This is a Guest Post and does not reflect the thoughts and opinions of Techzim. We have a strong filtering process of what makes it to our blog and are confident that you’ll enjoy the article below.
I have written before about why you might want to buy a DSLR (or mirror-less) camera to upgrade your photography. That said, I have to recognize it is not for everyone. Presented below, in no particular order, is a list of reasons your smartphone might be good enough for your photography.
1. Your smartphone camera is good enough for your needs
Smartphone cameras these days are nothing short of amazing. If you are like most people, the pictures that your smartphone camera takes in most situations are good enough for your needs. You can proudly post them on Facebook/Twitter/Whatsapp stories or status or whatever-the-heck-that-snapchat-clone-is-called. It has even become trendy for magazines like The Times to feature covers shot by professionals using an iPhone (a marketing gimmick by Apple if you ask me).
If you the camera you have is good enough, why spend money and effort to acquire and learn how to use something else.
2. Camera equipment costs a lot of money
Photography is an expensive hobby. Most photographers have multiple lenses for their cameras. Depending on the lenses you choose, each one can easily cost more than the most expensive phone on the market. Sure, you can take pretty good pictures with the kit lens that comes with your camera.
3. You can’t be bothered learning all the manual settings.
Most of the value of using a DSLR comes from knowing when to use which lens, at which focal length, and at which shutter speed, ISO and aperture. If all you want is to use automatic mode, then you might want to stick with your phone. Sure, you can get good pictures with a DSLR in manual mode, just like I might get to the shops a bit quicker if I had a Ferrari, but spending that much for a marginal improvement is not worth it.
To get the maximum quality of pictures, you have to learn some sort of editing software. And before you ask, no, Instagram filters or the app you use to do those collages don’t count here. What you need is RAW processing software, like Adobe Lightroom. It is admittedly not too difficult to learn, but you have to put in some effort.
4. Carrying a big camera around can be a pain
A camera is something extra that you have to carry around with you. If you have a big DSLR and a couple of bulky lenses, you suddenly have a decision each time you go out of the house. Do you take the camera or do you leave it? You can’t always predict when the opportunity would arise to take the perfect picture. Your smartphone poses no such problem.
As they say, the best camera is the one you have. You will always have your smartphone. In most situations, you will not have your camera.
6. Selfies
Here is something I didn’t know: some people consider selfies to be a superior form of photography. I only figured it out a couple of years ago when I showed off my shiny new Fujifilm mirror-less camera to friends and colleagues and some of them would ask whether I could take good selfies with it. If this is an important consideration for you, maybe you should stick with your smartphone. Taking selfies with a big camera is not very practical. I have watched my sister and my girlfriend try it with some amusement.
Tafadzwa is a photography and tech enthusiast currently living in South Africa. You can follow him on twitter @ltmundida. Instagram @pics_byleo and his Facebook photography page @Pics_by_Leo
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12 comments
its like asking why should u buy a playstation when u can play games on your phone..A camera is a camera…a phone is a phone
What’s the point of this article? Two pieces of technologies with totally different capabilities!
The point is DSLRs are not for everyone. For some people, especially if you have a good phone, your phone is good enough. If you noticed there is a link to another article making the case for why you should buy a camera.
And the moral of the story is what? Some people earn a decent living from photography. The better if you have proper equipment. Honestly speaking, if you know how to use a DSLR it is the preferable option for getting the best images compared to a smart phone #PhotographerAtHeart
You need to take it in context together with the other article making the case for buying a DSLR. I have 4 cameras in addition to my phone, but its not for everyone.
i find the smart fone camera limiting. eg i cant take fotos of my child at school plays using a smart fone camera
Very good
Lol!!
Why you should NOT upgrade from using a kombi to a personal car
1. A kombi is good enough for your needs
Kombis these days are nothing short of amazing. If you are like most people, the routes that kombis take in most situations are good enough for your needs. If kombis you catch are good enough, why spend money and effort to acquire and learn how to use something else.
2. Cars cost a lot of money
Driving is an expensive hobby. Most drivers pay a tri-annual insurance for their cars. Depending on the insurance you choose, it can easily cost more than the cumulative kombi fares for the same period.
3. You can’t be bothered learning all the manual settings.
To drive a car, one must learn to steer, interpret a speedometer, know when to use which gears, at which speeds, the appropriate signals and understand road signs as well as carriageway markings. If all you want is to get to your destination, then you might want to stick to catching a kombi. Sure, you can drive the route you want to work, just like I might get to the shops a bit quicker if I had a Ferrari, but spending that much for a marginal improvement is not worth it.
4. Driving a big car around can be a pain
A car is something extra that you have think about when you move around. If you have a big car, you suddenly have a decision each time you go out of the house. Do you take the car, or do you leave it? Besides where to park it, you can’t always predict when the opportunity would arise to take a trip. A kombi poses no such problem.
You will always have a kombi near by. In most situations, you will not have your car.
5. Parking
Here is something I didn’t know: some people consider parking to be pretty expensive. I only figured it out a couple of years ago when I showed off my shiny new car to friends and colleagues and some of them would ask whether I have parking at work. Parking in the Harare CBD costs a pretty penny. If this is an important consideration for you, maybe you should stick with kombis. Parking for a big car is not very practical, you might have to use 2 parking spots. I have watched my sister and my girlfriend try parking it with some amusement.
😉
If you live in a city with a good public transport network, buying a car is not necessarily a good idea even if you can afford it.
Best response ever, you’ve just made my day.
love your sense of humour::
“If you the camera you have is good enough,…” wtf?