Can an iPhone 12 Pro replace an entry-level DSLR for a beginner?
Asked 10/15/2020
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I'm new to photography and was considering an entry-level DSLR such as the Canon Rebel SL3 with lenses like an 18-55mm, 70-300mm, and a 50mm prime. After seeing the iPhone 12 Pro, I'm wondering whether a modern smartphone can replace a beginner DSLR. For what kinds of photography is a phone enough, and when would a DSLR still be the better choice?
Originally by Photography Stack Exchange contributor. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0
Photography Stack Exchange contributor
5y ago
2 Answers
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There is no clear answer: That depends on your type of photography.
If you want the camera just to take the usual this and that photos, you are probably not missing out very much. The computational support in the phone has come quite a way and is improving with astonishing speed.
You will notice some limitations: Due to the small sensor, the performance in low light is limited. The phone's image enhancement will do its best, and is now (year 2022) able to negate a lot of the effects by computational de-noising.
Things you can do with the phone, you probably cannot do that easily with the entry level dslr
- Filming without knowing what you do, including slow motion
- Carry it around you ALL the time
- Photos in very wet environments
- Automated panorama
Things that are hard or impossible with a phone
- low light photography (depends of post processing capabilities)
- anything that needs long time exposures or filters for artistic effect (like ND filters for landscape)
- Anything that needs a flash (you will have to use continuous light for any elaborate lighting, but then you cannot easily freeze action with continuous light)
- Zoom lenses. The best phones have a 5x optical zoom lens, equivalent to ~130mm. With a DSLR you can get a 400mm-equivalent lens cheaply (250mm lens on a crop sensor).
I am assuming that you use a third party photo app on the phone to have basic access to the settings a photo is taken with.
Note: After seeing a comparison video by Tony Northrup, I have changed some thoughts about low light photography.
Originally by user88965. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0
user88965
5y ago
0
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It depends on what you want to shoot and learn. A modern phone like the iPhone 12 Pro is very capable for everyday photos, casual video, panoramas, and situations where convenience matters most. Phones also benefit from strong computational processing, and because you always have one with you, they often win for spontaneous shooting.
An entry-level DSLR still has important advantages. Interchangeable lenses give you real wide, telephoto, and fast-prime options. Physical controls make zooming, focusing, and changing settings quicker and more precise. A larger sensor generally helps in low light and gives you more natural control over depth of field and exposure choices.
If your goal is simple, shareable photos and video with minimal effort, a phone may be enough. If you want to learn photography more deeply—especially exposure, lens choice, subject isolation, and deliberate control—a DSLR is the better tool. So a phone can replace a DSLR for casual use, but not for all kinds of photography or for the same learning experience.
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