6s+ camera compared to a regular point and shoot

[finy]

How do you think the camera/video on the 6s+ compares to a $300 point and shoot?

I was going to buy a cheapish Canon camera for a few hundred, but wondering if it would be worth putting it towards an iPhone.

It would just be for YouTube videos and not-terrible photos.

Thank you

 

[Eileen89]

Why would you buy a $750+ iPhone if all you need it for is videos/photos. While the photo/video quality on the new 6S and 6S Plus are pretty darn good. It isn't a replacement for a P&S camera such as a Canon camera. If you were going use the iPhone for other things besides picture and video taking, maybe it would be worth it to you to get one. This is something that only you can decide, though. Good luck with your decision.

 

[Tom G.]

I would agree with Eileen89. If all you want it for is the camera, then it would be best to go with a Point and Shoot. Even cheap ones can give better results, but not that much better. If, however you are going to use the other features of a full blown smartphone then go with the iPhone 6s or 6s Plus.

If you want an idea of what the photo capabilities of these iPhones are in the real world, being used by normal people as opposed to professionals, then you may want to check out the "Post your photos taken with 6s or 6s+" in this forum. You'll find it on this page or possibly on page 2.

Good luck with your decision.

 

[finy]

I basically want to carry it around with me so I can work outside.

The camera is just a bonus so I could put the p+s money towards an iPhone instead.

If it's only slightly worse than a cheap p+s it might be worth it.

Thanks for your replies, and I will check out the photos.

Does anyone know if it takes acceptable photos/videos in low light?

 

[techspin]

You should search for sample photos to see if they're acceptable for you. I'll say the camera is decent, but the noise reduction is a little overblown in some situations. Take a photo of a furry animal and you'll see what I mean.

 

[lordofthereef]

I'm of the opinion that if you want both devices anyway the 6s plus is going to be the best bang for your buck. I'm not s photographer. I've taken photos with point and shoots as well as phones. To me they're about the same. And I have my phone with me wherever I go. That wouldn't be the same with a camera.

 

[convergent]

There are a wide spectrum of P&S cameras out there so hard to answer your question. If you just want to take simple snapshots at a normal range, in good lighting, then the iPhone will do fine. The right P&S is going to do much better in some use cases. In particular if you need to go wide or long, a P&S can offer a lot better optical zoom. The iPhone doesn't go very wide, and if you go long it's going to degrade quite a bit. Some P&S will do better with low light but most aren't great at that.

I have some high end DSLR gear and multi-thousand dollar lenses, and unless I'm going out to specifically shoot something, the iPhone is my walk around camera. The best camera is often the one you have with you.

I think you need to define your use better and then evaluate.

 

[Merkie]

I abandoned my P&S a few years back. The slightly better picture quality doesn't outweigh the cost of carrying a second slightly bulky and heavy camera for me. Also, my iPhone is a lot faster in taking pictures and photos can be shared more easily.

 

[xtshabi]

I have a few point and shoots (the prosumer canons from a few years back), a Panny based Leica and a couple of 5D's but I must say I don't use any of the above.
Last time I used my canon 5D mk2 or 3 was last year some time.

Seriously, the convenience of iPhone trumps whatever picture quality improvement you will get, unless your purpose is to go and take some pictures that day.

 

[ftlum]

A dedicated camera will most likely have a better sensor and potentially the ability to control depth of field, depending on the camera you get. Zooming will also probably be better. However, it's really true that the best camera is the one you have with you, so that's a big reason why my iPhone trumps my dSLR.

 

[scaredpoet]

The best camera is the one that's with you. You can spend money on a point and shoot and then hope that you have it with you when the opportunity to take a good shot arises. Or, you can spend money on a smartphone with a really great camera, which is something that by default you'll be motivated to carry.

I had a point and shoot for quick, casual shots, and a dSLR for shoots I could plan in advance. But with the iPhone camera being as good as it is, I could no longer justify having the P&S. It just never really got used anymore, starting with the iPhone 4S. Even the dSLR gets used less and less, though there are still plenty of situations where the difference lenses and larger sensor can still do things a smartphone camera can't.

I'd say for anything but the most sophisticated prosumer Point & Shoots, an iPhone will do at least as good a job. All the mid-range P&S cameras are basically using the same classes of sensors, and budget P&S cameras are worse.

You might arguably get better optics with a high end P&S, but you have to balance that with the fact that a smartphone will just always be with you, while you'll have to make an effort to carry a separate P&S.

 

[The.Glorious.Son]

I was out at Starved Rock today (national park by where I live). I had my 6S, 6S Plus, and my Sony 20mp point and shoot with me. I snapped around 100 pics using all three and did some intentional comparison shots as well.

What I found once they were on the computer was that while the photos taken on the 6S and 6S Plus were very nice (and also non discernible in terms of quality difference between the two), neither could match the point and shoot. The quality was simply better on the Sony and once you began to zoom and crop, it was no longer even close.

I also did a side by side two minute video while walking the trails to test the EIS vs OIS of the 6S and 6S Plus. I am not sure what these people putting out the side by side videos are doing, because I could not replicate them. The video on the 6S was almost at all times as smooth as the 6S Plus. The electronic stabilization more than held its own vs the OIS on the 6S Plus.

End of the day, as most others say, the camera with you is the best camera. But, if you are able to plan ahead and know you are wanting the best shots possible, take a dedicated camera. Sure, the 6S and 6S Plus will get you those desired Facebook and instagram shots. But a dedicated point and shoot will be best for zooming, cropping, printing, and overall photo quality.

 

[finy]

Thanks, I think the iPhone comes out on top.

Especially because I don't want to carry too much equipment around.

 

[finy]

Finner,

Great name

Tbh I just want to take photos for social media to promote my website, plus shoot YouTube videos but I don't care about them being world class.

I probably wouldn't have asked if I was an actual photographer, but my fault as I never explained myself properly.

 

[The.Glorious.Son]

Finner,

Great name

Tbh I just want to take photos for social media to promote my website, plus shoot YouTube videos but I don't care about them being world class.

I probably wouldn't have asked if I was an actual photographer, but my fault as I never explained myself properly.

Haha excellent name yourself

I totally get where you are coming from. I just thought I would share my experience since it just so happened to be fresh on my mind having been yesterday. I very rarely take my point and shoot with me. 98% of my pics come from the phone I carry. I think you will be more than thrilled with the camera on whichever phone you get. Particularly in good lighting. Once the light dims, it the quality does drop but it is still acceptable in many cases.

Have you decided which phone you are going to buy?

 

[finy]

The 6s+ if I can type fast enough.

 

[silverblack]

Very little difference between iPhone and p&s camera when shooting outdoor with day light. However, for indoor or outdoor settings with low lighting, it is when the p&s cameras really shine. The larger aperture and larger ccd chip will take much nicer photos, better colours with less noise.