IPhone vs Camera

Is a mobile phone capable of being the primary camera for travel and everyday photography?

This is a question I have been pondering since early 2023.

My Iphone accompanied me on a trip of a lifetime to Europe in 2023.  I struggled with the thought of carrying a DSLR camera. I have not regretted that and am very pleased with the photos. It did a beautiful job capturing landscapes, architecture, food, and other travel details.

The portability, instant sharing, and powerful editing capabilities make smartphones an appealing choice.

Why am I raising this debate again in 2025. I enjoy photography and want to spend more time with this creative hobby.

What are my photographic goals? They may or may not be similar to yours.

1.      Accessibility and ease of use

2.      Image quality

a.       Dynamic range

b.      Telephoto

c.       Print quality

3.      The ability to edit photos

4.      Share photos on social media

Accessability and Ease of use

Oue phones are always with us in the bag or pocket and is always available for a quick snapshot. It takes up little very little space.

It’s been said, “the best camera is the one you always have with you”.

Ergonomics – Although lighter to carry, a smart phone can be harder to hold steady for that perfect shot. A camera is designed to be held by a grip and the lens giving us a more stable, unshaking photo.

Phones are also a filled with distraction. Apps, messaging, social media all compete for our attention.

A DSLR or Micro Four Thirds camera is dedicated to primarily one job….photography. A DSLR generally costs more than a phone….even used.

Although a DSLR cameras have gotten smaller…especially Micro Four Thirds Cameras, they are still larger in size than a smart phone. 

A camera isn’t with me all the time. It has to be intentionally carried.  It doesn’t generally fit in that everyday bag.

Whichever photography equipment you decide to use…Learning how to use it can be a daunting task requiring desire and tenacity.

If you are serious about IPhone photography, I would encourage you to take find classes such as IPhone Photography School.  They do a wonderful job of training Iphone users about the functionality, photography principals, and editing. Well worth the cost.

Youtube also has a wide range of training videos for whatever kind of camera you own.

Join a Photo Club!

Image Quality

Most of us will never be Ansel Adams but we can create beautiful, quality photos that allow us to remember our travels, events, and the people who are important to us.

What makes good image quality?

File size?  Megapixels?  Sharpening?

An smart phones can take a 48 megapixel photo in the raw format. It is my understanding that not all megapixels are created equal, however. Pixels may be split on smaller smart phone sensors.

Dynamic range of a smart phone photo does not compare to a DSLR camera.  Dynamic range are the details hiding in the shadows. Good dynamic range allows those details to be brought to view in post processing.

An Iphone includes several built in lenses.  This may include a .5, 1X, 2X, and 3X zoom..depending on the phone. Any other focal lengths are digitally zoomed. Digital zoom does not provide the same quality image as a physical glass (lens).

A camera has interchangeable lenses allowing artistic control especially in telephoto.  Bird, wildlife, and astro photography are difficult on a smart phone.

Print quality is so important and, for many of us, the reason we love photography. Today’s phone images, well taken, can max out with a 16 X 20 print or canvas.  The print quality for smart phones and DSLR cameras can capture quality images for photo books, framing, or sharing with family.

I’ve heard it said that a photo isn’t a photo unless it’s been printed. Photo books are a fun way to remember vacations and special events with family and friends. They are portable, shareable, and require no technology, batteries, or electricity.

Some day when I am no longer on this earth, my family will not take the time to sort through files or print photos saved on a hard drive. The only work that will last will those images that are printed.

A favorite way to enjoy prize photos is to print them on canvas or metal and hang them on a wall.  Such beautiful remembrances of special times.

There is no difference with the method of printing whether the smart phone or DSLR camera is used.

The Ability to Edit Photos

Photos can be edited in Lightroom or other app right on the phone making it easy to process while traveling or during other activities.

A camera’s images must be transferred to an Ipad or laptop for editing…an extra step.   Wifi and transfer capabilities are required.

Once loaded on the laptop or tablet processing happens the same as with a smart phone.

Share Photos on Social Media

Many of us enjoying sharing a recently captured photo on social media or via messaging with our family and friends.

The ease of transferring that photo from a smart phone is quick and easy.

Conclusion:

I plan to use my Iphone as my main tool for every day photos and for travel.

Micro Four Thirds will be the tool for advancing my hobby and honing my skill. I want to continue learning about shutter speed, ISO, aperture and the joy of telephoto photography.

A dual approach: using a smart phone for convenience and the Micro Four Thirds camera for advancing my craft ensures the best of both worlds.

Back Button Focus

Back Button Focus is a technique that separates the autofocus function from the shutter button. This allows the photographer to focus using a dedicated button.

Most cameras refocus when the shutter release is depressed half way. You continue to depress the shutter release when recomposing the shot.  When the focus point is where it should be,  the photographer presses the shutter release all the way activating the shutter. If the subject moves forward or back the picture may be out of focus.  Every time the shutter button is depressed the camera has to find focus slowing down the picture taking process.

Back button focus is so much better and faster.  Back button focus is ideal for sports, wildlife, or busy grand children.

How does back button focus work?

The setup of back button focus disconnects your shutter release from the focus mode.  No longer will the camera focus when the shutter release button is depressed. 

Many DSLRs have a separate button for focus style labeled AF-ON or AEL.  By learning to use this button or other reprogrammed function button for focus you may never go back. 

Focus Modes on most cameras: 

• Single Shot  (AF-S on Nikon cameras or Servo AF on Canon cameras)

• Continuous Focus (AF-C on Nikon cameras or AI-Servo/Servo AF on Canon cameras)

• Automatic Focus

 How to set up Back Button Focus:

Back button focus is slightly different for every camera and every camera manufacturer. Check your camera manual for specific directions or google your camera model and “back button focus”. 

Most cameras require you to change two or three settings.

1.       Select continuous auto focusing

2.       Disconnect autofocus from your shutter button

3.       Enable back-button autofocus

Once set…

For single focus – press and release the AF-On button -> press shutter release button.

For continuance focus – press and hold the AF-On button ->press shutter release button.

 Why use back button focus?

1.        Portrait photography.  Lock the focus on the subject eye by pressing the button mapped to back button focus.  As long as the distance between the subject and the photography does not change you can recompose and reshoot many times without refocusing.

2.       Wildlife.  Continuously press the button mapped to back button focus while pressing the shutter button and following the animal.  The camera will quickly focus on the subject while rapidly taking pictures.  If you didn’t have back button focus setup you would have to stop to switch your camera from single to continuous focus which would waste seconds.

3.       Very useful when using a tripod for landscape or night photography.  Focusing a building or trees can be difficult at night.  Use you back button focus to lock focus on your subject and recompose as much as you want.

4.       During a wedding someone steps in-between the bride and the photographer during the wedding photos.  Every time the shutter release is pressed the camera will refocus more than likely focusing on the intruder and leaving the bride out of focus.

 Should everyone use Back Button Focus?

Back button may not be for you if you are not comfortable with your camera or if you aren’t sure how focus works.  This method of focus will make your camera more complicated.

But…if you’re ready to try more advanced techniques that can improve your photos….retrain your muscle memory and welcome to back button focus!