Want to Buy an Expensive Camera? Wait!

April 03, 2018 8 Comments

I've always wanted to buy an expensive camera such as a Nikon D500 or a Sony A9. But, I'm constantly blown away by the results of my current smartphone camera: Google Pixel 2 XL. When it came out, it received the highest score ever for smartphone camera according to DxOMark.

Taken with my Pixel 2 XL

Smartphone Cameras 

Pros	Cons
Always in your pocket	A lot of Noise
Slim & Light	Digital Zoom (distorts quality)
Water/Dust Resistant	Small sensor
Quick Editing & Sharing	Limited settings

Expensive Cameras

Pros	Cons
Manual Settings	Bulky
Large Sensor (better quality)	Heavy
Optical Zoom	Gets Expensive
Interchangeable Lenses

Bridging the Gap

Smartphone cameras have been steadily bridging the gap between DSLR cameras. Here is a list of features that have been introduced in the recent years.

• Portrait Mode or Bokeh Effect: both front & rear facing camera
• My Google Pixel 2 only uses one camera to achieve this effect
• Adjustable Aperture: rear camera has both f/1.5 & f/2.4 
• Samsung Galaxy S9 is the first smartphone camera to do so
• Manual Camera Settings: shutter speed & ISO
• Samsung Galaxy S9, LG G6, OnePlus 5, and many more
• iPhones STILL don't have manual camera settings

Pixel 2 XL Portrait Mode

Can't Tell The Difference

99% of the photographs on the Offline Outdoors Instagram account are taken with a smartphone camera. I always get this question: "What DSLR do you use?" Most people are generally surprised that they were taken with my Google Pixel 2. It is easy to mistake a smartphone photograph for a DSLR photograph. With videos, it is even more difficult Check this out!

If you didn't catch the title, this is a wedding video that was captured with an iPhone 7. It is becoming more and more difficult to distinguish between a smartphone camera and a DSLR camera!

Better Camera = Better Photographs?

I've heard this so many times: get "this camera" and your photography will improve! It is undeniable that the quality of the photographs will be better with an expensive camera. But, you have to ask this question: what makes a photograph great? Composition, style, light, energy, and artistry is what breaths life into a great photograph. Just the equipment alone doesn't guarantee great photography.

Taken with my Pixel 2 XL

Should I still Buy an Expensive Camera?  

Although smartphone cameras have made remarkable advances in recent years, you are still limited with a very small sensor on your smartphone. For small scale projects, smartphone cameras are great. They can even be used professionally. But, a DSLR camera with a quality sensor will always beat out the smartphone camera in terms of quality and physical limitations. 

The Verdict

It really depends what you need from your camera. If you want to pursue photography, buy a DSLR camera. You won't have to struggle with limitations like previously mentioned. If you want a camera for everyday use, save your money! Your smartphone camera is better than you think it is. 

 

***For the sake of simplicity, I refer to the classic DSLR Cameras and Mirrorless Cameras as "DSLR Cameras" and/or "Expensive Cameras".*** 

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