iPhone X iPhone surpass prolevel DSLR?

[CesnaPilot]

Hey guys. So I think it's safe to say most here have an iPhone. I now have an iPhone X and today on another board I belong too, comes this interesting article www.photographytalk.com/photography-articles/8277-my-iphone-is-great-but-it-will-never-replace-my-dslr that compares an iPhone X to a Nikon D850.

Now what I find interesting about this article is that the iPhone X photos aren't all that bad. Well of course they aren't. They don't look that different IMO. Now I'm sure when you try to blow these up, that's where you'll notice a larger difference.

So the other community is full of photographers, and saying anything is going to hurt their beloved cameras doesn't sit well. So Ill ask here:

1. what is holding back the market from surpassing the DSLR?
2. When do you think Apple will receive native manual controls?
3. Would you show up to a pro job with a cell phone that took equal quality photos as a DSR?

 

[adamhenry]

The short answer is that the size of the sensor is a big problem for camera phones. This thread discusses it thoroughly.

 

[CesnaPilot]

OK, so right now today, sensor is the achilles heel. When you look at the contrast of where the iPhone has come in the last 5 years. Exciting to think where it could be in 5 years. Heck the technology in the camera?!

 

[Newtons Apple]

Not just the tiny sensor but the lens on the iPhone is way too simple to compete with a great DSLR lens.

 

[maerz001]

OK, so right now today, sensor is the achilles heel. When you look at the contrast of where the iPhone has come in the last 5 years. Exciting to think where it could be in 5 years. Heck the technology in the camera?!

The thing is that DSLRs sensors also evolve. Behind are the same companies with similar technology.

Even if the newest iPhone sensor is better than a very old DSLR it won't catch up with new ones cos of physical constraints.

 

[mtneer]

A phone would compare only in a very narrow band of what a DSLR is capable of, and even there the sensor size brings in its own limitations. But once you get into wildlife, sports or even blue light photography - the DSLR is far more capable.

 

[CesnaPilot]

Consider this, in the last 10 years, smartphone technology has evolved so much that it knocked the compact camera market. The above argument could be said that the technology for these cameras increased too. However it wasn't enough, and consumers went with the smart phones. It's pretty amazing to think if smart phones continue to evolve and adaptation from consumers could exceed that of DSLR's or what ever camera that is king of the kill.

 

[Newtons Apple]

Consider this, in the last 10 years, smartphone technology has evolved so much that it knocked the compact camera market. The above argument could be said that the technology for these cameras increased too. However it wasn't enough, and consumers went with the smart phones. It's pretty amazing to think if smart phones continue to evolve and adaptation from consumers could exceed that of DSLR's or what ever camera that is king of the kill.

Like they say the best camera is the one you have with you at all times.

I hardly use my DSLRs anymore but when needing extra sharp images I go to my Canon G1X Mk3. Still need control over shutter speed and aperture to control DOF. The sensor in this camera is APS size which is many, many times bigger than the iPhone sensors.

All you got to do is take images from both camera and phone and zoom in a bit and watch the camera phone image fall apart in comparison. I realize that most people do not use any processing like Photoshop and want an acceptable image right out of the camera, but if you are serious and need to have more control a point and shoot still win, much less a DSLR.

 

[The-Real-Deal82]

A topic that has been done to death and answered comprehensively on a recent thread.

No an iPhone X does not surpass a pro level DSLR camera. I actually can’t believe there is yet another person asking this when the answer couldn’t be more obvious if it hit you in the face.

A DSLR has a much bigger sensor, better glass depending on the lens and hundreds more functions and possibilities. It’s that simple. The iPhone X is a mobile phone with a pretty decent point and shoot camera on it.

 

[I7guy]

The iphone x does not beat a dslr in terms of the technical aspects of a photograph, sensor size, focal length, quality of glass etc. However, viewing an iphone x photo on a small screen alongside a pro-dslr camera where the jpgs have been compressed and the picture size is small will not make the difference as apparent as it could be if printed on a large format quality printer.

The thread linked to above has some excellent discussion about the nuances.

 

[maerz001]

Consider this, in the last 10 years, smartphone technology has evolved so much that it knocked the compact camera market. The above argument could be said that the technology for these cameras increased too. However it wasn't enough, and consumers went with the smart phones. It's pretty amazing to think if smart phones continue to evolve and adaptation from consumers could exceed that of DSLR's or what ever camera that is king of the kill.

Except of the second lens in the last years since the 6s+ the quality didn't evolve as much as u dream. portrait mode still works like beta and night photos are still terrible.

Have a look at the mirror less market and look at the quality of the Alpha A7s and A7R III for comparison what happened there in three years.

 

[TrueBlou]

The iPhone camera and lens will continue to improve, they’re decent now, in a few years the quality will be amazing and far beyond what the average user wants or needs.

Hell, that’s probably the case now. But that’s not what’s going to hold it back when it comes to an SLR comparison.
For me (aside from the obvious quality improvement) it’s the flexibility that you have with lenses, filters, focal length and so on and so on.

We’re a long way from a smartphone ever reproducing that, well, for people like me who like to shoot wildlife for instance. It’s a hell of a lot easier when you don’t have to try and sneak up on something so you’re only 10 feet away

That aside, the best camera is always the one you have with you, I’ve taken some amazing shots on my iPhones over the years. I don’t always have my camera bag strapped to my back, but I do always have my phone with me.

Not one of my better ones, but I love this little guy anyway and this one I could sneak up on. Taken with my iPhone 7+.
I’m putting this here because I can see lots of ways it could be better, but my wife thinks it brilliant. So it just shows how the average user is happy with a phone camera.

 

[Zazoh]

There is probably a bell curve overlap on this, photography isn't always about technology. The proper light conditions, the proper timing, and having the ability to capture that is more crucial. Yes, a Ferrari will outperform a Prius in many conditions but in "normal" conditions, it wouldn't matter.

Let's face it too, having a DSLR doesn't mean you WILL capture or create better images, it means in the hands of the right photographer you may be able to get more out of it, doesn't mean you won't get stunning images with the iPhone.

 

[fred98tj]

There is probably a bell curve overlap on this, photography isn't always about technology. The proper light conditions, the proper timing, and having the ability to capture that is more crucial. Yes, a Ferrari will outperform a Prius in many conditions but in "normal" conditions, it wouldn't matter.

Let's face it too, having a DSLR doesn't mean you WILL capture or create better images, it means in the hands of the right photographer you may be able to get more out of it, doesn't mean you won't get stunning images with the iPhone.

This is very correct. The camera has very little to do (if anything to do at all) with making a “good” photograph. What is a “good” photograph? That’s up to the artist and the viewers.
A “better” camera will not make a person a “better” photographer.

As the late Ansel Adams once said “there are no rules for good photographs, there are only good photographs”.
“A good photograph is knowing where to stand”.

Photography is a creative art form and it’s used to express something from within not something forced from the outside and really has little to do with the camera itself.
Phones (iPhones or any phones) are perfectly capable of creating wonderful visual art.

 

[pixel_junkie]

DSLRs are about being able to use multiple lenses, dynamic rage and huge clean raw files that you can edit extensively. If you're not going to do any of that, might as well shoot with an iPhone, would be good enough.

Would I ever show up with an iPhone to a pro job? Not if I want to keep the client.

 

[jerwin]

Let's face it too, having a DSLR doesn't mean you WILL capture or create better images, it means in the hands of the right photographer you may be able to get more out of it, doesn't mean you won't get stunning images with the iPhone.

Oh, I don't know about that. I have a 300mm lens that consistently rewards me with great imagery.

 

[jav6454]

Short answer: No. Never. Lens complexity, light sensors, picture modes are all things the iPhone needs to improve drastically.

As per point and shoot cameras? Yup. I'd say the iPhone surpassed those since the 5S.

 

[sean000]

Hey guys. So I think it's safe to say most here have an iPhone. I now have an iPhone X and today on another board I belong too, comes this interesting article www.photographytalk.com/photography-articles/8277-my-iphone-is-great-but-it-will-never-replace-my-dslr that compares an iPhone X to a Nikon D850.

Now what I find interesting about this article is that the iPhone X photos aren't all that bad. Well of course they aren't. They don't look that different IMO. Now I'm sure when you try to blow these up, that's where you'll notice a larger difference.

So the other community is full of photographers, and saying anything is going to hurt their beloved cameras doesn't sit well. So Ill ask here:

1. what is holding back the market from surpassing the DSLR?
2. When do you think Apple will receive native manual controls?
3. Would you show up to a pro job with a cell phone that took equal quality photos as a DSR?

1. What’s holding back the market? You mean what’s keeping the iPhone from surpassing DSLR and mirrorless interchangeable lens cameras? Well, the iPhone isn’t trying to replace or compete with that market. Smartphones have already destroyed the compact point and shoot camera market. The latest flagship phones are comparing better against some enthusiast compacts, but still not quite matching them for all situations.

2. There have already been smartphone cases with Bluetooth manual controls, but they require a matching app and I don’t think they sold well. Not sure if one exists for the X. Even with manual controls (talking external switches and dials, right?) you aren’t going to get duplicates for everything you get on most camera bodies. And what about an electronic viewfinder? I don’t see Apple ever going this direction. They have zero interest in turning iPhones into DSLR cameras.

3. No. I used to shoot events and you have to work so quickly using multiple camera bodies and external flash guns. You need a standard f/2.8 zoom and a 70-200mm f/2.8 telephoto, ultrawide, fisheye, super fast prime, etc. the iPhone is a good photography tool, but it’s not a very versatile one. also, I can’t stand shooting for any extended length of time without a viewfinder. That said I might take a video or some stealth shots with the iPhone. It’s quite nice for video with enough light, but it’s not going to compete with something like a Panasonic GH5 when it comes to video.

As a photographer I am as pleased as can be to have a pocketable smartphone that is capable of taking excellent photos in many situations. But for any lengthy photography session I would rather have the versatility and comfort of my m4/3 or Nikon gear. Not only can my other gear get shots that aren’t possible to get with my iPhone X, they can get consistently better results under challenging conditions and I will be more comfortable using the viewfinder and dedicated controls.
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Consider this, in the last 10 years, smartphone technology has evolved so much that it knocked the compact camera market. The above argument could be said that the technology for these cameras increased too. However it wasn't enough, and consumers went with the smart phones. It's pretty amazing to think if smart phones continue to evolve and adaptation from consumers could exceed that of DSLR's or what ever camera that is king of the kill.

Just because it’s popular does not mean it’s the best. 110 film pocket cameras and disc film cameras used to be the consumer format of choice over 35mm film. Image quality isn’t the top priority for most snapshooters. Low cost and high convenience trump image quality and versatility for most consumers. Smartphones killed the compact digital market because they were good enough and more convenient. Not because they were better at taking photos. The market for highly versatile and higher quality cameras has always been more specialized. Since the early 2000's manufacturers have enjoyed riding a digital wave that brought many new consumers into the hobby of photography at various levels. That not only led to increased sales from people upgrading as the technology improved, but it also led to more consumers pursuing photography at a level that inspired them to buy more expensive interchangeable lens cameras, high-end lenses, and professional grade accessories. Sales have slowed even at the high end, as photographers upgrade their cameras less frequently than they did 10 years ago (or even 6 years ago). If you are a company like Nikon, you recently lost a huge consumer market that was buying and upgrading compact P&S cameras for 15 years. You are also facing more competition at the enthusiast and professional levels from the likes of mirrorless manufacturers like Sony, Fujifilm, Olympus, and Panasonic. Ten years ago Canon was their only real competition. In other words the mid-to-high-end camera market is starting to resemble the slower and more diverse competition that it had in the 35mm film days. Smartphones are today's version of the Polaroid camera: Shoot and share immediately. Only today's smartphone cameras take much higher quality photos that can be shared and printing as often as you like.

The fact that smartphones can now simulate shallow depth of field makes people think they can shoot like a DSLR, but that trick requires a decent amount of light on a flagship smartphone, and it’s not going to help you shoot sports or wildlife. It all comes down to the types of photos you want to capture and what your expectations for quality are. Most people will be very pleased with a late model smartphone for most of their photo and video needs. More advanced photographers will consider something like the iPhone X as just another tool in their photography kit. It has its advantages and its limitations, just like any other piece of kit.

 

[nokkynuk]

I see iPhone X as a fascinating device that easily replaces conventional Point and Shoot cameras. Replacing a Full Frame DSLR or Mirrorless? Simply put, no. It cant replace or replicate the vast shutter speed and aperture, not to mention amount of lenses.

I use my iPhone X more than my Canon DSLR though. I always have my iPhone X with me, and it gives me plenty of opportunities to get shots i would otherwise would miss, not to mention being discreet with subjects unaware (not trying to be creepy fyi).

 

[b0fh666]

The iPhone camera and lens will continue to improve, they’re decent now, in a few years the quality will be amazing and far beyond what the average user wants or needs.

Hell, that’s probably the case now. But that’s not what’s going to hold it back when it comes to an SLR comparison.
For me (aside from the obvious quality improvement) it’s the flexibility that you have with lenses, filters, focal length and so on and so on.

We’re a long way from a smartphone ever reproducing that, well, for people like me who like to shoot wildlife for instance. It’s a hell of a lot easier when you don’t have to try and sneak up on something so you’re only 10 feet away

That aside, the best camera is always the one you have with you, I’ve taken some amazing shots on my iPhones over the years. I don’t always have my camera bag strapped to my back, but I do always have my phone with me.

Not one of my better ones, but I love this little guy anyway and this one I could sneak up on. Taken with my iPhone 7+.
I’m putting this here because I can see lots of ways it could be better, but my wife thinks it brilliant. So it just shows how the average user is happy with a phone camera.


View attachment 750788

seriously? just look at those edges and bokeh... hideous.

 

[nokkynuk]

seriously? just look at those edges and bokeh... hideous.

Completely agree! Best thing to do is shoot in RAW on iPhone X and add Bokeh in post.

The AI isnt up to spec on how to identify the edges of subjects. Unfortunately, that means my hair looks like it was singed off.