Taking digital photos really began in 1975 when researchers at Kodak built the first camera based on a CCD. (Charge Coupled Device). This is the sensor that converts light input into electrical images that can be reconstructed into what we recognize as photographic images. This camera weighed eight pounds and fed the image into a TV. It had a very minimal resolution in pixel count and was hardly portable; but it changed the way we began to look at photography. The digital camera was born and became available as a SLR, (Single Lens Reflex), and as a point-and shoot variety. The competitive sensor, CMOS, (Complementary Metal Oxide Semiconductor), was introduced later and is used by many manufacturers. But, with the growing popularity of digital imaging, the erosion of the film camera became clear. Today, the cameras that use film are slowly becoming extinct.
And, as technology marches on, the digital camera is also on the list of eroding markets. The replacement is also digital; but it in the cell phone. The early cell phones had the camera function as a secondary feature but the most recent phones on the market take the camera function seriously. For example, the Nokia 1080 with 41 megapixels, although pricey, is more than just a contender. It is the shot across the bow that will change how we use digital imaging. The biggest change is in the applications which allow editing, processing, storage, and sharing with an immediate result. Think Instagram!
According to most surveys, we are at about 55% of the photos taken are on the cell phone. The trend? It is just a matter of time before the digital camera will be used by serious photographers and abandoned by the general camera user. I suspect that cheap point-and-shoot cameras will be available for quite some time, but that cell phone photography will become a more serious business. Smile for that next selfie!
And, as technology marches on, the digital camera is also on the list of eroding markets. The replacement is also digital; but it in the cell phone. The early cell phones had the camera function as a secondary feature but the most recent phones on the market take the camera function seriously. For example, the Nokia 1080 with 41 megapixels, although pricey, is more than just a contender. It is the shot across the bow that will change how we use digital imaging. The biggest change is in the applications which allow editing, processing, storage, and sharing with an immediate result. Think Instagram!
According to most surveys, we are at about 55% of the photos taken are on the cell phone. The trend? It is just a matter of time before the digital camera will be used by serious photographers and abandoned by the general camera user. I suspect that cheap point-and-shoot cameras will be available for quite some time, but that cell phone photography will become a more serious business. Smile for that next selfie!
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