Should I Ditch My EOS 450d For A Mobile Phone?

[erainn]

Is it just my photographic ineptitude that sometimes results in images of seemingly less 'quality' or impressiveness than can be delivered by mobile phone 'cameras'?

For real I won't be giving up on my Canon EOS but have to say I'm impressed with what a mobile phone seems capable of taking. Thoughts welcome

[Manfred M]

Mobile phones can delivery excellent images, just as tablets, point & shoot cameras, super zooms, etc. can.

In good shooting conditions, stationary subject for an image that is going to be displayed on the internet, its really fine. I know some people who do excellent photocomposite art, with images harvested with their phones.

Start shooting more challenging subjects under more difficult lighting conditions and especially if you are planning to significant edits or large prints, you will probably find that the camera phone may not be up to snuff. Start looking at creative use of shutter speeds or aperture to vary depth of field, and the phone just can't do these things.

Like any tool, one has to understand its limitations. That being said, you should strive to get good images out of any of your cameras. Don't forget your EOS is a lot more complicated to use than your camera phone. To throw out an analogy, just because you know how to drive a car, doesn't mean you are going to be able to drive a heavy truck or a Formula 1 race car, at least not without training and lots and lots of practice. I suspect that you may be lacking in training and / or practice on your DSLR.

[rpcrowe]

#1 for Manfred's comments.

However regarding Erainn's comments above... My daughter uses her cell phone for all her photography. However, with my daughter's photo skills, there would really be no difference in quality between a cell phone and a full frame DSLR with L lenses. She really doesn't care about the quality of her images all that much. This is not true of all phone users but is true of a significant percentage who feel that as long as an image is recognizable, that is all one should care about.

I really think that digital photography is going in two different directions

1. Folks who are after the finest quality imagery and are quite willing to invest the time and money into their gear as well as being willing to carry the weight of the gear. Today's DSLR cameras (both crop and full frame as well as 4/3 types) can provide absolutely remarkable imagery! Of course, to get the ultimate quality from a DSLR, post processing software and skills are both necessary. You cannot end up with the best images SOOC. However, for many type shots, the equipment is a vast overkill and many folks are not willing to invest that much of themselves into their imagery...

2. Folks who are perfectly happy with the results from their cell phones and who like having their "camera" or cell phone with them all the time. Cell phones are perfectly capable of providing the imagery needed in many applications. Generally speaking, IMO, the cell phone folks are not really interested in extensive post processing and like the convenience of their cameras. Often the images don't go any further than the phones or communicating between phones.

I am a dedicated DSLR user but, also own a bridge camera (Canon SX50-HD) and an underwater P&S camera (Fuji XP60) which I also use when circumstances dictate those tools as being most advantageous.

I don't shoot with my iPhone because my iPhone 5 does not give me the quality that I like...

[DanK]

I agree with Manfred and Richard. I would put it simply: if a phone does what you want, there isn't a reason to lug around larger equipment. It doesn't remotely do what I want, so I only use my phone for casual shots that I want to e-mail or text to someone. However, that's me. For lots of people--people who don't want the kind of control Manfred and Richard wrote about--the phone is fine.

[Mike Buckley]

I marvel at the quality of photos made by others using camera phones because I rarely manage to hold mine still enough to create a sharp image. More proof that I'm a klutz.

[Dave Humphries]

I am a dedicated DSLR user but, also own a bridge camera (Canon SX50-HD) and an underwater P&S camera (Fuji XP60) which I also use when circumstances dictate those tools as being most advantageous.

I don't shoot with my iPhone because my iPhone 5 does not give me the quality that I like...

Agreed (although I don't have a waterproof P&S and my particular bridge camera (I should have got the SX50!) is so slow at focusing that I haven't used it in over a year)

I marvel at the quality of photos made by others using camera phones because I rarely manage to hold mine still enough to create a sharp image. More proof that I'm a klutz.

I have that problem too - compounded by often getting my finger in front of the lens

I would put it simply: if a phone does what you want, there isn't a reason to lug around larger equipment. It doesn't remotely do what I want, so I only use my phone for casual shots that I want to e-mail or text to someone. However, that's me.

Not just you Dan; I also use it mainly for the convenience of sending pictures onwards - or because it's the only one on me at the time - I think I should start carrying the P&S around on a belt pouch.

[James G]

I think that it is simply 'horses for courses'

Cameraphones have made capturing the moment more or less effortless. For may people, photography consists of creating visual memories. As Richard said, quality, composition etc are all irrelevant as long as the moment is captured.

So to answer Erainn's question, don't throw away the SLR but definitely keep your phone handy.

Dave, I sport a 'man bag' in which I carry both my phone and my P&S (Canon G12). I'm a bit old fashioned and although my phone can take photos, I'm quicker to the draw with the P&S!

[rpcrowe]

I have to admit that my friend's Samsung SmartPhone has better photo capabilities than my iPhone 5G... If my phone had that quality of imagery, I might very well use it more often...

[JockoT]

When I changed my phone, a few years back, I opted for the best camera which was the Nokia N8. It has a Carl Zeiss Tessar 2.8/28 lens and a 12 Megapixel sensor, but it is not a patch on a real camera. It gives me reasonable images, if a wonderful photo opportunity presents itself, but I wouldn't go out with it intending to take photographs. However when something like this comes along so it is handy to have.

[jcuknz]

I have passed on two bridge cameras and my first MFT to my son, even bought him a telephoto lens for the MFT and he mainly sends me Ipad rubbish and the odd MFT looks like an ipad
He often tells me he is 'interested' in photography