Apple's Next Big Thing Will Be a Prosumer Camera: Discuss

[Small White Car]

Nah.

I'd rather see Nikon and Canon start making SLRs with a wifi or bluetooth chips that lets you send photos to your iOS device.

I'm sure they'll get there soon, and I'd find that far more useful.

 

[zerind]

Any good photographer will tell you it's less about the body and more about the person behind the camera and a good range of lenses and accessories. There's simply no such thing as a good one size fits all lens. They simply don't exist.

It would be a complete non-starter without having a complete range of lenses and accessories to go with the body. As a professional shooter, there is no way in hell I would even consider making the switch to a line that doesn't have everything available to me equipment wise and standard wise that Nikon and Canon has.

Consumer point and shoot, sure. Micro 4/3rds, sure. Professional or pro-sumer DSLR line? Not a chance unless they chose to make the camera compatible with existing systems from one of the established camera companies and had that company's full support. I think hell would freeze over before that happened.

 

[LIVEFRMNYC]

A compact camera with an APSC-sized sensor, running iOS. I think this will be Apple's next big thing.

If it ever happens, I know many casual but serious photographers like myself would sell their Canon/Nikon, etc gear and get something from Cupertino.

Sure, Apple would need to make glass too, but this would be circumvented if they stuck (at first) just with a single prime lens.

Imagine a Fuji X100 style camera by Apple, running iOS. Oh boy, oh boy, oh boy.

I wonder if others see the magic here?

SURVEY SAYS ................

 

[TC25]

A compact camera with an APSC-sized sensor, running iOS. I think this will be Apple's next big thing.

I'm glad you don't work at Apple.

 

[malloryjones]

I'm glad you don't work at Apple.

No need to be a troll. *Explain* your opinion instead, but perhaps you find that too difficult.

Anyway, I would love to see an Apple Camera a few notches up from the iPhone. As the poster Zerind nicely puts it, perhaps a micro four thirds sensor. I would love that to be paired with a killer Apple designed UI.

The issue of lenses can be circumvented by going with a fixed focal length lens as on the Leica X1 or Fuji X100. It need not be a camera to replace professional gear, which it's fair enough to say is difficult given the amount of lenses available to pros. It only need to a pocket fixed focal length beauty with a much better sensor than on the iPhone. I'd vote for that!

 

[cjbryce]

Nah.

I'd rather see Nikon and Canon start making SLRs with a wifi or bluetooth chips that lets you send photos to your iOS device.

I'm sure they'll get there soon, and I'd find that far more useful.

See Eye-FI SD cards and the ShutterSnitch app. I also think Nikon will do LiveView for the iPad.

 

[lewys]

would not sell my nikon camera bodies and all my compatible lenses just to buy everything again from apple probably at a higher price

 

[Thetonyk123]

A compact camera with an APSC-sized sensor, running iOS. I think this will be Apple's next big thing.

If it ever happens, I know many casual but serious photographers like myself would sell their Canon/Nikon, etc gear and get something from Cupertino.

Sure, Apple would need to make glass too, but this would be circumvented if they stuck (at first) just with a single prime lens.

Imagine a Fuji X100 style camera by Apple, running iOS. Oh boy, oh boy, oh boy.

I wonder if others see the magic here?

They made a camera in the 90's...it failed. Plus Apple wants people to buy a iPhone not a camera.??

 

[Blakjack]

Apple already sells a camera that's getting better and better every year. It's called an iPhone.

 

[soco]

Apple already sells a camera that's getting better and better every year. It's called an iPhone.

There we go.
/thread

 

[urkel]

Anyway, I would love to see an Apple Camera a few notches up from the iPhone. As the poster Zerind nicely puts it, perhaps a micro four thirds sensor. I would love that to be paired with a killer Apple designed UI.

The issue of lenses can be circumvented by going with a fixed focal length lens as on the Leica X1 or Fuji X100. It need not be a camera to replace professional gear, which it's fair enough to say is difficult given the amount of lenses available to pros. It only need to a pocket fixed focal length beauty with a much better sensor than on the iPhone. I'd vote for that!

No offense, but I dont think you thought this through because you seem to be contradicting yourself. At first you said you want a "compact camera with an APSC-sized sensor" and that it would entice Canon/Nikon gear owners to ditching their gear. But then you say it should be a micro 4/3 yet to avoid the "issue with lenses" they should use a fixed focal length?

It seems that this discussion isn't about "serious photography" because you aren't necessarily looking for the best camera in the market, but rather that you simply want one made by Apple.

So if the discussion is "Wouldn't it be cool to have an iOS camera" then from the Prosumer market's perspective I would have to say "No".

Pros:
- iOS is super easy to use
- Apps for doing on-camera editing
- Wi-Fi/Phone Tethering opens up many social sharing capabilities

Cons:
- iOS is TOO super easy to use. I love my iPhone but I want a lot more controls
- Touchscreen doesnt lend itself well to the fine tuning of physical dials
- iOS camera experience is "good enough" but far from "ideal" or "easy"
- Battery drain would be unbelievable
- A fixed lens (your idea) limits the iCamera even more than any P&S
- Pricing would be somewhere between Touch and unsubsidized iPhone ($500?)
- Apple doesnt know glass
- Apple doesnt know sensors
- Apple doesnt play well with 3rd parties
- Apple isnt good at giving proper updates to its "hobby" projects

Again, Im not saying Apple would be bad at this market, I just think they're smart enough to know not to bother. But, IF you're looking for a way to expand your personal photography on an iOS device then why not just get an Ollo Clip?

iPhone Lenses: Ollo Clip

 

[robbieduncan]

I don't want a touch screen on my camera. I want physical dials for setting the aperture, shutter speed and ISO. I want manual zoom (or no zoom) and full time manual focus. I don't want an iOS toy. I want a camera. To this end I am actively trying to buy a Leica M3 on eBay.

 

[Small White Car]

See Eye-FI SD cards and the ShutterSnitch app. I also think Nikon will do LiveView for the iPad.

I've yet to find a wifi CompactFlash card, unfortunately.

That's why I wish the camera manufacturers would get into this. The 3rd party companies seem to be unable (or unwilling) to solve this problem.

 

[joshmacbosh]

It only need to a pocket fixed focal length beauty with a much better sensor than on the iPhone. I'd vote for that!

Then that will exist next year...it will be the next iPhone.

 

[malloryjones]

Good Points

No offense, but I dont think you thought this through because you seem to be contradicting yourself. At first you said you want a "compact camera with an APSC-sized sensor" and that it would entice Canon/Nikon gear owners to ditching their gear. But then you say it should be a micro 4/3 yet to avoid the "issue with lenses" they should use a fixed focal length?

It seems that this discussion isn't about "serious photography" because you aren't necessarily looking for the best camera in the market, but rather that you simply want one made by Apple.

So if the discussion is "Wouldn't it be cool to have an iOS camera" then from the Prosumer market's perspective I would have to say "No".

Pros:
- iOS is super easy to use
- Apps for doing on-camera editing
- Wi-Fi/Phone Tethering opens up many social sharing capabilities

Cons:
- iOS is TOO super easy to use. I love my iPhone but I want a lot more controls
- Touchscreen doesnt lend itself well to the fine tuning of physical dials
- iOS camera experience is "good enough" but far from "ideal" or "easy"
- Battery drain would be unbelievable
- A fixed lens (your idea) limits the iCamera even more than any P&S
- Pricing would be somewhere between Touch and unsubsidized iPhone ($500?)
- Apple doesnt know glass
- Apple doesnt know sensors
- Apple doesnt play well with 3rd parties
- Apple isnt good at giving proper updates to its "hobby" projects

Again, Im not saying Apple would be bad at this market, I just think they're smart enough to know not to bother. But, IF you're looking for a way to expand your personal photography on an iOS device then why not just get an Ollo Clip?

Image

iPhone Lenses: Ollo Clip

Points duly noted, and thanks for your thoughtful response, much appreciated. I think I should like to refine my "iCamera" as follows, in light of the contradictions!

1) Fixed focal length
2) APSC-sized sensor
3) Killer UI
4) Compact
4) Aimed at the hobbyist as an addition to the iPhone rather than a substitute.
5) Basically a Fuji X100 with an Apple UI

Your thoughts about the Olio Clip are interesting, but I'm more interested in a camera with excellent dynamic range from a large sensor and in this respect the iPhone camera can't really compete.

 

[theperipheral]

Apple won't make a camera because cameras are dying. D-SLR's are the only thing in stores that people actually need anymore. The nicer the cameras get in phones, the less compact cameras need to exist. Apple won't throw something into a dying market like that.

 

[sigamy]

I agree with below. Who needs a UI for a camera?

My Nikon dSLR does a great job at allowing me to take hundreds of photos in an extremely fast and efficient way.

I only see iOS or an app with heavy UI getting in the way of serious shooters. I doubt I will ever remove red eye on my phone...maybe but I'd rather do it on my Mac.

Apple can be happy with killing off the low-end of point and shoots and Flips with iPhone and iPod touch. Leave the high end to the camera guys.

1. Turn on,
2. take lens cap off,
3. Aim,
4. press Shutter,
5. repeat 3 & 4 as required
6. Turn off
7. replace lens cap

I never "use" the UI in normal use - I rarely look at info, unless it is in manual and even then I bracket the shots by hand. I could have a Nikon, Apple, Startrek or Leggo interface and 99% of the time I would not notice the difference...

 

[BJMRamage]

It isn't about a camera body but LENSES (as noted earlier)

I doubt they would enter this field, people have been in a habit to buy a new phone every 1-2 years before the iPhone. Many people do not upgrade the cameras or lens that often.

A better idea is top have the Camera makers release their CLOSED system to developers like Apple did and allow people to install apps or such for quick fixes or uploads to Flickr/FB/Email/Blog/etc.

And Apple already totes it's newest iPhone as having one of the greatest cameras you keep with you almost everywhere.

 

[Icaras]

I just don't see it, no matter how hard I try. I think Apple will continue to focus on the camera in the iPhone and not exclusive point and shoot cams.

 

[zerind]

What? There are still a TON of people using point and shoots out there and that market is still extremely strong. Just because you don't need a DSLR doesn't mean that people are happy with camera phone quality. P&S Cameras still have the upper hand when it comes to optical quality, sensor quality, zoom and some have the ability to shoot raw or even fully manual. Have you compared low light capability on the iPhone to a reasonably priced P&S? No comparison, most P&S cameras will blow it away in settings that are anything but perfectly bright settings. The P&S market is doing just fine.

Apple won't make a camera because cameras are dying. D-SLR's are the only thing in stores that people actually need anymore. The nicer the cameras get in phones, the less compact cameras need to exist. Apple won't throw something into a dying market like that.

 

[VulchR]

The physics of optics makes that [an all-purpose lens] pretty much impossible.

True, but there appear to be tricks that allow digital image processing to extract more information given a fixed lens configuration than perhaps most of us would think possible (e.g., the Lytro camera).

In any case, I doubt Apple will be getting into cameras. I'd like to see them focus on home automation and robotics instead...

 

[amazingdm]

Lmao! Serious photographers like myself are NOT gonna want touch controls. Only hipsters will get this

----------

Apple already sells a camera that's getting better and better every year. It's called an iPhone.

You have no idea how bad an iPhone is compared to a dslr

 

[ChristianVirtual]

One more aspect of it will not happen so soon: it will not increase the sales in iTunes eco system. Apple can't charge you 30% of your pictures you shoot.
So just selling a commodity with no follow up business (except post cards now) is not very attractive for Apple. A bigger TV is more realistic or an attac on audio systems (Denon, Bose, ...). That would enable sales of content afterwards.

 

[spyguy10709]

One more aspect of it will not happen so soon: it will not increase the sales in iTunes eco system. Apple can't charge you 30% of your pictures you shoot.
So just selling a commodity with no follow up business (except post cards now) is not very attractive for Apple. A bigger TV is more realistic or an attac on audio systems (Denon, Bose, ...). That would enable sales of content afterwards.

Oh, how wrong you are-
camera add ons and apps/filters
also a pushing spot for iCloud - That 5gb already sounds ******, imagine when you want to put real pictures on it?

will they do it? probably not. Can they make money on it? Yup.

 

[ChristianVirtual]

Oh, how wrong you are-
camera add ons and apps/filters
also a pushing spot for iCloud - That 5gb already sounds ******, imagine when you want to put real pictures on it?

will they do it? probably not. Can they make money on it? Yup.

Cool, can play Angry Birds on my camera ....

iCloud on the camera would mean you need 3G in the camera or any other kind of connectivity; at least wifi. Can be done technically, but I doubt many people will get a new data contract just for their camera.

Plus my camera need 20MB each raw file; I easy shoot 12GB or 16GB on a weekend. Lots crap to be sorted out later. For this iCloud will be too slow.

And any filter would e applied in post processing; happy to buy them via AppStore.

I doubt that the funny photo booth filter effects would justify a serious development investment in a camera system.

I stay with my Canon and iMac for post processing.