Your Next Camera?
Ars Technica has attempted to do a really interesting exercise – comparing the iPhone 4s camera to other smartphone cameras [iPhone 4 and Samsung Galaxy IIs], a compact camera[Olympus XZ-1] and a digital SLR[Canon 20D]. Despite the flaws in the comparison[see below], this is a must see article. For example, Picthat has been arguing in its Camera Trends for the Next 2-3 Years that Smartphone cameras are pushing the compact and DSLR camera makers and their technology very hard indeed. As Ars Technica argues “the best camera is the one that is with you” and the new iPhone 4S camera delivers an array of features that makes it a viable point and shoot camera. And since your iPhone is likely to be with you – Flickr is likely to see the combo of the iPhone 4 and iPhone4s continuing as the most popular camera on its site.
A Flawed Comparison
The major problem with this comparison is that the writer, Chris Foresman has been grossly unfair in his choice of DSLR to use.Ostensibly in the name of balancing image size capability at 8MP, Chris has chosen to use 7-year old technology in the form of the Canon 20D to represent “DSLR state of the art”. Chris appears to be adverse to using any camera that does not fit in his pants pockets. May I suggest the Sony Nex7 with 16mm lens at 12.6 ounces as more than capable of pants pocketable performance – not to dicount 24MP, HDR, panorama capable, and highest quality EXmor camera chip. The Nex7 allows for multiple zoom lens options as well.
Having tripped on the DSLR to use, one can also call into question the choice of the Olympus XZ-1 to represent the state of the art for compact cameras. NYTimes David Pogue has suggested the Canon S100 while Picthat would choose the Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX9V for its zoom, fast speed, and great camera sensor. In sum, Chris has handicapped the competition to the iPhone 4s. Nonethless, the article is must see.
Why the Article is a Must See
Given the unfair handicapping, why is this a must see article? Well its more a must see then a must read. The side by side comparison of the five cameras is well worth inspecting. Yes, the iPhone 4S performs very well indeed. But for my eye the Samsung Galaxy IIs is quite a revelation. Its images are for this viewer are quite compelling. Also the Apple iPhone 4 [without the S], shows why it became the most popular camera on Flickr – it acquits itself very well.
The comparisons of iPhone 4s images to compact and SLR cameras is really Apples and Oranges and not very useful. However, the comparison of the video perfromance of the cameras is most revealing. First, one can see why the Cisco Flip camera really flopped. It simply did not match the full feature set and quality that is available in the compact camera, SLR, and smartphone worlds. Second, a strong case canbe made for not using zoom lensing while taking video – the refocusing and camera shake problems introduced are often not worth the zooming. In sum, video taking with an smartphone camera, if you can find a way to keep it held steady, may be the real opportunity.
Summary
In sum, smartphones can and do take high [but far from highest] quality images. And as shown in the article, the improvements in quality have been dramatic for iPhones over the past 4-5 years. But so too has been the case for SLR and compact camera; hence the invalidity of this comparison. Chris tacitly acknowledges this:
For snapshot purposes, the iPhone 4S is comparable to the 8MP Canon 20D when it comes to image quality. But that comparison is a little unfair—you can easily achieve better results with newer DSLRs in terms of exposure, noise, and megapixel count. What you can’t do with any DSLR, though, is (again) slip it into your pants pocket.
So see this article for what it is -proof of the great improvement in smartphone cameras. But it is only a confirmation that smartphone cameras are now matching the capabilities of compact cameras of 3-5 years ago [and SLRs of 7-9 years ago]. Smartphone cameras have indeed earned their wayto the top of the Flickr camera usage now for image quality as well as for their pants pocketable handiness[but a whole array of new subcompact ILCs – Interchangeable Lens Cameras currently lead by Sony Nex7 will bring SLR-like performance to the world of pants pocket cameras]. But as a replacement for a compact camera or DSLR with zoom lenses, HDR exposures, auto-panoramic stitching, precise exposure controls, easy battery replensihment, huge local image storage[128 to 256GB] – smartphones cameras are still not so good.