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Why do some pros say phones can take better photos than DSLRs in certain conditions
- Thread starter Samtb
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The best camera is the one you have with you 
Sounds like you need to ask those "many professional photographers".
The best camera is the one you have with you
This. You will always have your phone with you. The certain conditions are those times you are without your DSLR.
Not something the pros I know say... They turn their noses up at 35mm full frame never mind a phone!
Most pro cameras would struggle with a simple selfie, eh?
The quality of the camera, and its components, do not equal a good picture.
A good picture, properly composed, with optimum lighting, etc, can be on the cheap disposable cam, your iPhone, or top-level DSLR.
I have seen horrible pictures, taken with "pro" gear. Maybe you have also seen poor pictures, even from that Nikon.
The "soul" of a good picture comes from the soul of the photographer, not the hardware.
The quality of the camera, and its components, do not equal a good picture.
A good picture, properly composed, with optimum lighting, etc, can be on the cheap disposable cam, your iPhone, or top-level DSLR.
I have seen horrible pictures, taken with "pro" gear. Maybe you have also seen poor pictures, even from that Nikon.
The "soul" of a good picture comes from the soul of the photographer, not the hardware.
But the OP said that some professionals say a smart phone can take a better image than a DSLR.
I can't think of any examples where that is true. Saying it's the photographer or the camera you have on you, although true are not the point the OP was saying.
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But as someone who's never taken a selfie, what would I know!
I can't think of any examples where that is true. Saying it's the photographer or the camera you have on you, although true are not the point the OP was saying.
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Why would a DSLR struggle with a selfie? Most if not all have a timer delay, or a remote.Most pro cameras would struggle with a simple selfie, eh?
The quality of the camera, and its components, do not equal a good picture.
A good picture, properly composed, with optimum lighting, etc, can be on the cheap disposable cam, your iPhone, or top-level DSLR.
I have seen horrible pictures, taken with "pro" gear. Maybe you have also seen poor pictures, even from that Nikon.
The "soul" of a good picture comes from the soul of the photographer, not the hardware.
But as someone who's never taken a selfie, what would I know!
I'd like to see proof of professionals saying such a thing. Can a cameraphone get a great shot? yup. Can a DSLR get a miserable shot? yup. But "some conditions" the phone better than the DSLR (properly lensed and set up)? love to know what those conditions are. Maybe like a pano or HDR generated by the phone? that could happen.
I bet that even if you have never taken a selfie, you see others do just that, out in public.
Not to say that I think a "selfie" is a worthwhile photo activity, but just another use for a camera.
It's a selfie, that you take of your own face, hopefully with some purposeful surroundings that add context to the picture.
Your "pro" camera probably would be way too much weight for that "selfie-stick" that some folks use/abuse.
So, I am just saying that the selfie is not a "convenient" use of a DSLR, but is "part of the DNA" for cell phones, which don't need any extra features or other external gear, just get your face in position, click, and done.
Not to say that I think a "selfie" is a worthwhile photo activity, but just another use for a camera.
It's a selfie, that you take of your own face, hopefully with some purposeful surroundings that add context to the picture.
Your "pro" camera probably would be way too much weight for that "selfie-stick" that some folks use/abuse.
So, I am just saying that the selfie is not a "convenient" use of a DSLR, but is "part of the DNA" for cell phones, which don't need any extra features or other external gear, just get your face in position, click, and done.
I use a tripod thanks. I'll leave selfies to the vain and self obsessed. But if I did, pretty sure my camera phone wouldn't be as good as my FF 24MP DSLR.I bet that even if you have never taken a selfie, you see others do just that, out in public.
Not to say that I think a "selfie" is a worthwhile photo activity, but just another use for a camera.
It's a selfie, that you take of your own face, hopefully with some purposeful surroundings that add context to the picture.
Your "pro" camera probably would be way too much weight for that "selfie-stick" that some folks use/abuse.
So, I am just saying that the selfie is not a "convenient" use of a DSLR, but is "part of the DNA" for cell phones, which don't need any extra features or other external gear, just get your face in position, click, and done.
I bet that even if you have never taken a selfie, you see others do just that, out in public.
Not to say that I think a "selfie" is a worthwhile photo activity, but just another use for a camera.
It's a selfie, that you take of your own face, hopefully with some purposeful surroundings that add context to the picture.
Your "pro" camera probably would be way too much weight for that "selfie-stick" that some folks use/abuse.
So, I am just saying that the selfie is not a "convenient" use of a DSLR, but is "part of the DNA" for cell phones, which don't need any extra features or other external gear, just get your face in position, click, and done.
Hmmm, my RX100 takes better selfies than a phone. It has a flip out screen and a selfie mode. People like Peter McKinnon and Casey Neistat vlog on DSLRs very well holding them on a Joby Gorilla so I am not buying the claim. Video selfies count?
Maybe for clandestine shooting in good light....where stealth is needed??? But again that is the fit for the situation not the camera IQ that is the measure of better...
Which situations did said pros (plural) say it was better?
But, but, but...
you only have 10 seconds to take a picture of yourself (with Prince Harry and Meghan who just walked in to your shop)
And, you left your tripod in your car. The couple won't wait.
Can you do it with your DSLR? (9...8...7....
Even a picture that won't "be as good" is better than missing the picture entirely.
you only have 10 seconds to take a picture of yourself (with Prince Harry and Meghan who just walked in to your shop)
And, you left your tripod in your car. The couple won't wait.
Can you do it with your DSLR? (9...8...7....
Even a picture that won't "be as good" is better than missing the picture entirely.
Lol... Errr... You hand the camera to Harry, get in close to Megan and say "cheese!" Of course... Lol...
Nope. I wouldn't waste the shutter count. I'm not a Royalist.right.... I'm sure that any of this would really happen, but...
Not even a picture for your mum?
I apologise. I hope you did not take offense (not my intent!), but just suggesting that a cell phone can be the "quick response" pic that might be needed at times, and you get the good picture that you might have missed. Of course, if your main camera is always close at hand, then I don't have much more to say.
True.
But to paraphrase the OP original question, why are (many) professional photogs saying that, under certain conditions, smartphones can take better pictures than DSLRs can.
I can't say WHY a photographer might say that, but it would be true, wouldn't it?
However, I expect that a "professional" photographer should be able to take good pictures, regardless of the device that might be used to record the picture.
And, the final question, does the camera with the larger sensor always beat a smartphone camera, thus making a better picture?
But to paraphrase the OP original question, why are (many) professional photogs saying that, under certain conditions, smartphones can take better pictures than DSLRs can.
I can't say WHY a photographer might say that, but it would be true, wouldn't it?
However, I expect that a "professional" photographer should be able to take good pictures, regardless of the device that might be used to record the picture.
And, the final question, does the camera with the larger sensor always beat a smartphone camera, thus making a better picture?
Yes. If both cameras are used by someone who knows what they are doing, the larger sensor (when paired with decent glass),will be a better image than any smartphone.
Add in any challenging variable like low light or motion, then that is even more true.
So no under no conditions does a smartphone take better pictures than a DSLR in the same hands.
I've never heard any (let alone many!) professionals offer that opinion.
+1 i agree with Prince Fanboy on this one...
All else being equal a device that is designed and built to do one thing well will do better than something that "also" does that.
(Would Mr. Fanboy be OK?)
I also agree with your dismissal of the word "many"!
Maybe the OP will return with clarification (and some kind of reference for the statement about "many" photographers)
I hope you would agree that a great device STILL needs to have a "driver" who knows how to drive - I mean get a great photo.
I also agree with your dismissal of the word "many"!
Maybe the OP will return with clarification (and some kind of reference for the statement about "many" photographers)
I hope you would agree that a great device STILL needs to have a "driver" who knows how to drive - I mean get a great photo.
Absolutely. A pro with an iPhone can take a better image than an amerture with a DSLR, especially in good light!
Of course one is never sure of the motives of endorsements of equipment. Some people will say anything for a freebie or a brown envelope !