QS compared: Are iPhone Cameras as Good or Better Than Dedicated DSLRs and Mirrorless Cameras?

Interesting questions often arise when comparing the capabilities of different camera technologies.

What the iPhone and all other modern phone cameras have is computational photography. The on-board computer processes the captured images in myriad innovative ways to overcome the hardware limitations, and generally does a fantastic job for social media posting and sharing. However, when you say 'camera', are you referring to other phone cameras or dedicated DSLRs and mirrorless cameras? If you are talking about dedicated cameras, especially if you use RAW data files and post-process yourself, there is no camera made that is as inferior to the iPhone, period.

The primary reasons are the hardware limitations of all small, compact cameras like the iPhone. The lens is abysmal when compared to those of DSLRs with optical quality glass. The sensor is no better, as it's tasked with gathering light, and larger pixels do a better job in low light, have a greater color depth, and offer a much wider dynamic range. However, tiny sensors and minuscule pixels perform miserably at this task. A full-frame sensor is 50 times larger than some iPhone sensors, and a medium format sensor is incredibly 85 times larger in area, which directly translates into dynamic range and low-light performance.

Therefore, no dedicated camera made is as poorly performing as even the best phone cameras.

Single-Purpose Cameras Outshine Smartphone Cameras

Any single-purpose camera outperforms any iPhone camera. These dedicated cameras offer several advantages:

Zoom lenses or interchangeable lenses Control over ISO/sensitivity and aperture Shutter speed control and exposure flexibility Focus control and choice of autofocus point Bigger sensors with more pixels for better detail rendering

Point And Shoots

These are your first step up from a cellphone camera. There are many choices under 250. The higher-end options come with a bigger sensor, larger pixels, more exposure modes, and wider zoom ranges, allowing you to outgrow your entry-level model. The Canon PowerShot SX530 HS is a good example of a higher-end point-and-shoot with a 53x optical zoom range equivalent (24-1,200mm), an ISO range from 100 to 3200, and manual shutter speeds from 15 seconds to 1/2,000 seconds. The only downside is the sensor; it's not much bigger than the iPhone 6s, so high ISO shots may have a lot of digital noise.

While point-and-shoots have small sensors and often lack quality optical viewfinders, they still offer a significant upgrade in performance and control.

DSLR

DSLRs are your best choice for full control and pre-visualization. A used entry-level DSLR with an 18-55mm zoom lens and a low shutter actuation count can be purchased for around $299. The Canon Rebel T3 and the EF-S 18-55mm zoom lens are good candidates in this price range. The sensor size in DSLRs is significantly larger than that of point-and-shoots, and you get an optical viewfinder that's usable in both bright sunlight and darkness. Most recent models offer an ISO to 6400 with digital noise levels far lower than those of phone or point-and-shoot cameras. The kit zoom lens will generally provide better image quality in most cases, as the lens is what determines the image quality, not the_camera_ itself.

Combining image quality, control, and lower cost, DSLRs are a fantastic choice for serious photographers. Program modes and other automation make DSLRs easy to learn and use, similar to point-and-shoots.

Mirrorless

Mirrorless cameras and lenses are currently outside of your budget range. These cameras offer many of the benefits of DSLRs without the bulk, but they may come with a hefty price tag.

Final Thoughts and Suggestions

- What are good picture memories of your trip worth to you?

I always bring high-quality gear on trips anywhere. It's worth it to me to capture the best image quality I can.

- Buy your camera at least two or three months before you go. Take the time to learn to use it first, taking lots of practice pictures and thinking about telling a visual story. Having the camera from a bricks-and-mortar camera specialty store can be beneficial, as they can show you different models, demonstrate how to use them, and answer your questions after you purchase.