The smartphone has changed the way we live in a number of different ways. Android and iPhone mobile app development have ensured that the smartphone is used for more than just communication. These devices provide access to an array of products and services that were unthinkable a little over a decade ago.
When thinking about businesses that have felt the impact of smartphone technology, there are few that have seen more of a disruption than those in the camera industry. Digital camera sales have steadily declined since the year 2010, and this is largely due to the fact that mobile phones now have cameras that can capture clear images.
Regardless of whether you like photography or not, it is interesting to see how smartphones have had such a significant impact on the camera industry in such a short time.
Still Hanging On
It is important to point to the fact that cameras do still sell. The most significant difference is in the types of cameras that are selling, what they are used for, and the types of people that buy them.
Many of the cameras that continue to sell are made for specialized purposes. Smartphone cameras have not evolved to the point where they can replace the equipment used by professional photographers. Furthermore, there are specific types of photography that might not come across well when using a smartphone. That is why you still have products like action cameras and cameras that are designed for macro photography.
What is starting to disappear is the camera for the casual photographer. Smartphones can compete with these cheaper consumer cameras, and as a result, the average person is increasingly reliant on their phone when taking photos.
Improving Mobile Phone Cameras
When cameras first appeared as a feature on mobile phones, they were in no way a replacement for having a camera. As mobile phone technology advanced and eventually gave way to the smartphone, cameras got better, a trend that has continued to this day. With each new model that is released by smartphone manufacturers like Apple and Samsung, ad campaigns boast the latest and greatest camera technology included in the phone.
One significant turning point in the improving capabilities of smartphone cameras was the release of the Apple iPhone 4S. It came with an 8-megapixel rear-facing camera and the ability to capture video in 720p HD. For most casual photographers, this advance was more than enough to serve their needs. In the years since smartphone cameras have only continued to get better, and this has left little reason for people to buy a standard consumer camera.
The Impact of Cloud Computing
Beyond the improvements to smartphone cameras, there is one other factor that has helped these devices replace the digital camera in the lives of consumers. With cloud computing services, the camera on your smartphone can connect and interface with a number of apps to add a wide range of features that would not be available on the traditional digital camera.
With a good smartphone and the right apps, modern consumers have the ability to carry a mini photo-editing studio in their pockets. You can now take high-quality photos and then add filters, crop images, add captions, and more. Along with that, you also have cloud storage services that allow you to take as many photos as you want without having to worry about the memory space on your camera.
It isn’t just the advances in technology that have helped to kill the consumer camera. Along with better capabilities in smartphone cameras, you also have the changing ways that people use cameras. It’s no longer just about capturing important moments. People now take photos daily and of events that are less significant. They also want to take these photos and post them to their social media pages as they take them. Beyond the technology, standard cameras just couldn’t keep up with the cultural changes to consumer photography.