cyclespeed Loc: Calgary, Alberta Canada

My club had a January challenge wherein people would post the same composition, or as close as that human can do it, one taken by their smartphones and the other with their best digital camera.
Some were lower cost cameras and older iPhones etc. but several sets had the latest from Google and Apple. These were up against Sony and Fuji full frame mirrorless.
We could choose one or the other or choose " too close to call"
The shots taken in low light had the smartphones almost 2 to 1. Granted no flash was used on any.
The shots where a greater DoF was expected the cameras had it 1.5 to 1.
Others had too close to call as the most frequently made choice.
We all know the advantage of the smartphones starting with the old adage the best camera is the one you have with you as well as its multipurpose function such as texting and even talking.
So if you have a similar experience I'd love to read your reply. If you would like to speculate could you kindly post your own topic.
Thanks

bsprague Loc: Lacey, WA, USA

No, it is not time to go "all in" on any camera system. As it has always been, learn how to use all cameras you have to its best capabilities.

I'm very lucky. I have a mirrorless camera with a very long lens, two serious "pocket" cameras, a rugged waterproof camera, a gimbaled video camera, a camera that flies and, of course, a cell phone. Each is a pleasure to use and out performs any other, depending on the situation. I have never owned a DSLR!

BebuLamar

My problem is that I don't have any mirrorless equipment what should I do???

Longshadow Loc: Audubon, PA, United States

Not be envious for one...
Not be belittled for two...

Toment Loc: FL, IL

All I can say, is that when you look from 8 inches on your phone or pad it looks great but when you zoom in there’s nothing.

srg

If your primary photographic interests is "snapshot", then yes.
When tiny plastic lenses supersede my Sony full frame lenses, then maybe yes.
If pixel peeping does not reveal blotches of color where detail should, be then maybe yes.
Until then, I'm keeping both.
I trust my reply is not forbidden by you.

CHG_CANON Loc: the Windy City

Without the best equipment, we're only as good as everyone with a phone.

With that reminder of the superiority of cameras and camera owners out of the way, none of us were there to judge the images nor to judge the judges. A great image tells you nothing about the camera (or phone) used. But, the discerning eye might 'see' obvious differences and imperfections of the not-so-great-images that another might never see.

And then there's the complication of post processing. The camera image might not be perfected where the phone could be processed to be near or even better to the camera's version. We didn't see for ourselves, we don't know.

reverendray

Yup....

Nigel7 Loc: Worcestershire. UK.

I am still using Canon DSLRs and also have the Samsung S22 Ultra mobile phone.

I've recently returned from 5 weeks in New Zealand photographing scenery, waterfalls, animals, museums, watersports etc. and my 18 month old granddaughter. Some subjects were taken on the phone, some on a camera, and some on both.

The phone photos looked stunning on the phone screen, much better than on the camera screens, which are, of course, much smaller. However, on my return home, and selecting keepers and discards, where both were used for the same subject the cameras (with their "L" lenses) were definitely the keepers.

Now I have been a photographic society member for over 40 years and instinctively I do look for the best possible quality, even for my holiday photos which will probably never be entered in a competition. So I admit to being fussy and understand those who feel that phone photos are getting good enough to satisfy many people. But for now they remain a very good second best. I believe they always will, as the parallel technologies both continue improving.

Finally, even on the best mobile phones, with their "Pro" settings, the degree of personal input away from the auto settings falls far short of a DSLR or Mirrorless camera.

Longshadow Loc: Audubon, PA, United States

Perfectionist: Someone who spends hours and hours attempting to achieve a self-inflicted goal that many will not notice or realize.

But it makes the creator feel good.

Curmudgeon Loc: SE Arizona

I find the cell camera most useful when: I don't have my DSLR, when I don't have time to change lenses on the DSLR.

User ID

All true but no matter at all. It was a camera club program, simply homemade entertainment, children at play. You dont tell the kids playing in the sandbox "Hey Franky, thaz not how to drive your dump truck". You just shoot a cute video of it and send it to Grandma ... or, as in this thread, post the tee ball tournament results to UHH.

jaymatt Loc: Alexandria, Indiana

No.

mikegreenwald Loc: Illinois

This amounts to beating a dead horse.

For most people with no technical interests, the smartphones of recent vintage win hands down.
For those with moderate technical skills and interest, modern cameras can do many things that are beyond the reach of even the best of cell phones.

My wife has produced some cell phone shots that were better than my FF camera shots in the same situation. I too have a few great cellular shots, one in particular, blown up to 30"x40", taken at dusk with no dedicated camera available. See attached photo.

There are dozens of situations where cell phones are out of their depth. For those with moderate technical skills and interest, the modern cameras can do many things that are beyond the reach of even the best of cell phones.

(Download)

TriX Loc: Raleigh, NC

First, the are no Fuji full frames - either APS-C or medium format

Secondly and most importantly, if the cellphone was judged as best in low light, the results are highly questionable in my opinion. Two of the real weaknesses of cellphones are DR and noise in their low light/high ISO performance due to the small pixel size, which is easily visible in any reasonable size image larger than a cellphone display.

But if you have any doubt, by all means sell your MILC (or DSLR) cameras and lenses - more good used cameras for us to buy.