There's only 1 full-frame camera on 2024's mirrorless top 10 sales list. Is full frame overhyped… or are we all just broke?

[Madison]

Not surprised.
Over the last several years we see less and less “ younger people” with cameras in their hands, yes iPhones, but not dedicated cameras.
If the heavier larger Full Frame bodies were not the goal for us 15-20 years ago as the only option and the iPhone available with today’s technology, would we be walking around like I do today with two big boys.
Learning the “Basics” of photography back when needed is not necessary “Needed” today, why invest in the real camera in a larger format?
Us older guys, now 61, are not the future in sales and “Photography” in the long term future.

Go to Asia. Everyone has a camera in Hong Kong, and many, many film. China and Japan are just a nick behind.

 

[MakisM1]

I think you can make some good arguments about phone sensors, Gerry,
but I don't think the comparisons can accurately be made when comparing
dedicated sensors against the all-use sensors of phones.

While the phone sensors keep getting better, combined with computational processing,
I think you'd still be up against a wall in making any hard-pressed arguments against
a dedicated sensor within a dedicated camera device.

For example: I can grab a great-resolution image with my phone's camera,
but I can get a better-quality image of the same with my dedicated camera,
and process it to a better image.

Absolutely! The newer sensors used in iPhones/Smartphones are spectacular in their resolution, rendering and digital effects, but they will never do bokeh like a f1.2/1.4. As long as I can haul my R6II with the 24-70 (or 24-240 on a long vacation) and the nifty fifty, that is my preferred imaging set.

However, I am tempted to download a photo from my new (to me) iPhone 15 in the RAW equivalent (HEIF) and try post processing it with my regular methods.

 

[Mike_d]

Absolutely! The newer sensors used in iPhones/Smartphones are spectacular in their resolution, rendering and digital effects, but they will never do bokeh like a f1.2/1.4. As long as I can haul my R6II with the 24-70 (or 24-240 on a long vacation) and the nifty fifty, that is my preferred imaging set.

However, I am tempted to download a photo from my new (to me) iPhone 15 in the RAW equivalent (HEIF) and try post processing it with my regular methods.

HEIF isn't raw, more like an improved jpg. My phone can give raw files but they're nothing like raw files from a real camera. I tried processing some raws from my phone and they didn't impress me with any improvements in dynamic range or clarity. It mainly revealed how bad tiny sensors are and how much processing the phone has to do to make them presentable.