How the compact consumer camera can fight back
The compact camera is struggling in bed. Surviving on drips, breathing heavily as it faces it’s imminent death. The main culprit of the imminent death are the smartphones. Because smartphones keep getting better to an extent that consumers no longer see the need to purchase a separate compact camera.
The death of compact camera is to some extent self-inflicted. The compact camera has been too slow to adopt changes. Without an immediate change of course, the compact camera will soon follow the dinosaurs.
There is still a chance for consumer compact cameras to fight back for their diminishing space. The remedy to the disease is obviously tacked in smartphones, the main culprit behind their slow death. Here here is how compact cameras can fight back.
USB Charging
Smartphones are easily charged. Why has it taken so long for compact cameras to adopt USB charging? Is it all about the extra income generated through the charging accessories? Imagine a photographer who is low on charge while on an expensive safari. There will be no rescue other than to resort to the smartphone, even in situations where the frustrated photographer is armed with a high capacity power bank.
Dimensions
The smartphone does much more than photography. Yet it is compact and has gorgeous displays. The compact camera on the other hand is larger. Even the so said mirror less cameras touted as the most compact, are still bulkier than smartphones. The existing technology makes It possible to have an ultra compact cameras with large sensors which can fit neatly in consumer pockets. If smartphones can do it you can too Mr. Compact camera. Please do!
Displays
It is scandalous to see compact cameras still adorning tiny low-resolution displays. While smartphones are fighting towards bezel less displays, compact cameras are happily ever after with bezel full displays. Mr Compact camera, have you forgotten that your core business is photography? How can users appreciate photography through second class or even third class displays?
Unfriendly UI and Technical Jargon
Who wants to dig through levels and levels of menus to find bokeh features or F-stops. And what is bokeh by the way? Leave the unfriendly and technical jargon to the cameras designed for photography enthusiasts and professionals.
Cluttered controls
The manual controls on consumer compact cameras could be integrated in the UI on the displays. By moving the physical buttons, it will be possible to have enlarged displays on consumer compact cameras. Let me clear here before staunch photographers crucify me. The physical buttons can be left for enthusiast and professional photographer’s cameras. That is where they belong. Honestly, a myriad of physical buttons may be a turn off to some senior citizens who may also miss photo opportunities while they struggle with the switches and buttons.
Image processing
The smartphone has amazing image processing capabilities. flagship smartphones generate high quality images despite the “inferior” sensors and other smartphone camera hardware compared to the compact cameras.
Mr. Compact Cameras, you have a lot to learn from achievements in smartphone software engineering.
Schadenfreude
It can be of concern when one thrives on the failure of others, but learning from failures is deemed to be noble. Smartphones are failing us. Yes, failing us, especially in privacy and taking away our physical interactions.
The number of consumers who are opting for dumb phones to rekindle their privacy and real social life is increasing. Mr. Compact camera, how long will it take you to realise that people are purchasing the Nokia 3310 in droves? Don’t you think a high quality, and highly compact camera with dumb phone features will attract the smartphone naysayers?
If you cant beat them, join them
Given up to the fight? If you cannot fight back join them. I am sure there are millions out there who will happily buy a smartphone with stock android, yes, stock android and a great camera. Just focus on your competitive advantage, just focus on the camera.
Join them so that the future generation will forget there were smartphones. Let future generations remember there were camera phones and not smartphones.