There is absolutely no doubt that smartphone camera technology has come a long way. Mobile phones these days can take photos that look so good that some people can’t tell if they were taken using a phone or a “normal” camera.
This has led many people to wonder whether they should even bother buying a digital camera since mobile cameras can do the job so well. And understandably so. You don’t want to waste money on something you don’t really need, especially when the economy is bad.
In this article, we’ll look at what you need to consider when deciding whether you should buy a smartphone or a digital camera. We’ll also look at the advantages and disadvantages of each.
So, let’s jump right in.
What to consider
Before anything else, two very important things that should guide your decision-making in terms of which device to get are what you can afford to pay for the camera and what you want to do with it.
Your budget
Of course, it goes without saying that you shouldn’t buy something that you can’t afford. How much you have to spend should be a large driving force behind the decision you make between buying a camera or a smartphone.
Entry-level smartphones are very affordable, however, they don’t always have the greatest of cameras. On the other hand, high-end flagship devices usually have the best mobile camera technology with the best best mobile camera specs.
However, unless you sign up for a monthly contract with a mobile service provider, the cash price of flagship smartphones can be quite high. Mid-range phones have decent cameras and aren’t very expensive.
The price range of digital cameras is very wide because of how many different types of digital cameras there are. Near the bottom of the digital camera hierarchy (and just above smartphone cameras) are compact cameras, also known as point-and-shoot cameras.
Entry-level point-and-shoot cameras can be as cheap as some entry-level to mid-range smartphones, although they may produce slightly better picture quality. Compact cameras at the higher end of the scale can be as expensive or even more expensive than some high-end and flagship smartphones.
DSLR and mirrorless cameras are the most expensive option. The price of a fixed-lens entry-level DSLR camera can be in the price range of mid- to high-end smartphones. The costs only get higher, particularly with interchangeable lens cameras.
Not only is the camera body expensive, but you also have to buy the lenses and accessories separately, too.
The purpose
After deciding on what you can afford to spend on a camera, you’re still faced with a decision between a smartphone and a dedicated camera within your price range. This is where you have to look at why you want to buy a camera in the first place.
Think about it this way; if you were buying a new car for your family, would you buy a super-fast, two-seater convertible sports car or a car that’s more suitable to transport your whole family? Unless you want to make multiple trips to move your family around town, you’ll probably go with the more family-friendly car.
The same goes for buying a new camera. If the majority of what you’ll be doing is taking pictures to post on social media or share with family and friends, a smartphone with a good camera is more than enough for you. In fact, it’s perfect because everything you need to shoot and edit your mobile photos like a pro before you post them is all on one device.
However, if you have your eyes set on learning photography so that you can earn a living from it, it’s probably best that you invest in a dedicated camera such as a mirrorless or DSLR camera. This is not to say you can’t make money with mobile photos. You can. In fact, there are several ways in which you can do so online.
Smartphone cameras, however, are limited in function and lack the professionalism that goes with what’s expected of a professional photographer.
If you’re a photography hobbyist, then you’re spoiled for choice because you can buy any camera you wish. You don’t need a certain type of “professional” camera to satisfy client needs.
Related articles
- What To Look For When Buying A Camera Phone For Mobile Photography
- Is An 8MP Smartphone Camera Good Enough?
- How To Choose The Right Tripod For Your Smartphone
The pros and cons
When deciding on whether to buy a camera or a smartphone, perhaps one of the most important things to do is to look at the advantages and disadvantages of each option so that you can be able to make an informed decision.
Smartphone camera: Pros
One of the biggest advantages that smartphone cameras have is their size. They are small and easy to carry, which makes them very convenient. It doesn’t take long at all to get a mobile camera ready to take pictures, so you won’t miss a moment.
Smartphone cameras are easy to learn and use, which makes them an ideal introductory tool for photography and photo editing. Plus, because they can easily connect to the internet, it’s quick and simple to upload your mobile photos to social media sites or back them up in the cloud from a smartphone.
Compared to some dedicated cameras such as DSLRs, smartphones can be on the cheaper side. Yes, some high-end phones are more expensive than some dedicated digital cameras but that’s because smartphones do a lot more than just take pictures. That in itself is a big advantage.
Smartphone camera: Cons
The downside of mobile cameras is that they have small sensors, which negatively impacts their picture quality. On top of that, their limited optical zoom range means there’s only so far you can zoom before the quality of the image starts deteriorating.
Unfortunately, you can’t run a photography business with just a smartphone camera because mobile cameras lack professionalism. Also, they have a deep depth-of-field and limited manual control. That makes it impossible to take portrait photos with a natural bokeh effect (blurred background) on a smartphone without the use of algorithms in the ISP.
Smartphones are notorious for having short battery lives. Running the camera app for a long time will definitely drain the battery. And if you use the phone’s on-board flash (which you shouldn’t because it’s not that good for photos), it will drain even more power.
Digital camera: Pros
The most obvious advantage that dedicated digital cameras have over smartphone cameras is picture quality. Traditional cameras have larger sensors and interchangeable lenses that contribute to the quality of the images they produce.
Digital camera zoom lenses can zoom in further than any smartphone camera optical zoom can. They also have an aperture that can be adjusted, amongst many other settings that can be changed manually. That adds to the depth-of-field that a traditional camera can produce.
Digital cameras such as DSLRs give a sense of professionalism, which makes them ideal for running a photography business. Not only that, but they also have the potential to store more photos than a smartphone can. The batteries can also last longer.
And, quite honestly, you can get a decent DSLR camera for the same price or lower than a high-end flagship smartphone.
Digital camera: Cons
The main drawback of DSLR cameras is the size. They are big, weighty, and cumbersome when large lenses are attached. They also require a bit of time to set up, especially if the lenses are interchangeable.
And because they are more complex than mobile cameras, some digital cameras have a steep learning curve. Sharing photos is also a more tedious process that involves transferring images between devices.
And although some digital cameras cost less than high-end smartphones, camera accessories can be expensive. A good camera lens, for example, can cost as much as a brand new smartphone.
Smartphone camera vs digital camera
| Smartphone camera | Digital camera |
|---|---|
| Small and easy to carry | Can be big and cumbersome |
| Doesn’t take long to get ready to take pictures | May require time to set up, pick lenses |
| Easy to learn and use | Usually has a steep learning curve |
| Smartphones do more than just take pictures | Interchangeable lenses provide versatility and better zoom range |
| Smaller sensors make for poorer picture quality | Large sensors mean better picture quality |
| Limited manual control | Unrestricted manual control |
| Lacks professionalism | Looks professional |
| Poor battery performance | Battery lasts longer |
So, which camera is best?
The best camera is the one that you have with you. At the end of the day, it’s not the camera that takes good photos, it is the photographer that does.
Granted, the specs of a camera do contribute to the image quality of the photos it produces. However, a good photographer can take a better picture with a mobile phone than an amateur with the world’s best camera.
Whatever camera you decide to buy, the decision should be based on what you can afford, the picture quality you’re looking for, and what you intend to capture with the camera and how you want to distribute your photos.
If you decide to invest in a smartphone with a good camera, that’s great. There is so much you can do with a smartphone camera such as different types of mobile photography, mobile videography and filmmaking, mobile gaming, and more.
And just because you choose to use a smartphone camera to take pictures does not mean the results should look anything less than professional. If you’d like to improve the quality of your smartphone photos, you can download my free 22-page ebook which explores five ways in which you can do so. It’s very simple yet informative. And best of all, it’s absolutely free!
You can download your free copy here. You have nothing lose but some mobile photography skills to gain.
Other mobile photography topics
Lighting Solutions For Smartphone Photography
10 Common Mobile Photography Mistakes To Avoid
Will Taking Photos In The Rain Damage Your Phone
What Makes A Smartphone Photo Look Good
Comments 1
I will always choose Smartphone especially iPhone 11 over a DSLR. I do agree DSLR is one hell of a gadget to get a crystal clear shot but phones arent far behind. I wish i can post my own clicks in this blog but their isnt an option. More important is where you buy yours phones from? I buy all my phones from a store named CellCrazy in Slough. So make sure buy a good phone and you wont need a DSLR.