I decided, more than a decade ago, that I wanted a viewfinder on my camera, which cells do not have. I haven't changed my mind. With the sun behind them cells are next to useless. With the sun in front of them cells are still next to useless. I laugh when I see dozens of cells being waved at near arms length as their owners try to snap events and processions. Cells are best on a dull day. A dull day means a dull photo. Cells have created a craze for selfies - at least this has reduced the defacing of property etc with the message "Tom? was here". But the mentality remains the same. Yes - cells are good for instantly sending pics? round the world. But that is about all they are good for. Now that cameras have wi-fi that advantage is fast disappearing.

My original post on August 29 unintentionally and unexpectedly started a wide-ranging (15page), sometimes interesting, discussion. It was really meant only as an observation, nothing more.

That discussion confirms what we already knew, that most of us use BOTH mobile phones and dedicated, sophisticated cameras, generically described as “dslrs.” The choice often depends on a variety of factors, some of which are: “which is most readily available when the photo opportunity arises?”, “what is my target today?”, “is this a dedicated photo shoot?”, etc.

While obviously I am not arguing for or against the use of mobile phone cameras, I will say to those of you who dismiss a high quality mobile or cell phone camera as one only for “snapshots,” you should look at the results of the annual Mobile Photography Awards. Talk about “art” and “quality”! Also see Ken Rockwell’s extraordinarily positive review of the IPhone 12 Pro Max.

So, coming full circle and without trying to discover the EXIF data, which, IF ANY, of the four photos in my original post, do you believe were taken with an IPhone 12 Pro Max or with a Canon 80D with an EF 100-400mm f/4-5-6L IS II USM lens? For your convenience, I have attached the four photos again here.

After time for replies, I will post the answer if you are interested.

My original post on August 29 unintentionally and unexpectedly started a wide-ranging (15page), sometimes interesting, discussion. It was really meant only as an observation, nothing more.

That discussion confirms what we already knew, that most of us use BOTH mobile phones and dedicated, sophisticated cameras, generically described as “dslrs.” The choice often depends on a variety of factors, some of which are: “which is most readily available when the photo opportunity arises?”, “what is my target today?”, “is this a dedicated photo shoot?”, etc.

While obviously I am not arguing for or against the use of mobile phone cameras, I will say to those of you who dismiss a high quality mobile or cell phone camera as one only for “snapshots,” you should look at the results of the annual Mobile Photography Awards. Talk about “art” and “quality”! Also see Ken Rockwell’s extraordinarily positive review of the IPhone 12 Pro Max.

So, coming full circle and without trying to discover the EXIF data, which, IF ANY, of the four photos in my original post, do you believe were taken with an IPhone 12 Pro Max or with a Canon 80D with an EF 100-400mm f/4-5-6L IS II USM lens? For your convenience, I have attached the four photos again here.

After time for replies, I will post the answer if you are interested.

My original post on August 29 unintentionally and unexpectedly started a wide-ranging (15page), sometimes interesting, discussion. It was really meant only as an observation, nothing more.

That discussion confirms what we already knew, that most of us use BOTH mobile phones and dedicated, sophisticated cameras, generically described as “dslrs.” The choice often depends on a variety of factors, some of which are: “which is most readily available when the photo opportunity arises?”, “what is my target today?”, “is this a dedicated photo shoot?”, etc.

While obviously I am not arguing for or against the use of mobile phone cameras, I will say to those of you who dismiss a high quality mobile or cell phone camera as one only for “snapshots,” you should look at the results of the annual Mobile Photography Awards. Talk about “art” and “quality”! Also see Ken Rockwell’s extraordinarily positive review of the IPhone 12 Pro Max.

So, coming full circle and without trying to discover the EXIF data, which, IF ANY, of the four photos in my original post, do you believe were taken with an IPhone 12 Pro Max or with a Canon 80D with an EF 100-400mm f/4-5-6L IS II USM lens? For your convenience, I have attached the four photos again here.

After time for replies, I will post the answer if you are interested.

Yes, cell phones can shoot in manual exposure and shoot in manual focus as well with the use of apps. And I've used a polarizing filter with my phone, although I did need to rig up a small diameter filter to the phone such that the filter could be held in position. By the same method, ND filters could be used.

Essentially, creativity is limited with any camera. Buy a top of the line camera today, and in 15 years from now you will think how limited it is compared to the latest available cameras. The trick is to be creative within a camera's limitations and not worry too much about what else is out there or will eventually be out there.

Answers to your questions in the order in which they were posted:

yes
yes
sorta - depends on your definition of quality, but most are pretty decent and don't diminish image quality much if at all
sorta - depends on your definition of quality, but most are pretty decent and don't diminish image quality much if at all

https://www.androidauthority.com/best-camera-apps-for-android-188148/
https://medium.com/@Mike_James/how-to-use-a-polarizing-filter-in-your-iphone-android-smartphone-photography-9f46d861b71e
https://photoswithphones.com/smartphone-camera-lens-filters-guide/

So no limit on creativity.

The impediments you describe that have informed your opinion don't seem to be a problem with the images shown here:

https://www.flickr.com/photos/flickr/galleries/72157644100931123/

And Smartphone Photojournalism is a thing, and has been for quite a while:

https://www.bhphotovideo.com/explora/photography/tips-and-solutions/smartphone-photojournalism-michael-christopher-brown

https://www.kobratech.com/blogs/opinion/benjamin-lowy-the-photographer-documenting-war-with-a-cell-phone

https://www.nbcnews.com/news/photo/sandy-book-look-superstorm-through-iphone-photos-flna6c10868055