bassman_soundking Loc: Sacramento

I am new to photography and taking pictures with anything other than outdated cameras and phonIs my mmmmes and point and shoot cameras.
Recently bought a Nikon D5100, and a new 13mp smartphone.
Some friends said buying a better phone and no camera was a better choice.
I have to admit that my friends Galaxy S7 pictures are often better than my D5100 pics, he is skilled with his tool, and I am a newbie.
Should I have bought a better camera, or should I have gotten a better smartphone, and no DSLR?

Dedo Loc: NY, Uruguay

You really answered your own question: "he is skilled with his tool, and I am a newbie".

chapjohn Loc: Tigard, Oregon

You are not comparing the same things. Sensor size is one area to consider. The ability to adjust camera settings easily is another area to look at. How much weight you are willing to carry is another consideration. How the device fits your hand to make the image also needs to be considered. Being able to shoot in manual and getting RAW images are also things to consider. Others may add to this list. I am not telling you one is better that the other, only asking questions to help your thinking.

Rongnongno Loc: FL

(answering the title)

How many times will we beat this horse?

It died centuries ago when photographers started to replace painters for portraiture.

Everything changes so...

This vs that?

A BS title.

As to your question...

This is not by looking at what other do 'better' with anything that will you make you something.

Use what you are comfortable with, not by what your friends use or tell you to use.

JohnSwanda Loc: San Francisco

It really depends on your aspirations with photography. If you just want good quality snapshots of family and friends or events in your life, a smartphone would probably be good enough. If you are serious about wanting to improve your photography and make it something beyond snapshots, then a phone will eventually limit your ability to do that. If that's what you want, you will need to learn to use your DSLR with books or online tutorials and lots of practice until you can best your friend's phone photos. Your D5100 is a good starter camera until you learn to use it to its limits, and feel you need something better.

bassman_soundking Loc: Sacramento

I feel a slightly hostile environment here so Ill keep this brief and drop it.

I do think most answers are in this thread now though...sensor size vs convenience
Raw images are an option in some Flagship phones now, with 20MP or better sensors albeit smaller sensors than entry level DSLR'.

Rongnongno Loc: FL

You are on point now.

Something (raw) phone do not offer... Yet. (but I maybe mistaken here as the technology progresses really fast at the moment).

BebuLamar

There are subjects that lend themselves well to a camera like the phone. However this is not general. A DSLR is much more versatile as a camera should be.

bassman_soundking Loc: Sacramento

Some already do.
The S7 by Samsung has raw capabilities, and I believe there are others as well.
Also a maximum f1.7 Aperture.
http://www.phonearena.com/news/First-Galaxy-S7-camera-RAW-vs-Auto-mode-comparison-reveals-great-exposure-but-aggressive-filtering_id78991

There are also Apps for other phones that dont support manual and raw from the MFG here.
http://www.phonearena.com/news/5-Android-camera-apps-that-can-shoot-raw-photos_id75010

Mac Loc: Pittsburgh, Philadelphia now Hernando Co. Fl.

It's not that your friend's phone takes better pictures than your DSLR, it's that your friend is a better photographer than you. As you gain more experience and learn more about your camera and about photography your pictures will improve.
It is true that the cameras in phones are pretty fantastic, to the point that the camera has become a major selling point for phones. Keep in mind though that there are more important things to a camera than the number of MPs.
The camera you bought is a good camera, as your photography improves you may want to move to a more advanced model, but for now and for in to the future the D5100 will serve you well.
The best way to improve both your familiarity with your camera and improve your photographic skills is to shoot as often as possible and try new and different things when shooting. Many people take their camera out on walks or bicycle rides daily or weekly or how ever often they are able.
If you haven't already done so, purchasing a book that goes in to greater detail about your camera than the manual that came with the camera will be a big help. Darrell Young and David Busch both have put out books specific to the D5100. Another helpful book to have is "Understanding Exposure" by Bryan Peterson.
Good luck and have fun.

bassman_soundking Loc: Sacramento

Hi thanks for the reply.
I definitely have a lot to learn, and those books might be the ticket along with using the camera outdoors etc.
As the temp is rising here in NorCal I find myself outside less, ht in the day, and mosquitoes at night, but I will still get out at least once a week.
One think I noticed was that my Camera could see through the black security door, but my friends Samsung phone still had the mesh in the pictures.
Not sure how that happened, but was impressive.
So far all my photos in manual mode arent as good as the camera in auto mode.
Practice makes perfect, or at least better.

n3eg Loc: West coast USA

I will not use the "e" word...I will not use the "e" word...

bassman_soundking Loc: Sacramento

(I will not use the "e" word...I will not use the "e" word...)

What do you mean?

wdross Loc: Castle Rock, Colorado

Bassman soundking, no hostility meant by most of the members, just frustration over a subject. I have a Galaxy S7 and it amounts to good point and shoot / entry level camera. But my Galaxy S7 is still the last tool in my camera arsenal that I will use. The fact that the Galaxy S7 pictures are sometimes better than your D5100 pictures is because you are, as you stated, a newbie. Your friends are not newbies to cellphone cameras and can work with their limitations better than you can operate the D5100. Once you learn and master both your camera and most of the rules of photography, the tables will turn on the quality of pictures that you will produce compared to what you would have produced with a cellphone camera. Just give yourself a little time and effort and see how things change.

GENorkus Loc: Washington Twp, Michigan

In good conditions, anybody can take a technically perfect photo.

When people's photographic abilities expand they often get a camera with more abilities. This also includes additional lense, flashes, ect. (Even cell phones have optional "goodies".)

Ask yourself why!

Your friend is very likely good with a cellphone but he hasn't expanded beyond the phones abilities yet... and with that attitude probably never will.

This reminds me of the first Star Trek movie. This was where V-her kept asking, "is there more."