Will full frame mirrorless cameras and Samsung S10 smartphone spell the demise of DSLRs eventually?

Samsung has just introduced their latest generation smartphone, the S10. Some have feared the increasingly sophisticated smartphone and full frame mirrorless cameras may eventually spell the demise of DSLRs.  

My readers know me as The Wildlife Ho-tographer and I have used Canon equipment for over three decades. Throughout the years, I have embarked on many worldwide photo shoots. You can follow my travels on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter and see my equipment bag and works on MichaelDanielHo.com

Canon's CEO, Mr. Fujio Mitarai gave an interview to the Nihon Keizai Shimbun recently. Fujio pointed out the market for digital cameras could shrink to about half in the next two years and he plans to shift the camera business's focus to corporate customers.

"In our company cameras have declined at around 10% a year (sales volume) in the past few years (combined with single lens reflex and mirrorless) The world market for interchangeable lens cameras is around 10 million, but decreased The mirrorless product is growing, but it is a replacement with a single lens reflex, it is not adding to the market as a whole "

"People usually shoot with smartphones.The digital camera market will keep falling for about 2 years, but professional and high amateur (advanced) amateurs use about 5 to 6 million units.Finally there I will hit the bottom. "

I do not disagree with his assessment in general but I think the speed and size of the decline Fujio expects is too pessimistic. Canon is a huge, diversified conglomerate with a proven track record and will definitely be a survivor. It begs the question how many current camera/lens company will still be around in the next 5 to 10 years.

My view is high end DSLRs and Super Telephoto lenses will be around for a long time to come. High end smartphone and full frame mirrorless cameras will get better and better. Eventually these camera systems' features and functionalities will converge to form a duopoly, much like the gasoline and electricity powered vehicles we see on the road today.

There will be enough of a market for both systems to coexist long into the future - the traditional photographer who demands the highest performing equipment, regardless of size/weight and the practical photographer who demands the best performing equipment, all things considered. By the way, both type of photographers can be the same person. I know because I am one of them.

Apple iPhone 8 vs Samsung Galaxy S8 - Who Is Ahead?

Apple iPhone 8 vs Samsung Galaxy S8 - Major Specs Comparison

iPhone 8 - Rumored Specs

• Three new models including two minor "S" upgrades plus an all-new iPhone 8
• Display : 4.7, 5.5 and 5.8in  2436x1125 Curved OLED 
• Storage : 32GB, 128GB, and 256GB
• CPU and RAM : A11 processor, 3-4GB RAM
• Front Camera : 8MP
• Rear Camera : 12MP dual-lens, dual-OIS, 4K video recording
• Extras : Iris scanner, Wireless charging, Fingerprint reader, Bluetooth 5.0
• Curved, edge-to-edge OLED display with True Tone technology and/or Ion-X glass
• Virtual home button with integrated Touch ID
• Touch ID alternative via iris scanning and/or facial recognition 
• "Wireless" charging (inductive/magnetic charging, as with the Apple Watch)
• Dual-lens camera, possibly in a vertical configuration
• AR capabilities featuring rear-facing 3D laser for enhanced depth perception 
• Support for the Apple Pencil
• Stainless steel and glass body
• Four or more colors including a reflective, mirror-like option
• Upgraded storage and memory, possibly starting at 64GB and 3GB of RAM
• Intel or Qualcomm modem
• iOS 11 (preview)
• Superfast charging via USB-C connection
• Enhanced water resistance or waterproofing
• Higher quality earpiece for louder, clearer audio
• Apple's next-generation processor (the A10X or A11)
• List price around $1,000 to $1,200

Samsung Galaxy S8 - Announced

• Display : 5.8 and 6.2in  2960x1440 Super AMOLED Display
• Storage : 64GB internal, 256GB expandable
• CPU and RAM : Qualcomm Snapdragon 835 / Exynos 8895 Processor, 4GB RAM
• Front Camera : 8MP with autofocus
• Rear Camera : 12MP, 4K video recording, optical image stabilization.
• Extras : Iris scanner, Wireless charging, Fingerprint reader, Bluetooth 5.0

CPU and Memory

Apple's iPhone 8 is rumored to be powered by the new A11 processor and M11 motion-coprocessor. How does that compare to the Qualcomm Snapdragon 835 or Samsung Exynos 8895 processor in the Galaxy S8?

TSMC is reportedly making Apple’s 10-nanometer chipset. Production is rumored to start this spring. The new chipset Apple and may boast a 20% speed gain and 40% power reduction compared to the older 16-nanometer technology.

Both phones are expected to be evenly matched when it comes to RAM - 4GB each. The iPhone 8 is expected to have more internal RAM (256GB) but the S8, with its built-in 64GB RAM can match and even exceed the iPhone 8, once external memory is included because it can support up to a 256GB mini SD card.

Display

The new iPhone 8's screen may come in three sizes - 4.7, 5.5, and 5.8 inches. However, only the high end model may have the curved OLED screen, like the current Samsung S7 Edge but the new S8 and S8 Plus have the curved, Super AMOLED screen with a resolution of 2960 x 1440.

Camera

Both Apple iPhone 8 and Samsung S8 models will have a 8MP front camera but the S8 has autofocus. The rear camera will have a 12MP resolution but the iPhone 8 is rumored to have the 12MP dual lens. Apple is planning to take the crown in the area of smartphone photography.

Extra Features

The iPhone 8 is expected to have an iris scanner, fingerprint reader and wireless charging but the S8, with its own iris scanner, plans to take biometrics to an even higher level.

Artificial Intelligence (AI)

With the acquisition of Viv Labs and the original creators of Siri under Samsung's umbrella, the S8's will come with the new AI Digital Assistant, Bixby.

Bixby will soon be introudced into all of Samsung's HDTVs, watches, tablets, etc. It is Samsung’s answer to Siri, Google Assistant and Amazon’s Alexa.

Who will have the Lead?

With the debacle of the Galaxy Note 7 in the rear view mirror, Samsung is determined to reverse its fortune with the S8 and S8 Plus. With its impressive phone shipping this month, they will have an approximate 6 months lead ahead of Apple.

The Apple iPhone 8's announcement may be delayed due to challenges around its 3-D sensing technology, difficulties with embedding the fingerprint reader on the front of the phone and shortage of OLED screens but still in time for the all important Christmas holidays. In the meantime, Apple is relying on the iPhone 7S and iPhone 7S Plus to keep customers from switching to Samsung.

Samsung is salivating about converting some of the current Apple iPhone 7 users to their new phone. When the iPhone 8 debuts some time in Q4, Samsung will already have the new Galaxy Note 8 (debut August 23) to challenge Apple again.

Samsung Galaxy Note 8 with dual cameras

Samsung Galaxy Note 8 possible specs

• IP68 water and dust certification, like all recent premium Galaxy smartphones
• Massive 6.3-inch ‘SuperAMOLED’ Infinity Display with minimal bezels
• New 18.5:9 aspect ratio with 1440 x 2960 (2K) native resolution
• Design will be more “squared off” (incl. display corners) compared to Galaxy S8 and Galaxy S8 Plus
• Device dimensions of 162.5mm x 74.6mm x 8.5mm
• Globally it ships with the Exynos 8895 chipset with exception of Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 835 in the US
• 6GB RAM as standard versus 4GB in Galaxy S8 and Galaxy S8 Plus (some limited 6GB editions were Asia-only exclusives)
• 64GB of internal storage
• MicroSD expansion slot retained
• Rear dual cameras: 12 megapixel, f/1.7 aperture, dual pixel and 12 megapixel, f/2.4 aperture with 2x optical zoom. Optical image stabilisation on both modules
• Front camera - 8 megapixel, f1.7 aperture
• 3300mAh battery
• Quick Charging and Wireless Charging via USB Type-C
• Midnight Black, Maple Gold, Orchid Grey and Deep Sea Blue color options
• European pricing around €1,000. About $1,000+ in the U.S.

Some observers say with the advent of ever smarter phones and their built-in cameras, they may even threaten the survival of point-n-shoot and DSLR cameras. Take a look at the video above to see some of the best smartphone cameras on the market now. Read my earlier post on this thought.

Apple iPhone 8 vs Samsung Galaxy S8 - Which One Should I Buy?

Apple iPhone 8 Specs, Release Date and Rumors

* * *  See how the Apple iPhone  compres to the Samsung S8  * * *

The Apple iPhone 8 and the Samsung Galaxy S8 are two of the most anticipated events in the smartphone world this year. As expected, Samsung is planning to steal some thunder from Apple by announcing their Galaxy S8 and the replacement to the 'disastrous' Note 7 some time in August.

My readers know smartphones and their increasingly good cameras are taking sales away from point-n-shoot models. Recent figures show camera sales are still declining and the low end segment are in particular disarray. Is the traditional camera's survival threatened by the smartphone?    

Below is an excerpt from TechRadar on what to expect from the iPhone 8 :

iPhone 8 possible specs and release date

• Launch date - early September 2017
• On Sale date - mid September 2017
• Curved AMOLED 5.8 inch screen
• No Home button or Bezel
• Curved glass back instead of aluminum
• Built-in Augmented Reality features
• Wireless charging
• USB-C port
• Built-in Iris scanner
• New sensing technology
• Smart Connector
• Runs on iOS 11 software
• U.S. price will be higher than iPhone 7's $769

The big rumor is that the iPhone 8 is going to sport a curved AMOLED display instead of a the usual flat LCD panel, according to analyst Ming-Chi Kuo.

We've all seen curved AMOLED displays before in the Samsung Galaxy S7 Edge and, soon, the Samsung Galaxy S8. iPhone 8's curve may be less dramatic, but still cooler looking than a completely flat phone.

There are other exciting benefits to an AMOLED display replacing the normal IPS LCD. It can deliver better contrast, more vibrant colors and include a battery-saving always-on display. It's also a better suited for VR and AR.

This has also more recently been rumored by sources, claiming that a curved AMOLED display is one of more than ten prototypes that Apple is considering - and that the phone could even have a higher-than-QHD resolution.

Who's going to help Apple push all of those extra pixels? Sharp or Samsung itself could supply the OLED screens. It may depend on who can deliver more in time.

You might not see the fancy, new OLED display on every iPhone 8 model due to supply issues. Thus, Apple may include it on just one iPhone 8 Plus version.

Depending on how it all shakes out with Sharp and Samsung, Apple may reserve the AMOLED display for just the iPhone 8 Plus, or a separate higher-end 8 Plus Edition, luring you into buying the more phone instead of the smaller iPhone 8.

How big will the iPhone 8 screen size be? The rumors for this are all over the place, but everything says it'll be larger at the top end, up to 5.8 inches.

From what we can surmise, there'll be a 4.7-inch, 5.5-inch and 5.8-inch iPhone 8, the latter being the one with a curved AMOLED display. But it won't be too big.

There's been talk of axing the home button and building the TouchID fingerprint sensor into the screen itself. This rumor dates back almost two years.

Doing this would eliminate the otherwise useless bezel around the screen. "The entire face will be the display," claims Apple blogger John Gruber.

"And the Touch ID sensor will be somehow embedded in the display. The front-facing camera will somehow be embedded in the display. The speaker, everything. All the sensors will somehow be behind the display."

An all-screen display is what we've seen from Chinese phone maker Xiaomi and its Mi Max, and the Samsung Galaxy S8 and Galaxy S8 Plus may mimic it.

An unearthed Apple patent shows this idea in action, eliminating the phone's bezels in the process. Another patent has since emerged, showing a similar concept, so it's certainly something Apple's at least thinking about.

If Apple ditches the home button, it could replace it with a 'function area,' with virtual keys, similar to the MacBook Pro's Touch Bar, according to one report. Apple tweaked the home button with the iPhone 7, making it no longer physically click when pressed, so this could be the next step. 

On the other hand, you could argue that since Apple only just tweaked the button it's unlikely to ditch it so soon. There's also the question of whether it would be able to produce enough of these function area panels. 

Apple currently uses Japan Display for many of its screens, and while Japan Display is planning to start building OLED panels they're not expected to arrive before 2018.
No surprise, one rumor suggestions one the higher-end model will have these new screen features, according to the latest supply chain sources. 

This third, premium model is currently dubbed "Ferrari", and this model alone may have an embedded fingerprint scanner and an edge-to-edge OLED display.

Looking even further ahead we might see a flexible or even foldable iPhone, as Patently Apple has found a patent for just such a device, and more recently another similar patent has turned up, but this is likely a long way out yet – as in iPhone 10 or iPhone X territory.

TechRadar's take: A move to OLED sooner or later seems inevitable, but Apple might only use the panels for the iPhone 8 Plus in 2017, if it can't source enough. A larger, sharper screen seems likely, but plans to build Touch ID into the screen sound ambitious, and while Apple is seemingly working on this, we're not convinced the tech will be ready for the iPhone 8.

Just when Apple has nearly perfected the aluminum unibody phone with the iPhone 7, it's now expected to be moving onto an all-glass design.

Yes, the tenth anniversary iPhone 8 is heavily rumored to debut a a curved glass back (echoing the front curved display), according to analyst Ming-Chi Kuo.

The glass iPhone 8 rumor has since been given more weight, with the CEO of the company behind the iPhone's metal casing claiming one model of the phone "will adopt glass casing next year."

iPhone 7

It would still require a metal frame apparently, which makes it sound a lot like the Samsung Galaxy S7 Edge, especially if both panels are curved. That lines up with a claim from a source that's proved reliable in the past that Apple is experimenting with a "glass sandwich design." Delicious, right?

And yet another source also points to a glass back, with a stainless steel frame in place of the aluminum Apple currently uses in its phones.

Here's where the iPhone 8 rumors conflict: Right now, we're unsure if the design is being readied exclusively for the higher-end 5.8-inch iPhone 8 Plus, or if all iPhone 8 models are due for the glass upgrade, like Ming-Chi Kuo suggests.

It could be that the smaller iPhone 8 (or what may be the iPhone 7S and iPhone 7S Plus) designs will remain relatively unchanged other a new color.

The last major iPhone 8 design rumor is that the new phone could get a little more waterproof. It may jump from an IP67 to IP68 rating, notes The Investor.

TechRadar's take: Expect a big change to the design of the phone. It's too early to say if every iPhone 8 size will sport the curved glass look and extra waterproof features, but we think the days of an aluminum iPhone are numbered.

It's almost inevitable. Cook, in its quarterly investor calls, has become captivated with the idea of augmented reality (AR), or what Microsoft calls "mixed reality," (so you should fully expect Apple to call it augmented reality instead).

iPhone 7 Plus

What can Apple do with AR? You may be able to point your iPhone 8 at an object and have it recognized, claims one source “familiar with the matter.” The camera app may be able to recognize and manipulate faces in the future, too.

Let's give you a more concrete example (and source). Former Apple analyst Gene Munster thinks you'll be able to find your seats in a crowded stadium or the groceries you need among all of the aisles by looking at your phone. 

AR is supposed to map out where you want to go, and combined with Apple Pay, it could be a big winner for the iPhone 8 on forward, according to Munster.

"Your phone slowly going away and being replaced by AR," he said in an interview with Cheddar. "This is beyond Pokemon."

There's also talk from Korea that Apple is working with LG on a "3D photographing" module for the iPhone 8, which could be used to add three-dimensional effects and work with the rumored augmented reality features.

What about your everyday photography? That could be upgraded, too, with the second lens on the dual lens iPhone 8 Plus gaining optical image stabilization. 

But don't expect a bump beyond the 12MP sweet spot that Apple and other phone manufacturers have found, and don't look for the dual lens snapper to come to the standard iPhone 8, according to analyst Ming-Chi Kuo. It's likely to once again be limited to the higher-end iPhone 8 Plus and the AMOLED variant.

We don't expect much change from the front-facing camera resolution, as Apple just upped to 7MP iSight camera for the iPhone 7. But as selfie photos become increasingly important, it could include extra camera focusing tricks to make each and every pixel count.

TechRadar's take: Apple is giddy with excitement about the prospects of AR, and that may be the hot new camera feature going forward. We already got a big dual-lens camera upgrade last year. It may get better this year, but not be as dramatic of a change. Instead expect Apple to tout the benefits of augmented reality.

iPhone 8 battery

Apple may have a plan to include extra battery life in the iPhone 8, taking on a stacked mainboard internal design, according to one analyst. 

It may fill all of the saved space with additional battery capacity and also finally support wireless charging without that aluminum design blocking the transfer of energy (that's why glass and plastic phones can do wireless charging and metal phones do not).

Foxconn is reportedly looking into the tech for Apple and, after all, without the headphone jack, Apple is one step closer to being free of cables completely. This is surely the next step., even if there are some doubters about these plans.

Apple might go beyond rivals and offer a truly wireless charger that works at up to 15ft, with no contact required between the device and the power source. 

There's evidence that Apple has been looking into this tech, with Energous, the company behind it, supposedly working with a "tier 1" smartphone maker. It added that it's "working with one of the largest consumer electronic companies in the world" and it will be shipping a product by the end of 2017.

Energous has also received a $10 million investment from Dialog Semiconductor, according to BGR, and Dialog just so happens to be a company that works primarily with Apple.

We've also heard from an analyst note, obtained by 9to5Mac, that all models of the iPhone 8 will have wireless charging - but it sounds like this will be standard rather than long-distance charging. Apple may also not include a wireless charger in the box.

And when you plug the iPhone 8 in, you might not do so via a Lightning connector, with a report suggesting that Apple could swap that for a USB-C connection - though it's not clear whether the report means a USB-C port will be added to the handset, or whether the other end of the charging cable will be USB-C, instead of USB A, which seems more likely.

Wireless charging and improved battery life are likely – but don't count on being able to charge from a distance, at least not on the iPhone 8. Apple may save this truly revolutionary for the iPhone 9 or iPhone 10, aka the iPhone X.

iPhone 8 internal specs and iOS 11

iPhone 8 is almost certainly going to transition us from iOS 10 to iOS 11, and undergo three months of beta testing following WWDC 2017 in June.

The internal iPhone 8 specs are also undoubtedly going to take another step forward with the Apple A11 chipset that's more powerful than the current A10.

What do iOS 11 and the A11 System on a Chip mean for iPhone 8? We may see finally Control Center customizations and Today menu widgets become refined.

iPhone 8 running iOS 11 is also likely to debut always-on screen settings (what will be displayed?) and an improved Mail app (hyperlinking text, finally?).

The new chipset, either called Apple A11 or Apple A11 Fusion, may stick with a quad-core processor since the iPhone 7 just launched with that. 

Yes, octa-core processors is all the rage, but Apple has shied away from touting big numbers and instead focused on boosting performance. It's done just fine.

The same goes for RAM. It may stick with 2GB for the iPhone 8 and 3GB for the dual-camera iPhone 8 Plus. Of Apple's products, only the iPad Pro 12.9 has 4GB.

In fact, the iPhone 8 may go for one smaller number: 10 nanometer. The move from the 16nm A10 Fusion to a 10nm A11 Fusion would make significant gains.

Qualcomm's 10nm Snapdragon 835 chip, for example, requires less energy and exhibits a performance boost on 16nm chips. Apple will want to rival this chip.

While Apple doesn't use Qualcomm's processor, it has used the San Diego firm's modem. But, as of the iPhone 7 and 7 Plus, it has dual sourced the modem: some from Intel (GSM-only models [AT&T, T-Mobile and almost every other carrier]) and others from Qualcomm (GSM+CDMA [Verizon and Sprint].

There's an ongoing lawsuit between Apple and Qualcomm for overcharging of standard issue patents, so there's a chance iPhone 8 could ditch Qualcomm altogether.

Couple this with the fact that Intel just announced a CDMA-capable modem that makes it compatible with Verizon and Sprint in the US, and Qualcomm may have just exiled itself from the new iPhone for 2017.

TechRadar's take: The iPhone 8 is naturally going to be faster, but its speed boost may be wrapped in another quad-core processor and coupled with 3GB and 2GB of RAM. A lot of the specs depend on whether or not Apple is ready to show us the power of VR and AR. iOS 11 is almost a given, and we fully expect Apple to continue to harness the power of developers for tools like Siri and menu customizations. 

It might not just be the screen you'll be interacting with on the iPhone 8, as Apple is also rumored to be working on a "new sensing technology," which would allow the phone to respond when you touch any side of it. Theoretically that could be used for example to change the screen brightness by swiping along the edge, or take a picture by tapping it.

One other rumored feature of the iPhone 8 is an iris scanner, which wouldn't be much of a surprise given that the Samsung Galaxy Note 7 had one and the Galaxy S8 is said to get the same.

Facial recognition of some kind is looking ever more likely, as it's been rumored again, and Apple's even acquired a company which works in that area.

The iPhone 8 might tighten up security in other ways too, as an Apple patent details a system that could get a thief's fingerprints and photo, as well as recording audio, video and their location.

We might also see a Smart Connector on the iPhone 8. This was rumored for inclusion on the iPhone 7 Pro – a phone which never launched, but with numerous pictures of a phone sporting the Connector it seems likely that Apple really was considering it, so the feature might be ready by next year.

We've already seen a Smart Connector on the iPad Pro, where it's primarily used to attach accessories, like keyboards.

TechRadar's take: The iPhone 8 might have an iris scanner, but only if Apple can make it fast to use. A Smart Connector is also a possibility, but seems a less useful fit than on an iPad Pro.

iPhone 8 price

The iPhone 8 price may throw us for a curve ball come September since Apple is planning an all-new smartphone design. Here are the price rumors.

The smaller iPhone 8 could cost just as much as the 4.7-inch iPhone 7, running $649 in the US, £599 in the UK and AU$1,079 in Australia. That price really hasn't changed in the US, and it recently went up in the UK (last year) and Australia (two years ago).

The iPhone 8 Plus price is also unexpected to change based on the fact that the iPhone 7 Plus just saw a price hike (even in the US) to $769, £719 and AU$1,269. We don't need another price increase there. 

Instead, Apple may launch an iPhone 8 Edition with a curved display with an OLED (instead of LCD panel). That could send the bill of sale (for the parts) up 67%, and that expense may get passed onto you, the consumer.

The iPhone 8 price really depends on three things. Which version of the phone do you want? Is Apple releasing a third, more expensive edition with a fancy OLED display? And which storage capacities remain in 2017? That last question may change dramatically depending on how Apple decides the future of the 32GB iPhone 8.

Apple iPhone 7 Plus Camera Hands-on Review

It is probably the worst kept secret to anyone following the photographic industry but camera manufacturers have been experiencing declining sales for the last few years. The main reason is due to changing customer preference and the advancement in many smartphone cameras.

Canon, the largest photographic equipment manufacturer in the world has experienced drops in profits in the last few quarters. They are hardly alone and based on the most recent data published by CIPA, the Japan-based Camera & Imaging Products Association, sales have not improved much so far this year.

It seems mirrorless cameras offered the industry a bright spot for about two years but now sales are leveling off and the increase in sales may have been at the expense of the traditional DSLR market.
There is no question smartphones have taken away some sales from the low end point-and-shoot and DSLR camera segment, but the best way to keep a photographic company relevant is to come out with the state of the art product to convince serious photographers why it is still the traditional DSLR camera that takes the best photos. What is more important than the number of DSLR sold is the mix of the sales, since low end cameras like the Rebel and SL series bring considerably less profit than the higher end models like the EOS-5 and EOS-1 bodies.

My readers know, I am the Wildlife Ho-tographer using Canon equipment for over 25 years. Through the decades, I have used almost all of Canon's cropped and full frame, film and digital cameras and lenses. You can see my equipment bag and works on MichaelDanielHo.com. On my recently concluded Polar bear photo shoot in the Canadian sub Arctic, I have used both my smartphone and DSLR cameras to take photos and find the two types of photography perfectly compatible with each other.  I use the EOS-1D X Mk II and EOS-5Ds cameras as main bodies for my work.

The following video is a hands-on demo of what the Apple iPhone 7 Plus can do. It has a great walk around camera but I know no serious photographer specializing in landscape or wildlife photography use it for their main line of work. You can read my earlier post on how much the camera components in an Apple iPhone 7 costs.

How Much Does Apple iPhone 7 Camera Module Cost?

Apple has dominated the smartphone universe for many years. Recently, with the introduction of their new iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 Plus, many people will be surprised to know the total components inside the iPhone 7 are estimated to cost about $220 to $275.

In particular, the camera module inside the iPhone 7 costs about $26. The sensors on the front and rear cameras are sourced from Sony. These numbers are estimates provided by IHS Markit and Chipworks. Surveys have indicated the two most used features of a smartphone are photography and texting. The performance and functionality of the camera rank very high in the minds of every smartphone user when they consider the purchase.

It is probably the worst kept secret to anyone following the photographic industry but camera manufacturers have been experiencing declining sales for the last few years. The main reason is due to changing customer preference and the advancement in many smartphone cameras.

Canon, the largest photographic equipment manufacturer in the world has experience drops in profits in the last few quarters. They are hardly alone and based on the most recent data published by CIPA, the Japan-based Camera & Imaging Products Association, sales have not improved much so far this year.

It seems mirrorless cameras offered the industry a bright spot for about two years but now sales are leveling off and the increase in sales may have been at the expense of the traditional DSLR market.
There is no question smartphones have taken away some sales from the low end point-and-shoot and DSLR camera segment, but the best way to keep a photographic company relevant is to come out with the state of the art product to convince serious photographers why it is still the traditional DSLR camera that takes the best photos. What is more important than the number of DSLR sold is the mix of the sales, since low end cameras like the Canon Rebel and SL series bring considerably less profit than the higher end models like the EOS-5 and EOS-1 bodies.

My readers know, I am the Wildlife Ho-tographer, not a videographer but there are times I like to take a quick video and photos of my encounters. This is when my state-of-the-art smartphone kicks in because it is faster and more convenient to use than my DSLRs. My Canon EOS-1D X Mk II and EOS-5Ds cameras are the main bodies for my work. You can see my equipment bag and more of my photos on MichaelDanielHo.com.

I am not an Apple smartphone owner but have used them. Their closed system does not appeal to me. Instead I use Samsung smartphones, like the Note 7. On my recently concluded Southern Africa Wildlife Photo Tour, I have used both my smartphone and DSLR cameras to take photos and find the two types of photography perfectly compatible with each other.

Are Smartphones Threatening The Survival of DSLR Cameras?

It is probably the worst kept secret to anyone following the photographic industry but camera manufacturers have been experiencing declining sales for the last few years. The main reason is due to changing customer preference and the advancement in many smartphone cameras.

Canon, the largest photographic equipment manufacturer in the world has experienced drops in profits in the last few quarters. They are hardly alone and based on the most recent data published by CIPA, the Japan-based Camera & Imaging Products Association, sales have not improved much so far this year.

It seems mirrorless cameras offered the industry a bright spot for about two years but now sales are leveling off and the increase in sales may have been at the expense of the traditional DSLR market.
There is no question smartphones have taken away some sales from the low end point-and-shoot and DSLR camera segment, but the best way to keep a photographic company relevant is to come out with the state of the art product to convince serious photographers why it is still the traditional DSLR camera that takes the best photos. What is more important than the number of DSLR sold is the mix of the sales, since low end cameras like the Rebel and SL series bring considerably less profit than the higher end models like the EOS-5 and EOS-1 bodies.

My readers know, I am the Wildlife Ho-tographer using Canon equipment for over 25 years. Through the decades, I have used almost all of Canon's cropped and full frame, film and digital cameras and lenses. You can see my equipment bag and works on MichaelDanielHo.com. On my recently concluded Polar bear photo shoot in the Canadian sub Arctic, I have used both my smartphone and DSLR cameras to take photos and find the two types of photography perfectly compatible with each other.  I use the EOS-1D X Mk II and EOS-5Ds cameras as main bodies for my work.

Apple iPhone 7 May Have Camera Image Stabilization

* * *  See which iPhones Apple plans to announce in 2017  * * *

Apple is expected to announce the iPhone 7 on September 7, 2016. Apparently the phone comes in two models, the smaller one will have a 4.7 inch screen and only one camera while the larger iPhone will have dual front and rear cameras. Both models will be equipped with Image Stabilization, apparently.

The upcoming Apple operating system, iOS 10 will have RAW image data. Read my earlier post on how smartphone cameras compare with DSLR cameras. Apple is in for some serious competition from the Samsung Galaxy Note 7. It is available the last week of August.

Apple iPhones To Have RAW Image Data in iOS 10

* * *  Apple released Digital Camera RAW Compatibility Update 6.20  * * * 

I have just returned from another successful wildlife photo trip to the High Arctic testing the Canon EOS-1D X Mark II camera. Trying to get back to my blog and catching up with the latest photography news. It will take me a week or two to get back to speed and precious little time to process the photos because by then, my next tour will be here already. I have a very busy Summer touring season ahead of me. You can see my equipment bag and works on MichaelDanielHo.com

Apple may be finally offering photographers who use their iPhones 'exclusively' to take photographs the opportunity to shoot and edit RAW images in a native camera app. The next version of the phone's software, iOS 10 is due to be released later this year. Apple is really behind their Android competitors. Users of the competing system already have access to RAW image editing for a while now.

Third party developers will be able to offer additional apps as Apple opens up the codes in the RAW file data. iOS 10 is scheduled for public beta access soon and a final release some time in Q4.

CIPA Report Shows All Camera Sales Up Slightly

The latest CIPA (Camera & Imaging Products Association) numbers for data up to April 2016 are out. It indicates camera shipments of all types have increased slightly so far this year, but still down compared to previous years. 2016 figures are in Orange, 2015 in Black, 2014 in Blue.

The Yen has again 'strengthened' against the U.S. Dollar and other currencies even though the Japanese economy is in the doldrums. This will present headwinds to companies like Canon, Sony and Nikon, which are major exporting firms, selling their products overseas.

Nevertheless, Canon is expected to announce more products for the remainder of 2016. The long awaited, EOS-5D Mark IV is out for field testing, and should be announced some time in August, plus more EOS-M mirrorless cameras and lens are coming.

Canon Announces 4 Free iOS Photo Apps for UK and Ireland

United Kingdom, Republic of Ireland, 30th March – Canon Marketing Japan Inc. today announces the release of four free iOS applications*¹ in the UK and Ireland – BestShutter, Photo Log Map, TakeMyPic, and Easy Photo Sorter. These apps are designed to make taking photos more enjoyable and convenient.

BestShutter helps you capture your children and pet’s cutest moments

BestShutter app is designed to help take photos of children and pets who usually don’t pay attention to the camera. The app uses fun sounds to capture children or pet’s attention to help photograph their wonderful expressions and get great shots of your children during their cutest moments!

Plus if you are shooting movies you can select the best scenes and clip as still images, so you won’t miss any key moments.

Photo Log Map makes it easier to record your location information and shooting records 

Photo Log Map app is designed to meets the needs of people who want to record location information together with shooting records during various situations such as traveling, or mountain climbing.

Using data from your images, and a smartphone’s information service, it creates a shooting record maps. Even with data from photos shot on digital cameras not equipped with GPS, you can create a shooting record map linked to the smartphone’s GPS log. In addition to photos on the map, you can also add text memos and sound memos that record the location’s conditions. By writing the recorded log to a GPX file*², you can use the information in other apps.

TakeMyPic lets include yourself in a shot you envisage 

Have you ever asked a passer-by to take your picture, only to find it’s not the way you wanted it to look? TakeMyPic is a helpful app that lets you compose your shot before giving to someone else to take. The app lets you insert a human shape in your desire position, making it easier to show the person taking your photo how you would like the shot to look. The app helps you avoid mistakes when it comes to capturing those important commemorative photos on your travels.

Easy Photo Sorter makes it possible to easily organize the photo data on your smartphone 

Many smartphones end up having large amounts of photos saved on them and Easy Photo Sorter is an app to help organise them. By combining information such as date, time and day of the week, and setting your desired criteria to organise, you can create folders in your iPhone or iPad photo albums and automatically categorise photos based on this criteria when the app launches.

Last year, Canon Marketing Japan Inc. released PERSTEXT, a photo processing application that provides users with a new way of having fun with their photos by enabling the creation of images combined with text that convey messages with a touch of flare. In order to make photos even more enjoyable, the free iOS applications being released this time can be used in a variety of situations such as shooting, processing, viewing, showing, and organizing. These applications will provide even more opportunities to enjoy photos with digital cameras and smartphones.

Canon Patent - 3D Lens Style Camera For Smartphone

Sony DSC QX100 attachable lens style camera

Egami discovered a new Canon patent for an add on camera to smartphones. Sony announced the attachable lens-style camera, DSC-QX100 last year. The new Canon camera can apparently shoot 3D images.

Frankly, I think this is really much ado about nothing. The camera on the newer top-of-the-line smartphones like the Apple iPhone 6 or Samsung S6 and S7 are just fine. If a person wants to take more serious photos, then bring along a DSLR. How many people will lug around a small camera to attach to a smartphone when they want to 'take better photos'? It is so cumbersome. See my post on Smartphones vs DSLR cameras.

Patent Publication No. 2016-10133

• Published 2016.1.18
• Filing date 2014.6.26

Canon patent

• The first device having a camera function (101 smartphone of)
• The second device having a camera function (102 lens-style camera)
• The second unit (102 lens-style camera) is provided with a retractable mechanism
• Equipped with a marker that represents the collapsed position
• The first device (101 Smartphone of) is to shoot so as to include a marker
• Depending on the tip position of the collapsed, to get the mounting position to the first device of the second unit (102 lens-style camera) (101 smartphone of)

Canon EOS Rebel T6 DSLR vs Smartphone Cameras

Canon EOS Rebel T6 entry level DSLR camera

Canon announced the EOS Rebel T6 camera today. Sample photos taken with the camera can be seen on Canon Japan's website. The article below from Canon Digital Learning Center points out the advantages of a DSLR vs Smartphone in taking photos.

Frankly, it is obvious to a thinking person that a smartphone or mirrorless camera is unlikely to replace a DSLR body for most photographers in the foreseeable future. But what camera manufacturers have to contend with is the smartphone's versatility and customers' willingness to compromise on photo quality to gain the extra convenience of carrying an all-in-one gadget.

However, one may not have to choose between the two because one can get the best of both worlds. When I go on travel and wildlife photography photo shoots, my smartphone goes into my equipment bag as well. You can see my works on MichaelDanielHo.com


It’s entirely true that many casual amateurs and even a few experienced photographers regularly shoot pictures with their smartphones, because they’re handy, and the images are “good enough.” For some, they’ll never feel the need to move past the imaging threshold of shooting selfies to post on social media sites.

But even the most casual of these users knows in his or her heart that the photographic world extends far beyond what’s possible with a smartphone. And some of these users are ready to make that move to their first interchangeable lens SLR, knowing that the investment will reward them with superior images, and lifelong potential with interchangeable lens access. Canon’s EOS Rebel models are the point of entry for many of these new users, and Canon’s latest Rebel entry — the EOS Rebel T6 — is perhaps better-suited for these users than any previous Rebel models.

What does stepping-up to a digital SLR bring me that I can’t get with a smartphone?
A perfectly valid question, and even if you already are a digital SLR enthusiast, this is a question newcomers may ask of you. While you can’t simply put your EOS Rebel into a shirt pocket, in exchange for its added size, it brings numerous advantages:

Vastly superior imaging sensor 

The 18 million pixel CMOS sensor in the EOS Rebel T6 is about 25 times the size* of the sensor in many smartphones. You may look at a smartphone’s specs and see pixel resolution numbers approaching or even exceeding the Rebel T6’s 18 million pixels.  But with each pixel much larger than a smartphone’s, the digital SLR’s light gathering capability, and ability to record good detail in bright areas and shadows, are absolutely better. 

* Rebel T6 image sensor 22.3 x 14.9mm; typical smartphone image sensor 3.4 x 4.5mm in overall size

Two Rebel T6 capabilities on display here : its ability to record excellent detail in low light (ISO 6400 in this shot), and the ultra wide-angle capability offered by the accessory EF-S 10-18mm STM lens. Fine detail, as well as texture and detail in bright highlights and dark shadows, are some of the areas where stepping-up to a digital SLR will “raise your game” compared to what’s possible with today’s smartphones.

Markedly better low-light shooting capability

Not every picture the casual shooter takes is in daylight, or with flash. The ability to record great images in low-light, without flash, is where the digital SLR truly shows the benefits of that large imaging sensor.  This can be true whether the image is a darkened city street scene, or action shots at an indoor sporting event.

Telephoto lens capability

This is an enormous area of potential that’s opened up when users turn to a digital SLR camera.  As compact and convenient as smartphones are, their lenses usually are fixed at a semi wide-angle setting (OK for small groups of people, much less than OK when you want to zero-in on a distant subject).  No “digital zooming” is required with an EOS Rebel T6 to bring in more distant subjects, or to take powerful images of your kids playing sports.  The Rebel T6 offers full access to Canon’s EF and EF-S lens system — the world’s largest, with over 70 interchangeable lens choices.

There’s no comparison: when you want to get in close, a digital SLR’s telephoto options make it far easier to get the shot you want. Here, you can see the differences in a shot taken with a popular smartphone, vs. a Rebel T6 shot, in Sports Mode, using a zoom lens at a modest 110mm telephoto setting.

Easy to pleasantly blur backgrounds (Bokeh)

Compare the two shots below — one taken with the Rebel T6 at 50mm (right), with the lens at f/4, and the other with a popular smartphone at its semi wide-angle setting (left). The slight tele perspective and blurred background in the Rebel T6 shot combine for a pleasant portrait, while the smartphone image really looks like a snapshot.  And it’s no accident that the skin tones in the DSLR shot, as well as the rendering of shadows, are markedly superior to what a smartphone can produce.

Photographic control whenever you want it

The EOS Rebel T6 has virtually all the same shooting modes and features as Canon’s sophisticated, high-end DSLRs.  So while first-time users will frequently use the camera in the full-auto “green zone” mode, it’s easy to dial in the shooting control and even picture effects you want… without having to download and access separate “apps.”  Any form of operation from fully automatic to complete manual control is right on the camera’s Mode Dial.  If you, or someone you know, enjoys shooting pictures, these features and their imaging potential are strong reasons to consider stepping up from a smartphone and moving into a digital SLR.

When you want to start making your own photographic settings, it’s easy with a digital SLR. Here, the Rebel T6 and its AF system, an optional accessory EF-S 55-250mm STM zoom lens, combined with a fast 1/4000th second shutter speed, produced a dramatic action image. The EOS Rebel T6 can shoot continuously at up to 3 frames per second, at full resolution.

Where does the new EOS Rebel T6 stand in the Rebel series?

The EOS Rebel T6 is the true entry-level model in Canon’s EOS Rebel series.  It sits as the most affordable camera in the current EOS Rebel line-up, as of early 2016:

EOS Rebel T6s — targeting the camera enthusiast 

Highest-spec (and most expensive) model in EOS Rebel line;  24MP sensor;  high-end features including Quick Control Dial on back for direct exposure inputs;  advanced 19-point AF system;  fast 5 fps shooting;  advanced Hybrid CMOS AF III during Live View and video shooting;  continuous Servo AF during Live View shooting;  Wi-Fi (and NFC) built-in.

EOS Rebel T6i — aimed at users wanting deluxe features, but prioritizes easy shooting 
Less-expensive version of high-end T6s… same 24MP sensor and 19-point AF;  same 5 fps shooting speed;  standard 4 Control Key buttons instead of Quick Control Dial on back;  no Servo AF during Live View shooting;  Wi-Fi and NFC built-in.

Rebel SL1 — specialized version, emphasizing portability with good feature set 
Super-compact Rebel model;  18MP resolution;  up to 4 fps shooting speed;  traditional 4-way controller on rear of camera;  Hybrid CMOS AF II for AF during Live View and video recording;   No built-in Wi-Fi.  Incredibly compact size is major selling point of this model.

EOS Rebel T6 — the gateway for new customers into DSLR shooting 
Newly-introduced in Spring of 2016 — most affordable Rebel model.  Replaces EOS Rebel T5, which was by far Canon’s most popular EOS camera.  18MP resolution;  up to 3 fps shooting speed;  9-point AF when shooting still images through eye-level viewfinder;  traditional contrast-type AF off image sensor during Live View and video shooting;  Video up to Full HD (1080p) at 30 fps;  Built-in Wi-Fi with NFC.


So don’t be confused by the proliferation of “T6” models in the Canon EOS Rebel line… if there’s a letter following the T6 moniker, it signifies a more advanced camera, with the “S” model at the top of the Rebel line, as of early 2016.  The new EOS Rebel T6 — sans extra letters — is the affordable point of entry for the vast majority of new digital SLR customers considering Canon.

Wi-Fi comes to Canon’s least expensive EOS model

This is going to be huge for many of today’s amateur photographers, who want the immediacy of being able to shoot pictures, and be able to send and share them within moments of taking them.  The EOS Rebel T6 brings Wi-Fi to these customers, with some powerful built-in capabilities.  And to be clear:  Wi-Fi connection doesn't require any type of Wi-Fi accessories, transmitters, and so on… it’s all built-in.

Whether they’re images we take in our backyard, or halfway around the world, today’s amateur shooters want to be able to share them quickly with family, friends, or even clients. What separates a digital SLR like the Rebel T6 from a typical smartphone is the tremendous photographic potential, such as in this shot, taken with the accessory, ultra-wide EF-S 10-18mm STM lens. With the Rebel T6’s built-in Wi-Fi, you can take a picture like this, and immediately send it to your phone, even if you’re miles away from a normal wireless internet connection. Using the phone, you can then share a high-quality image via e-mail, or to social media sites.

It’s certainly true that users today can shoot pictures with their smartphones, and send them immediately via e-mail, or upload them to social media sites.  Here’s the difference:  EOS Rebel T6 users can now do similar things, but with far more imaging potential.  Think of the two portrait images (on page 1), comparing a Rebel T6 shot with a smartphone picture.  Which would you rather post to your social media page?  This is the potential that even the most casual amateurs can unlock with the Rebel T6 camera.

Wi-Fi capabilities with the EOS Rebel T6 include :

Built-in NFC connection to compatible Android-system devices 
Connect by simply holding the Rebel T6 against a compatible Android tablet or phone… no menu connections required.  (Menu connectivity to non-compatible Android mobile devices, or to iOS devices, is absolutely possible.)

Connect via Wi-Fi to your smartphone 

Lets you easily and quickly view your camera’s images on your smartphone’s screen;  select any images you want and upload them to the phone;  and from the phone, easily send images to anyone you want via your phone’s e-mail, or upload to social media sites.  You can even remote-control the camera from your phone or tablet!  Wi-Fi connection of camera to smartphone can be done without any external internet connection active.

Connect via internet connection and upload images to a Web Service 

If you have access to a standard wireless internet system, such as in a home or workplace, you can connect the camera to that wireless internet network, and from there, select and upload images to Canon’s cloud-based Canon Image Gateway.  Pre-set groups of e-mail contacts or direct links to your Facebook™ or other social media sites, and then (via Canon Image Gateway) share images directly to those groups or sites.

Easy wireless link to Canon Connect Station CS100 

This optional device may be the perfect organization tool for the average amateur photographer. Canon’s Connect Station CS100 is a stand-alone device that can store about 150,000 full-resolution, best-quality JPEG images from the Rebel T6 (or about 70 hours of Full HD video footage).  And, the Rebel T6 can connect and download original image files to the CS100 wirelessly — simply touching the T6 to the CS100 allows immediate connection and downloading of files from camera to the Connect Station.  Once images are copied to the CS100, they can be easily viewed on a compatible HDTV, using wireless connectivity.

Summary

The introduction of the EOS Rebel T6 brings a very full digital SLR feature set to a broad audience, and specifically targets those customers new to digital SLR photography.  For anyone who’s been shooting with a smartphone and contemplating taking that step into an interchangeable lens SLR, the Rebel T6 represents an inviting step forward.

It offers a full range of shooting modes, from totally automatic operation to traditional modes like shutter priority, aperture priority, and full manual exposure control.  It can focus continuously on moving subjects, with its standard 9-point AF system, and shoot at up to 3 fps.  RAW or JPEG still images can be taken (or both!), and video recording up to Full HD (1080p) at 30 fps is possible, too.

And perhaps most important, this camera truly is a gateway into the world of digital SLR photography.  It doesn’t end with the standard lens that comes with the camera… any lens in the Canon EOS system can be used on the Rebel T6.  It’s compatible with Canon’s full line of EX-series speedlites.  Remote control can be done through your smartphone via a Wi-Fi connection (as mentioned above), or through an accessory Canon RS-60E3 wired remote controller. 

In a simple, easy-to-operate package, the Rebel T6 represents a terrific starting point to begin one’s journey into digital SLR photography.  If you’re an entry-level shooter who’s been thinking about investing in a great camera system, this may be the right answer for you.  And if you’re a seasoned DSLR veteran, this may be the camera to refer your friends and colleagues to, if and when they come to you asking for advice on a good starting interchangeable lens camera.

Apple Announced Smart Battery Case for iPhone 6

Apple iPhone 6 Smart Battery Case

Apple announced their iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus in September, 2015. You can read my post on the phone's review here. Some users think smartphones have replaced digital cameras and make the iPhone the only device they carry, combining phone, camera and pocket computer, all rolled into one.

Of course there is one drawback. The battery will not even last a day if usage is extensive. Luckily, Apple has introduced a new battery case to extend the battery life. This new soft silicone case has a microfiber inner lining and makes inserting and removing the phone rather easy. There is a hump in the back of the case that contains the extra battery power.

The case and phone can be charged simultaneously. Apple claims the Talk time, Internet use and Video playback can be increased to 25, 18 and 20 hours, from 14, 10 and 11 hours, respectively.
The phone's remaining power can be displayed through its intelligent battery status, located on the Lock screen and in Notification Center.

Apple Store sells the iPhone 6s Smart Battery Case for $99. It comes in Charcoal Gray and White colors. Other battery cases may be available for the iPhone 6 Plus and older iPhone models in the future.

Are Worldwide Camera Sales Still Declining?

Canon DSLR, Mirrorless and CinemaEOS cameras and EF lens

It is probably the worst kept secret to anyone following the photographic industry but camera manufacturers have been experiencing declining sales for the last few years. The main reason is due to changing customer preference and the advancement in many smartphone cameras.

Canon, the largest photographic equipment manufacturer in the world has experience a drop in profits in their latest quarter. They are hardly alone and based on data published by CIPA, the Japan-based Camera & Imaging Products Association, Mayflower Concepts published the charts below illustrating the trend in camera sales over the past decade.

It seems mirrorless cameras offered the industry a bright spot for about two years but now sales are leveling off and the increase in sales may have been at the expense of the traditional DSLR market.
There is no question smartphones have taken away some sales from the low end point-and-shoot and DSLR camera segment, but the best way to keep a photographic company relevant is to come out with the state of the art product to convince serious photographers why it is still the traditional DSLR camera that takes the best photos. What is more important than the number of DSLR sold is the mix of the sales, since low end cameras like the Rebel and SL series bring considerably less profit than the higher models like the EOS-5 and EOS-1 bodies.

My readers know, I have been a Canon user for about 25 years. Through the decades, I have used almost all of Canon's cropped and full frame, film and digital cameras and lenses. You can see my equipment bag and works on MichaelDanielHo.com. On my recently concluded Polar bear photo shoot in the Canadian sub Arctic, I have used both my smartphone and DSLR cameras to take photos and find the two types of photography perfectly compatible with each other.  I am waiting for the EOS-1D X Mk II and EOS-5D Mk IV to debut early to mid 2016 for my next DSLR purchase.

'DSLR' Quality SmartPhones To Challenge DSLR Cameras?

* * *  Read the latest post on how Apple iPhone 6S plans to challenge Canon  * * *

Recently, Qualcomm deliberately made a headline-grabbing claim, by boasting their, soon-to-be-released, SnapDragon 820 chip would be able to "support superior DSLR-quality photography and enhanced computer vision", all in the palm of your hand, via a smartphone.

This incendiary statement flies in the photography world of reality. The new chip runs on the new 14-bit Qualcomm Spectra ISP and Qualcomm claims 4K video capability at 60 fps, 25 MP at 30 fps, 40% less battery consumption, 40% faster processing, superior autofocus, and last but not least, NO shutter lag.

Clearly, no thinking person, let alone informed photographers will pay much attention to such a sound bite but I reference the Qualcomm claim in this post to highlight my point - too many people think equipment alone makes a better photographer. Take a look at my recent posts on Smart Phones vs DSLR Cameras and  Photography with an inexpensive camera.

Smartphone Cameras vs. DSLR Cameras

A bit of humor from Canon. Personally, I find the camera on my smartphone very handy but limited in capabilities and image quality. Therefore, my rule of thumb is, if the images mean a lot, I will reach for the real camera in my equipment bag, provided I have it with me. If not, the smartphone will have to do and let's hope for the best.