Now, the 4S is good camera phone, but that statement is a load of garbage. The 4S doesn't hold a candle to even the original digital Rebel. I've owned 7 DSLRs and even the very first ones destroy the 4S in every way. It is much better than the 4, though.
I've got to agree. Even if he's still using the POS 18-55 (non-IS), a rebel xt or 20/30D (only 8MP canon DSLRs in recent memory) would be way superior to the 4S's camera - though the 4S is good enough to serve as a P&S for me. iPhone 4 wasn't bad either, but it sucked indoors.