Getting annoyed with the camera quality

[Ledgem]

and to whoever said use a digital camera, those are on the way out. lets be honest. only pro photogs and real enthusiasts have a need for a cam, the normal consumer uses their phone. why else would companies place such importance on the quality of their cameras?

I admit that I'm an enthusiast, but have you ever used a DSLR? Photo quality isn't the only reason why a DSLR is superior to a camera phone.

For what it's worth, I started out with camera phones (back when the images came out at 640x480 resolution) and never foresaw myself as using a point-and-shoot, let alone a DSLR. A few years later, here I am... Given how important the quality of the phone camera is to you, I'd say that you're on the path to becoming a photo enthusiast, too. Go with the best camera you can get in your phone, but recognize that you might be reaching the point where no phone can match your expectations.

I'm still on an iPhone 4S, but I've been pretty impressed by its camera - enough that I don't drag my DSLR around with me everywhere I go. There are still many scenarios and situations where I wish that I had my DSLR with me, though.

I don't actually believe any of the camera's on phones are that good. I hardly ever use mine. They are a compromise. The best camera you can squeeze into a phone. Interestingly they are now working on the issue the other way round. Modern cameras have built in wifi etc. I use a proper camera.

I've been pretty impressed by the level of detail that the camera phones can eke out. I'm comfortable using the iPhone 4S as my primary day-to-day camera. It hasn't caused me to sell my DSLR and assortment of lenses, but I've been very pleased.

Ok, here are some shots I have taken with my iPhone 5.
These are untouched, unedited photos.

Yes my hand is steady, yes I tapped to focus and auto is on. these are NOT zoomed in.
Like i said, no novice. You judge.

To be honest, it's difficult to say. You're telling us that your hand was steady, that you focused properly, and that you're not a novice, but how do we know? I've been active on a number of photography forums and I've heard the exact same complaints. People claim that they're steady and that they know what they're doing, and then it turns out that there was a problem with their technique.

Your phone might truly have problems, or you might truly be pushing the boundaries. I wasn't there, I haven't seen you in action, I don't know. I know it's frustrating to hear "you're doing it wrong," but I'd suggest trying some stabilizing techniques and practicing with where you're trapping to focus to see if you can improve your technique even further.

And it wasn't mediocre lighting. But I'll let you think you're right.

I've heard this on the photo forums as well. Maybe you're experienced enough to say whether the lighting was truly mediocre or not; maybe you're still at the stage where you can't differentiate acceptable from mediocre lighting. None of us knows you well enough to say. If you're really good enough then just ignore the comments, but otherwise view it as something to potentially improve on.

 

[thekb]

EF 70-200mm f/4L USM Lens $709

EF 70-200mm f/2.8L USM Lens $1,449


About the only difference between these lenses is one f stop and double the price (and a lot more weight). There's a price to pay if you want the best. If you aren't willing to pay for the best, or you aren't willing to carry the biggest, heaviest glass around, then you get what you get and you don't get upset.

I get some great shots from my iPhone 5 ... when the light is nice.
When the light is mediocre, I get mediocre results. I've learned to accept this.

However, a fabulous tradeoff is my little Canon S100 P&S camera that blows away my iPhone 5. Make that BLOWS AWAY my iPhone 5 when lighting conditions are less than ideal. I don't always carry it, but there is a very real place in the world for good quality point and shoot cameras and it will be several years before phones take good enough pictures to seriously compete. There will always be a market for enthusiasts who aren't willing to compromise quality entirely for convenience.

 

[N e e k]

The 5S flash blows the 5's absolutely out of the water. The camera itself in low-light does, that's where it really shines. Much less noise.

 

[PNutts]

The 5S flash blows the 5's absolutely out of the water. The camera itself in low-light does, that's where it really shines. Much less noise.

Yes, I love the better quality of the 5s flash, but it takes too long to calculate and causes the kids and dogs to shut their eyes or turn away.

 

[Malcolm Duffy]

Maybe only a real camera can give great results. Some people may argue that a photographer with poor skills is the problem, but it is wrong to generalise. Each case is unique. Each project has different challenges.