Gift Guide: Digital cameras up game to beat smartphones
18.05.13
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UNDATED ( USA TODAY ) -- Samsung's new Galaxy camera looks like a phone. But it's a camera that's only for sale via wireless company AT&T. And there's no phone access with it.
It's the new world of digital cameras, where manufacturers are struggling to come up with cool devices that match the ease and instant sharing capabilities of smartphones. The latest cameras this holiday shopping season are trying really hard to morph into mobile devices.
The reason is easy to grasp. Camera sales are down 30% so far this year, according to Chris Chute, an analyst with research firm IDC. He says the "drastic" drop is due to the popularity of the smartphone, which has replaced most point-and-shoot cameras as the camera consumers take with them when they leave home.
The Apple iPhone and Android smartphones from Samsung, LG and HTC have improved to the point where for most folks, phone shots are as good as what they snapped with their digital cameras despite lacking superior flash and better zooming ability.
Source: Today's THV