“The Death of Point and Shoot”
May.02.2015 With cellular devices matching up with the quality of point-and-shoot cameras, they are changing the face of the industry.
In one sentence: The point and shoot cameras are becoming obsolete as phone cameras are matching or exceeding specifications and quality.
“Point and shoot cameras (also received as compact cameras) became the staple of individuals who want to capture a scene; often, important moments are taken such as first birthdays or weddings. However gigantic or minuscule those moments are, the camera created a long-lasting visual memory to the person and/or to others.
The premise of affixing a camera to a cellular device originated during the late 1950’s- the technology of the era hampered the feasibility of attaching a small, viable camera, much less a consumer option for obtaining an expensive cellular device. The common consumer had the opportunity to purchase an “inexpensive” hand phone (as a pretence; cell phones were still expensive up to the late 1990’s) during the late 1980’s- departing from the company-owned to the consumer-owned devices. At a similar time, technology within cameras advanced forthright that it was a realistic option during the mid-1990’s, and phone cameras became a universal conscription to all phones a decade later.
Nokia was the first major corporation to introduce phone cameras en-masse to consumers. The Finnish company revolutionized the industry to an extent that in 2007, Nokia sold more camera phones than currently defunct Kodak did with traditional film-based cameras. Nokia’s success of introducing phone cameras brought increasing pressure to other phone manufacturers to install and promote unique additions that contend to phone cameras. As Nokia evidently established a mentality of high quality cameras in their phones, competitors such as Samsung, Google, Apple and HTC brought in other incentives to grasp their share in the market- phone applications, especially redefining social networking programs with cameras.
The trend has been greatly acknowledged by camera companies- Nikon, Canon, Sony and other companies have been reducing manufacturing of point and shoots or establishing their cameras with capabilities, including waterproof and shockproof features. In Canon and Nikon’s perception, there is an increasing attitude towards DSLR’s, both competing a recognizable market for cost-conscious consumers. For the remaining organizations trying to maintain the point and shoot market, the is a consistent loss- Olympus Corporation had discontinued multiple low-end models and closed factories, reflection on their loss during the 2012-2013 fiscal year.
For casual (or occasional) photographers, the contribution of phone cameras in present day has severely reduced the requirement of purchasing a point and shoot camera- picture quality within cellular devices has matched or exceeded independent cameras since their inauguration. Editing programs much as Adobe Photoshop or similar programs/tools/sites could develop the picture to the intent of the photographer. Picture storage has also vastly improved from storing hundreds to thousands of photos in the span of a decade- several regarded phones have interchangeable storage spaces to trade SD cards or the familiar. The movement in improving the individual capability to use a camera within the context of the phone has significantly deducted the need of purchasing multiple cameras without a clear, specification and quality difference.
The ability of purchasing point-and-shoot cameras will become more unique, akin to film (and the associated cameras) or pre-fad Polaroid instant cameras in the foreseeable future. Variation of companies that we saw couple of years before might declare bankruptcy or merge with other companies, ultimately ending to one large company that continues the point and shoot market and other smaller companies. Independent point and shoot cameras however, will not go extinct per-se, but it would be a small, relatively niche market for hobbyists or curious minders in the foreseeable future. The attitude towards a socialized lifestyle- the instantaneous mentality to add photos or notifications for even the slightest detail will become responsible to the future of point and shoot cameras. The cell phone will be the primary tool that will determine the future market of the once Goliath that has succumbed to the changes of society.
[Several years ago, just after I was introduced to the cell phone, I went to an electronics retailer to purchase a point and shoot camera. The Samsung camera I had purchased included a Carl Zeiss 14 MP Optic lens, plus additional software features for a reasonable $250 incl. taxes. Currently, one of the Nokia phones has a similar optic lens (with updated software) but in a much more economical setting because the smartphone is included in the camera at the same price. The cell phone I had purchased was a Blackberry- not particularly a decent phone for taking photos so I decided to purchase a point and shoot camera in addition to a DSLR. Youtube phone camera review and hands-on experience with much more modern phones concluded my opinion that a point and shoot camera with an independent cell phone is redundant unless you are trying to zoom in extremely far or you have a basic flip phone from the 1990’s.]” Oracle of Oasis