Mobile phones cameras 2.0 ?

[mikemorrellNL]

I've always been completely satisfied with my 2.5 year-old (Samsung S21+) mobile phone. Which I bought (with a 2-year phone subscription) mainly because it a) offered 5G mobile phone connections and b) because I wanted a good mobile camera and c) I didn't want to splash out more money on the 'Ultra' version with more and better cameras.

After 2.5 years, my mobile phone has had some cracks on its screen for some time. My intention was to get the screen repaired and to extend my subscription on a 'SIM-only' basis. But a couple of weeks ago. I discovered that the back of the phone also had a lot of cracks. I then realized that my current phone had become very 'fragile' and that - going forward - I would unfortunately need a new phone. So today, I  ordered the current Samsung  S24 'Ultra' version. Not only because of the (multiple) better camera lenses and image quality but also because the 'Ultra' version offers interaction via a stylus. Something I found very useful in the previous Samsung Galaxy Note series. 

I read that the primary Samsung S24 Ultra camera has an optical resolution of 200 Mpx. And an optical zoom of 10x.  For most practical purposes, a resolution of 200 Mpx is way over the top. Almost 10 times the resolution of my DSLR!  And all social media outlets reduce the size of photos before publishing them.

So, given the acceleration of Phone camera technology (including AI photography apps), what's your opinion on the future of classic and digital cameras?

 

 

[AJG]

Phones have already pretty well wiped out digital point and shoot cameras, so this technology will probably continue the trend.  As for replacing DSLR/mirrorless, I have my doubts.  Sensor size and pixel density still matter for quality results, especially under low light conditions, and phones by definition will aways have small sensors and higher pixel density.  Add to that the awkward way that you have to hold a phone to take pictures and I think serious cameras will continue to have a market, if a smaller one than 10-15 years ago.

[Sanford]

I'm starting to see a lot of young people using film cameras.

[samstevens]

5 hours ago, mikemorrellNL said:

what's your opinion on the future of classic and digital cameras?

Given climate change and my real concern about the future, the cameras may just be around long enough not to have anything to take pictures of. 

[Sanford]

2 hours ago, samstevens said:

Given climate change and my real concern about the future, the cameras may just be around long enough not to have anything to take pictures of. 

I've heard smog makes great sunsets.

[Ken Katz]

For most people who are casual image takers (not professionals, folks who post on PN, or have an Adobe subscription), there is probably not a good reason to also own a dedicated camera.   The exception would to get images of you kids doing sports.  By the time my 3 year old granddaughter is old enough to do that, there may be smartphone cameras that can handle that.

The main camera of top of the line smartphones have a sensor with an area of about 70 sq mm, which is not all that small anymore since many compact cameras use the Sony 1" sensor, which is about 120 sq mm.