It’s hard to avoid the issue: smartphones are encroaching on the once safe haven that belonged to compact digital cameras. That’s not to say that smartphones should necessarily replace compact point and shoots. But the change in consumer behavior and the fact that smartphone manufacturers are marketing their devices as cameras, clearly suggest that digital cameras need to fight harder to stay relevant.
We’ve taken a look at this issue in three different articles. My Strategy Session column, beginning on page 1, attacks the issue head on (no spoiler alert here). We also had Barry Tanenbaum speak to five photo specialty dealers about how they are dealing with this at the store level. And columnist Paul Worthington uses his Digital Ecosystem column to explore the issue from a hardware perspective—what it’s going to take to compete in this market going forward.
This being our third issue of the newly relaunched Digital Imaging Reporter, we hope you are recognizing our attempt to frame our industry in a new light. We’re no longer insulated in our own world of cameras and lenses and accessories and printing; we are part of a much larger digital world that can either hinder our business or more likely spur our growth into new areas and platforms.
We don’t have to be reminded that people are taking more images today than ever before. The notion of how we can fit into this new world order is what our magazine will continue to explore.
Finally, if you’re in New York City during the week of June 24, be sure to attend the 2013 DI Symposium, which is designed to help our industry think differently and proactively about what faces us in the market (see the ad on page 25). And while you’re in NYC, check out the CE Week conferences and trade show. Two great events that aim to inspire.
