Smartphone camera over a digital camera

Widespread consumer photography was made possible by the invention of photographic film in 1888 by Kodak. In 1975 Kodak would also go on to develop the first camera that used digital electronics to capture and store images. The consumer digital cameras became mainstream in the 1990s, with shipments reaching their peak in 2010 with over 121 million units shipped worldwide. And less than a decade later, the digital still cameras shipment is forecast to reach just over nine million units worldwide, with consumer preference moving toward smartphone cameras.
In 2000, the world's first digital camera phone was introduced by Sharp and, by the early 2010s, almost all smartphones had an integrated digital camera. With image sensors getting smaller and more advanced with a smartphone’s combined computational power, people no longer see the need for a digital camera. This has driven traditional camera manufacturers to shift their focus from DSLR and mirrorless cameras to more profitable imaging solutions in medical and scientific applications.

New technology and new applications

Technological advancement, especially in the past decade, has led to smaller, more durable cameras that can be used for purposes never thought possible in the past. Compact, easy-to-use cameras such as action cameras and wearable cameras made popular by GoPro have quickly become some of the most sought-after stand-alone cameras on the market. Home security cameras used to protect property from theft and vandalism have also experienced growth, supported by the increased number of connected devices and IoT at home. Even the relatively niche market for thermal imaging cameras grew to 7.6 billion U.S. dollars in annual revenue in 2020, as governmental agencies and large companies adopted this camera technology for screening people during the COVID-19 pandemic.

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