do today's camera phones take better pics than 1st gen DSLR's?

[StrangerGuy]

No, but most simply won't care when the phone cam costs $0, much more compact with far better UI and internet integration.

 

[mnewsham]

How about the newer Lumias sporting 20 and 40 MP?

Those have been out for a little while and for the most part they are keeping the sensor and just upgrading the optics with newer releases.

The Note 3 needed the sensor bump in order to do 4k video so im mixed on that.

 

[zCypher]

I read that article, pretty amazing. It shows how far mobile cameras have come, which is obviously quite ridiculously far in a short time. While it's true that in some circumstances, the phones will match or exceed what you can do with the SLR, and that fact combined with the undeniable convenience makes it awesome - I still wouldn't say that the phone is better all around unless you never need to take pics outside of those capabilities. This is probably a bigger question of skill than technology.

Some of my own examples, one of the best pics I've ever been able to take of my cat was taken with my cell phone.

It looks awesome even in print at 8x11. I have a few other really nice pics of her that I took with the SLR, but none came out quite like this one. On the other hand, I have a lot of pics taken with SLR that would have been impossible with the cell.

A few examples:

SLR:

best I could do with phone:

SLR night shot (no flash):

SLR fast shutter:

SLR long exposure at night:

SLR kit lens zoomed in to catch bird:

SLR spontaneous bird in mid flight:

a professional could probably point out countless things wrong in my pics, but to most normal people that I show them, they're usually impressed. i don't get that with the cell phone (galaxy S4). most of the reasons this is true will apply to an older SLR too.

I did have and try using my cell phone, other people's cell phones, and low/mid range point and shoots at various times during vacation, and none came anywhere close to taking usable pics compared to what I was able to do with the SLR. Again likely a question of skill, but still. i got fed up with having so many moments missing being able to get a great shot, till I got the SLR. it's definitely not for everyone though, and a cell phone mostly is. I think that's really the only phone's real advantage.

 

[shortylickens]

I read that article, pretty amazing. It shows how far mobile cameras have come, which is obviously quite ridiculously far in a short time. While it's true that in some circumstances, the phones will match or exceed what you can do with the SLR, and that fact combined with the undeniable convenience makes it awesome - I still wouldn't say that the phone is better all around unless you never need to take pics outside of those capabilities. This is probably a bigger question of skill than technology.

Some of my own examples, one of the best pics I've ever been able to take of my cat was taken with my cell phone.

 

[Suspicious-Teach8788]

I took out my Canon 7D exactly 1 time in a 2 week Asia trip. Such sadness. I bought so much camera gear back then and all of it is just going to waste now. If the pictures aren't on my phone, then they're on my S95.

 

[AViking]

Do you know how to use it though? Do you have a good camera bag?

I travel around the world a lot and I'd say that the vast majority have at least a budget level DSLR with the kit lens with them. Generally in a couple one DSLR and one point and shoot. Many did not know how to use the DSLR though and had it on auto.

 

[waggy]

I'm a newb at this.

But from what i noticed i take hundreds more pictures with my S4 then my DSLR. when i'm with friends, or just a snapshot. why? i have it.

It's great for it. they take great close snapshot type pics.

though i tried to take some of my daughter at a gymnastics event (forgot the DSLR). the pictures SUCKED. no zoom and not fast enough. my DSLR takes great pics of her in mid flip or such.

i think both have a place and am thankful for both.


now i just need to buy a low Fstop zoom lens heh

 

[desura]

I recently used my DSLR again after lots of time on camera phones.

DSLR of course is much better. Beyond that, it is much faster, which is even more important.

Low light on a DSLR is amazing. It's better than your eyes. Low light on a camera phone is bad.

 

[Suspicious-Teach8788]

Do you know how to use it though? Do you have a good camera bag?

I travel around the world a lot and I'd say that the vast majority have at least a budget level DSLR with the kit lens with them. Generally in a couple one DSLR and one point and shoot. Many did not know how to use the DSLR though and had it on auto.

Were you asking me? Yes. I have a Crumpler 7MDH with 2 flashes and a solid walkaround lens (17-55mm f/2.8) and a UWA for my clubbing days (11-16mm). I don't have a solid zoom yet (budget 55-250), but I have rented a 70-200mm for weddings before.

Yes I know plenty of people that have DSLRs and don't know how to use them. It's pretty bad. My friend kept asking where the Creative auto button on my camera is. If you can't shoot in Av, which is practically auto anyway, then you should just stick to your iPhone.

 

[TerryMathews]

Were you asking me? Yes. I have a Crumpler 7MDH with 2 flashes and a solid walkaround lens (17-55mm f/2.8) and a UWA for my clubbing days (11-16mm). I don't have a solid zoom yet (budget 55-250), but I have rented a 70-200mm for weddings before.

Yes I know plenty of people that have DSLRs and don't know how to use them. It's pretty bad. My friend kept asking where the Creative auto button on my camera is. If you can't shoot in Av, which is practically auto anyway, then you should just stick to your iPhone.

I find the flipside series by Lowepro makes it easier to use the DSLR on the fly.

 

[zCypher]

Were you asking me? Yes. I have a Crumpler 7MDH with 2 flashes and a solid walkaround lens (17-55mm f/2.8) and a UWA for my clubbing days (11-16mm). I don't have a solid zoom yet (budget 55-250), but I have rented a 70-200mm for weddings before.

Yes I know plenty of people that have DSLRs and don't know how to use them. It's pretty bad. My friend kept asking where the Creative auto button on my camera is. If you can't shoot in Av, which is practically auto anyway, then you should just stick to your iPhone.

lol. auto has its place, but yea it's not really the purpose of the device at all. i occasionally use auto with no flash, but that's increasingly rare. all the other 'modes', i never use... including programmed auto, which i know a lot of people use. so for me it's manual most of the time these days, but i agree there's not really that much of a point in having a DSLR if you're exclusively using auto. a really good point and shoot would be much better for those purposes.

 

[Brian Stirling]

The Nokia phone with 40MP has a problem in that the pixels are so small that diffraction effect blur well beyond a couple pixels even wide open and stopping down makes it worse. With my D800E I try not to shoot at much faster than f/6.3 as even then diffraction is kicking in. My D800E has 36MP but it also has a full frame sensor (36mmx24mm) versus the tiny sensors in phones. The resolution of the Nokia is pure marketing and there's no way around the Physics of it!


Brian

 

[Suspicious-Teach8788]

lol. auto has its place, but yea it's not really the purpose of the device at all. i occasionally use auto with no flash, but that's increasingly rare. all the other 'modes', i never use... including programmed auto, which i know a lot of people use. so for me it's manual most of the time these days, but i agree there's not really that much of a point in having a DSLR if you're exclusively using auto. a really good point and shoot would be much better for those purposes.

I encourage people to start out at Av at least. It's pretty much auto for its purposes and also get off auto ISO. Learn to select a few things at least. It primes you to get ready for manual where you really need to know the buttons on your camera.

I'm completely lost now with my T1i when I'm on manual because I've already forgotten how to adjust the shutter without a separate dial wheel. I remember how fast I used to be in my clubbing days or engagement photos swapping cameras and then bam.

I completely don't get it when my gf picks up my S95 and goes "I need auto!!!" and tells me to turn it off Av. And 95% of my friends say they bought a DSLR to learn, but to me they're still no better than a full auto shooter today. To each their own I guess.

Edit: Ok enough whining.

I think where phone cameras excel is with SOOC pictures. With my DSLR photos, I have to go back and tweak with RAW photos. A lot of dynamic range and color can be brought out with postprocessing.

 

[AViking]

Were you asking me? Yes. I have a Crumpler 7MDH with 2 flashes and a solid walkaround lens (17-55mm f/2.8) and a UWA for my clubbing days (11-16mm). I don't have a solid zoom yet (budget 55-250), but I have rented a 70-200mm for weddings before.

Yes I know plenty of people that have DSLRs and don't know how to use them. It's pretty bad. My friend kept asking where the Creative auto button on my camera is. If you can't shoot in Av, which is practically auto anyway, then you should just stick to your iPhone.

Yeah sorry didn't quote you. Why if you have all that would you not use the DSLR on an Asia trip?

Granted I have no idea why or where you were in Asia. There is going to be a huge difference in need depending on whether you're trekking, on a beach, hitting night clubs, or just sitting in the office most of the day and only sight seeing for a few hours here and there.

Since this thread I have been testing out friend's camera phones and seeing how they compare. It's quite amazing really how bad some are. The new ones are better though. Regardless though if anything is moving they are not very good at all. So static subject or bust.