Explaining the Persistent Popularity of Digital Cameras

Here’s a look at why, despite everyone having a camera with them at all times in the form of the smartphone they carry with them, standalone cameras are still in high demand.

Introduction

Standalone digital cameras have been on the market for quite some time. They were a hit when they first came out, and demand for them is still substantial to this day. While the market for these cameras is in the maturity phase, a healthy demand for these products certainly does still exist. The rapid improvement in cellphone camera technology begs the question: Why do people still buy standalone digital cameras when cellphone cameras have come so far?

The Advancement and Limitations of Smartphone Cameras

There are a number of articles from a variety of publications that talk about both the limitations and the benefits of smartphone cameras in depth. And while smartphone cameras have come a really long way over the years, they certainly do still have limitations when compared to a standalone camera. Smartphone cameras have definitely become capable of performing and taking beautiful pictures. There have been a number of advancements in not only smartphone camera hardware, but also smartphone camera software. Smartphone cameras now have digital and optical zoom functions, as well as various software features that adjust things like light and focus in order to take quality pictures that are clear and appealing. Kieldsen describes how he, even though using a top-of-the-line camera on a new iPhone, missed a breathtaking shot of a peregrine falcon simply because he was not able to take a good photograph from far away. According to the author:

“Smartphone cameras are brilliantly convenient, and their improvement over the past decade has been nothing short of astounding. They’ve effectively killed off the cheap pocket point-and-shoot camera already, but there’s still so much they can’t do in comparison to a true purpose-built mirrorless or DSLR camera. Low light image quality, convincing bokeh effects and extreme close-up macro photography are all still significantly better on a real camera, usually as a result of its large sensor size and the availability of different lenses” (Kieldsen).

Here, Kieldsen really shows just what it is that people want standalone cameras for. Cellphone cameras have improved so much so that they rival or even outperform many point-and-shoot entry and mid-level digital cameras. However, where they fall short is that they have not caught up (and many say never will) catch-up to the quality of a nice standalone high-end camera. These cameras have advantages over cellphone cameras in that they are not confined inside of a slim cellphone. This means they have bigger sensors, better image quality, faster autofocus, faster and better image processing, better and more durable parts, and physical options like interchangeable lenses. All in all, standalone digital cameras from manufacturers like GoPro, Sony, Canon, and Nikon are geared towards people who want that extra quality from their photographs. These cameras can do whatever the best cellphone camera can do and then some.

Cellphone cameras simply have limitations when it comes to their capabilities. According to Fitzpatrick, a smartphone can only do so much. The author also explains that, as previously mentioned, sensor size is much better on standalone cameras (Fitzpatrick). Similar to Kieldsen, Fitzpatrick also mentions zoom capabilities as a reason why standalone cameras are much better. Kieldsen also lists image quality of low light pictures, bokeh effects, and the ability to take close macro photographs as other reasons why a “real” camera is better.

Compared to cellphone cameras, standalone digital cameras are better for professionals and people serious about photography. While standalone digital cameras are the type of cameras that possessional prefer, many amateur photographers and hobbyist photographers also prefer these types of cameras as well.

Psychological Persons for using Standalone Cameras vs. Smartphones

There are also phycological factors that cause people to buy standalone cameras when their iPhone or Androids can do similar things. Standalone cameras are known for being able to take much clearer pictures that can be blown up and resized for display or wall art. According to Kieldsen: “There’s something about heading outside with the weight of a real camera hanging round your neck that puts you in the photographer mindset — you begin to look at the world around you from a different perspective.” People often purchase standalone cameras because they offer a different experience than a smartphone camera. When people spend money on something substantial, it can inspire them to go out and take pictures and get into the photography mindset. A standalone camera has a different feel to it than using a cellphone. For many, the difference between taking pictures from time to time and being an actual photographer is a nice digital camera instead of a cellphone camera. Kieldsen also adds that the big grips on a standalone camera give people something to hold onto when they need to take a steady shot. For many reasons, the experience of buying, owning, maintaining, and using a standalone digital camera is very different from taking a picture on a phone. Kieldsen also explains that for things like sports photography, wedding photography, and other similar scenarios, people want a real camera to be used. Kieldsen goes on to explain that nobody wants their wedding shot on an iPhone. In short, standalone cameras have a different feel than cellphone cameras and people are attracted to this.

The Marketing and Use of Standalone Cameras vs. Smartphones

Another reason people still buy cameras instead of relying solely on their smartphones is because they will last longer and are less expensive. According to Kieldsen, if someone were looking at a smartphone for its camera, it may not be worth it for some people to spend over $1,000 for a flagship Samsung or iPhone cellphone. This is especially true considering the technology is changing all the time, which causes some people to purchase a new phone as often as every year. For these people, it would make sense to purchase a really nice standalone camera that has parts available, that can be upgraded, and that will have technology that will not be outdated within a matter of months.

People also still purchase standalone digital cameras because many of the big digital camera companies do a good job marketing their products. Companies like Canon, Sony, and Nikon are good at reaching customers and communicating the benefits of standalone cameras. For example, Chan explains that Canon has been focusing on marketing and connecting with customers by investing in customer relationship platforms, developing ecommerce portals in various markets, and purchasing photo sharing platforms, a printing company, and a cloud image storage service. Moves like these have allowed the big camera companies to remain relevant and profitable.

The “Real” Capabilities of Smartphones

A final reason that people still purchase digital cameras when they have extremely capable smartphone cameras is that the specifications and capabilities are often exaggerated for the latter. For example, inflated megapixel counts in cellphone cameras have become somewhat of a marketing craze in the past decade. For example, there is now a cellphone with a 100mp camera. Companies make sure to focus on this feature in advertising and marketing. However, people who understand photography know that a professional standalone camera with far less megapixels can produce stunning images that put even the best cellphone cameras to shame.

Summary

There are many reasons why people buy certain products. People purchase standalone digital cameras because they enjoy photography or aspire to. Whether they use it every day or never get around to it, people want nice digital cameras simply because they take better pictures. Some people are lured in by good marketing, while other want to become one step closer to feeling and acting like a legitimate photography. A nice digital camera offers customers all of these things. Standalone digital cameras still do many things that cellphone camera cannot. Digital cameras are still popular today because of good marketing, their superior picture quality and capabilities, and the professional experience they offer amateur photographers and hobbyists alike.

Works Cited

Chan, Christine. “Should you buy a digital camera in 2022?” iMore, 2 Dec. 2022, https://www.imore.com/should-you-buy-digital-camera-2019#:~:text=Digital%20cameras%20capture%20higher%20quality&text=Other%20elements%20of%20a%20digital,things%20in%20a%20smartphone%20camera. Accessed 17 April 2022.

Fitzpatrick, A. ”Why It’s Still Worth Owning a Digital Camera.” Time, 18 Jan. 2017, https://time.com/4637469/digital-cameras-which-should-i-buy/. Accessed 16 April 2022.

Kieldsen, Sam. “Why you should still ditch your phone for a ‘proper’ camera.” Wired, 9 Aug. 2021, https://www.wired.co.uk/article/phone-camera-vs-dslr-cameras. Accessed 16 April 2022.

Tan, Emily. “Canon’s marketing shift aims for the smartphone generation.” Campaign, 18 May 2017, https://www.campaignlive.com/article/canons-marketing-shift-aims-smartphone-generation/1433959. Accessed 17 April 2022.

About the Writer

Cecelia Kinchen is a senior at Southeastern Louisiana Univeristy. She majoring in Business Management. In her spare time she love reading books, drawing, and work towards her future goals.