The uses of the pinhole camera were not just restricted to research for different kinds of art and even science related stuff, but mostly for astronomy. Being one of the most sophisticated devices of the period, it made the task much easier, leading to more specific and precise research. It basically worked exactly like the human eye and is something just like tracing. On the whole, sure made life easier for those into such in depth researches. Though pinholes did give way to Polaroid later on.