Cell/Smart Phone Cameras vs Point & Shoots

I am curious to know, in light of the significant improvement in cell/smart phone cameras over the past couple years, what dslr photographers preferences are regarding owning a point & shoot vs just using cell phone camera for happy snaps, quick grab shots etc where dslr quality and control is not required?

Thanks to mirrorless cameras, that is my "p&s", otherwise my phone camera works fine for quick grabs. But my phone camera is no where near as good as an APS-C sensor. It really shows indoors where I can get great shots at ISO 1600 or 3200. Camera phones just can't match in the higher ISO department. And they pale in comparison when it comes to control of settings.

So pretty much just like you said, when you want more quality and control the phone camera won't do....however, the best camera you have is the one you have with you

Cell phone sensors have improved considerably, and the lenses are also better in many cases. But the controls still suck. In good light, where you dont need fill light, a camera phone is good. but I never seem to find the good light when I need it.

Even for a P&S (compact) I want to shoot raw and have Av, Tv and M options.

And a proper (optical) zoom.

And even the small sensors on the S-series are better than any cell phone I have seen.

I think the main advantage of a Point and shoot is the zoom lens, most cell phone cameras have a fixed lens and rely on digital zoom. Second would be dedicated buttons on a point and shoots which most cellphones don't have.

I'm a big fan of Olympus Tough cameras when engaging in outdoors activities: fly fishing, hiking, etc. My Note 2 camera isn't as good, or as durable.

RileyNZL wrote in post #16567253
I think the main advantage of a Point and shoot is the zoom lens, most cell phone cameras have a fixed lens and rely on digital zoom. Second would be dedicated buttons on a point and shoots which most cellphones don't have.

^^
digital zoom always sucks compared to optical zoom (lens zoom). Of course, the phone (camera) is always with you, whereas the P&S might not be.

I rather have a point and shoot with me than my cellphone camera. Not only because the quality of the cellphone camera sucks in comparison (dynamic range and such) but also because you look absolutely ridicilous when taking pictures or filming with a celphone. My trusty Fujifilm X100S is small enough to always be with me and outputs excellent quality, it's fixed 35mm lens is not a problem.

However IF i had to use a cellphone camera it should be a Nokia device, they are the best of the best out there.

/ Magnus

Back to the original question:

Gizmo1137 wrote in post #16566828
I am curious to know, in light of the significant improvement in cell/smart phone cameras over the past couple years, what dslr photographers preferences are regarding owning a point & shoot vs just using cell phone camera for happy snaps, quick grab shots etc where dslr quality and control is not required?

RileyNZL wrote in post #16567253
I think the main advantage of a Point and shoot is the zoom lens, most cell phone cameras have a fixed lens and rely on digital zoom. Second would be dedicated buttons on a point and shoots which most cellphones don't have.

Those are good points, Riley!

'Course with this stuff it's all down to "convenience". I used a "super-zoom" film camera for several years, but when it died I just started grabbing disposables and did my best with them.

But in the digital era I did move deliberately to cameras that would zoom...either little point-and-shoots or larger "compact super-zoom" digicams...

Of course then I started with DSLRs and haven't gone back...in fact I don't even own a camera phone!

BrickR wrote in post #16566950
Thanks to mirrorless cameras, that is my "p&s", otherwise my phone camera works fine for quick grabs. But my phone camera is no where near as good as an APS-C sensor. It really shows indoors where I can get great shots at ISO 1600 or 3200. Camera phones just can't match in the higher ISO department. And they pale in comparison when it comes to control of settings.

So pretty much just like you said, when you want more quality and control the phone camera won't do....however, the best camera you have is the one you have with you

Same here! Love the EOS M.

My DSLR is now my backup camera since getting it.

Phone cameras are great because they're always there but I never get anything I'm that happy out of it. That's not to say they aren't getting better, I'm impressed with how much better my friend's Note 3 is than my Note 2.

That said, while I use my phone to record snaps of things I'm working on all the time, I also keep a little Canon Elph around because of the zoom range, better image quality and stabilization because if I'm tearing something apart I can get a better shot of things as I'm working on them with it than I can with my phone in many cases.

When it comes to actually enjoying what I'm shooting with, which is something I always appreciate, I've not yet used a P&S that provides that. I would still rather break out an SLR or other camera with better controls. I'm sure something like the Fuji X20 could get me there but I'm going to give the EOS M a shot for now. It misses out on a lot of controls and I don't know how I'll feel about the touch screen, but the sensor & compatibility with my other gear in a pinch sounds hard to pass up for the current price.

Phone cameras = everyday quick capture for me.

DSLR = OMG I'm a pro photographer look at my online l337 h4x0r portfolio shots

I love my Galaxy S3; the video quality & the ease makes it fun.

I rarely use my phone camera because I forget it has a camera. Yesterday, I was traveling and stopped in a convenience store to get something to drink. When I came out one of my favorite old cars was parked near me and then the owner came out and we talked for a while. As he left I was thinking how I wished I had had my camera with me to get a picture of an old classic car and then it dawned on me, cell phone. I do use my cell phone to get online but I just never think about the camera. When I want to take a picture I think of my 5DIII not my cell phone.

I have the Lumia 1020, and love the camera on it. It's taken the place of my point and shoot. When I want to get some really good captures and I'm doing something I know I'll want to take pictures of, I'll bring my DSLR.

I used to love my old P&S when it was good but I haven't bought a new one in years making it not up to par with today's standards and I always have my phone which gets the job done for quick pics plus always for instant Cloud storage and sharing. My wife still uses a P&S pending what she plans to do that day and I'm still the guy with a DSLR everywhere most of the time but I never rely on my P&S when I have a phone capable of taking that quick snap of whatever.