With many smartphones equaling and surpassing the resolution of many point and shoot cameras, the high-end units are beginning to suffer in sales as well, the Wall Street Journal reported.

Apps like Instagram already allow users to edit, add filters and share their images on a social network, making point-and-shoot cameras seem unnecessary. Now models known as "interchangeable-lens cameras" are starting to suffer.

Such camera models include DSLRs and other bulky units that can have their lens and a number of other components changed. These types of cameras are high-end, expensive and used by photography enthusiasts and professionals.

"We are seeing tough figures at the moment, but I don't think this will last forever,'' said Nikon Chief Financial Officer Junichi Itoh, at an earnings news conference on Thursday. "There still is potential demand, and I think China is the key."

Nikon, Canon and Tamron are all experiencing sales troubles. Nikon and Canon both lowered their sales forecasts for the fiscal year ending in March. Tamron, an interchangeable lens maker, sold 22 percent less units in the first nine months of this year than it did the previous year.

Research firm IDC predicted shipments of such cameras and their components would fall to 17.4 million units from last year's figure of 19.1 million, a 9.1 percent decline.

The problem: even photography hobbyists are satisfying their want to take high resolution photos and edit them, only a smartphone makes it easier and more convenient.

"I like using different apps to play with the texture of photos," said Lie Fhung, 44. "It's my hobby."

She said she barely uses her Canon DSLR camera she bough five years ago and would likely not replace it. She enjoys using Instagram, the photo-sharing smartphone app, and had almost 1,600 followers.

But a Canon spokesman said no smartphone could replace the value of a good, high-end DSLR camera.

"Taking photos with smartphones and editing them with apps is like cooking with cheap ingredients and a lot of artificial flavoring," said Canon spokesman Takafumi Hongo. "Using interchangeable cameras is like slow food cooked with natural, genuine ingredients.''