The Future

[lbuclk=]

I really think that as the phone/camera combos reach 3 megapixs(here already), the big camera people are going to lose more sales and be forced to drop the SLR system completely & build on systems like the Kodak Easyshare 6490, Panasonic Z10, the Dimage(s) Z1/Z2, Fuji S5000/S700. I don't think they can justify the cost of an interchangeable lens systems as the consumers move toward the cam/phones. The cameras mentioned above provide ranges (lens) from 35mm-420mm built into ONE camera.The SLR design will live, not the lens.
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15 years as a freelancer,(news,magazine, wedding photography) camera equip. over the years: Practica MLT, Cannon A1, Minolta 9xi, 7xi, Dimage Z1

 

[ph0t0man]

However, quality over gimmicks....you won't find many people in these forums who fall for gimmicks. Most people here are quality freaks, and rightly so IMO. You won't get anywhere near the quality out of a camera phone (regardless of mp) as you will from a true digicam, and you won't get anywhere near the quality/flexibility from a digicam as you will from a DSLR. Different strokes for different folks, and it will always be that way. Some people will always be obsessed with ultimate image quality, and you will NEVER find them using a fixed lense (or even 3x zoom) lens built into their phones for anything serious. Some people like to have a camera bag full of gadgets to do whatever they feel like doing.

Personally, even if camera phones are 1, 2 or 3 mp, I don't need one. I'd rather cary my Nextel (made by motorola) that I know wont break in two the next time I drop it. My roomate's phone fell 2 inches to his desk tonight, and it wouldn't turn on right and his LCD was messed up...I regularly drop my nextel 3 or 4 feet onto concrete floors, and don't even bother looking at it, because I know its fine. For me, a phone is a phone, and a camera is a camera...some things were meant to be, and camera phones were not one of them IMO.
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-Matt
http://www.pbase.com/ph0t0man

 

[Dimz]

ph0t0man, thats because your friend didnt have a Sony-Ericsson now did he?

I dont know about that SLR thing but buclk= has got a point in the sense that I feel what is killing SLR is the price.

Retailers use the term "SLR" to ride their high prices on, making people feel they HAVE to pay exhorbitant prices because the camera is SLR etc. etc.

Maybe not on the whole planet, but definitely in some countries like mine, camera equipment is a money-making robbery. And while that continues, people are going to be against technology like SLR because 1. Its soo expensive they cant afford it anyway and 2. They finally fork out all this money, and 2 weeks later its 25% cheaper because they're flogging another model...

To me, Digital cameras (SLR or not) are not half the investment that the old SLR film cameras of the past were...and it if it wasnt for the high price of film development I'de buy an old Dynax tomorrow.

 

[John down under]

I really think that as the phone/camera combos reach 3
megapixs(here already), the big camera people are going to lose
more sales and be forced to drop the SLR system completely & build
on systems like the Kodak Easyshare 6490, Panasonic Z10, the
Dimage(s) Z1/Z2, Fuji S5000/S700. I don't think they can justify
the cost of an interchangeable lens systems as the consumers move
toward the cam/phones. The cameras mentioned above provide ranges
(lens) from 35mm-420mm built into ONE camera.The SLR design will
live, not the lens.
--
15 years as a freelancer,(news,magazine, wedding photography)
camera equip. over the years: Practica MLT, Cannon A1, Minolta 9xi,
7xi, Dimage Z1

Hi buclk,

Interesting observation. From where I look at the world, there seems to be huge potential for growth at various levels of the digicam spectrum. The convenience of camera phones will appeal to many people, some of whom might also want a better camera for more serious photos. Likewise, some people who like standard or prosumer digicams for their flexibility and convenience might also like to have a DSLR for the most serious work. Then of course there are those people who only need one camera and they choose the one that suits them best. There are enough different people with different requirements that I think there is plenty of room in the marketplace to support digicams all the way from camera phones and other very low end cams through to better comsumer digicams/prosumer models and all the way to DSLRs, once again at varying levels. Features alone will not suit everyone. For example, giant zoom on a cheaper consumer camera will not appeal to someone after better quality from a prosumer digicam. The Kodak 6490, Panasonic Z10, etc might be ideal for some people, but there has to be an image quality tradeoff when you compare that camera to any of the much more expensive prosumers, and other people will not be prepared to tolerate such a compromise and will go for something with a better quality image capability.

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Cheers from Adelaide, South Australia, Australia



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[Alan Sh]

Photography is more than mp. What about the lens, what about the firmware, what about the storage......

There are photographs and there are snaps. The two markets are separate. The camera phones will impact the very low end - not the high SLR end.

 

[RobDickinson]

Photography is more than mp. What about the lens, what about the
firmware, what about the storage......

There are photographs and there are snaps. The two markets are
separate. The camera phones will impact the very low end - not the
high SLR end.

jep - you can have as many megapixels as you like, with poor lenses your just not going to get a decent camera.

Thats what realy makes slr's. No one today needs more than a 2-4mp cheapie for holiday snaps. If you want to take decent photo's (be it film or digital) you need more than just the film/ccd.

 

[jvcn]

But there is some overlap in the markets. What really matters is the tradeoff between convenience and quality for the lower end of the slr market. If enough people in that group are seduced by all in one prosumers or even 3/4/5 mp phonecams then the loss of sales may be enough to drive up the price of good slrs substantially. (cf. the audio market for high end turntables, speakers, amplifiers, etc.)

I suspect that there will always be a market for dslrs, but will it look like the current Canon line, or will it come to resemble Leicas in the general camera market (in terms of relative price)?

Photography is more than mp. What about the lens, what about the
firmware, what about the storage......

There are photographs and there are snaps. The two markets are
separate. The camera phones will impact the very low end - not the
high SLR end.

 

[Robert Land]

I’m surprised this discussion is going on but since it is, all I want is a phone/camera that has all the features of the A1/A2. Forgot, it would slip out of my big hands anyway. Never mind. It’s a given that some will be happy with a camera phone and it's a handy little item but anyone halfway serious about photography wouldn’t consider using one in place of a real camera (maybe in addition to though) so I doubt it would have much impact with those who are serious. Would you want a camera half the size of a pack of cigarettes for real photography? Oh, it would flip open so...a pack of cigarettes
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[MinoltaManiac]

I really think that as the phone/camera combos reach 3
megapixs(here already), the big camera people are going to lose
more sales and be forced to drop the SLR system completely

I don't think that even you believe in that ;-)

That is the same statement as to proclaim that Minox Spycam was designed to completely, in just one hit, destroy SLR market, medium and large format cams as well.
Well, that didn't happen.

But I predict something else -- Cameras will merge in their design more phone-like capabilities, so you'll be able to transfer your extraordinary digital images straight onto Intertnet, wirelessly, and send them to your web site publisher, newspaper, and similar.

No need for additional laptop to carry with you, no need for full pockets of flash cards. Plus, cameras will have built-in hard drives, 4GB or so, and you'll be able to store hundreds of images before sending them online.

Dynax 9 Digital is supposed to have all this. And all pros will go crazy for this one!

Now, what you think about this?

;-)

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