Rating: Smartphones kill the High Street camera star
In the UK we have just seen the demise of a high profile retailer in the form of Jessops. The company can best be described as having the best name on the UK High Street for selling cameras. Pundits have, of course, been repeating the same mantra – namely that the internet – be it fixed or mobile, is killing bricks & mortar retailing chains like Jessops. However, GoMobile News believes we are uniquely positioned to say that this is definitely not the case with Jessops. The company had a sound multi-channel retail strategy in place. What we firmly believe has undermined Jessops business model is the inclusion of high quality camera facilities as part of the standard specifications of any high end smartphones. Sony and Nokia are classic examples here.
GoMobile News would argue that there is no doubt that consumers are fully aware of the photographic capabilities of the handset they are selecting.
Today, carrying a smartphone is just as important as remembering your keys.
So when there is an opportunity to take a picture or record a video clip, the device falls readily to hand.
Ergo, why purchase a dedicated camera or camcorder and then try to remember to take it with you when you are out and about?
Now take the latest smartphone to make the headlines – the Xperia Z. Look at its specifications.
It boasts a 13.1 megapixel camera with autofocus. GoMobile News‘ in-house dedicated digital camera is 12 megapixels.
Plus there’s another really compelling reason for choosing the Xperia Z above a dedicated digital camera.
It’s made by Sony whose Cybershot brand is well recognised by photographic cognoscenti.
Ok. Let’s turn our focus to Nokia. On paper, for example, the top Lumia model – the 920, boasts a camera resolution of ‘only’ 8.7 megapixels.
However, Nokia has been highly successful in promoting the fact that it isn’t resolution that matters but the lens instead.
And Nokia has for a long time utilised lenses supplied by brand leader, Carl Zeiss.
Added to this a Nokia Lumia boasts what we would describe as ‘anti-blockhead’ technology in terms of PureView technology for taking photos or videos even in poor lighting conditions.
Added to this is Smart Shoot which basically takes multiple pictures so you can pick the best one.
Plus the screeen you play videos or photos back on supports HD.
It’s a no-brainer. Unless you are an avid photographer you only need a smartphone not a dedicated camera/camcorder.
Our final argument is that Jessops was well aware of the power of the internet. If you go onto the chain’s web site, you can see it supports the vital click and collect facility in the shape of collect@store.
Just like video killed the radio star, the smartphone has killed the digital camera.
