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Apple's Next Big Thing Will Be a Prosumer Camera: Discuss
- Thread starter malloryjones
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Apple is more interested in getting the iPhone camera to a level where it can replace point and shoot devices, which I think it's doing a fine job of. Certainly there are some places I'd prefer a point and shoot, but in most of those places, I'd take a DSLR camera and have an decent camera phone.
The market for point and shot devices is getting smaller and smaller.
The market for point and shot devices is getting smaller and smaller.
This isn't 4chan dude. Also, I agree with *LTD* here, the iPhone 4 is Apple's shot at making cameras. There's no need for them to make another camera to detract from the appeal of the iPhone (which coincidently takes amazing pictures).
No way this will happen. Not only would Apple make the design slim and sleek somehow, but they simply don't have the technology behind the lenses and image sensors. Not to mention photogs have thousands of dollars invested in a camera system whether its Canon, Nikon, Pentax, etc and no one (except maybe new photogs who think gear matters the most) would switch over. I know I wouldn't, I have way too much invested in Canon's systems and currently my setup lets me do everything I need to do and more.
Sure, and M3 would be nice, but you'll go broke buying lenses for the thing. Take a look at vintage Konica gear. "Back in the day" their lenses were absolutely top-notch. I've got a 1958 Konica III rangefinder that takes excellent photos. Cost me $100.
Exactly. In the last keynote when they introduced the iPhone 4S they said something along the lines of the camera being improved the point that you don't need a separate P&S camera.
I don't think Apple cares about the pro camera market. They care about kids, teens, soccer moms, etc. being able to take a quick photo on their phone and then do whatever they want to do with it on the web immediately through iOS. The point is to eliminate the need for the consumer to have two devices (a phone and a camera) and to make the workflow of getting your pictures "in the wild" faster.
Old method:
1. Take pictures with P&S camera
2. Download pics from card or camera itself to computer (usually done at a later time)
3. Store and maybe edit photos with iPhoto (done only after manual transfer)
4. Print for physical use if desired
5. Post to internet (FB, Flickr, etc.) or use digitally as desired
New method:
1. Take picture with iPhone
2. Edit photo if desired on the phone without transfer needed (immediately)
3. One touch posting to the net (immediately) or print if desired
*No need for manual transfer as through iCloud all of your photos are automatically backed up and distributed to all of your devices
All of these changes are targeted at the consumer market. Pro's have their own established workflows that typically involve manual editing on a professional computer rig with professional software. They generally have a solid back up strategy that involves multiple layers so as to minimize the risk of loss due to failure. Sure professionals like to improve things by making them easier or faster, but they get paid for their time, attention to detail, and their experience. It's not about cool gadgets or iOS integration, it's about using the professionl grade gear that compliments your skills and gets the job done best.
Apple's philosophy and perhaps even their very existence has always been about catering to the "common people". They were one of the first to bring desktop computers to the masses instead of being limited to businesses and universities. They popularized desktop publishing (innovations in WYSIWYG software, fonts, printers) so people could do design work themselves instead of hiring professional designers . They popularized video and photo editing where previously these were "professionals only" requiring expensive software. They brought smartphones to the masses where previously only business people could afford or justify them.
So I think they'll continue to improve the camera in the iPhone 4, perhaps to the point where it rivals a high-end P&S, but they're not really interested in catering to the professional or prosumer market.