with a Sigma 30mm 1.4 and I have to say its a little beast.

Also checkout the fujifilm xt models, I heard good things about it.

Thanks. I'll do that.

[c1pher]

As they say your best camera is the one you have with you. The portability of a smart phone allows you to capture any spontaneous event that would typically require someone carrying a full camera at all times.

I like the concept of the Olympus A01 lens that connects via Bluetooth to your phone effectively eliminating the weakest part of a phone camera and reducing the footprint of the traditional dslr. I will probably purchase the second gen one since the first one still has some minor bugs, but works as an upgrade to your phone camera.

You can carry the lens in your car or whatever to ensure it's always with you, and since it's Bluetooth doesn't necessarily need to be attached to the smart phone to take photos to give you better shot placement if need be.

http://www.getolympus.com/us/en/air-a01.html

[c1pher]

And I am still using a Sony NEX5r with the standard 18-55mm zoom lens and the 55-210mm lens. "Only" 16mp but still enjoy the photos it takes. Sony renamed their NEX line to match the other full size DSLRs so I would check those out. But I like Sony cameras and probably a little biased.

[ska///235i]

Originally Posted by sygazelle

Thanks. I'll do that.

Check some youtube comparo

Example

[tdott]

I agree with the first video, I didn't watch the others.

Camera manufactures didn't complain when they were making a killing selling point and shoots, then they failed to adapt or make a good product that people want.

I echo his comments in the last part of the video, Canon/Nikon suck at making firmware updates, they could easily improve the camera that way instead they choose to make you buy a new one. That and the portion about the workflow and app, they need to change or continue to watch their market share drop.

Kodak failed to adopt to the changing market, look where they are now.