CharlesB58
Forum Pro
Wow. I would say a number of people replying here haven't bothered reading the article, but instead are responding to this one line quote. The article is pointing out that throughout history, most people taking photographs are more concerned with capturing the moment than with technical issues, and so the cameras they choose are based on that premise. By contrast the Japanese manufacturers have hyped pixel count, DR and noise levels so strongly for so long, that they are convincing a decreasing number people that their dedicated cameras are better devices for capturing the moment than cell phones.
To put it succinctly: enthusiasts who are concerned about IQ as a deciding factor of a camera purchases are a shrinking group, and have always represented a minority of actual revenue to camera makers. The "unwashed masses" who not only enjoy taking grab shots with their smartphones, but do so with dirty lenses, poor lighting and monstrous image effects aren't convinced that a dslr is going to provide any advantage over their smartphones.
Of course this is a hard nut to swallow for those who consider their technical expertise-or at least their dslr kits-to be indicative of superior photographic ability. Being told in a round about way that, as an enthusiast, your demands of camera manufacturers are actually leading to lower sales and lesser profits, isn't going to sit well for obvious reasons. That is, however, an aspect of what Thom has written: the camera makers keep making and marketing cameras for a segment of the market that has always been small, and is having less impact on the bottom line as smartphones improve on their ability to not only take decent photos, but do so in a way that is more immediate and accessible to the average person.
To put it succinctly: enthusiasts who are concerned about IQ as a deciding factor of a camera purchases are a shrinking group, and have always represented a minority of actual revenue to camera makers. The "unwashed masses" who not only enjoy taking grab shots with their smartphones, but do so with dirty lenses, poor lighting and monstrous image effects aren't convinced that a dslr is going to provide any advantage over their smartphones.
Of course this is a hard nut to swallow for those who consider their technical expertise-or at least their dslr kits-to be indicative of superior photographic ability. Being told in a round about way that, as an enthusiast, your demands of camera manufacturers are actually leading to lower sales and lesser profits, isn't going to sit well for obvious reasons. That is, however, an aspect of what Thom has written: the camera makers keep making and marketing cameras for a segment of the market that has always been small, and is having less impact on the bottom line as smartphones improve on their ability to not only take decent photos, but do so in a way that is more immediate and accessible to the average person.
