Nikon D780 review | TechRadar

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Is the full-frame DSLR still relevant in the mirrorless age?

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(Image: © Future)

TechRadar Verdict

We hear a lot of talk about the death of the DSLR, and the unstoppable rise of mirrorless. But DSLRs remain the best choice for many photographers, particularly those who have existing lenses or honed their craft with optical viewfinders – and the D780 is one of the best full-frame options around. It combines great image quality, a weather-proof build, superb battery life and modern autofocus skills. It’s a shame there’s no in-body image stabilization and it’s currently pretty pricey, but the D780 is otherwise a superb all-round DSLR.

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Pros

• +

  Plenty of direct access controls

• +

  Tilting touch-sensitive screen

• +

  Dual card slots

• +

  Fast live-view focusing

• +

  Great battery life

Cons

• –

  Big and heavy

• –

  Expensive

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The Nikon D780 is perhaps the best example yet of a DSLR reinventing itself for the mirrorless age. It’s a very traditional-looking full-frame camera with an optical viewfinder, but underneath that old-school skin lies some of the same tech that you’ll find in its cutting-edge Nikon Z6 cousin. In other words, it’s something of a DSLR-mirrorless hybrid.

When Nikon and Canon finally relented and committed to their Z Series and EOS R mirrorless systems, fans of optical viewfinders and generous battery lives were naturally worried that the days of new DSLRs were behind them. But the D780 proves that Nikon isn’t abandoning the DSLR – in fact, if you have a stash of F mount lenses or just prefer the way a DSLR handles, it might just be one of the best full-frame cameras the company has made so far.  

Designed to sit alongside rather than fully replace the older Nikon D750, this is Nikon’s ‘entry-level’ full-frame model, sitting below the D850 and offering something for those who don’t need mega-high resolution, but who still want a good all-rounder.  

With Nikon suggesting that it will run its mirrorless and DSLR offerings in parallel to each other, it’s possible that we might see other new DSLR models with mirrorless technology – for example, an equivalent to the APS-C Nikon Z50. But if it’s full-frame shooting you’re after, the D780 is a very compelling new option, and is indeed one of the best DSLR cameras you can buy right now.

(Image credit: Future)

• Nikon D780 (Black) at Walmart for $1,539.99

Nikon D780 release date and price

The Nikon D780 is on sale now and is available either body-only or with the 24-120mm f/4G ED VR kit lens. The body-only cost is £2,199 / $2,299.95 / AU$3,898, while the kit lens bundle will set you back £2,619 / $2,799.95 / AU$4,698.

Right now, that compares unfavorably with the Nikon Z6, which can be picked up for £1,599/ $1,796/ AU$2,699 (body only), or £2,099/ $2,396/ AU$3,899 with a 24-70mm f/4 kit lens. Still, it’s worth bearing in mind that the Z6 has been on the market for much longer, and lacks some of the features you can find in the D780.

Image 1 of 3

(Image credit: Future)(Image credit: Future)(Image credit: Future)

Build and handling

• Satisfyingly chunky grip
• Optical viewfinder, tilting screen
• Traditional controls and top-plate LCD

If you’ve always preferred the spacious handling of a DSLR to their sometimes cramped mirrorless equivalents, then you’ll be thrilled with the D780’s chunky design.

You get a sturdy, magnesium alloy body that’s resistant to both dust and water, along with a satisfyingly chunky grip. The big range of dials and buttons also have lots of room to breathe. There’s not a huge amount of difference between this and the D750, so if you’re thinking of upgrading from the older model, you’ll be very much at home here. 

The vast majority of shooting controls can be found on the right-hand side of the camera. These include the on/off switch, dials for altering shutter speed and aperture, and the ‘i’ button for accessing a quick menu.  

You’ll also see a top-plate LCD which gives you an at-a-glance view of several key settings, including ISO, aperture, shutter speed and how many shots you’ve got left on your memory card.

On the left-hand side you’ll find the mode dial, the drive mode dial and a set of buttons which mostly relate to playback.

Using an optical viewfinder is a matter of preference, but if you prefer them to electronic versions then, again, you should be pretty happy here. It’s not quite as bright and clear as the one found on the D850, but if you’re not comparing them side by side you’re likely to be very impressed by it. 

If you find yourself using the screen, you’ve got a tilting touch-sensitive display. Using a DSLR’s Live View was once a slow and painful affair to be avoided unless absolutely necessary; these days, the technology has improved so much that it’s a realistic option – especially in this case, where it offers an autofocus (AF) advantage. The only downside is having to hold the camera away from your body, which isn’t something you’ll want to do for extended periods with the D780.

A fully articulating screen would also have been much more handy for video shooting, but the tilt screen (which you’ll also find on the D750) is still useful for framing stills from high and low angles.

One downside here, though, is that it’s a little bit of an annoyance to move between shooting through the viewfinder and working with Live View. With mirrorless cameras, that transition is instant, occurring as soon as you move your eye to (or from) the viewfinder. 

Here, you’ll need to press a button to activate Live View – and press it again to switch it off. That might not sound like much of a deal-breaker, but it can occasionally be the difference between getting a shot or not.

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(Image credit: Future)(Image credit: Future)(Image credit: Future)

Features and autofocus 

• 24.5MP sensor and EXPEED 6 image processor 
• Two autofocus systems
• Two UHS II memory card slots

The D780 has been designed to be a good all-rounder, appealing to a broad cross-section of photographers. Keen amateurs are perhaps the main target audience, but professionals who don’t crave the huge resolution (and unwieldy file sizes) of the D850 may also find the D780 an enticing, and more than capable, option. 

At its heart is a back-illuminated 24.5MP full-frame sensor, which is matched with the latest EXPEED 6 image processor – this is the same combination you’ll find inside its mirrorless relative, the Nikon Z6. Other interesting specifications include up to 12fps shooting (when in Live View, another specification inherited from the Z6), in-camera charging via USB and 4K video recording. 

Image 1 of 5

There are dozens of different lenses available for Nikon full-frame DSLRs, including the 85mm f/1.4 lens that this was shot with. (Image credit: Future)There’s plenty of fine detail to be seen in the D780’s images when you examine them closely. (Image credit: Future)Colors are rich and vibrant from JPEG images taken straight from the camera. (Image credit: Future)The 24-120mm ‘kit’ lens is a good all-round lens for capturing a number of different subjects. (Image credit: Future)The D780’s tilting screen is handy if you want to shoot from low angles. (Image credit: Future)

Naturally, a full-frame DSLR has a much bigger body than a mirrorless equivalent, and one of the benefits this brings is space for two memory cards – here we have two UHS-II-compatible SD card slots. 

Viewfinders are a contentious issue – many like the ‘shoot what you see’ stylings of electronic viewfinders, but there are still plenty who prefer optical ‘finders. If you fall into the latter camp, then you’ll be happy with the 0.7x optical finder here, which is inherited from the D750.

In terms of autofocusing, there are two systems in play. The D780 uses the same on-chip phase-detection for the 273-point autofocus system as the Nikon Z6, but the crucial difference is that this only engages when you’re shooting via Live View, rather than through the optical viewfinder. Still, it performs in much the same way as the Z6, including Eye-Detection AF, with the option of choosing which eye to focus on.

You’ll also find that approximately 90% of the frame is covered by autofocus points. However, if you prefer to shoot in the traditional way you get a very decent 51 points, but you’ll notice that they’re all clustered in the center of the frame. 

(Image credit: Future)

Performance

• Burst shooting at 7fps / 12fps
• Impressive buffer at up to 68 Raw files
• Same metering system as the pricier D850

The D780 uses two different autofocus systems, depending on whether you’re shooting through the viewfinder or via the screen. This is one of the biggest differences between this camera and a mirrorless model like the Nikon Z6. 

This is probably not a camera that will appeal to dedicated sports and action photographers, but if you’re photographing something with a relatively predictable movement pattern, then it can cope fairly well. Both AF systems are reliably quick and accurate, but if you’re capturing a moving subject then shooting via the screen is a little more responsive. Especially since you can shoot at 12fps when using the screen, compared to 7fps through the viewfinder.

The fact that the D780 has two UHS-II compatible slots is great news for clearing the buffer. You can shoot up to 68 Raw files or 100 JPEGs before it needs to take a breather. That’s not amazing for those in the “spray and pray” camp, but the buffer does clear pretty quickly allowing you to get back to shooting quick, well-timed bursts.

(Image credit: Future)

Being a few years old now, it’s no surprise to see technology from the more advanced D850 making an appearance on the D780. The same 180k RGB metering and scene recognition system is deployed here, which on the whole works to produce nicely balanced exposures. You might find you need to dial in some exposure compensation in some particularly high contrast situations if you want to shoot JPEG only, but if you’re used to shooting in Raw format and making tweaks after the fact, this will be less of an issue. 

One area where DSLRs still very much beat mirrorless cameras is battery life. The quoted figures here for the D780 are 2,260 shots, which far outstrips that of the Z6/Z7 mirrorless cameras. 

That figure drops significantly if you’re consistently using Live View, but for those shooting through the viewfinder, it’s a nice feeling to not have to worry about having to bring spare batteries, or find a power point to give it an extra boost in the middle of a crucial shoot.

Image quality

• 24.5MP full-frame sensor
• No in-body image stabilization
• ISO expandable up to 204,800

We were confident that image quality from the D780 would be good, considering the sensor seems to be the same – or very similar – to that found in the Z6. It also shares some other specifications with that camera, such as the same processor, same metering system and the same 273-point-on-sensor phase detection AF system. 

On the whole, image quality is indeed great. Colors are nicely saturated, while the overall impression of detail is fantastic. Dynamic range is excellent, while automatic white balance does a good job of keeping colors accurate. 

Unlike the Z6, however, there’s no in-body image stabilization. Instead, you’ll have to rely on stabilization from the lenses. This means that occasionally you might see a little bit of blur if you don’t keep a good eye on shutter speeds, particularly in darker conditions. We’d recommend setting a minimum shutter speed if critical sharpness is an issue for you – and, of course, look out for lenses which include VR as standard.

Image 1 of 7

Having 120mm available with the 24-120mm ‘kit’ lens allows you to get closer to the subject if it’s not possible to move physically nearer. (Image credit: Future)Colors are rich and vibrant from JPEG images taken straight from the camera. (Image credit: Future)A full-frame sensor is fantastic for creating attractive shallow depth of field effects like this. (Image credit: Future)The D780 may not be the camera you’d immediately turn to for sports and action, but it is perfectly capable of following a reasonably predictable moving subject. (Image credit: Future)Under artificial lighting, the Nikon D780’s automatic white balance setting does a good job of getting colors mostly accurate. (Image credit: Future)All-purpose metering is very good overall, but you might find you lose a little detail in high contrast situations – shooting in Raw allows you to pull back any missing detail in the highlights and lowlights. (Image credit: Future)Occasionally the D780 will underexpose just a little, in which case dialing in some exposure compensation can lift the shot. (Image credit: Future)

Just like the Z6, the D780 is a good choice if you’re somebody who does a lot of low-light shooting. Images taken at mid-high ISOs maintain a good level of detail, without introducing too much in the way of image smoothing. We’d probably advise sticking to the native ISO range unless working in extreme darkness for best image quality, with good results all the way up to ISO 25600. 

As this is an ‘entry-level’ full-frame option, you can buy it as part of a kit with a 24-120mm f/4 lens. This isn’t as high quality as something like a 24-70mm f/2.8 lens, but it is a good value proposition that works well as an everyday performer. 

If you have other Nikkor lenses, that’s when you’ll see the best image quality from the D780 – we’ve been spending a lot of time with two particularly good performers, the 35mm f/1.4G AF-S and the 85mm f/1.4G lens. Use lenses of this caliber and you’ll generally be treated to sharper images that stand up better to intense scrutiny. 

(Image credit: Future)

Nikon D780 verdict

If you prefer the DSLR shooting experience to mirrorless cameras, then the Nikon D780 is a fantastic full-frame all-rounder with big appeal. 

Like the Nikon D750, which will remain on sale, the D780 will likely be a popular choice for those looking to move to full-frame for the first time, particularly if you also want the benefit of some of the latest mirrorless features.

In many ways, the D780 is a cross between the D750 and the Z6. It has the same AF system as the latter, which comes in handy for shooting action sequences, while the latest EXPEED processor helps to support fast shooting, too.

The D780 doesn’t offer one particular feature that’s mind-blowing, and it’s a shame there’s no in-body image stabilization or built-in flash. But it does have plenty of good, solid, and versatile features that ensure it’s suitable for a wide variety of photographers.

If you’re not already equipped with a set of DSLR lenses, whether you choose to go for this over a mirrorless option like the Z6 will be down to personal preference. Want a larger, chunkier full-frame camera with an optical viewfinder and fantastic battery life? This is one of the best options around. 

The only real downside is that, at the moment, the D780 is pretty expensive, particularly compared to a camera like the Z6. We’re hopeful that the price will drop in coming months, to help even out the disparity. Then again, buying this camera, and keeping all of your old glass, will still be cheaper than ditching it all to switch over to mirrorless.

The competition

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Nikon Z6

If you like the Nikon brand and the idea of an ‘entry-level’ full-frame model, then the other obvious choice aside from the D780 is the Z6. You get a very similar sensor and processor combination, plus a host of other shared features. At the time of writing, it’s also much cheaper than the D780, and it’s a better choice if you prefer a smaller camera, particularly if you do a lot of traveling. But there are some crucial downsides to consider. Battery life is nowhere near as good, while the number of native lenses for the Z range pales in comparison to those available for Nikon DSLRs. 

Read our in-depth Nikon Z6 review

(Image credit: Future)

Nikon D750

The D780 is superior to the D750 in almost every department, but if you don’t need a lot of its snazzy new features, the D750 offers great value at almost half the price. What do you miss out on? This older model doesn’t have the new 273-point hybrid AF system, ISO range, 4K video shooting or battery life of the D780, but you do get excellent image quality and a handy tilt screen, which was far from standard on DSLRs back in 2014. The D750 is a proven full-frame workhorse and remains a good choice at its new price, particularly if you mainly shoot stills.

• These are the best DSLRs in the world right now

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Amy has been writing about cameras, photography and associated tech since 2009. Amy was once part of the photography testing team for Future Publishing working across TechRadar, Digital Camera, PhotoPlus, N Photo and Photography Week. For her photography, she has won awards and has been exhibited. She often partakes in unusual projects – including one intense year where she used a different camera every single day. Amy is currently the Features Editor at Amateur Photographer magazine, and in her increasingly little spare time works across a number of high-profile publications including Wired, Stuff, Digital Camera World, Expert Reviews, and just a little off-tangent, PetsRadar. 

Canon EOS 90D review | TechRadar

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Canon proves that DSLRs still have a place in a mirrorless age

(Image: © Future)

TechRadar Verdict

If you still prefer DSLRs to mirrorless cameras, there’s a lot to like about the Canon EOS 90D – it’s a feature-packed DSLR with a high-resolution sensor and speedy, smooth performance. Its deeper grip, another benefit over mirrorless rivals, makes it comfortable to use for long periods, while the impressive battery life is a boon too. For those who already have Canon glass or are unwilling to make the move to the mirrorless, this snapper is a formidable all-round option.

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A few years ago, the Canon EOS 80D was one of the best cameras around for anyone who needed a mid-range snapper that could go beyond basic shooting without adding pro-level complexity. In fact, it’s still a perfectly solid DSLR even today, but in order to make the series relevant in the age of mirrorless cameras, Canon has built something more modern to fill its considerable shoes. That camera is the Canon EOS 90D, perhaps the last enthusiast-level DSLR the company will ever make.

Launched alongside the Canon EOS M6 Mark II, the 90D plays the traditional strengths of DSLRs – good handling, long battery life, optical viewfinder – but adds some pretty cutting-edge specs. This includes a new sensor that brings a lot more megapixels than the 80D (32.5MP, compared to 24.2MP), which is helpful for cropping images, plus Canon’s latest imaging engine.

Like its predecessor, the new camera is user-friendly, with a price tag that’s also pocket-friendly – it’s on shelves for $1,199 / £1,210 / AU$1,959 (matching the launch price of the 80D in the US). This makes it a tempting all-rounder for ambitious beginners and experienced enthusiasts who need a camera that can handle a variety of shooting situations.

In short, with the 90D, Canon has proven that DSLRs aren’t quite ready to kick the bucket yet, and as well as being one of the best DSLR cameras, it’s also still one of the best Canon cameras available.

• Canon EOS 90D (Black) at Amazon for $1,199

Features

• New 32.5MP APS-C sensor
• Face Detection when using the viewfinder
• Uncropped 4K video

At first glance, there’s not much physical difference between the EOS 80D and its successor. The innards, however, are brand-spanking new, with a 32.5MP APS-C CMOS sensor taking centerstage. Historically, the sensor resolution of most APS-C cameras has topped out at about 24MP – meaning the 90D (and the EOS M6 Mark II with the same sensor) offers the highest resolution found in the crop-sensor class of cameras. 

The advantage of having this kind of resolution means you’ll be able to capture more details while giving you the flexibility to crop an image during post processing, allowing you to zoom in closer to your subject without compromising image quality. While the higher resolution is a welcome boost, it can result in more noise in images shot at higher ISOs compared to cameras in the same sensor class but lower resolutions. This happens because individual pixels have to be shrunk to fit a higher number of them in a limited space.

Canon EOS 90D: key specs

Sensor: 32.5MP APS-C CMOS sensor
Image processor: Digic 8
AF points: 45 cross-type points
ISO range: 100 to 25,600 (expandable to 51,200)
Video: 4K up to 30fps/1080p up to 120fps
Max burst: Up to 11fps (with Live View)
Connectivity: Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, USB 2.0
Battery: CIPA rating of 1,300 shots
Weight: 701g (with battery and card)

However, it’s Canon’s latest Digic 8 image processor that gives the 90D a major performance boost over the 80D and its Digic 6 engine. The latest processor, which has yet to be succeeded in 2019, gives the new snapper the ability to shoot 4K video, where the 80D topped out at just 1080p (aka Full HD) resolution. And, unlike all other Canon cameras, the new EOS R and EOS RP included, video capture uses the entire width of the 90D’s sensor – a long-awaited first for the company. Videos themselves are captured in MP4 file format in either 4K UHD (3840 x 2160) quality to a maximum 30fps, in Full HD (1920 x 1080) at up to 60fps or Standard HD (1280 x 720) at 60fps, and with a maximum duration of 30 minutes.

The Digic 8 processor also ups the ante when it comes to maximum burst speed and native ISO range. The former sees a jump from the 80D’s 7fps to a faster 10fps with continuous autofocus (or 11fps when using Live View), while the 90D has a native ISO range of 100 to 25,600, expandable to 51,200 (unlike the 80D’s native high ISO of 16,000 and maximum expansion value of 25,600).

(Image credit: Future)

When it comes to focus points, the new camera shares the 80D’s 45-point cross-type AF system. However, a new 220,000-pixel RGB+IR metering sensor (the 80D has a 7,560-pixel one) adds face detection when using the camera’s viewfinder, and can be called upon for both stills and video. Face Detect is available automatically when using the 90D’s Intelligent Tracking and Recognition Autofocus (iTR AF) feature.

Canon’s superb Dual Pixel CMOS AF is available when using Live View and covers about 100% of the frame vertically and 88% horizontally, with a staggering 5,481 AF points to choose from manually. And what makes this system a pleasure to use is the joystick found on the right of the display, giving greater precision when choosing a focus point. With a working range of -3EV to 18, the camera doesn’t quite match the low-light performance of Canon’s full-frame mirrorless cameras, but will work well in all but the most extreme lighting conditions.

(Image credit: Future)

Taking a leaf out of the Canon EOS RP’s book, the 90D shares its full-frame mirrorless cousin’s eye detection when using Live View, which can be switched on or off if using Face+Tracking in AF mode.

Also on board, like most modern cameras, is Wi-Fi and Bluetooth connectivity to connect the camera to a smartphone for quick and easy download of images directly to the device for sharing on social media, or for using the phone as a remote shutter release. We think it’s one of the best YouTube cameras for that reason. For wired data transfer to a computer, the 90D uses a USB Type-C connector but it’s the older 2.0 standard. So if you want files to transfer at lightning speed, you’ll need to look elsewhere, perhaps are newer mirrorless snappers like the EOS R, Nikon Z7 or even Fujifilm’s X-T3.

The 90D uses the LP-E6N battery found in some of Canon’s other DSLRs and it comes with a CIPA certification (which is the industry standard) of 1,300 shots when using the viewfinder. That means the battery life is a little lower at 450 shots when using Live View (or the rear display), though that’s still pretty good compared to most mirrorless cameras.

For those looking for the security of plenty more battery life, Canon offers the BG-E14 grip to be used with the 90D.

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Sharmishta is TechRadar’s APAC Managing Editor and loves all things photography, something she discovered while chasing monkeys in the wilds of India (she studied to be a primatologist but has since left monkey business behind). While she’s happiest with a camera in her hand, she’s also an avid reader and has become a passionate proponent of ereaders, having appeared on Singaporean radio to talk about the convenience of these underrated devices. When she’s not testing camera kits or the latest in e-paper tablets, she’s discovering the joys and foibles of smart home gizmos. She’s also the Australian Managing Editor of Digital Camera World and, if that wasn’t enough, she contributes to T3 and Tom’s Guide, while also working on two of Future’s photography print magazines Down Under.

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How digital cameras lost the battle with smartphones. Farewell to the camera – Mobile-review.com – All about mobile technology and technology

Hello.

The plot of the plot is simple to disgrace. Nikon has officially announced that it is ceasing to develop SLR cameras, sixty years of the existence of this type of camera for the Japanese company is over. Nikon is not leaving the market for mirrorless cameras and will continue to advance its solutions, but the company is far behind both its eternal rival Canon and Sony.

In Russia and all over the world, there was a confrontation between those who choose Nikon or Canon for work and leisure, two sometimes irreconcilable camps. The virtues of each manufacturer were extolled if you loved them, and the faults of the other camp were turned into something unbearable. But these passions have subsided, for more than ten years such battles have not been observed, and rare outbreaks of controversy look like echoes of a distant past. Interest in SLR cameras, and just individual cameras, began to fall with the development of smartphones. Today we can safely say that it was smartphones that defeated digital cameras and replaced them in the hands of most people. The convenience of a smartphone is that it is always with you, and the pictures can be immediately sent to relatives, posted on social networks, edited if necessary. And this does not cause any particular difficulties, while a separate camera requires a different approach – upload pictures to a computer, perhaps do something with them. Much like everyday tea brewing and a tea ceremony, the result seems to be similar, but the second is a whole ritual, it requires thoughtfulness.

I have repeatedly seen a graph similar to the one below – the appearance in smartphones and the improvement of a certain function immediately leads to the disappearance of individual devices that existed before they turn into an endangered species. Think of separate digital players, voice recorders, and now cameras.

Source: CIPA, visualization Statista

In fact, we have reached a plateau, when there are no more shocks, the old formats are becoming obsolete, and the new ones only support the interest of the public. By the old format, I mean SLR cameras, they technically lose to mirrorless cameras and for a long time gave way to those in the sun. That’s just while there was an intraspecific struggle, the very concept of digital cameras ordered a long life.

Let’s look at the sales of all digital cameras, without distinction by type. It suddenly turns out that the decline continues, and there are no external causes in the form of a pandemic or something else, the main thing is that people do not need separate cameras, they remain a professional tool, go into a small niche.

Source: CIPA

It is interesting to see the breakdown of sales and production in 2021, also CIPA data, the second line is sales in yen.

Just over 8 million digital cameras have been sold worldwide, please note that many of these cameras go to other systems and devices, for example, these are cameras for consular centers where visitors are photographed for applications, in the same MFCs there are ordinary serial cameras and etc. Drones also use conventional mass-produced cameras, which are cheaper and easier. That is, cameras are needed in certain businesses, it is not always a separate tool for creativity or work.

The number of 8 million pieces, of course, is amazing, it is too small for the whole world. Let me remind you that at the end of the year the population of the entire Earth will exceed 8 billion people, compare with the sales of all cameras last year.

Moreover, most of the sales are for cameras with interchangeable lenses, digital cameras were the first to die the death of the brave in the fight against smartphones. But interchangeable lenses are not a panacea, computational photography in smartphones often gives a result that many people like more than pictures from large cameras. And this puts an end to the latter for the mass consumer, their sales are falling.

Winning reports of mirrorless cameras going around the world sound good apart from sales and production figures, but once we start comparing them, everything looks sad. Digital cameras with interchangeable lenses, regardless of their type, become either a professional tool for the photographer, or a means of self-expression and creativity. In both cases, we are deprived of fuel from the mass consumer, people who want to capture the moment with good or acceptable quality. And without such fuel, sales of the entire category of cameras become lower, but at the same time the average price rises, as people are willing to spend more on a professional tool, as well as on what they are fond of.

Pay attention to the latest Leica report, the financial year ends at the end of March 2022, the company showed a sales growth of 16% and set an absolute record in its centenary history. The company’s revenue reached 450 million euros. One of the reasons for this record was not only the increase in the average price of cameras sold, but also the cooperation with Xiaomi, the company pays for the use of the Leica brand in its phones. And many other smartphone manufacturers do the same, read about it in a separate article.

Smartphones have actually eaten the camera market, they have driven manufacturers into a corner, and they can only produce devices for enthusiasts and professionals. As such, they will remain on the market.

I do not like personal examples, as they can distort reality, but here it seems to me appropriate. Since the early days of digital cameras, I have been their enthusiast and have changed almost a dozen models during this time. In 2012, the Canon 5D Mark III came out, it became my working tool, traveled half the world with me.

I was not too lazy to look at the number of pictures that I took with this camera. 212 thousand for a period slightly less than ten years.

But I can confess that for the last five years I have been carrying a camera with me less and less on trips, I choose a smartphone, the quality of the pictures from which satisfies me more and more. Yes, and the same Sony RX100 is gathering dust around me, although the camera is excellent in every sense. The reason is exactly the same, the smartphone wins in that it is always in your pocket and allows you to get great pictures. Just take a look at these photos.

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I told about what I use in everyday life in a separate article, so you can be curious.

I have not lost my enthusiasm for photography, for me it is a way of self-expression, but the tool for it has changed – now I take the vast majority of photos on a smartphone. Over the decades, a lot of money has been spent on digital cameras and lenses for them (I have about a dozen lenses just for Canon, and one is better than the other). But there are no regrets, as convenience and comfort outweigh the capabilities of these optics and cameras. I won’t give up on my Canon and when the mirror blows out I’ll replace it and continue to use it from time to time. Very reliable, chic in all respects machine. But I don’t see the point of switching to mirrorless, AI algorithms, computational photography make smartphones the winners in the fight, and every year the quality of photos on mobile devices grows a little, as well as the ability to edit them. Ten years from now, progress in this area will be such that we will be surprised when we compare pictures taken today and in the future. Just like we are surprised at how they filmed smartphones some ten years ago. The term is short, but the progress is obvious.

I won’t lament the camera market, it’s just that for most of us it’s time to say goodbye to them. And this is a normal development of technology, although a touch of nostalgia can still be traced, so many travels and adventures I had with my camera. Without exaggeration, she traveled half the world and was in various troubles, but that’s a completely different story.

Do you feel nostalgia for cameras or were you not familiar with them and did not use them? Let’s remember our stories connected with cameras and what they have given us in life.