I think one point many - even casual - photographers miss is that just having a actual camera in your hand is so much more engaging than using a phone. Photos that are taken with your phone are way less intentional than those with a camera. It’s the same reason why I think instant photography has made a comeback, it’s just much more personal and every photo has so much more intent and therefore personality than just simply taking photos with your phone
The digital camera isn’t dead. Beyond the fact that it can take wildly better photos than a phone with extreme resolution and low light abilities, the CONTROL a digital camera offers is unmatched by any phone. Shutter speed, aperture, and iso are just a few examples.
@@TechbyParker theres 2 types of casual photographer, the one with indeed the cellphone that thinks: why the hell would i spend 1000 bucks on a cam. and the photographer that thinks, i want something that feels good in the hands, has more control and better specific lenses, like a zoom lens, macro lens, potret lens or even a wide angle. the digital camera isnt dead, just look at the fujifilm cams. and wont be in a long time, bc for specific photos a camera will always outperform a mobile phone.
No, I don't think Digital cams are dead. I don't even think digital SLRs are dead yet ! Quite apart from the vast differences in lens and sensor sizes, holding, framing and changing settings on a phone camera is small, fiddly awkward, and intrinsically unstable without help. Most people still do not carry tripods with them. All the controls on a digital camera are designed to be right under your finger tips, and it is designed to be held organically, rather than being a rectangular box we drop every now and then, and fumble with often. I can still be bothered to take my old Nikon DSLR out, and I am usually glad I did. If it dies I will look for another one or similar !
Digital cameras are way better for sure, I’m just talking about the casual person out and about. From strictly sales perspective, I would have to imagine digital camera sales are down. I could be wrong though…
Benefits of a digital camera over a phone: 1. Larger sensor. 2. Cheaper than a high end phone, therefore can be used in more riskier situations. Also, many don't want or need a $1000 phone. 3. Better low light. 4. Easier physical controls. Honestly, I feel like we're kind of being suckered a little though to be honest. The Sony NEX line for example, should be where digital "point and shoot" cameras are at. Rather than progressing the technology in less profitable models, it seems like they came up with this whole "mirror less" system with interchangeable lenses for many times the price. I'd recommend anyone looking for a less expensive point and shoot style camera look for something similar to the NEX cameras on the used market instead.
For casual users yes, a phone is enough. For higher quality and control people still use cameras. It's worth noting, the advertising industry and film industry globally are still gigantic. They're largely driven by photography and videography which rely upon quality digital cameras as tools. That's not changing anytime soon.
Phones are more than enough for 99% of the people but if you want to take good photos you want full control of what you're doing without the ai processing that happens behind the curtain in phones. That doesn't mean that you can't take a great photo on a phone and as a matter of fact some of my favorites were with my pixel 5! The other difference is engagement when you're out there solely for shooting photos and its not only about phones versus cameras. For example I shot with Sony full frame cameras for a couple of years and it was so exhausting it felt like a chore. Feels more like a handheld computer that takes the photos for you rather you to be there to engage with the camera and your surroundings, hence why film is making a huge comeback! I sold most of my Sony gear and moved completely to FujiFIlm and once you hold and shoot with one of those cameras it all clicks together! And don't get me started on the incredible GFX series and ...... i wont actually start that topic because this thread would get way too long ! All in all everyone should shoot in whatever makes them feel best and more engaged, cameras are still sold a record pace and phones are more than enough for the majority of people! Thanks for coming to my TED talk!
If the digital cam is dead then why are the ricoh GR's super popular? One thing that cell phones are still garbage at and always will be is low light performance. Look at even small m4/3 cams compared to phones in low light and theres a massive difference
It's dead for the average consumer for a long time now. At one point, almost every family had a camera. You don't need that these days. Even riporters don't need a camera really. So the cheap family cameras are now in the phones.
if digital cameras are dead, why am i reaching for digital cameras instead of my pixel 8 pro? I'll tell you why. my phone is great, but you can still notice when i take a shot on my phone vs even my XT-200. there's two reasons for this, the first one is the sensor size and the second reason is this capitalistic obsession with AI. That cinematic mode on your phone was developed specifically because your camera is just too small and the sensor is too tiny to properly get a good "bokeh effect" It's fake, It's rarely perfect, and in most cases creates this upsampled look in addition to the fake bokeh. Your indoor shot was telling, and even a cheap 200 dollar X-A3 paired with a kit lens could do better at that light level and not have to fake the bokeh. Outside though, your shots look good and clear, more in line with my most expensive Mirrorless. but why the difference? because your phone's camera has tiny optics, a tiny sensor, so you need LOTS of light in order to prevent your camera from overdriving your ISO and AI chip. now, for my actual point. Do i think digicams are dead? Absolutely not. Phone cameras are stupid impressive in the current year and will absolutely replace most people's EDC digicam/DSLR, but they currently need AI to bridge the largest gaps in performance. You can currently get really far with a smartphone camera and adequate light, but you'll get much farther with a dedicated digital camera with the same light in addition to not faking any "effects" also, If digital cameras were dead, fuji wouldn't sell out in 5 business seconds upon the launch of any camera they make. Premium compacts wouldn't be so hard to get second hand right now if smartphone cameras were actually more capable than them. and finally, Cameras and lenses are paint brushes. Use whatever you have however you see fit. When you paint on a canvas, there isn't even a rule that states you have to use a paint brush. as long as you are happy with what you create who cares how you created it right? This goes for all cameras, including your phone! When i bought my first camera, i thought i wanted a fancy Sony that can shoot a million shots a second and produce more detail than i will ever know what to do with. Two years later and im now shooting exclusively on a second hand entry-level Fuji XT-200 with dead pixels on the sensor and a slow shutter. It will straight up misfire sometimes. But i love this camera so much that im even holding it in my PFP lmao. If you ONLY care about how images look and feel, shop around for a used late 2000's point and shoot and see what you learn from that experience. Try as many cameras as you can. Ask to borrow them from friends, rent them, buy them used, whatever it takes! Find your brush!
Holy amazing detailed response. I’m not gonna argue with anything you have said, you clearly know more about digital cameras than I do. How often do you find yourself taking pictures with your phone because you don’t have your camera with you? Do you think phones will ever be comparable to digital cameras in the next 10 to 20 years?
@@TechbyParker Hey! Okay so here we go, from a casual photographer to another! My very first "good" camera was actually a smartphone. it was an HTC sensation. It had a special sensor that housed larger megapixels compared to anything at the time. the cost was a lower MP resolution of about 8MP but the larger MPs meant better low light. That was a long time ago, and since that point til about two years ago i had thought that buying a fancy DSLR Was the thing holding me back from producing amazing photography. But as i explained above, (rather ironically) The camera doesn't matter. While no phone you can put in your pocket will be technically superior to a dedicated camera, The real lesson is that camera gear is as diverse as a toolbox. I'm not going to use my smartphone to shoot a wedding, My sony is much better equipped for that. For EDC stuff, i actually DO use my phone but i try to keep my Fuji on me as much as i can. My phone is more than enough for brightly lit daytime shots but it is never anywhere near enough as soon as the sun is setting. Since half of my commute is at night, I often find myself wishing i had brought a real camera whenever i encounter a good shot. Do i think phones will ever be comparable to digital cameras? look at how far they've come compared to cameras from 20 years ago! I think yes, but DSLRs and Mirrorless cameras will also advance into a place that will continue to be unattainable by physically smaller sensors. I think smartphones will always be catching up from a specs perspective. I personally believe that smartphones will continue to get better at "faking" the result until phones become the objectively perfect point and shoot for most average people. To compete, Phone manufacturers will have to continue making larger sensors and and figure out how to squeeze complicated optics into a phone in order to compete with "real" digital cameras. Over time i can see smartphones surpassing the quality of even my sony but all that will mean is that my phone will become more useful for more photographic opportunities. I still dont think it will replace my dedicated mirrorless until it can physically do what my mirrorless can do without the help of AI full stop. I think smartphones are limited in size and due to physics will never be able to properly surpass larger format cameras without AI assistance. I think the real answer is that nothing will really change. The photographer will continue to pick the tool that suits their artwork the best. Smartphones count, and can produce some stellar shots. I am currently walking to a car show with three cameras: my Google Pickle 8 Pro, XT-200 (with my first 50mm heck yeah), and my old 3ds from middle school. I really want to try and get some old school camcorder style footage because i personally think that would be cool (and thats all that matters) Go on instagram and follow this dude named @schlanman.hard.photos as well as @geit.eero they are both phenomenal photographers and you'll often see them shooting with cameras you can find at the back of a goodwill!
That’s true, but I don’t think I ever need that as a casual camera user. I didn’t even if I do, I don’t want to carry around a large DSLR. That’s just me though.
Your are correct no need to buy a Digital camera unless you going make a living with your camera.🤔🫢🤫😜😎. Also you are handsome I hope you make more content.
I think one point many - even casual - photographers miss is that just having a actual camera in your hand is so much more engaging than using a phone. Photos that are taken with your phone are way less intentional than those with a camera. It’s the same reason why I think instant photography has made a comeback, it’s just much more personal and every photo has so much more intent and therefore personality than just simply taking photos with your phone
Honestly, I don’t. But maybe most do.
The digital camera isn’t dead. Beyond the fact that it can take wildly better photos than a phone with extreme resolution and low light abilities, the CONTROL a digital camera offers is unmatched by any phone. Shutter speed, aperture, and iso are just a few examples.
I agree, but for the casual photographer, no one is going to carry around a digital camera to most places.
@@TechbyParker theres 2 types of casual photographer, the one with indeed the cellphone that thinks: why the hell would i spend 1000 bucks on a cam. and the photographer that thinks, i want something that feels good in the hands, has more control and better specific lenses, like a zoom lens, macro lens, potret lens or even a wide angle. the digital camera isnt dead, just look at the fujifilm cams. and wont be in a long time, bc for specific photos a camera will always outperform a mobile phone.
No, I don't think Digital cams are dead. I don't even think digital SLRs are dead yet ! Quite apart from the vast differences in lens and sensor sizes, holding, framing and changing settings on a phone camera is small, fiddly awkward, and intrinsically unstable without help. Most people still do not carry tripods with them. All the controls on a digital camera are designed to be right under your finger tips, and it is designed to be held organically, rather than being a rectangular box we drop every now and then, and fumble with often. I can still be bothered to take my old Nikon DSLR out, and I am usually glad I did. If it dies I will look for another one or similar !
Digital cameras are way better for sure, I’m just talking about the casual person out and about. From strictly sales perspective, I would have to imagine digital camera sales are down. I could be wrong though…
Benefits of a digital camera over a phone:
1. Larger sensor.
2. Cheaper than a high end phone, therefore can be used in more riskier situations. Also, many don't want or need a $1000 phone.
3. Better low light.
4. Easier physical controls.
Honestly, I feel like we're kind of being suckered a little though to be honest. The Sony NEX line for example, should be where digital "point and shoot" cameras are at. Rather than progressing the technology in less profitable models, it seems like they came up with this whole "mirror less" system with interchangeable lenses for many times the price. I'd recommend anyone looking for a less expensive point and shoot style camera look for something similar to the NEX cameras on the used market instead.
Completely agree. As a casually user I’m pretty content with my phone though
For casual users yes, a phone is enough. For higher quality and control people still use cameras. It's worth noting, the advertising industry and film industry globally are still gigantic. They're largely driven by photography and videography which rely upon quality digital cameras as tools. That's not changing anytime soon.
Well put
Phones are more than enough for 99% of the people but if you want to take good photos you want full control of what you're doing without the ai processing that happens behind the curtain in phones. That doesn't mean that you can't take a great photo on a phone and as a matter of fact some of my favorites were with my pixel 5!
The other difference is engagement when you're out there solely for shooting photos and its not only about phones versus cameras. For example I shot with Sony full frame cameras for a couple of years and it was so exhausting it felt like a chore. Feels more like a handheld computer that takes the photos for you rather you to be there to engage with the camera and your surroundings, hence why film is making a huge comeback! I sold most of my Sony gear and moved completely to FujiFIlm and once you hold and shoot with one of those cameras it all clicks together!
And don't get me started on the incredible GFX series and ...... i wont actually start that topic because this thread would get way too long !
All in all everyone should shoot in whatever makes them feel best and more engaged, cameras are still sold a record pace and phones are more than enough for the majority of people!
Thanks for coming to my TED talk!
Wonderful TEDTalk, can’t say I disagree with your points
If the digital cam is dead then why are the ricoh GR's super popular? One thing that cell phones are still garbage at and always will be is low light performance. Look at even small m4/3 cams compared to phones in low light and theres a massive difference
I think cell phone low light is pretty impressive these days. But definitely not compared to a camera.
It's dead for the average consumer for a long time now. At one point, almost every family had a camera. You don't need that these days. Even riporters don't need a camera really. So the cheap family cameras are now in the phones.
Exactly
sorry this is bad advice
Not really advice, just my opinion. Thanks for watching!
if digital cameras are dead, why am i reaching for digital cameras instead of my pixel 8 pro?
I'll tell you why.
my phone is great, but you can still notice when i take a shot on my phone vs even my XT-200.
there's two reasons for this, the first one is the sensor size and the second reason is this capitalistic obsession with AI.
That cinematic mode on your phone was developed specifically because your camera is just too small and the sensor is too tiny to properly get a good "bokeh effect"
It's fake, It's rarely perfect, and in most cases creates this upsampled look in addition to the fake bokeh. Your indoor shot was telling, and even a cheap 200 dollar X-A3 paired with a kit lens could do better at that light level and not have to fake the bokeh. Outside though, your shots look good and clear, more in line with my most expensive Mirrorless. but why the difference? because your phone's camera has tiny optics, a tiny sensor, so you need LOTS of light in order to prevent your camera from overdriving your ISO and AI chip.
now, for my actual point. Do i think digicams are dead? Absolutely not. Phone cameras are stupid impressive in the current year and will absolutely replace most people's EDC digicam/DSLR, but they currently need AI to bridge the largest gaps in performance. You can currently get really far with a smartphone camera and adequate light, but you'll get much farther with a dedicated digital camera with the same light in addition to not faking any "effects"
also, If digital cameras were dead, fuji wouldn't sell out in 5 business seconds upon the launch of any camera they make. Premium compacts wouldn't be so hard to get second hand right now if smartphone cameras were actually more capable than them.
and finally, Cameras and lenses are paint brushes. Use whatever you have however you see fit. When you paint on a canvas, there isn't even a rule that states you have to use a paint brush. as long as you are happy with what you create who cares how you created it right? This goes for all cameras, including your phone!
When i bought my first camera, i thought i wanted a fancy Sony that can shoot a million shots a second and produce more detail than i will ever know what to do with.
Two years later and im now shooting exclusively on a second hand entry-level Fuji XT-200 with dead pixels on the sensor and a slow shutter. It will straight up misfire sometimes. But i love this camera so much that im even holding it in my PFP lmao. If you ONLY care about how images look and feel, shop around for a used late 2000's point and shoot and see what you learn from that experience. Try as many cameras as you can. Ask to borrow them from friends, rent them, buy them used, whatever it takes! Find your brush!
Holy amazing detailed response. I’m not gonna argue with anything you have said, you clearly know more about digital cameras than I do. How often do you find yourself taking pictures with your phone because you don’t have your camera with you? Do you think phones will ever be comparable to digital cameras in the next 10 to 20 years?
@@TechbyParker Hey! Okay so here we go, from a casual photographer to another!
My very first "good" camera was actually a smartphone. it was an HTC sensation. It had a special sensor that housed larger megapixels compared to anything at the time. the cost was a lower MP resolution of about 8MP but the larger MPs meant better low light. That was a long time ago, and since that point til about two years ago i had thought that buying a fancy DSLR Was the thing holding me back from producing amazing photography. But as i explained above, (rather ironically) The camera doesn't matter. While no phone you can put in your pocket will be technically superior to a dedicated camera, The real lesson is that camera gear is as diverse as a toolbox. I'm not going to use my smartphone to shoot a wedding, My sony is much better equipped for that. For EDC stuff, i actually DO use my phone but i try to keep my Fuji on me as much as i can. My phone is more than enough for brightly lit daytime shots but it is never anywhere near enough as soon as the sun is setting. Since half of my commute is at night, I often find myself wishing i had brought a real camera whenever i encounter a good shot.
Do i think phones will ever be comparable to digital cameras? look at how far they've come compared to cameras from 20 years ago!
I think yes, but DSLRs and Mirrorless cameras will also advance into a place that will continue to be unattainable by physically smaller sensors. I think smartphones will always be catching up from a specs perspective. I personally believe that smartphones will continue to get better at "faking" the result until phones become the objectively perfect point and shoot for most average people. To compete, Phone manufacturers will have to continue making larger sensors and and figure out how to squeeze complicated optics into a phone in order to compete with "real" digital cameras. Over time i can see smartphones surpassing the quality of even my sony but all that will mean is that my phone will become more useful for more photographic opportunities. I still dont think it will replace my dedicated mirrorless until it can physically do what my mirrorless can do without the help of AI full stop. I think smartphones are limited in size and due to physics will never be able to properly surpass larger format cameras without AI assistance.
I think the real answer is that nothing will really change. The photographer will continue to pick the tool that suits their artwork the best. Smartphones count, and can produce some stellar shots.
I am currently walking to a car show with three cameras: my Google Pickle 8 Pro, XT-200 (with my first 50mm heck yeah), and my old 3ds from middle school. I really want to try and get some old school camcorder style footage because i personally think that would be cool (and thats all that matters)
Go on instagram and follow this dude named @schlanman.hard.photos as well as @geit.eero
they are both phenomenal photographers and you'll often see them shooting with cameras you can find at the back of a goodwill!
Go get a real camera....no phone can zoom or be used like a dslr or mirrorless. there are similarities but they dont hold up at all
That’s true, but I don’t think I ever need that as a casual camera user. I didn’t even if I do, I don’t want to carry around a large DSLR. That’s just me though.
Your are correct no need to buy a Digital camera unless you going make a living with your camera.🤔🫢🤫😜😎.
Also you are handsome I hope you make more content.
Cell phone camera is pretty solid for the average Joe!