Built-in GPS has existed in some cameras, but manufacturers were slow to make it common because the trade-offs often outweighed demand.

Main reasons:

• Battery drain: GPS uses significant power and often needs to stay active to maintain a fix. That is a poor fit for cameras, where users expect long battery life.
• Extra cost and complexity: It adds hardware, firmware, interface options, and support/warranty burden.
• Limited demand: Many buyers of compact cameras and entry-level systems don’t care much about geotagging, so it’s not a strong selling point.
• Privacy concerns: Some users prefer not to embed location data in photos.
• Alternatives exist: External GPS accessories and smartphone geotagging apps can provide location data without making every camera more expensive.
• Product strategy: Entry-level cameras compete heavily on price, while higher-end systems often leave niche features to accessories.

So the issue was generally not space alone. Power consumption, cost, and relatively modest customer demand made built-in GPS a niche feature for many years, though some models from major brands eventually did include it.