Skip to main content

Tales of the camera market’s demise have apparently not been exaggerated

It is no secret that smartphones have taken over much of what was once that camera market. Just as digital point-and-shoot cameras replaced the old boxed disposable film cameras of the past, they have now been replaced themselves by the phones that we carry in our pockets every day.

While all of this is happening, though, interchangeable lens cameras (ILC) have seen their share of the market grow as consumers look for the expandability, reliability, and quality of a DSLR or mirrorless camera system to complement their smartphones. Statista has a graph based on data from the Camera & Imaging Products Association (CIPA) that shows just how far the camera market has fallen in just the last five years but it also shows the growing rise in popularity of ILC systems.

Recommended Videos

The question being asked by the infographic is one of despair for the camera market in general: Have smartphones killed the camera market? Well, if you go by just these numbers, the answer to that is pretty clear, the market is nowhere near as large as it was five years ago with this year being on track to be the worst year for the camera market in more than 15 years.

Infographic: Are Smartphones Killing Digital Cameras? | Statista

It would be safe to say that dedicated cameras are now the purview of advanced amateurs and professionals, those who understand the art of photography and the need for the features, customizations, and accessories that come with a dedicated camera system.

You could also say though that interest in photography has never been higher, with more pictures being taken than ever before, and with people creating amazing art with just the camera in their phone. So while the numbers would support the claim that smartphones are killing the camera market, it is important to separate that from the interest in photography, which is clearly thriving.

Mor information on these camera sale numbers can be found over on the Statisa website, here.

Anthony Thurston
Former Digital Trends Contributor
Anthony is an internationally published photographer based in the beautiful Pacific Northwest. Specializing primarily in…
Phone cameras are so good, they’ve finally replaced my camera for work
Close up of the camera on the iPhone 16 Pro and Pixel 9 Pro.

For almost two decades, I’ve carried more than twenty pounds of electronics in my backpack for the slightest chance of needing to capture content for my professional life. My backpack usually contained my MacBook, a full-frame camera with a big lens, a tripod, and an assortment of video and audio gear that I always deemed essential.

As it turns out, over the past two years, many of these items were rendered obsolete, as many companies launched new products that were quickly able to replace technology that I previously considered irreplaceable.

Read more
This is what happens ‘when you get two uber-geeks in space at the same time’
NASA's Don Pettit on the space station.



During NASA’s first-ever Twitch livestream from the International Space Station (ISS) on Wednesday, current station inhabitant Don Pettit and recent returnee Matthew Dominick talked about what it’s like to live and work in a satellite 250 miles up.

Read more
The GoPro Hero 13 Creator Edition is $100 off, but not for long
A person holding the GoPro HERO13 Creator Edition in front of the ocean.

Outdoor enthusiasts who want to buy a new action camera should go for the brand that popularized the product and look for GoPro deals. Best Buy has an offer that's going to be hard to refuse, as it features the GoPro Hero 13 Creator Edition. From its original price of $600, it's down to just $500 as part of the retailer's Presidents' Day Sale. There are still a few days remaining before the $100 discount ends on February 17, but we highly recommend completing your purchase as soon as possible because stocks may run out before then.

Why you should buy the GoPro Hero 13 Creator Edition
The star of the GoPro Hero 13 Creator Edition is the GoPro Hero 13 Black, which is the latest version of the brand's popular line of action cameras. It's capable of recording video at up to 5.3K resolution, and you can grab photos of up to 24.7MP from your footage using the GoPro Quick app. The GoPro Hero 13 Black can also take videos that are slowed down by 13 times the normal speed, and it can last more than 5 hours on a single charge. The front and rear LCD screens will let you frame your shots perfectly, and the built-in buttons enable easy controls for lengthy sessions.

Read more