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Will Apple make a standalone digital camera?

M

modul8tr

macrumors regular
Original poster
Jun 18, 2002
229
44
I know the Quicktake back in 1997 didn't succeed, but with the success of the iPhone and now the iPhone 4 (with its highly praised camera), I wonder if they see a camera as the next addition to the iOS family?


I know that if we asked Steve Jobs, his answer would be, "we already make a camera, it's called the iPhone."


So do you think Apple sees the iPhone as it? Or is there a way for them to make a bold entry into the camera market?


I see it as having a Retina Display on it the size of the iPhone or larger, an A4 (or better), iOS (+ sophisticated camera apps), and all the usual iPhone/Pad hardware including a 3G option.
 
Unless they go to make a DSLR I think an iPod Touch would suit them well for a camera. It's in the same price range as most point and shoots anyway. Not sure there's a point so long as they keep that device going.

If I gave you an iPod Touch with a camera on it and it only launched the camera/photos app it'd be a camera. It just happens to do more.
 
SilentPanda said:
Unless they go to make a DSLR I think an iPod Touch would suit them well for a camera. It's in the same price range as most point and shoots anyway. Not sure there's a point so long as they keep that device going.

If I gave you an iPod Touch with a camera on it and it only launched the camera/photos app it'd be a camera. It just happens to do more.
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Exactly, and I could see Apple viewing it this way. In which case we won't see a standalone point and shoot.


They'd have to go semi pro/pro.


So yes, I'm talking about a DSLR.
 
I hope not. I don't think anyone wants to have Apple's finger in every pie, again. Apple tried that and failed miserably, including the digital camera.

Apple should stick to what its good at and stay focused. Let Canon, Nikon et al fight it out.


modul8tr said:
I know the Quicktake back in 1997 didn't succeed, but with the success of the iPhone and now the iPhone 4 (with its highly praised camera), I wonder if they see a camera as the next addition to the iOS family?


I know that if we asked Steve Jobs, his answer would be, "we already make a camera, it's called the iPhone."


So do you think Apple sees the iPhone as it? Or is there a way for them to make a bold entry into the camera market?


I see it as having a Retina Display on it the size of the iPhone or larger, an A4 (or better), iOS (+ sophisticated camera apps), and all the usual iPhone/Pad hardware including a 3G option.
Click to expand...
 
I think Apple needs to stay away from Cameras and things this is what hurt them before trying to be all things to all people. And also that would upset the relationship apple has with it's partners.
 
I have a pentax D10 as a proper camera, my iPhone 4 is now my take everywhere point and shoot camera. So I suppose I agree with what the OP thought SJ would say. Apple already make a camera.
The Quicktake was the first digital camera I ever used, I quite liked it.
 
modul8tr said:
Exactly, and I could see Apple viewing it this way. In which case we won't see a standalone point and shoot.
Click to expand...

It isn't just point-and-shoot. It is more so the usage inside that category. If the shots are largely less than 8 ft away and impulse then it works well because one important factor is that you have it with you most of the time.

However, the primary way to frame what taking a picture of with a iPod/iPhone is by moving forward/backward. Yeah there is some zoom and some depth of field adjustments but they are all minor because of limited space devoted to those functions.


So yes, I'm talking about a DSLR.
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There is no software advantage Apple can use to leverage a difference. As long as DSLRs remain primarily focused on capturing the image (stills and/or video) rather than diddling with it with software inside the mechanism, there is little competitive advantage Apple can bring to the table.

If the device doesn't have a large software component then it is not going to be a major product. (Apple does mouse and other peripherals, but that is a sideline. )
 
An apple camera would be great because lets face it the industrial design and interfaces of most cameras can be a bit of a mess, and quite confusing if you aren't too knowledgeable about all the terms. Imagine what Apple could do to make an SLR for the rest of us that made it easy and simple to take great photos and teaches you to operate the manual controls and get better.
 
talkingfuture said:
An apple camera would be great because lets face it the industrial design and interfaces of most cameras can be a bit of a mess, and quite confusing if you aren't too knowledgeable about all the terms. Imagine what Apple could do to make an SLR for the rest of us that made it easy and simple to take great photos and teaches you to operate the manual controls and get better.
Click to expand...


I could envision apple rethinking the advanced compact camera. Something along the lines of a Canon G12, but smaller. Good glass, simpler but flexible controls, high performance in camera processing. built in GPS, built in wifi for social medial uploads. Using the Ios operating system. The iPhone, with it's crummy little lens and limited light gathering is an amazingly good camera, for what it is. I find that I usually leave my DSLR at home, because it is just too much bulk/weight to lug around. I think apple could advance the conversation...
 
What's the point of Apple making a DSLR? Nikon reigns supreme there. There is simply no way Apple will make such a single-use device. It's not their MO.
 
Apple is usually good at staying away from markets it has no clue what it's doing in. That's actually one of its strengths.

It took them 4 years to realize using a physical button to snap a picture is easier than aiming your finger at a tiny oval on a touchscreen. I think it's safe to say they don't know cameras.
 
What one is able to do with an iPhone 4 camera (plus some wonderful photo software on the App Store) is already hugely impressive. The camera and lens tech in these devices will only get better.

It already outdoes my Canon point and-shoot (from 2007) in several areas. The area that sill lags behind is zooming and in many cases night shots.

A standalone camera by Apple would be redundant.

The trend is device convergence, not dedicated devices.
 
Mexbearpig said:
Knowing Apple it will only be able to use their lenses :rolleyes:.
Click to expand...

And have a new memory card format that you can only buy from Apple and can only view the pics on an Apple product and it will cost more than a Canon 5D Mk II. But it will be magical. :D
 
*LTD* said:
What one is able to do with an iPhone 4 camera (plus some wonderful photo software on the App Store) is already hugely impressive. The camera and lens tech in these devices will only get better.

It already outdoes my Canon point and-shoot (from 2007) in several areas. The area that sill lags behind is zooming and in many cases night shots.

A standalone camera by Apple would be redundant.

The trend is device convergence, not dedicated devices.
Click to expand...

There is no convergence of a DSLR into an iOS device. Sorry, it's just not happening any time soon. Your fixation on portable computers is admirable, but the world does not revolve around them. In your myopic view, we wouldn't need a handheld medical scanner because it's single-use.
 
KingCrimson said:
There is no convergence of a DSLR into an iOS device. Sorry, it's just not happening any time soon. Your fixation on portable computers is admirable, but the world does not revolve around them. In your myopic view, we wouldn't need a handheld medical scanner because it's single-use.
Click to expand...

No, DSLRs will not converge. Some Pro-level devices cost will cost too much to integrate into other devices, and you might lose some features along the way. Changing lenses would be impractical on a smartphone at this point. ;)

However, the tech in smartphones (including photography software) will put much more photographic power into the hands of everyday users. It's already happening. Take a look at Camera+, Hipstamatic, and especially some of the stuff you see on Instagram. Hell, I've taken some ridiculously impressive photos myself.

This isn't DSLR quality, but it's extremely impressive for what it is.

DSLRs are here to stay for the foreseeable future.

The point-and-shoot, however, is dying.
 
Last edited:
Cmon man. As fun as Instagram is, applying a filter to an otherwise crappy photo is not shooting great photography.

That's like a person saying they can sing because they went out and bought an Autotune
 
Liquorpuki said:
Cmon man. As fun as Instagram is, applying a filter to an otherwise crappy photo is not shooting great photography.

That's like a person saying they can sing because they went out and bought an Autotune
Click to expand...

The photos you can take with an iPhone 4 are far from "crappy." Learn to use it right and you'll be surprised.
 
Liquorpuki said:
I'm being given photography advice by someone who thinks Instagram makes him a real photographer

I'll take it with a grain of salt
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Like I said, It's not DSLR, but it sure as hell gives my point-and-shoot a run for its money.

For what the iPhone 4 camera is, it's fairly impressive.

It's extremely empowering for us amateurs, and the kind of work that can be done with it is improving all the time.

So no, Apple won't make a standalone digital camera. Rapidly advancing tech in smartphones plus a robust developer community has the bases covered.
 
*LTD* said:
Like I said, It's not DSLR, but it sure as hell gives my point-and-shoot a run for its money.

For what the iPhone 4 camera is, it's fairly impressive.

It's extremely empowering for us amateurs, and the kind of work that can be done with it is improving all the time.

So no, Apple won't make a standalone digital camera. Rapidly advancing tech in smartphones plus a robust developer community has the bases covered.
Click to expand...


My point and shoot from 2005ish takes better pictures than an iPhone4. Simple fact is a glass lenses and larger sensor with optical zoom beats the crap out of anything they can put in a phone.

End of the day no matter how you cut it the iPhone is a cell phone camera.
 
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