With smartphones becoming increasingly popular with their multiple use, the sale of the cameras in the US is fast dwindling. According a recent study, the people now prefer smartphones over camera to capture videos and take photos.

According to the Imaging Confluence Study conducted by the NPD Group people above the age of 13 belonging to the company’s Proprietary Online Registered Panel were questioned.

This research discovered that the percentage of pictures taken with a smartphone went up from 17 percent in 2010 to 27 percent in 2011. On the other hand, the percentage of photos snapped by cameras dropped from 52 percent to 44 percent.

“There is no doubt that the smartphone is becoming ‘good enough’ much of the time; but thanks to mobile phones, more pictures are being taken than ever before. Consumers who use their mobile phones to take pictures and video were more likely to do so instead of their camera when capturing spontaneous moments, but for important events, single purpose cameras or camcorders are still largely the device of choice,” said Liz Cutting,

The Survey noted that the sale of point-and-shoot camera market has gone down to 17 percent in units and 18 percent in dollars for the first eleven months of this year. It says while flash camcorders witnessed a decline of 8 percent in units and 10 percent in dollars, pocket camcorders declined 13 percent in units and 27 percent in dollars.

The NPD survey also says that the sales of detachable lens cameras increased by 12 percent in units and 11 percent in dollars this year, with an average price of around $863. The decline in camera usage could be attributed to the advancement in image technology of smartphone snappers which produce pictures with competent clarity and detail.