How The Digital Camera Has Changed People's Lives

There's no denying that the digital camera has made changes in the lives of photo-loving people. Some 2.5 billion consumers around the world, young and old, now own this device which they can easily carry wherever they go.

The digital camera all started with a small box about the size of a coffee maker with a cassette attached to its side. Kodak was responsible for inventing it 40 years ago through inventor Steven Sasson.

But although it was not quite successful, the digital technology eventually caught up. Its popularity peaked in 2005. Factors that led to its success are it's very handy and lightweight, can store hundreds of images without the need to use a film and most importantly, it's easy to operate.

Its affordability is another plus factor. And once you own it, no other cost is associated with having this advanced camera. You just need to charge it and you're good to go.

This is a far cry from the old camera that uses the film. In the past, engaging in photography even as a hobby was already quite expensive. Fortunately, many people can now enjoy shooting their favorite scenes and subjects without worrying about expenses.

With the digital camera, people had every reason to take as many photos as they want without having to change films like in the past. Thanks to the memory card that store media, families, friends, professionals and even students are now able to capture hundreds of images in one setting. And an important aspect here is the sharing of photos that happens online which people, especially the youngsters, are often excited to do when they get home or even when they're still at the event.

Coupled with the internet, the digital camera has changed so much the behavior of people in terms of taking pictures. What they do in their daily lives is often shared on social media sites. Before they eat whether at home or in restaurants, people now take photos of their food first. They would shoot places they go to and scenes they find beautiful while strolling around.

People have also improved their photography skills thanks to the digital camera. With the LCD screen and preview feature, it's easy these days to check the image immediately right after taking the photo. This behavior is known as chimping.

Perhaps the most important influence of the camera is its use in citizen journalism. People regardless of their action now have the power to capture news worthy events as they happen such as a riot on the street, car crashes, a fire or even a hurricane and other natural disasters. These images can then be shared with media companies for reporting on TV.

What's becoming a major threat to the digital camera today is the smartphone. With the rise in the ownership rate of smartphones, the digital cameras are foreseen to become extinct sooner or later.

Latest statistics show that more people now own smartphones than the camera mainly due to the phone's multiple functions. Apparently, consumers prefer to have a device that can perform various tasks and with this advanced mobile phone such as the iPhone, they can make calls, send text and do other tasks online wherever they go. Did you know that on Flickr, the iPhone is the most popular camera used in photo sharing?