Bokeh (the soft, visually appealing out-of-focus areas in the fore- and background of a photo) can also be simulated on a smartphone thanks to depth sensors, while AI-assisted low-light processing can wring detail out of murky scenes – but to all but the most untrained eye the signs of digital wizardry are obvious. Things don’t look quite right. You can only fake it so far before the metaphorical wires and scraps of gaffer tape begin to show.
A DSLR or mirrorless camera isn’t obliged to resort to such tricks. They have no need for major compromises: they’re allowed to be unwieldy and awkward so long as they deliver results. Big sensors, big lenses and big grips that let you hold the camera rock-steady: all are conducive to providing images that can’t be matched on a phone, and it’s these things that make a proper camera worth owning for anyone who wants to consistently create quality photos or videos.
Speaking of video, phone manufacturers often highlight their devices’ ability to shoot 4K Ultra HD video clips. But compare that 4K footage to 4K footage shot on a camera like the Fujifilm X-T4, Sony A7S III or Nikon Z6 and the difference is night and day. The phone video looks fantastic considering it’s shot on a phone, but the dynamic range, detail, colour and bokeh on the real camera footage is streets ahead.
None of this is to say that smartphone cameras are bad. Given the size limitations manufacturers are working with, they’re little short of astonishing. For general snaps, quick street photography shots and the like, a smartphone makes a lot of sense. For wildlife or sports photography, professional-grade portraits and more challenging scenarios, you’ll still need a ‘proper’ camera (hands up who’d want their wedding shot on an iPhone?). The ubiquitous smartphone has democratised photography in a way that pricy premium cameras and even affordable DSLRs never could, making passionate, prolific shutterbugs of people who don’t know their aperture from their elbow. It’s the camera you always have with you, to return to that somewhat trite saying, and its appeal lies in its convenience.
It’s only natural for traditional photographers to view the popularity and prevalence of smartphones as an existential threat to their passion. Olympus’ decision to sell off its camera division after several profitless years might have set the alarm bells ringing, but it’s too early to panic. For other companies like Canon, Nikon, Fujifilm and Sony, the new enthusiast camera releases continue apace. The ultra-premium Canon EOS R3 (coming soon) and Sony A1 are almost absurdly powerful, able to shoot full-resolution stills at 30fps and (in the A1’s case) record 8K video.
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