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Nowadays many photographers (both amateurs and professionals) question the added value of a dedicated camera (DSLR, Hybrid, Bridge) compared to the iPhone. Of course, for those who know how to use it, a dedicated camera will always offer a better image quality. With a DSLR, the size of the essential components, such as the lens and the sensor, allow a better capture of light and details.
However, the iPhone has exceptional capabilities considering its size: high quality hardware components and highly efficient software processing that allows the Apple phone to compete with SLRs and hybrids. In addition, it should be noted that compared to the world of dedicated cameras (Nikon, Canon, Fuji, etc.), the smartphone photography sector is developing much faster, and is constantly improving its photographic devices. This is thanks to the significant funds that major brands (Apple, Samsung, etc.) invest in technological research.
However, to fully understand the growing popularity of the iPhone among photographers, it is necessary to go beyond the question of pure image quality. There are many points in favour of "smartphone" photography, including the comfort of shooting and even the iPhone’s technology. Here are a few examples:
- Obviously, the iPhone is lighter in weight than a reflex camera. Its reduced weight and the fact that it is always in our pocket makes the iPhone an ideal camera for daily photography and to keep, for example, a photographic diary.
- Its small size makes the iPhone a very discreet camera, much less invasive than an SLR and its prominent lens. As a result, the smartphone will often be better accepted for capturing a portrait.
- The iPhone can also allow you to take a picture without being spotted. Since it is so common to hold your phone in front of you, simply open the "camera" application to quickly and subtly take a portrait of your subject. This ability of the smartphone is ideal for the practice of street photography.
- The post-processing of the images can be done directly on the iPhone. Thanks to very advanced applications such as Lightroom CC or Snapseed, photo retouching can be done in a very advanced way. The iPhone is also able to produce RAW images, and these can be retouched thanks to certain applications (Lightroom CC for example).
- The iPhone is extremely capable in video capture, and is still unparalleled on this point (in the smartphone world)! Its excellent stabilisation, the dynamic range of the images (the iPhone 12 now films in HDR) and the 4K resolution at 60fps, make it a popular camera for many videographers. Here is a course that will teach you all you need to know about video with your iPhone.
The iPhone is therefore an incredible companion for amateur and professional photographers, but also for videographers. This is thanks to its lightness, its versatility, its discretion, its incredible technical capacities (considering its small size), and its software power. However, it is still considered a secondary device in the professional photography world... But for how much longer?