Cell phone cameras vs. DSLRs: Does anyone know the effective f values of typical cell phone cameras? It is very frustrating for me, a DSLR owner, to struggle to get a decent image in...

Jersey guy Loc: New Joisey

Does anyone know the effective f values of typical cell phone cameras? It is very frustrating for me, a DSLR owner, to struggle to get a decent image in dim lighting situations, fumbling with high ISOs that create too much noise, and even with IS I too often have a blurred photo from movement, (mine or the subject's) while the non-photographers with their cells grab a bright, sharp image with no hesitation. My15-85mm Canon...not a cheap lens...is at best, f 3.5.

Kmgw9v Loc: Miami, Florida

With all the variables, it is more work to get a good shot with a DSLR than with a cell phone---but the result is worth the effort. The cell phone people will not understand.

Mike D. Loc: Crowley County, CO.

Kmgw9v wrote:

With all the variables, it is more work to get a good shot with a DSLR than with a cell phone---but the result is worth the effort. The cell phone people will not understand.

I second this one. A cell phone will take a faster picture with far less work but rarely, if ever, will it be better.

Some people are annoyingly good at cell phone pics, c'est la vie.

bsprague Loc: Lacey, WA, USA

You didn't write what camera you have. If relatively new, it has some sort of automatic settings. I have no hesitation to use so called "intelligent automatic" (iA) when I'm not sure what to do or don't have time to do it. A good camera on iA should out do a smartphone on iA. One off my cameras, set to iA and JPEG, will actually shoot multiple exposure in low light and combine them to a image that can be surprisingly good.

wilsondl2 Loc: Lincoln, Nebraska

Just a thought. Check all your preset modes and if their is one for low-light experiment with it and see what you get. The phone camera's captures will look great on it's own screen or on a computer monitor but will not give prints bigger than 5X7 if that. Your DSLR set with phone camera (preset) sittings will give you much larger prints. - Dave

joer Loc: Colorado/Illinois

Jersey guy wrote:

Does anyone know the effective f values of typical cell phone cameras? It is very frustrating for me, a DSLR owner, to struggle to get a decent image in dim lighting situations, fumbling with high ISOs that create too much noise, and even with IS I too often have a blurred photo from movement, (mine or the subject's) while the non-photographers with their cells grab a bright, sharp image with no hesitation. My15-85mm Canon...not a cheap lens...is at best, f 3.5.

Try using your flash for those situation. That's probably how the cell phone manage it.

twowindsbear

Jersey guy wrote:

Does anyone know the effective f values of typical cell phone cameras? It is very frustrating for me, a DSLR owner, to struggle to get a decent image in dim lighting situations, fumbling with high ISOs that create too much noise, and even with IS I too often have a blurred photo from movement, (mine or the subject's) while the non-photographers with their cells grab a bright, sharp image with no hesitation. My15-85mm Canon...not a cheap lens...is at best, f 3.5.

The iPhone 6s has a ƒ/2.2 aperture.

MrBob Loc: lookout Mtn. NE Alabama

twowindsbear wrote:

The iPhone 6s has a ƒ/2.2 aperture.

Gee, an answer to the question without opinion...

Jersey guy Loc: New Joisey

Thanks to all....as usual! I have a Canon T4i and sometimes I will set to multiple exposure and bracket the exposure 1/2 stop up and down. Using spot metering can be a problem at times as I'm sure you all know. If I happen to focus on a dark object I get overeposure overall.

As has been observed before on this forum, cell phone (camera) technology is improving rapidly and for those who buy expensive DSLRs and have no clue how to use their full potential, the cell route is getting more and more attention.

GENorkus Loc: Washington Twp, Michigan

Jersey guy wrote:

Does anyone know the effective f values of typical cell phone cameras? It is very frustrating for me, a DSLR owner, to struggle to get a decent image in dim lighting situations, fumbling with high ISOs that create too much noise, and even with IS I too often have a blurred photo from movement, (mine or the subject's) while the non-photographers with their cells grab a bright, sharp image with no hesitation. My15-85mm Canon...not a cheap lens...is at best, f 3.5.

Many times cellphones will tell the precise apature they have in the specs section.

A major problem I have is that unless the lighting, with or without extra lighting, is near perfect, they modify the speed and/or the ISO only. That is because most cellphones only have that one apature. Just like many simple old analog cameras. It's much less expensive to manufacture that way.

For a dark pictures, most just raises the ISO to very high values and slows the shutter speed. When in a very dark area you can just about guaranteed a motion blured photo. Since most videos are blurred anyway, (if looked at in a single frame), you might as well shoot video in the first place.

SDB777 Loc: Edwards, AR USA

There are cellphones on the market that have better specs then a lot of DSLRs on the market....some with megapixels counts higher then mid level cameras. So saying that those can only produce 5x7 prints would be like saying a Canon full frame with 49mp can only do 11x7!
Yes, it's nice to grab a cellphone and just point/click without thought, but a composition that shows forethought and planning are always better.

BTW, the Samsung Note 3 9.5mp and if memory serves....f/2.3 with IS and EV setting adjustment too.

Scott (Nokia has a super camera with a phone built on it) B

n3eg Loc: West coast USA

Cellphones: diffraction and equivalence. No thanks.

bdk Loc: Sanibel Fl.

I set the camera up on its tripod, adjusted it, pointed it across the bay towards atlantic city, adjusted the ISO, the Fstop and set it to a very slow shutter speed , put my ND filter on,then took the pic. Then I pulled my cell out of my pocket, snapped a pic and posted it on FB all in less time than it took to take the first shot. If your only posting on social media then a DSLR is a waste of money. If you want something people will admire and looks great on your wall, a cell phone just wont do it.

Oh sorry I dont remember what the question was, darn!

WessoJPEG Loc: Cincinnati, Ohio

SDB777 wrote:

There are cellphones on the market that have bette... (show quote)

Samsung Galaxy S5= 16 MP Taken on recent trip to Lake Erie at night, no flash.

(Download)

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

Kmgw9v wrote:

With all the variables, it is more work to get a good shot with a DSLR than with a cell phone---but the result is worth the effort. The cell phone people will not understand.

That's where having everything set to Auto comes in handy - no "fumbling."