In the summer of 2006, Photography.com commissioned a research project to learn more about consumers’ attitudes toward digital cameras. The survey, carried out by morefocus, asked more than 300 people about their photo-taking habits as well as their opinions on the differences between digital and film photography.
Of those surveyed, 24 percent are currently or have at some point been a professional photographer. Seventy-five percent of respondents were male. The age of respondents varied widely, with the 25-34-year-old age range leading the way, with 28 percent participation rate. Only two percent of those surveyed were 65 or older.
The results of the survey show that digital photography has taken over film as the method of choice among photographers. An overwhelming majority of those surveyed, 82 percent, say they use digital cameras. More than 75 percent own two or more cameras.
The research reveals that the preference of digital photography over film stems mostly from the flexibility that digital photography provides during the photo-taking process, and not necessarily because of the difference in the end result.
In fact, almost half of those surveyed said the experience of the photographer is the most important factor in producing a great photograph. Tied as the second most important factor were the subject matter and the quality of the camera, while only seven percent said the quality of the print is most important.
Additionally, when asked which format produces higher quality prints, 23 percent said both methods produce the same quality, and the remainder of respondents were evenly split at 38 percent between digital and film.
The topic of a photographer’s control over images was explored in the survey. More than half of those surveyed believe that digital cameras give the photographer more control over his or her images than film cameras, with 12 percent of respondents saying neither format gives more control.
When asked which aspects of digital cameras are most useful, two factors jumped out. Twenty-eight percent of respondents said the ability to manipulate and correct digital photos is the most useful aspect, while 47 percent said it is the ability to see digital photos instantly.
Interestingly, those surveyed rated the flexibility of printing photos from digital cameras low in terms of usefulness, even though many of them do in fact print their own photos. A quarter of those surveyed said they print their own photos and at least store them in boxes, while even more, 43 percent, print their own photos and arrange them in photo albums.
