Can the iPhone4S replace a "real" digital camera?

I don't know why people are excited about the iPhone 4s camera. There is a MUCH more potent mobile phone camera that's already 1.5 years old in the Nokia N8.

The N8's sensor is HUGE compared to the 4s. 1/1.83 vs 1/3.2
N8 has built in ND filters, 4s does not (so it can handle very bright situations better)
N8 has Zeiss designed optics, 4s does not.
N8 has 12MP vs 8MP of the 4s, giving a better digital zoom potential
N8 has a REAL XENON FLASH. None of this fake LED crap. Same kind of flash you'd see on a real camera.
N8 Video captures STEREO sound and has realtime digital zoom that works VERY well.

The 4s camera doesn't even look remotely interesting in comparison to the 1.5 year old N8's camera.

The N8 IS REALLY a phone that makes this camera nerd feel like I can leave my camera at home. The flash really brings it to the next level... it will get a clear, crisp shot of your subject in a dark cave. Even serious filmmakers have taken notice of the N8 for their personal cameras.

Even these pro commercial photographers were blown away:
http://www.youtube.com​/watch?v=VodhwvJZfL0

picturecrazy wrote in post #13453888
I don't know why people are excited about the iPhone 4s camera.

Because it's an iPhone, the only phone that matters lol

Answer to OP: Nope.

You can forget high ISO performance, responsiveness, ergonomics, ease of controls, breadth of controls, dynamic range, speed/accuracy of auto focus, and other things because the ability to control depth of field by itself puts a large sensor camera in a different league than small sensor cameras...

Articles of this sort are only a sign of an ignorant person that doesn't understand photography.

To me, smartphones (and based on recent reviews, the iPhone 4s does not have the best phone camera) are to cameras what... smartphones are to watches.

People who wore cheap watches just to get the time, but didn't care one bit about watches now depend on their phones for time. People who used/use cheap point and shoot cameras just to capture a moment, not caring about quality beyond looking decent on Twitter/Facebook/etc., will be happy with a smartphone camera.

Multifunction devices are jacks of all trades. Nothing wrong with 'em. But it's like anything. Like cars. Do you want sporty or comfortable? A bit of both? Then there's a compromise. Are you happy with the compromise? Then it's all good.

One tricky thing - unless you're on a plan these phones will set you back the price of an entry-level SLR body ($600). Now it's like saying you'll need two cars to get the performance on track days and the comfort for commuting day. Many will go for the compromise as they can't afford two cars.

For me? Absolutely not, not even remotely close.

For average Joe? Sure.

lonelyjew wrote in post #13456839
You can forget high ISO performance, responsiveness, ergonomics, ease of controls, breadth of controls, dynamic range, speed/accuracy of auto focus, and other things because the ability to control depth of field by itself puts a large sensor camera in a different league than small sensor cameras...

Articles of this sort are only a sign of an ignorant person that doesn't understand photography.

Nice one, and I agree. No matter how you define "real camera."

To the original question - no.

I was really excited about the iPhone 4S camera, but from what I hear the API doesn't support manual exposure. Anyone know?

I have a DSLR, Point & Shoot, & an iPhone 4S. I'd definitely say the convenience of having the iPhone 4S is better than having a point & shoot. It does take pictures good enough were I no longer carry my point & shoot anywhere, but it's not a suitable DSLR replacement. It's good, but not that good.

TheBurningCrown wrote in post #13494472
I was really excited about the iPhone 4S camera, but from what I hear the API doesn't support manual exposure. Anyone know?

The default camera app doesn't have manual exposure, but you can have separate focus and exposure lock using some third party apps.

Check out camera+, highly recommended!

Link to website.

m-industry wrote in post #13505744
The default camera app doesn't have manual exposure, but you can have separate focus and exposure lock using some third party apps.

Check out camera+, highly recommended!

Link to website.

I don't mean separate focus/exposure lock, I mean simply the ability to manually adjust the exposure to your desire (without using the spot meter/AE lock trick). Camera+, from what I've read, allows exposure compensation, but it simply edits the RAW file to get it.

I sold my Canon G11 I think about six months after I upgraded to the iPhone 4. No the images weren't the same but I had stopped using the G11. I never go walk about with the MKIII anymore. I've mostly processed iPhone images in LR3 but lately for Facebook I've been using An App called Photoshop Express in the camera and can send right from my phone to Facebook.

But I use photography a lot differently with the phone in a more personal journalistic manner combined with text than expecting larger images. It's simply a different use I'd photography for me and one that I am embracing enthusiastically. It's added to my joy as a photographer and it has made me even more aware visually.

I prefer Camera+ to PS Express. I'm also trying to sell my G11, but to pick up a Fuji X-10 in its place.

Would be cool if it did hahah.