iPhone vs. DSLR

 

As I sort through images from Spain (sidenote-it's a LONG process!) I have come to the realization that I really don't miss my DSLR very much right now.

I am really happy with the quality of photos that my iPhone 5 takes. I know I've talked about this a few times here, but I'd like to revisit my thoughts and hear your input!

I think that it's still important to do periodic portraits with my "real" camera, and I also intend to get a professional photographer to take some photos of us while we are in Italy.

But let me share a few reasons I'm loving my iPhone right now.

1. It fits in my purse. When I am traveling (especially in places with alot of pickpockets- like Las Ramblas) I do NOT want to be carrying a big camera. I'm constantly picking up children, jumping on the subway in a hurry, and I have my hands full.

2. I don't want to take my big camera to the beach.

3. It takes me a bit to turn on and adjust my camera and lots of times this causes me to miss authentic moments. My girls (and Jimmy!) don't act like themselves when the DSLR is out. I find that the iPhone is much less intrusive and allows me to capture real life moments.

4. My girls can use the iPhone to capture moments that I wouldn't have. I don't have to worry about them handling it.

5. I love that I can make Artifact Uprising books directly from my phone.

When we went to Florence last Thanksgiving, J was looking at all of my photos and he honestly remarked that the iPhone pics were better than the DSLR photos. Yikes!

I hope to eventually get back to a point that I can use my big camera often...but in this phase of my life (living in Europe, small children) the phone works better. And man- I really have captured some great shots with it!

What about you? Do you find yourself reaching for your big camera these days? Or do you use your phone?

Also- would there be any interest on a post where I share my iPhone tips? Photography, editing, storage, etc?

Just let me know- Happy Monday.

Ciao y'all!

xo

S

Comments

[May]

The best camera is the one you use. My iPhone is out a lot and capturing things I wouldn't think of with dslr.

My dslr kicks iPhone's butt no doubt. But it isn't always around and it misses a lot of funny small moments.

My last batch of pics had me bummed because my iPhone didn't do as an amazing job as I thought. Color was off, blurry, other picky things.

Yet I don't care.

I would rather have amazingly special pics of my family taken on the fly than perfect portraits any

[May]

Day.

Dslr will come out at parties and special times sure. But I'm happy with any and all pictures that capture what our life is and what we were up to at any given moment.

Your iPhone pics seem way nicer than mine- I think I need to do more editing or something!!

[Kristyn]

a post on tips would be great!

[Shannon]

I use my phone all the time for pictures now for many of the reasons you listed. However, I am continuously disappointed at the quality of prints when I have them printed. I have been trying to pull out my dslr more lately because of this.

[Becky]

I use my phone like you. My dslr stopped working while in London last winter and so I pulled out my iPhone for all pictures they turned out awesome. Love my dslr but not for real life use right now

[jessica]

i also find myself reaching for my iphone over any other camera on trips. in fact the last trip i went on all my pics were shot with my iphone. i do have a smaller canon p&s that has been great for that in-between but i honestly rarely use it now that i've upgraded to the iphone 5s.

[Laura]

Yes, for a post on tips! :-) (Love that silhouette shot, by the way, just gorgeous.) I don't own a DSLR and I've always thought I wanted one, but for right now the iPhone suffices.

[Michelle]

Please please a post on iPhone photo tips. Your pictures are stunning. My iPhone pictures look like they are from a flip phone. I just got home from a beach vacation and am blowing sand out of my dslr. I don't trust me or my iPhone but a dslr on the beach is just silly. Please help :)

[Yvonne Gronau]

I use my iPhone almost exclusively these days. It actually takes much better pictures than my camera(one step down from a dslr) so until I can save up money for a new camera, the iPhone does everything. I'm happy with the quality of the pictures and in fact I'm planning to use only our iPhones when we do our surprise trip to Disneyland in September. For that reason especially, I would love for you to do a post on iPhone camera using tips.

[furrypig]

I have just returned from a family holiday in Cyprus and although I still took quite a few pics on my camera, I really used my phone camera a lot! I think like you it was becuse it was so much easier to stick in a pocket or grab quickly then snap away.

[Mary Jo]

I would love a post on iphone tips! Really enjoying your adventures, keep them coming!

[Rhian]

I use my iphone more than my camera these days, i can capture more 'real' photos of my son. I would love some tips

[kristy oliver]

#1 Would be reason enough for me. I'd love some iphone tips.

[Mariah]

I have hardly used my DSLR this summer. I've used my Galaxy S5 to take most of our pictures. It's just easier to take with me on the go and I don't like taking my big camera out on the boat...Cameras and boats are no bueno.

[abbeyviolet]

I have been using my iphone almost exclusively for awhile. Then, I found out my DSLR's battery door was lost and I was devasted and moments away from spending $700+ on a new one, but really hadn't saved the money so decided to be a grown up, wait, and save. I repaired my DSLR for $14 --- following Grandma's mantra, of "use it up, wear it out, make it do, or do without" While I'm saving, I'm toying with using my DSLR more and seeing if I really need/want and what is useful to us right now. I saw this review of a point and shoot that costs as much as a DSLR and might be a good fit as I don't really change settings all that much: http://www.chookooloonks.com/blog/sony-cybershot-dsc-rx100-iii-review.

[clippergirl]

Honestly for me, it doesn't matter if the image was captured using a $2000 camera, probably more with the lens, or with my be-loved iphone. Either way, the moment was captured. And that is what's important. I love the convenience of my using my phone, it's almost always "on me". And you're right Stephanie, I love how my boys can pick it up and use it too...it's simply the best!

And yes, please share your tips! You take the best photos, have a beautiful day!

[Michelle Whitlow]

I love your grandma's mantra!!! And so very, very true!! I've always joked with people who are always the 1st ones to get the latest technology/tvs/video games/etc that we're the type of people that use something til it dies (which is probably why we were one of the last living people still using a vcr instead of dvr!! haha)

[Michelle Whitlow]

For me it's more important to capture the moment than which camera I use. And honestly the iphone has an awesome camera! I was toying with the idea of taking the phone photography class BPS is having right now. I'd love to figure out how to get less blurry photos. I pull out my DSLR for my kids' games, esp when I need the zoom lens. Or for special occasions & low light shots. But even at special occasions (holidays, etc) I'll take a few shots with the good camera at home & then the rest are my iphone. Even on a recent trip to Disneyland I took the same number of photos with my iphone as I did with my DSLR. Sometimes you just don't feel like grabbing out the big camera when you have 3 kids! I just wish you could get extra memory with the iphone like you can with other smartphones.

[Jill Keller]

iPhone is what I use. I use DSLR for big moments like birthdays and occasionally get it out at random, just at home. I use a Selphy for printing and iPhoto for editing and have been so pleased with my photos!

[Dana N]

I've been using my iphone more often now than my DSLR - for the same reasons you mentioned - but some iphone photography tips would be awesome! I know I could have better shots. And those 4 shots in your post? Gorgeous!

[Katie]

I think my iPhone is fine for everydaylife. But the quality and resolution of my SLR is much betters. When compared side by side they are noticeable. I do love the convenience of the phone.

[Dawn (La)]

Would love to see photography tips! I have to say that while I don't find my iPhone pics are as good quality as my DSLR ones, it's so much easier! I think I'm getting pictures that I would have missed if I had needed to haul out a big camera. And just as you wouldn't take a DSLR to the beach for the day, it's also inconvenient in other places like amusement parks and nice restaurants! That said, I love to use my Lumix P&S when on vacation. It's so much smaller than a DSLR, but still more megapixels (12 or 16 MP vs. 8 MP)--and since I edit all of my photos, more MP means better quality. But as long as you're taking pics, that's all that matters! I still love looking at our family pics that were taken with disposable Kodak cameras!

[Ruth]

DSLR. Always and every day.
But then I don't have an iPhone.

[Tvmoviemom]

Like May said, the best one, is the one you have. For me, the one I always have on me is my iPhone. I can always take out my dslr for important events, but I'm more apt to get everyday, honest smiles from my kids with my iPhone. :)

I too, would love your tips on using the iPhone for photos. :) Thanks.

[Raquel]

I use my iPhone 90% of the time. I've made big prints from instagrams and the quality is really good. So much so that I have a lot of 12x12's printed from my iPhone and hanging on my wall. I love my iPhone! I also own a fancy DSLR and use it often, but not like how I use my iPhone to capture life with my 14 month old.

[Leighbling]

I love my iPhone, and I have a 4s. However, there are limits to its capability for long shots, or if you want a nice depth of field. When I travel, I take my dSLR. I lugged that thing up the Atlas mountains on the back of a mule, and into the Sahara a top a camel. And I got photos that just weren't possible with a point and shoot or a phone camera.

[CJ]

I don't have a camera phone, but I have taken some good shots with my little point and shoot. The big camera pictures are better, but as you say, sometimes a discreet little camera is a better option, and sometimes I just haven't taken the big camera - there's always so much to carry. I'd love to read any photography tips you might care to share. CJ xx

[Pauline]

All my photos are taken on my iPhone as I don't have any other camera. My daughter has a point and shoot one which is great but I don't tend to carry it anywhere. I would love to hear your hints and tips for iPhone photography!

[Mary Beth]

I tend to forget to take my DSLR along with me, now that I have my iPhone. I agree it's easier to whip out the phone and get the shot.

And yes, please, share your iPhone tips and tricks!

[Michelle]

Would love tips. Also, do you delete a lot? What is your back up method? It seems at least once a week I go to take a picture with my iPhone and it says I have no room. By the time I quickly delete, the moment has passed. Thanks!

[Valerie]

Would love to learn some if your tips. Want to use my iPhone more. Your photos are great. :)

[Jennifer Henson]

I would LOVE iphone photo tips, and information on photo apps like AU-I've downloaded them but have been too intimidated to try them. I have similar moments-I haven't pulled out my camera in ages. I have a nice one that I used to take great pics with, but it was big and bulky. I love having my iphone with me all the time so I can get those great moments!

[Janice M]

I would love a post on iphone tips! I think your pics are fabulous!

[Tinka]

I'm one who does take the DSLR to the beach...and I wade out into the water (watching for waves!) in order to get shots of kids, etc. on the beach. And I take it with me to family parties, on trips, etc. but there are plenty of times when I'm busy having fun and I forget to even take any pictures! I do love the convenience of using the phone and I have gotten some great shots with it but I'm not ready to give up the big camera!

[Jill Jackson]

I mostly use my iPhone. I would like to read your iPhone tips as I am fairly new to my iPhone.

[Emily Adams]

My hubby has a DSLR but I use my iPhone 100% of the time I would love to see a blog post about which apps you use, and which filters you use on your pics.

[Stephanie Howell]

I love your point of view and agree completely. Adore you! xo

[Stephanie Howell]

Where are you having them printed?

[Stephanie Howell]

HA! I'll see what I can do! :) xoxo

[Stephanie Howell]

Oooh! Cypress! So on my bucket list. How was it?

[Stephanie Howell]

Yes! That's a disaster waiting to happen!

[Stephanie Howell]

LOVE LOVE LOVE that mantra. Seriously. I want to needlepoint it and hang it on my wall!

[Stephanie Howell]

ME TOO.

[Stephanie Howell]

Thank you!

[Stephanie Howell]

I think it's undeniable that the quality is better from a big + expensive camera. I wish it was just easier!

[Stephanie Howell]

Interesting! Thanks so much for the rec!

[Stephanie Howell]

Awesome. :)

[Stephanie Howell]

Very true. And awesome that you were able to take it all those places. I'm far too clumsy and distracted for that right now! Maybe when the girls are older? xo

[Stephanie Howell]

I upload to my computer every few days!

[Stephanie Howell]

Thank you Janice!

[Stephanie Howell]

You are way more brave than I am! Or maybe (and more likely) I'm just way clumsier. HA!

[Cathie]

Yes! I would absolutely love some iPhone tips and tricks.

I love my DSLR but it's heavy and I have 2 busy boys (ages 6 and 3 yo) so it's not often realistic to take it with me. However, I do think my DSLR takes much better quality pics than my iPhone probably because it's an iPhone 4.

I also notice that what I take pics of with my iPhone is very different from my DSLR pics every month - it's nice to have both perspectives.

[Krista Nash]

Definitely interested in a post like that. Namely about storage.

[Monica E]

PLEASE SHARE YOUR iPHONE TIPS !!!!!

DO YOU EDIT THEM?
I print mine with my Selphy, but they are not are not "beautiful". I dont't know if the problem is because I don`t edit them or if its the printer...

Please help!!!!

[helen]

I agree any shot is better than none, so you what you have at any given moment….Would love some iPhone tips for taking, editing printing…everything! You get such great shots …I still have a 4S iPhone…have heard the 5 has a much better camera???? Thanks.