Facts about Digital Photography

Statistics and Facts About Digital Photography

Photography has gone a long way since Joseph Nicéphore Niépce's "View from the Window at Le Gras" and the camera obscura.

From smartphones and doorbell cameras to high-end Canon and Nikon DSLRs, a large portion of the population in the United States and elsewhere now has the potential to take digital photographs. When you combine this with the proliferation of picture editing apps and tools, it is now easier than ever for the average individual to produce a fantastic photo.

So, how does the industry look today? Here are some intriguing facts and data that demonstrate the popularity of digital photography as a medium:

● Overall revenue from digital camera sales is currently $22.37 billion per year, with a projected increase to $24.35 billion by 2025.

● Without adding smartphone cameras, more than 60% of Gen Zers own or use a digital camera.

● Smartphones now account for the vast majority of digital images taken around the world. It was predicted in 2017 that cellphones will account for 85% of the 1.2 trillion digital images shot each year.

● The rise of digital photography has been accompanied by a rapid decline in the use of film cameras. The early 2000s saw a sharp drop in worldwide film camera purchases, backed by a similar drop in digital camera purchases from 2010 to 2020, with independent digital camera purchases fast being surpassed by smartphone camera technology. Nevertheless, standalone digital cameras are still commonly used and do not appear to be on the decline (Mueller, 2021).

Professional Photographers: Do They Use Smartphone Cameras?

Both yes and no.

Professional photographers, as one might imagine, are just as likely as the rest of us to use a smartphone. When it comes to their job, they are still mostly relying on high-quality standalone digital cameras.

Professionals are 64% less likely to use a smartphone for professional images, while 14% are less likely to use a smartphone for private pictures. Among those who have used a smartphone camera, 13% say they use it for at least half of their professional images, while 64% say they use it for at least half of their personal photos (Mueller, 2021).

What is the main point? Most professionals appear to view smartphone digital cameras to be entirely acceptable for personal images, which is great news for those of us who desire high-quality digital photos without investing in an expensive camera. However, for their professionalism, high-end digital cameras remain the favored option.