Happy New Year everyone ! I hope 2012 is safe and successful for you all, and full of wonderful photographs
I'm occasionally asked if it is worth buying a Compact Camera (often called "Point and Shoot"), or saving up for a half-decent Compact Camera, or even delaying until you there are funds for a Digital Single Lens Reflex (D-SLR).
To a lot of people, a mobile phone camera acts as a perfectly good 'snapper' that is within reach all the time (except perhaps when you are in the shower ;o). Clearly, the images you are going to take are going to be uploaded IMMEDIATELY to Facebook, then a mobile phone wins hands-down .. but .. if you want to do anything remotely creative, or want your images to be more than a 10 minute fascination for your friends, maybe it is worth considering a Compact Camera after all. Not only do they offer more creativity, but they are also EASIER to get a steady, well-exposed, well-composed, and well-focussed shot. Compact Cameras are clearly designed to be used for years, and the more you use them, the easier they seem to be to use.
To a lot of people, a mobile phone camera acts as a perfectly good 'snapper' that is within reach all the time (except perhaps when you are in the shower ;o). Clearly, the images you are going to take are going to be uploaded IMMEDIATELY to Facebook, then a mobile phone wins hands-down .. but .. if you want to do anything remotely creative, or want your images to be more than a 10 minute fascination for your friends, maybe it is worth considering a Compact Camera after all. Not only do they offer more creativity, but they are also EASIER to get a steady, well-exposed, well-composed, and well-focussed shot. Compact Cameras are clearly designed to be used for years, and the more you use them, the easier they seem to be to use.
Have a look at this UK article below, and see what you think ? The reader comments at the bottom are particular interesting ..
Cheers
Roscoe
Short Answer: yes.
ReplyDeleteIt's like the film vs digital discussion all over again.
The only thing that the compact's may still have over the smartphone is a better zoom.
One of the keys for the smartphone though is the option of better software. Look at the Panoramic stuff in Android 4. Or Camera+ or Instagram.
Not to mention the economies of scale in production. Or the 2 year refresh cycle.