Samsung announced they're quitting the camera business in both the UK and Germany. This does not really surprise me as Samsung was not a traditional camera manufacturer. This is their statement regarding the UK.
“We quickly adapt to market needs and demands. In the UK, we have seen a gradual and sustained decline in demand for standalone digital cameras and camcorders and related accessories. For this reason, we have taken the decision to phase out the sales and marketing of these products. This is a local decision, based on local market conditions.”
Their market analysis is spot on. Smartphones have eliminated compact digital cameras just as digital cameras eliminated film cameras. Similarly, digital SLRs are suffering. The vast majority don't need the sophistication or the excess.
I myself am finding it hard using a smartphone, to find time to use a DSLR. The camera with me (the smartphone) is worth far more than the camera I don't have with me. Yes, there is a compromise in image quality and versatility but that's more than made up for by the convenience.
Its not possible to compare what's happening now to any other period in camera history. Just about everybody owns at least one camera and possibly more than just one. In the past, somebody with a camera was a rarity and SLRs produced far better images. Now the difference between a DSLR, a digital compact, an interchangeable lens compact and a cellphone is much harder to see.
The only time that there is a visible difference between the images produced is when they're used outside the normal range of images. That will be low light and action photos. Having said that, its still pretty close!
Certainly some of the signs are unreadable but it's pretty darned good. That, by the way, was taken with a Nexus 4 cellphone.
Predictions and crystal balls? Well, I think Panasonic and Olympus might get out as might Fujifilm. That'll leave Pentax, Nikon, Sony, Canon and Leica. Even so, the market will be oversupplied.
“We quickly adapt to market needs and demands. In the UK, we have seen a gradual and sustained decline in demand for standalone digital cameras and camcorders and related accessories. For this reason, we have taken the decision to phase out the sales and marketing of these products. This is a local decision, based on local market conditions.”
Their market analysis is spot on. Smartphones have eliminated compact digital cameras just as digital cameras eliminated film cameras. Similarly, digital SLRs are suffering. The vast majority don't need the sophistication or the excess.
I myself am finding it hard using a smartphone, to find time to use a DSLR. The camera with me (the smartphone) is worth far more than the camera I don't have with me. Yes, there is a compromise in image quality and versatility but that's more than made up for by the convenience.
Its not possible to compare what's happening now to any other period in camera history. Just about everybody owns at least one camera and possibly more than just one. In the past, somebody with a camera was a rarity and SLRs produced far better images. Now the difference between a DSLR, a digital compact, an interchangeable lens compact and a cellphone is much harder to see.
The only time that there is a visible difference between the images produced is when they're used outside the normal range of images. That will be low light and action photos. Having said that, its still pretty close!
Certainly some of the signs are unreadable but it's pretty darned good. That, by the way, was taken with a Nexus 4 cellphone.
Predictions and crystal balls? Well, I think Panasonic and Olympus might get out as might Fujifilm. That'll leave Pentax, Nikon, Sony, Canon and Leica. Even so, the market will be oversupplied.
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