Are smartphones really to blame for declining camera sales? Or is it something else?

December 7, 2019 by John Aldred 17 Comments

We often hear smartphones are to blame for the massive decline in camera sales over the last few years. And while they have no doubt played a major part for a lot of general consumers, is it really enough to see the huge drops we’ve seen?

Photographer Robin Wong isn’t so sure. He recently published the video above along with a blog post looking into other reasons why the market may be dwindling. The man may have a point.

Wong isn’t saying that smartphones haven’t had an impact on photography. But he believes it’s certainly not the only contributing factor. I have to admit, some of these have entered my mind, although I don’t necessarily agree with all of Wong’s points.

Cameras have been “sufficient” for several years – Essentially, cameras reached a point where they were good enough for 99% of peoples needs several years ago. I couldn’t agree with this more with that viewpoint. Every day I see people “upgrading” their cameras to newer and more expensive models, only to shoot images that aren’t even pushing the limits of what they just replaced. It’s just an exercise in wasting money for many of them. They’ve fallen into the trap of believing that newer and more expensive gear will make them a better photographer. It won’t. But more people are starting to realise this, and are still using their 5D Mark IIIs, D750s, and even the A7II rather than their newer replacement models. Cameras are lasting longer and many don’t feel the need to upgrade.
Interest in photography is declining – I don’t really agree with this one. There are more photographs made now than ever in history. I think, perhaps, technological advancements have allowed many to believe that it’s a lot easier than it really is, with cameras and apps that can figure everything out for them when they really can’t, but don’t know any better, so don’t really learn the technical aspects and really push their kit. I think it’s more a Dunning-Kruger thing than anything else.
Social media has changed the landscape of photography – For better or for worse, it most certainly has. Wong believes that social media has made photography more about the photographer and less about the content of the images themselves. Photography has become a popularity contest, with many just posting about themselves. And if you’re only ever posting your images online, you don’t need crazy high resolutions and ISOs in the millions to get those shots. The vast majority of images I see on social media could be shot with just about any DSLR or mirrorless camera made in the last decade or more.
Photography is stagnant – I think this kind of goes hand-in-hand with the previous point. But Wong also takes it a step further. He believes that a lot of photography these days is simply a lot of “me too”, with very few really pushing themselves to create something new and unique. Or even trying. Photography is no longer the art form that it once was and a lot of people today aren’t looking at photography in that way.

When it comes to potential solutions to these problems, Wong doesn’t really have any. He doesn’t think that there’s really anything we can do at this point, but he does offer a suggestion that might help to boost photography as a whole and I suppose, potentially, camera sales, too. After all, if we’re pushing ourselves and actually hitting the limits of our gear, we’re going to need new gear.

We can do our part, to improve ourselves, be better photographers, be true to ourselves, then we can be the inspiration for others to follow. I am sure together, we can bring the joy and true meaning of photography back to this world.

With a lot of new camera bodies expected to be announced over the next few months, like the D750 replacement, Nikon D6 and Canon 1DX Mark III, I wonder how their sales will compare to those of their predecessors.

After you’ve watched the video above, head on over to Robin’s blog to read some more of his thoughts on each of the points.

Do you agree with Robin? What else do you think is contributing to the decline in camera sales?

[via PetaPixel]

About John Aldred

John Aldred is based in Scotland and photographs people in the wild and animals in the studio.

You can find out more about John on his website and follow his adventures on YouTube and Facebook.

« Nikon D6 announcement rumoured for February with 4K60p video and dual CFexpress slots

SanDisk’s 1TB microSD cards are ridiculous and every photographer should get one »

Jay Knickerbocker

Was VHS really to blame for declining betamax sales?
DougWW

I agree with Robin’s points plus one additional. For much of that high purchase curve shown, digital photography was new, exciting and developing. It had a cost advantage over chemistry based photography. People were adopting. Now we are a full generation into digital. You can use your parent’s camera with good results. There is much less impetus to buy because these are the norm, not the newest thing.
Mike Haidenger

Yes smart phones are to blame. I was at the Grand Canyon recently and it was astonishing how many people, and I would say the majority, were taking photos/videos with their smart phone or tablet.
Scott Valentine

I agree with the general points in the article – it’s market dynamics of a fickle audience. Guitar sales are also pretty low, but it’s not because of good synths on phones and tablets; it’s just interest.
Scott Stevenson

Smartphones, equipment prices, and home downsizing.
James Thomas

Camera’s have been “good enough” for the vast majority of users(non-professionals) for 6-8 years at least. I don’t see myself buying another camera beyond my 2(main and identical backup) FF, 24mp bodies for another 4 or 5 years really. and together I only put maybe 10-15K shutter trips per year spread out among the two.
Banji Bagwana

Most likely smart phones. I used to travel with my DSLR whenever I went on trips or holidays but now find it more convenient to use my phone and save the camera for work related stuff.
Serguei Vergounov

Camera models change too fast.
Too many plastic zoom lenses.
Serious prime lenses mostly too expensive.
Too many settings.
Photography in general too easy.
A potential photoamateur is discouraged and bored at the same time.
Jason Dunning

I know 2 people who now leave their DSLR’s at home most of the time as they love their iphone X. Granted it takes some really sick photos, but I still lug mine around.
George Salt

Cameras passed the point where improvements between successive models are meaningful . The megapickle race left behind the user’s actual needs a long time ago. Photographers in it for the pictures are generally still happy with 5+ year old models. End result, digital photography is a mature market and less driven by the innovation/upgrade cycle.
Shachar Weis

Of course it’s smartphones. I can’t remember the last time I saw someone use a p&s camera at a monument or landmark. It’s either smartphones or DSLRs.
CanonMinolta

It’s partly smartphones, but it is also:
– most 25-45 year olds aren’t interested in photography as such
– it is harder to make money in photography
– aging population isn’t willing to pay the high proce of dslr cameras
– the decline of stock photography

– taking large sharp photos isn’t important anymore
– big cameras have many things people don’t need/want (like video)

– larger cameras weigh too much- etc
Motti Bembaron

Very good points. I still have my D3 and for portrait photography it is still an amazing camera. I also have the D750 but and the D500. The only reason I bought the D500 is because I photograph young children (daycares) and the fast and advanced focus system really helps capturing children expressions.

The D3 and the D750’s focus system is not as fast. However, as I said, if I only did headshots and portraits, my 13 year old D3 would have been the only thing I would need (D750 as a backup).
Patrick Tardif

Agree with the list of many comments above, maybe missing one, in consumer camera missing workflows link that smartphone handle correctly for them. In smartphone you can share easily yours pictures, use computational photography without annoying software computer and process it inside your phone. The process is quick for a result and give more instantaneous satisfaction to the customer. Also, smartphones have many features that advanced camera don’t have in standard like GPS tagging, face recognition, overlay layers, computational corrections,…

A classic photographer will accept to take more time and steps for producing an image.
George Plummer

My old Pentax K5 has more bells and whistles than I need . . . the problem is not the old(er) camera, it is the person behind the viewfinder and a K1 won’t make me a better photographer. Wong is correct. But worse, I don’t want to upgrade my computer and software just to capture the most recent sunset with a new camera . . . or whatever. Sadly, I am using my cellphone more than I thought I would. But that’s another story . . . . it doesn’t communicate any better than the old Motorola I had 20 years ago . . . but it takes better pictures.
Mike the Moustache

This reads like the only important thing is about selling cameras.
Whatever happened to enjoying photography and making photos that other people can enjoy?
For most people most of the time, alnost any camera made in the last 50 years (yes, including film) is more than adequate for them to enjoy themselves and make ‘good’ pictures – and if they don’t want to learn how to use a camera properly, yes, a smartphone will do!
Juan Camargo

I think a more important measurement would be the SLRs and mirrorless as a % of camera sales.

While most everyone here LOVES photography, cameras, and all those toys, it is safe to say that the general population does not. They just want to take a picture and share it. This is why we have so many point and shoot options. Even in the film days, there were plenty of P&S options. This was the meat and potatoes of the photography industry. But with cell phone cameras being ridiculously good, that entire segment is literally drying up. Why buy a P&S when your phone can do it easily and is one less thing to carry?

And while I believe it does affect DSLR’s and mirrorless sales, it is not a major impact. The people that buy DSLR’s and mirrorless are generally in a different market segment. They know lenses/lights/gear. It is not too dissimilar from the car buying public–general consumers buy the general Ford Tauruses, while only a very specific set buy the Shelby cobra. It is specific equipment for a specific need that is not accomplished by the current P&S type cameras/phones.