Can a smartphone take photos as good as a real camera can? The short answer is probably not.
It’s true that smartphone camera tech and resulting image quality have both been on a steady upward trajectory in recent years, and this is more than adequate for many photographers (and some videographers).
Side-by-side image comparisons can yield some surprising results, even when printed and enlarged, but if you’re really serious about photography or feel like you’ve stagnated in your progression and want to step it up, here are some good reasons to consider making the switch to a proper camera.
The sensor
Don’t be fooled by the megapixel count on smartphone cameras as it continues to soar into the stratosphere. The image sensor in most smartphones is roughly one-fifth the size of those found in a DSLR. And in order to cram all those megapixels onto the tiny smartphone sensor, the photo-sites will naturally and mathematically have to be smaller to fit. As a result, a real camera has a greater capacity to collect light and capture sharper detail in higher resolution and dynamic range, with less noise and distortion.
The lens
Even more important than sensor size, a camera’s lens will have the greatest impact on image quality. Again, size matters – think of the amount of light reaching the sensor through the smartphone lens’s tiny iris – as does the quality of the glass itself. Many smartphone brands don’t even use real glass, relying instead on molded plastic.
With a DSLR or mirrorless interchangeable-lens camera, you also have a multitude of focal lengths at your disposal to choose from, plus the advantage of having a series of real glass elements arranged with pinpoint precision within the barrel to deliver abundant light through an ample aperture in low-light situations.
You’ve also got a lot more creative versatility and greater control over optical effects such as depth of field and background blur, which can only be achieved digitally in a smartphone camera with visibly artificial-looking results. Foreground blur? A foregone conclusion: smartphones don’t even address this, and background compression is another lost cause.
These are just some of the creative elements that separate a truly good photograph from the snapshot-quality images that a smartphone typically delivers.
The ergonomics
Smartphones definitely score points for their compact, lightweight portability, and these are the cameras we take with us everywhere we go. There’s no denying that they’re indispensable tools, especially for capturing candid and unexpected moments on the fly.
To the uninitiated, a bulky DSLR or even a pocketable mirrorless may look unwieldy in comparison, but don’t forget: these cameras are designed with a level of sculptural and technical finesse to make easy handling a top priority.
Once you’ve spent some time with a proper camera, you’ll notice how flimsy and clumsy a smartphone feels in the hand by contrast. You’ll also feel the difference it makes to have a real shutter button to push, along with all the other controls thoughtfully laid out within easy reach of your fingertips.
A real camera won’t necessarily make you a better photographer, but with a bit of practice you’ll quickly discover how these and other factors ultimately coalesce to create a more decisive and rewarding shooting experience.