[DigitalToday reporter Jinju Hong (홍진주)] As the online video creator market grows quickly, the focus of production is expanding from smartphones to dedicated filming equipment and accessories. As artificial intelligence (AI) tools spread and speed up editing and planning, a clear trend is emerging of creators investing more to improve filming quality.

On April 14, IT media outlet TechRadar reported that market research firm Futuresource Consulting forecast the number of online video creators worldwide will rise to 267 million in 2030 from 246 million in 2025. The survey covered more than 16,000 people in major countries including the United States, Britain, Germany, France, Spain, Brazil, China and India.

So far, creators' main filming device remains the smartphone. But senior market analyst Helen Matthews said the shift toward dedicated cameras and hardware is becoming more apparent. She said smartphones lowered the barrier to entry for content creation, but their physical limits mean creators seeking a certain level of quality increasingly need alternatives.

Equipment ownership trends also show the change. The number of creators using additional devices alongside smartphones rose 17 percent from a year earlier. Among creators who own extra accessories, about half spent more than $1,000 on equipment and 70 percent spent more than $500.

Main purchases include microphones, smartphone lenses, gimbals and action cameras. Many are adding them to progressively bolster quality in a smartphone-centred production setup. Among creators grouped into hobby, growth and professional types, the share of growth and professional creators is expected to expand to about 38 percent in 2030 from roughly 35 percent now.

AI is acting as a key variable behind the shift. The survey found 4 in 5 creators already use AI, mainly to speed up editing, generate ideas and work on visual effects. As post-production becomes faster, content output increases and competition over quality at the filming stage intensifies.

Matthews said, "As post-production becomes more automated, output increases and the disadvantages of low filming quality become clearer." She added, "Demand for high-spec cameras and audio equipment will rise, especially among creators who produce content continuously."

Differences by region were also identified. India accounts for about 28 percent of all creators and was shown to be a market where adoption of dedicated equipment is rising quickly. The United States is still maintaining a leading position in equipment spending and upgrade paths. Europe, by contrast, was analysed as showing variations in growth speed due to differences in monetisation environments and cultural perceptions.

The industry sees the competitive focus in the creator equipment market shifting from simple device sales to how much demand it can absorb for production efficiency and quality improvements. While smartphones retain their status as entry-level tools, the spread of AI is assessed as driving demand higher for dedicated filming equipment and accessories.