• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer

DIGITAL PHOTO MENTOR

Photography tips, tutorials and guides for Beginner and Intermediate Photographers.

  • Start Here
  • Photography Basics
    • Beginner Photography Tutorials
    • Free Photography Basics for Beginners Course
  • Photography Articles
    • Beginner Photography Tutorials
    • Photography Challenges
    • Photography Tips
      • Portrait Photography
        • Flash Photography
      • Night Photography
      • Street Photography
      • Photo Editing
      • Landscape Photography
      • Macro Photography
      • Photoshop Tutorials
      • Photography Equipment
  • Online Courses
    • Luminar Neo Course
    • Lightroom for Photographers: The Complete Course
    • Photoshop For Photographers: The Complete Course
    • Portrait Fundamentals
  • Private Tutoring
  • Store
    • Online Courses
    • Bokeh Overlays
    • Sky Replacements
    • Texture Backgrounds
    • Lightroom Presets
    • Private Tutoring
    • Cart
  • Login
  • Photography Basics
    • Beginner Photography Tutorials
    • Free Photography Basics for Beginners Course
  • Photography Challenges
    • Photography Challenges E-Book
    • 5-Day Photo Editing Challenge
    • All Our Photography Challenges
  • Photography Tips
    • Portrait Photography
      • Free Portrait Photography Key Concepts Course
      • Flash Photography
    • Night Photography
    • Street Photography
    • Travel Photography
    • Landscape Photography
    • Macro Photography
    • Photography Equipment
  • Photo Editing
    • Luminar
    • Learn How to Use Lightroom Classic – Online Course
    • Photoshop Tutorials
  • Gallery
  • Resources
    • Free Basics for Beginners Course
    • Free Portrait Photography for Beginners Course
    • Lightroom Presets
    • Texture Pack for Photoshop, Luminar
    • Webinars
    • YouTube Channel
Home » Photography Tips » Is the Camera an Important Factor When You Choose a New Smartphone?
Is the Camera an Important Factor When You Choose a New Smartphone?

Is the Camera an Important Factor When You Choose a New Smartphone?

by Darlene Hildebrandt | Last Updated: July 15, 2020

Share21
Tweet
Pin5
WhatsApp
Email

Panasonic recently introduced a new SmartPhone, Lumix DMC-CM1, with a 20mb camera and Leica lens. I caught my attention because my iPhone 5 died in Nicaragua last year and I just picked up a used Android phone for now, not wanting to renew my mobile contract again.

16363054975_e772809c6b_z
Photo by Hideya HAMANO

So it got me thinking about camera phones and wondering – is this something that is important to photographers? To photography enthusiasts like yourself? The question is:

How important is the camera to you, when choosing a new Smartphone?

Having used two iPhones prior to the HTC that I have now, its camera is less than impressive. It’s okay to grab a snapshot for Facebook or just to remember something, but not much more.

As I contemplated what I will do when my service contract expires I thought about something like the new Panasonic. Let’s see what it’s all about:

Okay sounds interesting. I dug a little deeper and found this review by DPReview. Seems pricey and didn’t get the raving reviews I was looking for. But it has a real lens, shoots raw files, and manual mode – that IS attractive to a photographer.

What do you carry with you?

Photograph Capturing it all by Keith Mokris on 500px

Capturing it all by Keith Mokris on 500px

You may have heard this phrase before:

The best camera is the one you have with you.

I can’t tell you who said it, but they’re right. So having said that – do you always have your big camera with you?

What if a photo opportunity arises?

Do you carry your DSLR, mirrorless or even point and shoot camera with you at all times? I know I don’t. But I almost always have my phone.

Read: 7 Mobile Phone Photography Tips

Let’s discuss it – what do you use your phone for?

2715565881_51037d3809_z
Photo by Michael Beck

So I want to open a discussion on this topic.

Would you be tempted by something like this phone, just for the camera – or say the iPhone 6 plus?

Or do you keep the two separate – you camera is a DSLR and your phone is well, just a phone? This is the kind of cell phone I had back in the day, one of the first available.

Nice hey?!

I used to call it “The Brick” as did many people who owned it. It was like holding a brick and was as heavy as one.

It certainly wasn’t pocket, or even purse friendly. It also cost a ton of money at the time and it only did one thing – phone calls. Go figure right. We’ve come a long way since those days, and pretty much everyone has a SmartPhone that allows you to do all sorts of other things like:

  • Texting
  • Takes photos
  • Capture video
  • Surf the web
  • Stay connected on all your social media accounts
  • Track your fitness and heart rate
  • Play videos
  • Play games
  • Read an eBook
  • Read and answer email
  • Check the weather
  • Check the time (I don’t remember the last time I wore a watch)
  • And more . . .

Case in point – concerts, events, parties, etc.

Photograph audience 2 by Ricardo Tavares on 500px audience 2 by Ricardo Tavares on 500px

Sometimes I honestly don’t feel like bringing my “real” camera to events because then it’s almost expected that I’m going to take photos and provide them to everyone.

So I often just take my phone, or a little point and shoot that I put in my purse. It takes decent photos, but I shoot in JPG and if anyone wants them I just send as is – no processing, no fuss, no muss. For events that is usually plenty good enough.

But are there times you wish you had a better small camera? Or a phone that really delivered great photos?

Tell us what you use, when, and why?

Share with us in the comments below what you have for cameras:

  • DSLR
  • Mirrorless
  • Point and shoot
  • Phone

What model of each to you have, and when to you choose each? When do you leave your SLR at home, and what do you take instead? Why?

Do you use photo apps to process images on your phone? If so, which ones? I like Snapseed myself.

Do you use Instagram or Facebook to share your Smartphone images?

I’m not a big Instagrammer, but I do post photos to my personal Facebook profile, especially when I’m travelling (my mom likes to see that I’m still alive/safe and what I’m doing, she also usually “likes” or comments on every single one – love you mom!) . Do you use social media? If so which ones?

Do you take photos of your food? Guilty! I used to be a food photographer so I still love a good food photo, and I appreciate when plate of food has been well presented and feel it deserved a photo.

smartphone camera tips for buying your new smartphone

Just for fun – can you tell which camera?

Below are several images taken with four different cameras:

  1. Canon 5D Mark III
  2. Fuji X-T1 mirrorless
  3. Panasonic Lumix LF1 point and shoot
  4. iPhone 5

Let’s play a little game, do a test if you will. Can you match up which camera took which image?

Put your guess in the comments. Put the photo number and which camera you think took that image, I’ll let you know if you get it right. Once they’ve all been guessed correctly I’ll edit the captions below the images so you can see the right answers. I think you might get fooled by a few!

which-camera-750px-01
#1 – taken with the Canon 5D3 (correctly guessed by Edmund)
which-camera-750px-02
#2 Taken with the Fuji (as correctly guessed by Rufine)
which-camera-750px-03
#3 taken with iPhone 5 (as correctly guessed by Carol)
which-camera-750px-04
#4 taken with Panasonic Lumix (as guess correctly by John Davenport)
ISO 12,8000, f/1.4, 1/80th - 50mm f/1.4 lens
#5 taken with the Canon at ISO 12,800 (as guessed correctly by Herb)
which-camera-750px-06
#6 taken with the Panasonic Lumix (as correctly guessed by Carol)
ISO 3200, f/4, 1/25th - 17-35mm lens at 35mm
#7 taken with the Canon 5D3 (as correctly guessed by Michael F)
which-camera-750px-08
#8 taken with iPhone5 (as guessed correctly by John Davenport)
which-camera-750px-09
#9 taken with the Canon 5D3 (as correctly guessed by Michael F)
which-camera-750px-10
#10 taken with iPhone5 (as correctly guessed by Michael F)
which-camera-750px-11
#11 Panasonic Lumix (as correctly guessed by Michael F)
which-camera-750px-12
#12 taken by the iPhone5 – anyone surprised by the level of detail and sharpness here? (as guessed correctly by Herb)
which-camera-750px-13
#13 taken with the Fuji X-T1 (as correctly guessed by Michael F)
which-camera-750px-14
#14 taken with Panasonic Lumix (as correctly guessed by Edmund)
which-camera-750px-15
#15 taken with the Fuji X-T1 (as correctly guessed by Michael F)
ISO 100, f/11, 15 seconds - 17mm lens
#16 taken with Canon 5D3 (as correctly guessed by Lenie)
which-camera-750px-17
#17 taken with iPhone5 (as correctly guessed by Carol)
which-camera-750px-18
#18 taken with Canon 5D3 (as correctly guessed by Michael F)
which-camera-750px-19
#19 taken with the Fuji X-T1 (as correctly guessed by Michael F)
which-camera-750px-20
#20 taken by the Panasonic Lumix (as guessed correctly by John Davenport)
which-camera-750px-21
#21 taken with the Fuji X-T1 and 8mm Rokinon lens (as correctly guessed by Lenie)
which-camera-750px-22
#22 taken with the Fuji (as guessed correctly by Herb)

So how did you do at guessing the camera for each image above?

The point at the end of the day is the camera really doesn’t matter. Just have one that you enjoy, know how to use – and use it!

Cheers,
Darlene-1-250x130.png

Share21
Tweet
Pin5
WhatsApp
Email

About Darlene Hildebrandt

Darlene is an educator who teaches aspiring amateurs and hobbyists how to improve their skills through her articles here on Digital Photo Mentor, her beginner photography course, and private tutoring lessons. To help you at whatever level you're at she has two email mini-courses. Sign up for her free beginner OR portrait photography email mini-course. Or get both, no charge!

ultimate photography bundle

There’s NEVER been a better time to get Luminar Neo. With this Ultimate Photography Bundle promotion, you recieve the Luminar Neo software, hundreds of LUT’s, Skies, presets and overlays, a Landscape Photography editing course, a Drone photography course and my very own Portrait Fundamentals course, along with a number of other items.

Click here to Get $1019 worth of photography software and courses for an 85% savings.

Digital Photo Mentor is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to products on Amazon. As an Amazon Associate Digital Photo Mentor earns from qualifying purchases.
luminar neo course

Learn How to Use Luminar Neo

Unleash your creativity with Luminar Neo! Click here to learn how to use Luminar Neo,this powerful software for stunning photo edits. Over 16 hours of video tutorials and example photos to use.

Top Beginner Articles

  • Is Luminar Neo the Best Beginner Photo Editing Software?
  • Avoid these 9 beginner photography mistakes
  • 7 Tips for Beginner Photographers
  • Top 15 Photography Accessories under $25
  • How to choose the best digital camera for you
  • 5 Photography Ideas for When There's Nothing Interesting to Shoot
  • 5 mistakes beginner photographers make while using a wide angle lens and how to avoid them
  • 9 Tripod Mistakes Ruining Your Images and Putting Your Camera at Risk
  • Long Exposure Photography

Top Intermediate Articles

  • 10 Camera Settings and Equipment Tips for Portrait Photography
  • Best Photo Editing Software Reviewed
  • Lightroom Alternative: Is Luminar the answer?
  • Top 15 Photography Accessories under $25
  • How to Use a Gray Card for Custom White Balance and Metering
  • Night Photography Settings – Guide to Getting the Best Exposure

Learn Photography Basics

Yes, you can learn to take better photos! It’s my passion to help you learn the photography basics and take better pictures. It’s also the same reason I teach workshops, do photo travel tours, and have online photography courses available.

Enroll in our free photography basics for beginners course, or 12-part portrait photography course, also free.

Recent Photography Articles

  • How To Harness the Power of Double Exposure Photography
  • Stunning Night Photo Edits With Luminar Neo
  • Six ways to make your travel photography stand out
  • Why Street Photography Is So Difficult And How To Overcome It
  • Review of Sigma’s 56mm F/1.4 Lens – Is It Worth It?

Useful Links

  • Beginner Photography
  • Intermediate Photography
  • Photography Challenges
  • Photography Tips
  • Photo Editing
  • Resources
  • Recommended Amazon Products
  • Course Login
  • Workshops
  • Webinars
  • Contact
  • Write for Us

Copyright © 2023 Digital Photo Mentor · Privacy Policy · Cookie Policy · Disclaimer