Back in 2006, Sony bought out camera manufacturer Minolta, triggering a sequence of events that has all but brought about the demise of the beloved DSLR.
Ted Forbes of The Art of Photography delves into the history of cameras and reflects on some pivotal moments of innovation, such as the introduction of 135 format film. Sony’s decision to aggressively move into the camera market — marked by its purchase of Minolta — heralded a period of innovation that has seen mirrors disappear from cameras over the course of a few years.
Likely the next progression will be the disappearance of the shutter mechanism. As demonstrated by the Nikon Z 9, it seems that the increasing speed of data transfer from high-resolution CMOS sensors will in time render the mechanical shutter redundant. Faster processors and write speeds will bring other advantages, and to me, it’s odd that Sony hasn’t already replicated the Pro Capture mode seen in Olympus cameras, whereby the buffer is filling with images before you have fully pressed the shutter, making it impossible to miss a critical moment because you weren’t able to react in time.
As hinted by Pentax, I suspect that the DSLR will always have a place, however small, and there’s something about an optical viewfinder that will be appreciated, however good EVFs become.
What do you think will be the next major technological progression? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below.
Better, more efficient technology killed DSLR.
Oh, hell yeah they did.
Blame technology and innovation
Nothing was killed and nothing died, technology just moved on. What’s beloved about a dslr? It’s just a camera! People who attempt to inject delusional drama into a situation like this leave me scratching my head. Dslrs will eventually be superseded because no one wants to buy one due to the alternatives being more attractive. It happens, get over it and stop with this drama queen nonsense.
You make an interesting point about pro capture, but I imagine its non implementation may well be down to the amount of data that has to be processed. Olympus cameras with their smaller sensors and lower data through put can manage it while full frame Sony cameras with their much bigger sensor and larger data output may well be a step to far at the moment for the Sony system. I am sure it will come eventually. However things like multiple exposures and in camera photo blending are still absent from the default Sony system and that is mystery.
Good point. More specifically I don't think Sony wanted to slow the camera down with file management (deleting the unused images automatically). They (and the other majors) sell cameras based on raw speed. Personally I use ProCapture regularly to good effect. I'd like Sony to adopt it. But practically it just means I delete more Sony images in post.
Olympus did well before anyone else.
The title is nonsensical clickbait.
DSLRs are the overwhelmingly large portion of the ILC installed base.
Add some history I started film in '75 as a hobby and with no knowledge of anything BUT with my new Canon Ftb the viewfinder had a little light meter needle and a Aperture controlled little circle that you adjusted to get the needle inside of. You set the ASA then just played with the aperture and the needle and got great images just changed film ASA for day or night, no need to even know anything else. When digital came went to T2i and got great images BUT after two years when no new camera updates and it disappeared from Canon's site went to Sony '14 (saw in a Mag.). Why you ask 1. With $25 adapters I could use all my old lenses save $, 2. Bracket 5 @ 3ev (HDR Days), 3. No mirror to lock up, 4. On camera apps (no filters needed, etc), and for $30 a Year Capture One (Pro level editing) when just PS or Lr is $800 each, etc. Next came IBIS with with the Mark ii's and no need for sticks, I was in Antelope Canyon and Bracketed 3 @ 2ev handheld because I forgot the plate for my sticks and no one believed I got good images.should have used silent shutter mode , also got hooked on Astro Milky Way and they had now the never mentioned by anyone Bright Monitoring hidden deep in instructions, this I showed to some fellow photographers out one night and everyone's jaws dropped. The A7iii has ISO Invariance meaning basically no matter the ISO and settings noise is equal the entire range. The A7siii dual ISO points of lowered ISO noise points. As far as lenses my old and fast glass Canon FD lenses have been faster (f/#) than any till today and with focus peaking and zebras my hand focusing and ev settings have been fast and focus stacking capturing just a fast as using your fingers on the LED.
Q. Are there still DSLR cameras? (meaning being sold new or made).
A. Yes.
Then Sony hasn't killed them then.
The fact this is a real question nowadays is telling enough.
But it is not a real question.
The simple fact is that DSLRs are the overwhelming portion of ILCs in use.
DSLRs have more support in terms of native lenses.
DSLRs are still being made and sold.
These are the things that are real.
Influencers killed it, technology making things redundant isn't new, but influencers speeding up the redundancy is a new thing.
two week time out for you, Fstoppers for another inane "did _____ kill" article, or a contributor using such inanity. DSLR tech will be replaced, but nothing can kill it.