The Digital Turn (1975–2007)

Steven Sasson's 1975 prototype, the megapixel race, the DSLR, and the first cameras built into phones — film becomes data.

Part of Cameras

55 moments in this segment.

1. 1975-06-01 — Sasson's first digital camera (1975) (1975). Sasson's first digital camera (1975) — the camera itself, 1975. Film gave way to data: the first digital sensors, the DSLR, and the first cameras built into telephones.
2. 1978 — Communications Milestone: Charged Coupled Devices (with Bonus Edition Introduction) - AT&T Archives. CCD sensor Nobel Boyle Smith (1969). Film gave way to data: the first digital sensors, the DSLR, and the first cameras built into telephones.
3. 1981-08-26 — Sony CEO Akio Morita Unveils the Mavica Camera (1981). Sony Mavica 1981 - Akio Morita unveils first still video camera (1981). Film gave way to data: the first digital sensors, the DSLR, and the first cameras built into telephones.
4. 1994-02-17 — Apple QuickTake Digital Camera Commercial (1994). Apple QuickTake 1994 commercial (1994). Film gave way to data: the first digital sensors, the DSLR, and the first cameras built into telephones.
5. 1994-06-01 — The Apple QuickTake (1994) (1994). The Apple QuickTake (1994) — the camera itself, 1994. Film gave way to data: the first digital sensors, the DSLR, and the first cameras built into telephones.
6. 2000-11-01 — J-PHONE J-SH04 Commercial. The Sharp J-SH04 (2000). Film gave way to data: the first digital sensors, the DSLR, and the first cameras built into telephones.
7. 2004-06-01 — A 2000s compact digital (2004). A 2000s compact digital — the camera itself, 2004. Film gave way to data: the first digital sensors, the DSLR, and the first cameras built into telephones.
8. 2005-04-23 — Me at the zoo. ' — first YouTube video (2005). Film gave way to data: the first digital sensors, the DSLR, and the first cameras built into telephones.
9. 2006 — The Apple QuickTake (1994) (1994). The Apple QuickTake (1994) — the camera itself, 1994. Film gave way to data: the first digital sensors, the DSLR, and the first cameras built into telephones. The subject dates from 1994; this photograph was taken in 2006.
10. 2007 — A 2000s compact digital (2004). A 2000s compact digital — the camera itself, 2004. Film gave way to data: the first digital sensors, the DSLR, and the first cameras built into telephones. The subject dates from 2004; this photograph was taken in 2007.
11. 2008-06-01 — The Canon 5D Mark II (2008). The Canon 5D Mark II — the camera itself, 2008. Film gave way to data: the first digital sensors, the DSLR, and the first cameras built into telephones.
12. 2008-06-01 — The Canon 5D Mark II (2008). The Canon 5D Mark II — the camera itself, 2008. Film gave way to data: the first digital sensors, the DSLR, and the first cameras built into telephones.
13. 2008-06-01 — The Canon 5D Mark II (2008). The Canon 5D Mark II — the camera itself, 2008. Film gave way to data: the first digital sensors, the DSLR, and the first cameras built into telephones.
14. 2008-06-01 — The Canon 5D Mark II (2008). The Canon 5D Mark II — the camera itself, 2008. Film gave way to data: the first digital sensors, the DSLR, and the first cameras built into telephones.
15. 2008 — The Apple QuickTake (1994) (1994). The Apple QuickTake (1994) — the camera itself, 1994. Film gave way to data: the first digital sensors, the DSLR, and the first cameras built into telephones. The subject dates from 1994; this photograph was taken in 2008.
16. 2008 — A 2000s compact digital (2004). A 2000s compact digital — the camera itself, 2004. Film gave way to data: the first digital sensors, the DSLR, and the first cameras built into telephones. The subject dates from 2004; this photograph was taken in 2008.
17. 2008-09-17 — Canon 5D Mark II: The Camera That Changed Filmmaking. Canon EOS 5D Mark II video DSLR 2008 (2008). Film gave way to data: the first digital sensors, the DSLR, and the first cameras built into telephones.
18. 2009 — A consumer digital camera (2003). A consumer digital camera — the camera itself, 2003. Film gave way to data: the first digital sensors, the DSLR, and the first cameras built into telephones. The subject dates from 2003; this photograph was taken in 2009.
19. 2010 — A 2000s compact digital (2004). A 2000s compact digital — the camera itself, 2004. Film gave way to data: the first digital sensors, the DSLR, and the first cameras built into telephones. The subject dates from 2004; this photograph was taken in 2010.
20. 2011 — The Nikon D1 DSLR (1999). The Nikon D1 DSLR — the camera itself, 1999. Film gave way to data: the first digital sensors, the DSLR, and the first cameras built into telephones. The subject dates from 1999; this photograph was taken in 2011.
21. 2011 — The Apple QuickTake (1994) (1994). The Apple QuickTake (1994) — the camera itself, 1994. Film gave way to data: the first digital sensors, the DSLR, and the first cameras built into telephones. The subject dates from 1994; this photograph was taken in 2011.
22. 2012-12-06 — The Digital Camera | INVENTORS | PBS Digital Studios. history of the digital camera (PBS) (1975). Film gave way to data: the first digital sensors, the DSLR, and the first cameras built into telephones.
23. 2013 — The Nikon D1 DSLR (1999). The Nikon D1 DSLR — the camera itself, 1999. Film gave way to data: the first digital sensors, the DSLR, and the first cameras built into telephones. The subject dates from 1999; this photograph was taken in 2013.
24. 2015-04-21 — JPEG 'files' & Colour (JPEG Pt1)- Computerphile. GIF JPEG digital image format history (1992). Film gave way to data: the first digital sensors, the DSLR, and the first cameras built into telephones.
25. 2015-06-07 — Steve Sasson: Inventor of the Digital Camera. Steven Sasson talk - inventing the digital camera (1975). Film gave way to data: the first digital sensors, the DSLR, and the first cameras built into telephones.
26. 2016 — The early webcam (1994). The early webcam — the camera itself, 1994. Film gave way to data: the first digital sensors, the DSLR, and the first cameras built into telephones. The subject dates from 1994; this photograph was taken in 2016.
27. 2017-04-19 — Sony a9 - The Game Changer. Sony A9 (2017). Film gave way to data: the first digital sensors, the DSLR, and the first cameras built into telephones.
28. 2018-02-19 — Apple QuickTake 100: 1994 Digital Camera Experience. Apple QuickTake 1994 consumer digital (1994). Film gave way to data: the first digital sensors, the DSLR, and the first cameras built into telephones.
29. 2018-02-26 — Introducing Sony Alpha 7 III. Sony A7 III (2018). Film gave way to data: the first digital sensors, the DSLR, and the first cameras built into telephones.
30. 2018-03-12 — Sony Digital Mavica: 1997 Floppy Disk Camera Experience. Sony Mavica floppy disk camera (1997). Film gave way to data: the first digital sensors, the DSLR, and the first cameras built into telephones.
31. 2018 — The Sony Mavica (1981). The Sony Mavica — the camera itself, 1981. Film gave way to data: the first digital sensors, the DSLR, and the first cameras built into telephones. The subject dates from 1981; this photograph was taken in 2018.
32. 2018 — The Sony Mavica (1981). The Sony Mavica — the camera itself, 1981. Film gave way to data: the first digital sensors, the DSLR, and the first cameras built into telephones. The subject dates from 1981; this photograph was taken in 2018.
33. 2018-06-27 — Progress Through Disruption: The Steve Sasson Story. First digital camera demo Sasson (1975). Film gave way to data: the first digital sensors, the DSLR, and the first cameras built into telephones.
34. 2018-09-05 — Canon EOS R Announcement. Canon EOS R (2018). Film gave way to data: the first digital sensors, the DSLR, and the first cameras built into telephones.
35. 2020-08-20 — 6K RED Komodo Impressions: The Mini Cine Camera. RED Komodo (2020). Film gave way to data: the first digital sensors, the DSLR, and the first cameras built into telephones.
36. 2020-10-28 — 世界を変えた日本発カメラ付き携帯発売から20年　シャープ「J-SH04」. First camera phone Sharp J-SH04 2000 (2000). Film gave way to data: the first digital sensors, the DSLR, and the first cameras built into telephones.
37. 2021-01-26 — Introducing Sony Alpha 1. Sony A1 (2021). Film gave way to data: the first digital sensors, the DSLR, and the first cameras built into telephones.
38. 2021-02-02 — How Does a DSLR Camera Work. DSLR camera explained (1999). Film gave way to data: the first digital sensors, the DSLR, and the first cameras built into telephones.
39. 2021-02-23 — Sony FX3 Product Features | Sony Cinema Line. Sony FX3 (Cinema Line) (2021). Film gave way to data: the first digital sensors, the DSLR, and the first cameras built into telephones.
40. 2021 — The Sony Mavica (1981). The Sony Mavica — the camera itself, 1981. Film gave way to data: the first digital sensors, the DSLR, and the first cameras built into telephones. The subject dates from 1981; this photograph was taken in 2021.
41. 2021 — The Sony Mavica (1981). The Sony Mavica — the camera itself, 1981. Film gave way to data: the first digital sensors, the DSLR, and the first cameras built into telephones. The subject dates from 1981; this photograph was taken in 2021.
42. 2021-06-16 — Fujifilm's 5 Best Film Simulations. Fujifilm film simulations (2021). Film gave way to data: the first digital sensors, the DSLR, and the first cameras built into telephones.
43. 2021-08-24 — First Uploaded Photo on the Internet - Les Horribles Cernettes. first photo uploaded to the web - Les Horribles Cernettes 1992 (1992). Film gave way to data: the first digital sensors, the DSLR, and the first cameras built into telephones.
44. 2021-11-25 — First phone with Front facing camera "Kyocera Visual Phone VP 210 1999". Kyocera VP-210 first camera phone 1999 (1999). Film gave way to data: the first digital sensors, the DSLR, and the first cameras built into telephones.
45. 2021-12-21 — Selfies, Video Calls and the Kyocera VP-210. The first camera phone (1999). Film gave way to data: the first digital sensors, the DSLR, and the first cameras built into telephones.
46. 2022-02-22 — Panasonic Lumix GH6 - Mirrorless Camera for Pro Filmmakers. Panasonic Lumix GH6 (2022). Film gave way to data: the first digital sensors, the DSLR, and the first cameras built into telephones.
47. 2022-05-31 — ARRI ALEXA 35 Xtreme - The Guided Tour. ARRI Alexa 35 (2022). Film gave way to data: the first digital sensors, the DSLR, and the first cameras built into telephones.
48. 2022-09-01 — WHY RED 2 | Mark Toia | Shot on RED. Shot on RED (Mark Toia) (2022). Film gave way to data: the first digital sensors, the DSLR, and the first cameras built into telephones.
49. 2023-03-03 — CD Mavica: Sonys Weird CD Burning Digital Cameras. Sony CD Mavica - CD-burning digital cameras (2000). Film gave way to data: the first digital sensors, the DSLR, and the first cameras built into telephones.
50. 2023-09-23 — The Kodak Story You Havent Heard. Kodak digital camera story (Sasson / Kodak fall) (2023). Film gave way to data: the first digital sensors, the DSLR, and the first cameras built into telephones.
51. 2024-10-07 — MEGAPIXELS Don't Matter. Here is why.. Megapixel race CCD vs CMOS (2003). Film gave way to data: the first digital sensors, the DSLR, and the first cameras built into telephones.
52. 2025-06-07 — Dycam Model 1 / Logitech Fotoman (1990) - The First Digital Camera Ever Sold. Dycam Model 1 / Logitech Fotoman 1990 first consumer digital camera (1990). Film gave way to data: the first digital sensors, the DSLR, and the first cameras built into telephones.
53. 2025-06-07 — QuickTake Was Great! So They Killed It? - Krazy Ken's Tech Talk. Apple QuickTake history (1994). Film gave way to data: the first digital sensors, the DSLR, and the first cameras built into telephones.
54. 2025-06-15 — How a CERN doo-wop band spawned the social web. Les Horribles Cernettes - first photo on the web (1992). Film gave way to data: the first digital sensors, the DSLR, and the first cameras built into telephones.
55. 2026-02-10 — Shooting With The First DSLR - The Kodak DCS-420. Kodak DCS first DSLR (DCS-420) (1991). Film gave way to data: the first digital sensors, the DSLR, and the first cameras built into telephones.