Why cameras are not replaceable
As photo shooting and editing functions in smartphones these days continue to improve, there is often the question of why non-professionals should still bother to use cameras. Besides the technical comparison of specs, where smartphones can hardly beat the cameras, there are more reasons why hobbyists (who usually also have smartphones) are still holding on their DSLRs.
Anyone experienced with manual mode would know that although smartphones these days are trying to mimic what is possible with cameras, it’s highly limited and often one-size-fits-all. It’s nice that some phones do the background bokeh feature for portraits, but you cannot fine-tune the combination of aperture, ISO and shutter speed to achieve the bespoke effect you have in mind, for example, to smooth out a rippled lake or capture light trails on the highway with long exposure.
On a less technical level, people’s behaviour is quite different when using smartphones and cameras.
Photo shooting emerged as a byproduct of phones, and was never, and still usually not, the only factor of consideration in the purchase decision of a product. It’s way too often a function used for the sake of convenience.
We all have the experience of unconsciously stocking up too many photos in our phones, be it a funny sign spotted on a walk or a screen capture of a map, route, an ad of interest we want to check online afterwards. Very often, most of them stay in the folder, forgotten, until the phone shows the “storage almost full” warning. While with cameras, taking presentable good photos is often the main reason they accompany the owner – the extra weight, size, and care needed for this fragile piece of luggage, links with it a sense of mission, if not the main purpose of a trip sometimes.
One satisfactory shot is chosen out of maybe 30 or more RAW files, then retouched to perfection, not using the preset filters in BeautyCam apps, eventually stored or posted, and all the redundant shots are deleted – a clean-cut process with time and effort dedicated, a process that is mostly craftsmanship.
It may be tricky for bystanders to understand the dedication with DSLRs, but for those who understand, cameras are by no means replaceable by phones.
How can we help?
At ADK Insights, we continue to monitor changes in the imaging industry and translate information gathered into insights in a meaningful and actionable way to help businesses grow.
To know more about our experience and what it could mean for you, contact Nimrod.
Your contact:
Nimrod Moyal
26 years market intelligence experience. Specializes in bespoke solutions design, with focus on qualitative approaches, product clinics, and in-depth & creative result-oriented output.