travel camera vs smartphone

Should You Bring a Camera When You Travel or Is a Phone Enough?

Apple iPhone, Samsung Galaxy Ultra or mirrorless camera: Here's what it's like to shoot travel photos with each.

For most travelers, the smartphone in your pocket works just fine for taking photos of adventures. But what are you missing by relying on your phone alone? I used my summer trip to Germany to explore when a casual sightseer would benefit from having a dedicated camera or if their phone would be enough.

While everyone's kit is different, most travelers won't be hauling around a DSLR or pro-quality mirrorless camera. Instead, they'll debate between buying a fancy new phone or a more affordable everyday mirrorless camera. (Though there are point-and-shoot options if you want a standalone camera, they may not outstrip your phone's photo capabilities.)

I'm no pro photographer, so don't expect expert advice on how to get the most out of this kit, but for casual photo takers who leave their camera on the auto settings, this is a good comparison to see what each device can handle without much fuss amid a busy trip abroad.

My kit isn't the best you'll find, but it's probably not far off from what many travelers may pack in their pockets and bags: my personal iPhone 12 Pro, a Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra (to test a more camera-intensive phone), and a snug Sony ZVE-10 mirrorless camera with a Sigma 16mm f1.4 DC DN (an affordable prime lens).

Here's the breakdown for what each device did best -- and what they couldn't do.

iPhone 12 Pro

The iPhone 12 Pro is a few years past its October 2020 launch date but still plenty capable, and its photo capabilities are probably similar to what many older premium and newer cheaper phones can achieve. When it debuted, the iPhone 12 Pro retailed for $999 (£999, AU$1,699) but years later it isn't really sold anywhere aside from refurbished at sub-$500 prices. You can still pick up a stock iPhone 12 on Apple's website for $599, but it lacks the 2x telephoto lens. 

The iPhone 12 Pro took basic photos well, albeit with the warm tones typical of iPhone photos. Images I shot didn't have quite the same color accuracy as the Samsung S22 Ultra or the Sony ZVE-10. Still, the iPhone 12 Pro was great at taking daytime shots of streets, museums and breezy lunches. It struggled with dimly lit dinners and at night, with photos having a grainy texture from image noise.

Germany Travel Photo Comparison: iPhone 12 Pro Example Photos

Another limit was the iPhone 12 Pro's 2x optical zoom, which was far inferior to the Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra's telephoto capabilities. Since I was mostly seeing landscapes, I rarely felt the need to zoom in on a distant subject. The ultra-wide camera was more useful, and its 13mm-equivalent focal length allowed me another option to the 26mm-equivalent main camera for framing a specific shot. 

In head-to-head comparisons with the mirrorless camera, the iPhone 12 Pro held up surprisingly well. The phone captured near and background distant subjects in crisp detail. The mirrorless camera was more selective in its focus, largely homing in on one or the other and requiring a bit more finesse. 

As I was using the iPhone for every other travel-necessary app like navigation and wireless payments, it was in my pocket every day and wasn't a burden to carry. That meant it was on-hand for me to take quick photos out the windows of our train or rental car of passing scenery at just the right time.

Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra

While superseded by this year's Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra, the Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra I took on my trip is still a camera powerhouse. It has a 108-megapixel main camera and a 12-megapixel ultrawide camera with 120-degree field of view, but it's really known for its zoom photography. It has not one but two  telephoto lenses: a 10-megapixel with 3x optical zoom and a 10-megapixel periscope-style capable of 10x optical zoom.

As expected, the Galaxy S22 Ultra took great photos at a distance. Did I need zoom photo capability? Not really! Most of my subjects were 20 to 50 feet away.

Unless, of course, you're taking shots of distant buildings, like the picturesque Neuschwanstein Castle on Germany's southernmost border, nestled in the foothills of the Alps within spitting distance of Austria. It was nice to have more control to frame the photos with the zoom capability, even if I didn't need the 100x "space zoom." The feature combines optical and digital zoom with AI tricks to home in on a cropped-in corner of zoomed-in image. The 30x was enough and rarely necessary. Regardless, the S22 Ultra's 10x optical and digital hybrid zoom produced far better photos than the iPhone 12 Pro's grainy 10x digital zoom.

Here's the Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra's camera from the road at the foot of a trail leading up to Neuschwanstein, with shots from the main camera at 1x, 3x, 10x and 100x zoom. 

Germany Travel Photo Comparison: Samsung S22 Galaxy Ultra, Castle Street

Compare that to the iPhone 12 Pro's main camera at 1x, 2x and 10x.

Germany Travel Photo Comparison: iPhone 12 Pro, Castle Street

The Galaxy S22 and iPhone 12 Pro both did a decent job shooting photos with a mixture of dark and light foregrounds and backgrounds, especially with bright skies that can be easily washed out. Below is a shot from up on a balcony of the Neuschwanstein castle, looking west into the valley. 

But it's easy to see how cool the Galaxy S22 Ultra's zoom capabilities are when perched above the landscape and using successive zoom intervals to get closer shots of a subject.

Germany Travel Photo Comparison: Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra, Valley Zoom

Lastly, here's a simple comparison of shots of the castle itself, with the Galaxy S22 Ultra's main camera versus the iPhone 12 Pro's camera. 

The Galaxy S22 Ultra is one of the best phones we've tested, which garnered a CNET Editor's Choice Award  in our review . It's more convenient to handle than my mirrorless camera, though it doesn't have as many photo settings.

The Galaxy S22 Ultra is a large phone, so it took up a lot of space in my pocket. Even if I were to buy it to replace my iPhone 12 Pro, it would still be cumbersome to yank out for casual photos. As it was, there were a handful of situations where I might have lost the S22 if it had been in my pocket instead of the smaller iPhone 12 Pro, including a bobsled-like roller coaster on a hillside in the middle of the Black Forest. (Which, sadly, wouldn't allow phones on the course, but there are ride-through videos on YouTube .)

Sony ZVE-10 mirrorless camera

The Sony ZVE-10 is aimed at vloggers with its 4K video shooting and light weight, but that also made it great for taking still photos with its 24-megapixel resolution. The camera is reasonably affordable at $700, and has swappable lenses via a lens mount.

I used the ZVE-10 with a Sigma 16mm f/1.4 prime lens I picked up for $399 to take better product shots. The Sony body and Sigma lens combo took superior photos to either phone in medium to close range. Thanks to the ZVE-10's crop APS-C sensor, the 16mm lens was more like a 24mm lens, and had essentially the same field of view as the standard rear cameras on the iPhone 12 Pro and Galaxy S22 Ultra. 

For the majority of the trip, the short-range prime lens was fine, and I didn't miss being able to zoom in on distant objects. You can get pretty close to any subject that's worth taking photos of, though I would want a telephoto lens at a concert or for shooting wildlife. I did wish I was able to zoom out like I could with either phone's ultra-wide lenses, especially in cramped quarters like awkwardly small museum rooms.

The ZVE-10 performed fine with landscape shots but excelled in reasonable-size enclosed spaces, capturing greater color contrast and lighting/shadow variance. Compare these photos below of a fresco on a low roof in the Cologne Cathedral, shot with the ZVE-10 and the iPhone 12 Pro, respectively.

When shooting close subjects, the ZVE-10 excelled at capturing evocative lighting, and the f/1.4 Sigma lens' natural bokeh led to moodier shots compared to the uniform brightness of the iPhone 12 Pro. 

And while the iPhone 12 Pro produced uniformly brighter and crisper photos, the post-processing to get such clarity led to some flattened color and shadow. In photos of this iron statue of the Chinese mythological aquatic monkey demon Wuzhiqi located in Berlin's Humboldt Forum, you can see more detail in the iPhone 12 Pro's shot, but it loses the red-brown tone from years of oxidation. 

It was also easier to get the ZVE-10 to produce a depth effect naturally. With the iPhone 12 Pro, portrait mode requires more fiddling and an ideal distance between the phone, your subject and the background. But the camera's depth effect made it tough to keep everything in focus when I was taking photos of food and wanted to show the whole plate. 

Weight comparison

Unsurprisingly, the ZVE-10 and lens far outweighed the phones. Though not enough to be cumbersome, the weight and size differences are noticeable. The camera and lens fit snugly in my compact camera bag, which stayed out of the way while slung over my shoulder. But the camera was more annoying to lug around and pull out to take photos than a phone in my pocket.

Needing to manually upload my photos was a bit annoying, too. The Sony Imaging Edge app let me send photos directly from the camera to my phone, but it's clunky for bulk uploads. And forget about handing your fancy mirrorless camera over to a stranger to take a photo of your traveling party for fear of them dropping it or not knowing how to use it. Thankfully, the ZVE-10's rotating display meant I could angle it forward to pull off selfies, which consequently took better shots than either phone's front-facing camera but didn't capture as much subject matter. Both the iPhone's and Galaxy's selfie cameras had wider field-of-views.

Lastly, the mirrorless camera may have more potential for better shots since it can save images in the RAW format, which gives photo editors a lot more data and freedom to tweak. It's worth pointing out that my iPhone 12 Pro can shoot in Apple's ProRAW format , while my Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra can shoot in Expert RAW format via a separate app (though it's natively in the camera app as of the Samsung Galaxy S23 series). Both can be edited much like standard RAW formats. I deliberately shot photos in JPG format for all devices in this test, since most travelers will simply point and shoot with the default format. All these photos could certainly look better with some Photoshop touch-up.

Ultimately, this was an unscientific test rather than a thorough field guide. I set out wondering whether my daily smartphone would miss out on any particular travel shots that a camera-focused phone like the Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra or my mirrorless camera would be capable of picking up.

Most of the time the iPhone was fine, but there were edge cases where the S22 Ultra and ZVE-10 outperformed my older iPhone. And as I am not an especially gifted photographer, I acknowledge that someone with real skills could finesse far better images out of either the Galaxy S22 Ultra or the ZVE-10 that could likely put the iPhone to shame in all situations. 

Also, your mileage will vary depending on which kinds of photos you want to take. If you absolutely need to zoom in on distant subjects, a phone like the S22 Ultra is the right choice -- or you could buy a telephoto lens for your mirrorless camera. 

But from citywide landscapes to museum art piece shots to selfies, the iPhone 12 Pro handled nearly everything I needed it to do. It also helped that I could effortlessly post my photos on social media from my main phone rather than having to transfer them from the mirrorless camera. That's essential to the travel experience, as I'd add a photo to my Instagram story and get friends responding in minutes with recommendations for historical monuments and food in my area. And it's not like my mirrorless camera could make calls or text.

This isn't necessarily an iPhone recommendation, just reiterating that your daily driver will be just as useful while traveling as it is at home (but better cameras and a quality ultra-wide lens certainly help). The shots you'll take of yourself and peripatetic partners will mostly be 10 to 20 feet away in bright daylight and low light, with some night scenes here and there. Perhaps a higher-end camera would capture more artistic and high-quality depth shots, but you'll probably want to capture the fleeting and low-key moments more than the artfully posed ones -- the memories you'll carry with you and post about for years to come.

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Smartphone vs Digital Camera: Which is better?

We confront an awkward question for camera enthusiasts in the modern age..

We pit camera phone vs digital camera in a quest to determine which is best for photographers and videographers. It’s closer than you’d think!

The line between smartphone and digital cameras grows ever finer. Early phone cameras were little more than a novelty; now, it’s common for professional content creators to use a smartphone as their first and only tool for imagery and video.

With every new round of flagship phones that arrives, the camera arrays get more sophisticated . The advent of the smartphone has essentially made the entry-level compact camera market redundant. Whether you’re looking to shoot photos or video, it could be that the right tool for you could be in the form of a smartphone or a digital camera.

At AP we are no snobs about smartphone cameras. We update our guides to the best phones regularly, including budget options , and run a regular smartphone photography spotlight feature to praise our favourite images taken on phones. There are loads of exciting developments always happening in the smartphone camera world – to take a recent example, our reviewer was impressed by the camera capabilities of the Xiaomi 13 , a phone developed in conjunction with Leica which offers Leica colour modes.

The constant presence of a phone about you makes it a ready tool for  street photography , an on-the-move, spontaneous genre.

An image taken using the iPhone 14 Pro, Night mode. Even a few short years ago, the idea of getting a night image this clear using a smartphone felt unthinkable. Photo credit: Amy Davies

But don’t count cameras out just yet. With larger sensors and interchangeable lenses, digital cameras offer unparalleled versatility in the different kinds of shots they can capture. For most professional applications, a good camera is still going to reign supreme – no one is about to argue that an iPhone’s portrait mode is a better choice than a mirrorless camera and 85mm f/1.4 lens for serious  portrait photography . Or at least, they shouldn’t.

Take a look at a list of the  best mirrorless cameras or even the best DSLRs and you’ll see raw imaging capability that is, for the moment, beyond that of smartphones. However, with their unique advantages of size and utility, and depending on what you’re out to shoot, they could be the better personal choice. And so, we’ve put together this guide to combine smartphones and cameras, category by category, to help you figure out which is right for you.

Let’s run through the key strengths and weaknesses of smartphones and cameras as we aim to settle the question: smartphone vs digital camera: which is better?

Smartphone vs Digital Camera: Sensors

A look at the full-frame sensor in a recent popular hybrid photo/video camera, the Panasonic Lumix S5 II. Photo credit: Andy Westlake

The most important part of any camera is its sensor, with the general rule being the bigger the better for high-quality imagery. With many smartphones now featuring multiple camera arrays on their backs, there’s actually multiple sensors in one device, with none of them having the room to be particularly large.

By contrast, cameras of course have much more room to house a dedicated sensor. Even relatively small cameras, such as the best compact cameras have a sensor which is several times larger than a smartphone sensor. Stepping up to mirrorless or DSLR, sensors are larger again.

In real terms, what this means is that, without a doubt, image quality from the average dedicated camera is better than the image quality from the average smartphone.

The Xiaomi 12S Ultra is described as having one of the world’s most effective imaging sensors in a smartphone.

Smartphone sensors are, of course, improving. The Xiaomi 12S Ultra , announced last year, sports the largest sensor ever seen in a smartphone. This has a 1-inch type sensor of the kind previously only seen in mid-range and premium compact cameras like the Sony RX100 series . Though to put it in perspective, this is still a significantly smaller sensor than you’d find in any system camera – full-frame, APS-C and Four Thirds sensors all have more surface area.

How much this matters is down to the individual, as well as what you like to shoot, and in what conditions. If, for example, you only ever shoot sunny shots of your travels to share on Instagram, the small sensor inside your smartphone will likely fulfil your needs.

If, however, you like to shoot in other conditions – eg  low light – you want highly detailed imagery, or to create large prints (or have the ability to do so in the future), to create certain effects – then a digital camera will be much better suited to that.

Winner: Camera

Smartphone vs digital camera: resolution.

There are lots of smartphones with very high-resolution sensors these days. The latest iPhone 14 Pro has a 48-megapixel sensor, crossing the 12-megapixel barrier for the first time. However, the current kings of the hill are the Samsung S23 Ultra and the Xiaomi 12T Pro , both of which sport sensors bearing a whopping 200 megapixels of resolution.

An image taken with the main 200MP wide camera on the Xiaomi 12T Pro, using the night mode. Photo credit: Joshua Waller

Does a smartphone need 200MP of resolution? No, not particularly, and they’re generally not going to be used to shoot 200MP images. The main advantage of these skyrocketing pixel counts is pixel-binning – combining the data from multiple pixels into one in order to simulate the larger pixels that bigger sensors have, improving performance in low light (read our explainer, what is pixel binning  if need be to get your head around it).

By contrast, digital cameras are usually more conservative in their resolution. Many average somewhere around 24 megapixels, but you can get higher resolution counts for shooting detail or if you plan to print your images. These are usually found in expensive, professional-level cameras, such as the Sony Alpha A7R IV and Sony A7R V , both of which have a 61-megapixel sensor.

Of course, a key difference is that shooters with the Sony A7R V are generally going to be using all of those 61 megapixels, rather than binning them. And with powerful built-in optical stabilisation, a grippable form factor and pin-sharp lenses (more on those shortly), they’re likely to get have much more luck getting pin-sharp images that make the most of all those pixels.

The thing about high resolutions is that they’re unforgiving – a small mis-focusing or a bit of blur caused by camera shake is a lot more obvious when captured in millions of pixels. If you want to use high resolutions to make prints of images, then a camera is likely the way to go.

Smartphone vs Digital Camera: Autofocus

In many genres of photography, a good reliable autofocus system is often the difference between nailing the shot and missing it entirely. If you’re a street , action or wildlife photographer, meaning you’re working with subjects that won’t sit still on command, then you need a focusing system that will lock on quickly. Ideally, it will also keep hold of a subject even as it moves through the frame.

Smartphone autofocus has come a long way, especially in recent years with newer phones getting phase-detect on-chip autofocus and tracking in video. However, digital camera autofocus has recently taken a huge leap forward with the widespread adoption of a powerful new feature – AI-powered subject-detection autofocus. This autofocus system automatically recognises specific subjects such as humans, animals, vehicles and more, and keeps the focus firmly locked on them.

This isn’t exactly a new feature – deep-learning subject-recognition autofocus cropped up on the Canon EOS-1D X Mark III back in 2020. However, that was a pro-level DSLR with a high price tag, and since then the feature has rolled out to enthusiast-level cameras like the Fujifilm X-T5 , and even to entry-level beginner cameras like the Canon EOS R50 .

Combine this with the super-fast phase-detection autofocus systems common to practically all contemporary mirrorless cameras, and you’re basically shooting in cheat mode.

An image taken with the X-T5’s bird recognition AF, and shot in 24MP crop mode. Fujifilm X-T5, XF 70-300mm F4-5.6 R LM OIS WR at 110mm, 1/1250sec at f/5, ISO 1000

Of course, smartphones do have face detection, and generally selection the focus point on a phone is pretty intuitive as you can just tap the screen where you want the camera to focus. For now though, it’s no contest.

Smartphone vs Digital Camera: Lenses

Most high-end smartphones these days feature at least three lenses, with quad-lens arrays currently the standard on flagship models. Even mid-range options will generally have two or three lenses on the back.

This usually entails a “standard” lens, an ultra-wide, and often at least one telephoto (zoom) lens. This gives a good degree of flexibility to capture images in a variety of different focal lengths. Many of the mid-range and cheaper smartphones have only a wide and super-wide angle lens only.

A look at the comprehensive camera arrays on Samsung’s last two flagship phones, the S23 and S22 Ultras. Photo credit: Amy Davies.

Compact cameras will have one lens, but usually this is an optical zoom lens which covers a variety of different focal lengths (though you won’t usually get an ultra-wide, not without some kind of converter).

DSLRs and mirrorless cameras have interchangeable lenses, meaning there’s dozens of different options available, depending on what you like to shoot. Some lenses are fixed or “prime” lenses, meaning they have just one focal length. Others are zoom lenses, giving you the option to use a variety of different focal lengths.

There’s also an array of specialist optics, such as those which are good for shooting close-up images (macro lens), ultra-wide angles, tilt-shift lenses, and so on.

DSLRs and Mirrorless cameras have interchangeable lenses, meaning there’s dozens of different options available, depending on what you like to shoot. Photo credit: Andy Westlake.

This can mean you end up with a whole bag full of different lenses, which is of course less convenient than shooting with your phone – but with much higher image quality. There are also some “all-in-one” or “superzoom” lenses which are useful for travelling light.

Smartphone vs Digital Camera: Ease of Use

Many prefer the tactility of a “proper” camera, with dials and buttons giving you direct access to settings and the like. There’s also something to be said for pushing a physical shutter release – for many it makes them feel more like “photographers”.

Many prefer the tactility of a “proper” camera, with dials and buttons giving you direct access to settings and the like.  Photo credit: Andy Westlake

By contrast, a smartphone camera usually is controlled by on-screen buttons and menu selections. Many smartphones will allow you to use a physical button for the shutter release, but of course there’s no grip or chunky body to get your hands around.

Another thing worth considering is manual control. Some smartphones have this capability within their native apps, meaning you can change settings such as ISO, shutter speed and so on. Some smartphones, such as Google and Apple phones, don’t have this capability directly within the native camera app, but you can download additional apps to give you that functionality.

Most dedicated cameras have semi-automatic and manual controls, giving you even greater scope to change any setting you want to. It’s worth remembering however that for many, the simplicity of a smartphone’s operation will be appealing too.

Smartphone vs Digital Camera: Screens and Viewfinders

With smartphones, it’s generally all about the screen – as that’s how you’ll operate most of its functions. Screens on high-end smartphones are incredibly good now, with ultra-high resolutions and brightness. More of them are also now made tough as they’ll use materials such as Gorilla Glass – manufacturers have become all too aware how easy it is to drop a smartphone.

We’re all familiar with a smartphone display at this point. Photo credit: Amy Davies

By contrast, screens on digital cameras are a different beast altogether. While resolutions have been creeping up over the years, it’s unlikely you’ll find a camera screen which matches the resolution of a mid-range or high-end smartphone. That said, the screens are generally much smaller (3 or 3.2-inches is the standard), so it won’t be as noticeable.

Some cameras have fixed screens, which is not particularly helpful if you want to shoot selfies and video content. Then again, with smartphones, the only way you can do that is by switching to the front-facing camera, which is generally not as good as the rear-facing camera. Many cameras have tilting or articulating screens, meaning you can face them forward when photographing or videoing yourself – making them ideal for content creators.

An articulating screen, like this example on the Canon EOS R3, can be hugely useful for vlogging or for shooting from unusual angles. Photo credit: Andy Westlake

On top of that, many cameras also feature an in-built viewfinder, which many find preferable to shooting through. Electronic viewfinders have seriously improved over the last ten years, too, so there’s no longer such a battle between optical and electronic devices.

A close look at the electronic viewfinder on the Canon EOS R6 Mark II. Photo credit: Andy Westlake

Winner: Draw

Smartphone vs digital camera: size.

The best travel cameras will be those that offer you a good degree of flexibility that exceeds the quality of your smartphone. You can now get excellent (relatively) small cameras, which make great travel companions without having to compromise too much on image quality. Even some modern full-frame cameras are surprisingly small.

The Sigma fp L is a full-frame camera that fits in the palm of a hand. Photo credit: Andy Westlake

That said, there is no getting away from the fact that smartphones are much more pocket-friendly. Especially since you’ll be carrying a smartphone regardless, if travelling as light as possible is the top priority, smartphones are the obvious winner.

The iPhone 14 Pro being held in hand. Photo credit: Amy Davies.

Winner: Smartphone

Smartphone vs digital camera: video.

Smartphones are great tools for capturing video, mainly due to their simplicity and with a range of tools readily available to create certain types of video – such as time-lapse, slow-motion and so on. Lots of smartphones even offer video editing as a native app, and there’s hundreds of apps you can download to also do that job for you.

Most modern smartphones offer 4K video shooting as standard, with some, such as the Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra and Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra , even offering 8K video recording capability.

The Canon EOS R5 is a benchmark for modern video quality. Photo credit: Michael Topham.

Digital cameras are also excellent for video, but as a rule perhaps require a little bit more specialist knowledge to get the best from them. You will almost certainly need a third-party video editor to work with your footage.

Again, most modern digital cameras offer 4K as standard, with 8K available on some models, such as the Canon EOS R5 . Take a look at our guide to the best cameras for video, vlogging and videography for more information.

Smartphone vs Digital Camera: Convenience

It is an old adage in photography that the best camera is the one you have on you. There’s irony in this as nobody predicted that we’d all one day carry around a decent camera as a part of our phone. Inspiration to shoot can hit at any time, as can the perfect light, and even if you’re someone who’d always rather use your camera, a smartphone shot is better than no shot at all.

Of course, smartphones don’t have it all completely their own way. There are some advantages to having a device that’s dedicated to shooting and shooting only – you’re never going to run down your camera’s battery by watching YouTube or scrolling TikTok. Overall, however, there’s a lot to be said for a high-quality camera that slips into a pocket.

Smartphone vs Digital Camera: Connectivity

Almost all modern cameras have in-built Wi-Fi and/or Bluetooth, meaning you can connect them up to your smartphone for quick sharing of your images online or via email and social media. Some are easy to use and transfer images, while others are frustratingly fiddly and don’t always work the first time.

Xiaomi 13 Pro, Phot credit: Amy Davies

That’s simply not a problem for the smartphone, which of course has the connection baked right in. If you’re a social sharer, there’s no quicker way than shooting on your smartphone and sharing straightaway. And if you want a camera so you can email and share pictures straight away, then a smartphone is your best choice.

If you’re somebody that prefers to get home, edit their pictures and take their time – it’s less of a concern.

Smartphone vs Digital Camera: Price

Price is a bit of a tricky one, as is considering value for money. Both smartphones and cameras are available at a range of price points, with some more affordable than others.

High-end smartphones can cost in excess of $1000 / £1000, but you do of course get more than a camera for your money. By contrast, some digital cameras can be picked up cheap as chips (especially second hand ), but it’s also equally true that some cameras can cost many thousands of dollars / pounds.

While it’s true that the smartphone offers the most flexibility, and arguably therefore the best value for money. Again, it’s likely you’re going to need a smartphone whatever you do, so if you’re buying one anyway, it might be worth getting the best smartphone for photography. However, it’s also true that you could buy yourself a low-priced smartphone and invest the money you save on better camera gear.

Some questions in life are harder to answer than others. Smartphones are great, so are digital cameras – but the answer to which is better for photography is subjective and will depend on a variety of factors.

It’s safe to say that – for now at least – the digital camera – or at least the best cameras for photography – are still king when it comes to image quality. However, there’s no getting around the fact that the smartphone is best for those who don’t want to be weighed down with heavy and cumbersome gear.

Digital cameras give you more flexibility when it comes to lenses and accessories, but smartphones are much better for quickly sharing your images and video online.

In deciding which is best for you, you’ll need to decide which factor is most important for you. For the average photographer, it’s a fair assumption that a dedicated camera is still what you need. For those who are more casual snappers, the smartphone likely serves their needs perfectly well.

Featured image credit: Marco Xu and Victor Larracuente via Unsplash.

Text by Amy Davies, with contributions from Jon Stapley.

Related articles:

• How to take amazing portraits on a smartphone
• Black and white smartphone photography guide
• How to take great macro photos on a phone

Follow AP on Facebook , Twitter , Instagram , YouTube and TikTok .

Amy is a highly experienced photography and technology journalist who has been working on AP since 2018, having been working in the industry since 2009. She is a graduate of the magazine journalism course at Cardiff University and has written for a wide range of publications and websites. As Features Editor, she is responsible for commissioning an eclectic mix of features connected to general photography, along with interviews. She is also a very experienced reviewer of cameras and associated technology, with her reviews featured on multiple sites including TechRadar, Digital Camera World, Trusted Reviews, ePhotozine, Stuff, Expert Reviews, T3, Photography Blog and more. She is also an expert on smartphone photography and smartphones generally.

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The best travel camera in 2024: compact and portable cameras to take anywhere

The best travel cameras are small, lightweight, easy to use and offer a range of features – here are the ones to look at

The Quick List

• Best compact
• Best budget full frame
• Best hybrid
• Best for size
• Best budget
• Best waterproof
• Best action cam
• Best for 360º
• Best for vloggers
• How to choose
• How we test

The Quick List ↩ 1. Best compact 2. Best budget full frame 3. Best hybrid 4. Best for size 5. Best budget 6. Best waterproof 7. Best action cam 8. Best for 360º 9. Best for vloggers How to choose How we test

The best travel cameras have to do one crucial thing: be better than your phone. After all, your phone is almost certainly going to be in your pocket anyway – and it's almost certainly got a great camera. 

That means the best travel cameras need to combine compactness with image quality, advanced features with simple operation, and ideally the ability to get your files onto your phone, tablet, or laptop quickly, to share your holiday photos and vacation videos. Having a camera that's safe to take on the beach, in the snow, or even in the sea could be another key consideration!

Even though the best camera phones can produce great images, you just don't get the same quality as you would if shooting with one of the best point-and-shoots or best mirrorless cameras . Smartphones are restricted by smaller sensors offering lower still and video quality, reduced low light performance, and minimal control over depth of field (for those blurry backgrounds). 

The type of camera you pick comes down to personal preference and budget. To help you decide which is best, we'll look at mirrorless cameras that offer better image quality and more versatility than compact systems but at the cost of increased size and weight. Compact cameras, perfect for keeping on you at all times, won't weigh you down, and are really simple to use – although they have smaller sensors and fixed lenses. And finally, action cameras that are robust cameras made for wild adventuring!

Gareth is the Reviews Editor at Digital Camera World, and the person in charge of approving all the latest camera-related tech. He never misses an opportunity to travel, or an excuse to take photos while traveling, so is best placed to judge what are the best travel cameras for all sorts of different vacations and adventures.

Travel cameras should be small and light, but not lacking in features for amazing photos and video. The Fujifilm X100VI ticks all of those boxes, with a diminutive size, but 40MP images and 6.2K video. And does all this while looking great, with some stunning retro charm.

Read more below ↓

Despite aging a little, the Sony A7 III still offers some features that are competitive with new models like IBIS, auto-tracking, and 4K video. Best of all, the camera is incredibly well-priced, making it the best option for traveling without worrying too much about eye-wateringly expensive kit.

The Fujifilm X-S20 is a camera for everyone, with great quality stills, but is set apart by its deceptively powerful video skills. This makes the X-S20 the perfect travel camera for any hybrid creator who is a versatile and lightweight camera, all in a price tag that won't break the bank. 

When picking the best travel camera, we're focusing on portability. If you want to fit a whole photographic kit – that's a camera and several lenses into a bag, then the dinky but mighty Olympus OM-D E-M10 Mark IV is one of the best portable cameras around.

If you want a small camera that shoots great stills and video, and cost costs the earth the Panasonic Lumix G100 is the best budget option out there for travel. There is also the slightly newer G100D, which is much the same, but with a USB-C port and upgraded EVF.

If you're planning on a coastal adventure then you need a camera that is fully waterproof and rugged enough to take on the most challenging adventures. This camera offers better stills than your average action cam, so if photos are your main priority  – the Tough TG-7 is for you.

View the full list ⇩

If you are looking for a camera that can withstand some serious adventuring, then look no further than action cameras, the best of the bunch being the Osmo Action 4. The Osmo 4 offers an incredibly wide field of view, image stabilization, and waterproofing for action-packed vacations.

If you want to remember every little bit of your vacation, then you can't go wrong with a 360º camera to capture not what only is going on in front of you, but all around you. The Insta360 X3 is the best all-encompassing camera you can buy, best of all it is easy to slip into a pocket or bag for travel.

If you are looking for a small yet mighty all-in-one camera with quality video and audio made to go straight on social media or YouTube then the Sony ZV-E10 is the best choice. It does take decent pictures, but if you are looking for something more hybrid, check out the X-S20 above.

The best travel camera in 2024

Why you can trust Digital Camera World Our expert reviewers spend hours testing and comparing products and services so you can choose the best for you. Find out how we test.

Best compact travel camera

1. Fujifilm X100VI

Our expert review:

Specifications

Reasons to buy, reasons to avoid.

✅ You want a pocketable camera:  the Fujifilm X100VI is a compact camera, the camera, and lens are so small that you can easily slip this into a jacket pocket. ✅ You want a camera that looks good:  This is one of the best-looking cameras you can buy with the beautiful retro looks of old-school film cameras.

❌ You want to change lenses:  the lens is fixed on the X100VI, so you are stuck with the 23mm focal length, although its digital cropping modes give the illusion of more focal lengths ❌ You want a cheap travel camera:  the X100VI does not come cheap, and there are options that produce similar quality if you don't mind a different style of camera.

If you are looking for a camera for traveling, then one of the major things to look out for is something small and lightweight that can easily slip into a bag or a jacket pocket and won't be a drag to carry around for long periods – enter the Fujifilm 's X100VI. The X100VI is the latest in Fujifilm's line of premium compact cameras, hallmarked for their brilliant image quality, vintage looks, and pocketable size.

The X100VI is a fixed-lens camera, which means that it has a single lens that can't be changed. The lens is 23mm, or equivalent to a 35mm length lens on on a full-frame camera,  a perfect length for travel photography as it is wide enough to get in landscapes and street scenes, but narrow enough for portraits and family shots. While there are converters available for the X100V to change the length of the lens, I find these are not worth the money. 

The camera is beautiful to hold, made with premium materials, and with a wonderful hybrid optical viewfinder that shows either the real picture or how it looks through the sensor with a flick of a button. This premium camera comes at a premium cost though, and it is not the cheapest on this list, but for the build quality and features, it justifies its higher price.

The X100V packs in some lovely 40.2MP photos, and has a clever lens to digitally zoom and crop before taking a photo, cutting some of the work out if you are keen to share online quickly. The camera also has 6.2K, 4K, or HD video with 240 frames per second, so you can get creative with high-quality or slow-motion video on your travels. There is also human, animal, bird, and vehicle autofocus tracking, so you can snap away with confidence at anything you come across. Finally, image stabilization helps cut out hand jitters in low light or shooting video, for more stable footage.

And for those who want to share travel snaps as you go, you get access to Fujifilm's awesome film simulations and custom recipes, taking some of the work out of editing, and with WiFi and Bluetooth connectivity and the Fujifilm X App, you can quickly share ready to post photos and video to social from your phone.

The main downside is the Fujifilm X100VI's slick design however for traveling is the camera is not fully water resistant unless you buy an additional filter ring and filter, in fact you can't use any filters on this lens without the extra purchase, but for the price of this camera, I feel this should really come in the box.

Read our full Fujifilm X100VI review

• Back to the top ⇪

Best full frame on a budget

2. Sony A7 III

✅ You want full frame quality:  full frame cameras can produce more focus separation and are better in low light, the A7 III is the most affordable step into full frame. ✅ You want a camera to use outside of traveling:  the A7 III is a pro-level camera that is not just for travel, you can shoot brilliant photos all year round with a multitude of lenses available for different subjects.

❌ You don't want the expense of lenses:  the cost of lenses can add up, especially ones for full-frame cameras, if you want to keep costs low, choose a fixed lens camera or an option with smaller cheaper lenses. ❌ You want a small camera:  the A7 III isn't huge, but it also isn't small. With a lens attached, it is going to take up quite a bit of room in a bag, and won't be sliding in any pocket.

The Sony A7 III might be one of the oldest Sony cameras still around, it has even been replaced by a newer Sony A7 VI, but it more than holds its own today. Any photographer looking for an excellent full-frame hybrid camera for traveling should seriously consider this camera as an option.

The camera still has a very competitive 24.2MP back-illuminated image sensor, which is paired with an image processor, delivers stunning tonal range, and makes high ISO settings possible, which anyone who is shooting a lot in low light on their travels will really appreciate. A 5-axis image stabilization system also delivers less shake when shooting at night, or capturing video. If you are also looking to capture video footage then the camera has very capable 4K video.

While not the latest algorithms, the A7 III also has solid human face and eye tracking, coupled with a 696-point AF system, you can take reliably focused photos of your friends, family, or any interesting folk you see out on the streets. 

Whilst handing on the camera is very good, it is a little off balance with big pro lenses, although Sony's lens range is extensive and there are lots of smaller primes that suit this camera perfectly for those who don't want to carry a lot while traveling. If size is less of a concern then superzoom lenses like the Sony FE 24-240mm will empower you to capture everything from near to far.

The best thing about this option I think is the price. It’s the best-value full-frame camera out there – and if you are traveling then often how much your camera costs is not something you want playing on your mind.

Read our full Sony A7 III review

Best hybrid travel camera

3. Fujifilm X-S20

✅ You shoot video and photos:  the Fujifilm X-S20 is the best of both worlds, with great-looking photos, but frankly awesome video skills too! ✅ You want to balance price and features:  the X-S20 offers a lot for its price, and it is one of the best-value cameras around, you will especially struggle to find matching video specs at this price point.

❌ You don't really care about video:  there are other options that might suit photographers more than the X-S20 with higher megapixel counts. ❌ You need weather sealing:  the X-S20 is not weather-sealed, so if you plan to get adventurous, a camera that can handle dust and water might be a better choice.

When I tested the Fujifilm X-S20 I was just so impressed at the amount of features that Fujifilm had managed to squeeze into its petite body – it's not just a stills camera, it also one of the best video cameras available, and best of all, it is really well priced! I think this is the best camera for any traveler looking to shoot a mix of stills and videos on the market right now. 

Fujifilm chose not to update the X-Trans IV sensor from the X-S10, but this sensor despite its age still holds up very well today when it comes to stills. The X-S20 is also able to use Fujifilm's excellent film simulations and programmable film recipes to create ready-to-use images straight from the camera, which makes any regular social media posting that much easier.  The new X-Processor 5 also brings brand new subject recognition and tracking autofocus, making taking photos on the fly quicker and easier.

But despite its compact size, the X-S20 is a deceptively powerful video camera. The new processor combined with the modest resolution sensor means the X-S20 is capable of 6K video using the entire sensor (open-gate). The camera is also capable of numerous codecs for getting in-depth with color grading. The subject recognition and tracking also carries through into videos and the X-S20 also has dedicated vlogging features.

Some might prefer the classic retro style like the X-T5 or X-T30 II, but the X-S20 is a much more user-friendly camera, with useful features like a fully articulating screen. Handling is great, and the camera pairs really well with Fujifilm's small zoom and prime lenses, making traveling light with a kitted-out X-S20 a little easier. While the price is a little higher than the X-S10 that preceded it, I think the price bump is justified as this is one capable camera for traveling.

Read more: Fujifilm X-S20 review

Best travel camera for size

4. Olympus OM-D E-M10 Mark IV

✅ You want a small system:  the whole OM Micro Four Thirds system is tiny, with small cameras and lenses, so you can take a lot more gear to cover more subjects. ✅ You want a good-looking camera:  with a cool vintage style based on Olympus's OM film cameras, the E-M10 IV looks as good as the footage it shoots.

❌ You shoot a lot in low light:  the Micro Four Thirds sensor in the E-M10 IV doesn't handle low light as well as larger sensors, not good for frequent nighttime shooters. ❌ You won't use the retro dials:  if you are looking for just fast auto controls then the dials on the top of the E-M10 IV will be largely redundant for your needs.

When picking the best travel camera, we're focusing on portability, and the dinky but mighty Olympus OM-D E-M10 Mark IV is one of the best portable cameras around if you are looking for a whole system including lenses that can easily slip into a bag. The best Olympus lenses include positively tiny optics that can go a long way for travel photography, helping you keep your kit and weight size down. So if you are the type of carry-on-only travel photographer but with big photography ambitions then this is for you.

Not only does it have an incredibly lightweight body, but the camera will look great on your travels too, with a cool retro design that harks back to Olympus's long pedigree in film cameras. The camera has tactile dial-led controls for anyone who wants to get creative with manual photography, although don't let that fool you into thinking the camera is complicated, as there are lots of automatic modes and helpful features built into the camera.

The OM-D E-M10 Mark IV uses the smaller but still powerful Micro Four Thirds sensor. This has some slight disadvantages in terms of low-light capabilities, so if you like to go out a lot at night when you travel, then a larger sensor might be better for you. 

But Micro Four Thirds does have one big advantage, it effectively doubles the focal length of any lens mounted to the camera; so a 50mm will behave like a 100mm, so if you are about to head off on safari, then this could make all the difference to getting up close to wildlife. Its snappy burst shooting, its accurate autofocus, and its impressive 4K video will also all assist you with creating amazing content. It's a terrific all-around camera. 

Read our full Olympus OM-D E-M10 Mark IV review

Best travel camera on a budget

5. Panasonic Lumix G100

✅ You want an affordable camera:  the Lumix G100 is a great deal for the features it offers, and an affordable way to get great travel snaps. ✅ You want a range of small lenses:  there are a lot of Micro Four Thirds lenses, so there is something for every occasion, and best of all, they tend to be on the smaller side for easy travel.

❌ You want the very latest tech:  the G100 is a little on the older side and doesn't have Panasonic's latest autofocus, which puts it a little behind the competition. ❌ You want more serious creative video:  intended as a hybrid camera, there are lots of video-focused features, but the camera lacks IBIS and a headphone jack/USB-C found in rivals.

Sometimes, you just want to create quality images and video while you are traveling, but you don't want to pay a small fortune for a camera to do so, or risk carrying around an expensive camera. The Panasonic Lumix G100 is the best camera you can get for traveling that offers all the quality features you will need but at an affordable price.

The G100 is a super-small, super-cute camera with a Micro Four Thirds sensor. It is still easy to capture high-quality video and stills with simple controls, menus, and its approachable button layout. The camera can be paired with numerous dinky Micro Four Thirds lenses too, especially small pancake lenses to keep the overall size down. Micro Four Thirds also has the benefit of doubling the focal length, so 100mm becomes 200mm, so you can pair the G100 camera with telephoto lenses for capturing far away subjects like wildlife without having to carry huge lenses.

A downside though is there is some compromise for the low price, and the G100 is not the most technically advanced camera on this list, and its autofocus uses Panasonic's cruder contrast-detect technology, which is a little slower than other cameras and is notorious for "pulsing" and "hunting" during video. 

Despite this, the G100 is also a perfect camera for vloggers, with an articulating screen and ready to share footage. But while there’s an inherent risk of dumbing things down too much when creating a camera for social media creatives, Panasonic has avoided that pitfall with the Lumix G100, and this is a great camera if you're just as interested in vlogging as you are in travel photography. 

Read our full Panasonic Lumix G100 review

Best waterproof compact travel camera

6. OM System Tough TG-7

✅ You want a rugged adventure camera:  the TG-7 can certainly withstand some serious adventuring with a rugged water/dust/freeze/drop-proof build. ✅ You want a photography-first adventure camera:  the TG-7 puts photography first and foremost, offering a better experience than smaller fiddly action cameras.

❌ You want to strap the camera to things:  while action cameras have numerous accessories to strap to your sports equipment, there is far less for the bigger TG-7. ❌ You only care about video:  if you are just looking for the best rugged video camera for travel, then action cameras have you covered (see below).

Following the acquisition of Olympus's camera division, the OM System TG-7 is essentially an update to the much-loved Olympus Tough TG-6 under a new brand name. Although that camera has long been the top-regarded travel compact for adventurers who are as invested in photos as video. Action cameras might be smaller and just as hardy, but can't compete with the TG-7 for photography experience.

The TG-7 is ready for any travel adventure and is water-proof, dust-proof, crush-proof, drop-proof, and freeze-proof, so whether your hiking, climbing, swimming, or otherwise take you to the hottest deserts to the coldest tundras, the camera should come out the other side unscathed.

The TG-7 might have a relatively conservative 12MP resolution, although this helps dramatically when it comes to low-light images, as each pixel is larger allowing it to capture more light. Why is this important? Well if you are shooting in darker underwater environments, in gloomy forests, or at night, then you will get higher-quality images. 

The Touch also has RAW images, so you can get even more creative control over the final edit of your images. The camera also has a pretty incredible macro mode as well if you find some small details on your travels that you have to capture.

While it might not be up to the same standard as the best action cameras for video (see below for that), the Tough can capture decent 4K video, and will get some perfectly serviceable footage for social and YouTube of your wild adventures!

Read our full OM System Tough TG-7 review

Best action camera for travel

7. DJI Osmo Action 4

✅ You want a camera that can keep up with your travel adventures:  the Osmo 4 is hardy enough for whatever conditions you throw at it, weather-sealed and fantastic stabilized footage. ✅ You want a tiny camera:  action cameras like the Osmo 4 are great as they are so small they are effortless to travel with.

❌ You want to shoot high quality photos:  the 12MP photos from the Osmo 4 can't compete with more dedicated cameras, and the wide angle lens needs lots of corrections. ❌ You need accessories:  the market for DJI accessories isn't as big as the more famous GoPro, so if you need niche or cheaper accessories, that might be the brand to choose.

For most adventurer-creators, the Osmo Action 4 is the perfect balance of quality and price. Stabilized 4K video looks great and the camera can take a lot – not just rough and tumble but temperature extremes and it's waterproof to 16m without a case. Best of all, it has a larger image sensor than any other camera on the list, so it is better in lower light, making it more flexible.

DJI did have an interesting experiment with modular design, now seemingly abandoned, with the Action 2, but they do retain powerful magnetic mounts which can even partially survive the heat of an oven (we tried accidentally – see our full review). 

Like the more famous competition, DJI has high-quality horizon balancing and image stabilization, which has improved on the Action 3. The resolution limit is 4K, but in practice, this is the ideal resolution for action (and the limit of almost all TVs). More useful is the 120fps capability (or 240fps at 1080P).

The fact that Action 4’s isn’t interwoven with subscription software is one we wholeheartedly appreciate, too, but GoPro seem to finally growing out of this.

Read our full DJI Osmo Action 4 review

Best 360º camera for travel

8. Insta360 X3

✅ You want to capture everything:  the Insta360 X3 can capture all that goes on around you, perfect for capturing immersive travel content. ✅ You want to travel light:  the Insta360 X3 is very small and lightweight, and won't trouble your carry-on bag limits.

❌ You want a versatile camera:  the Insta360 X3 is made for one thing, and that is great 360º footage, if you want to capture more, you might need to bring a second camera. ❌ You want artistic images:  the Insta360 X3 has big 72MP images but the small sensor means they aren't as creative as a bigger camera.

There are times when handling even an action camera's wide-angle lens becomes a problem, and that's where a 360-degree action camera can step in. With two back-to-back lenses and enough smarts to eliminate a selfie stick from the footage, this almost magic camera can capture an image from a point within reach looking any direction you see fit.

I tried it with the bike attachment – which holds the camera a little way in front of the bike, over the front wheel – and was amazed at the footage which makes it look like I'm cycling toward a perfectly controlled drone. Better still, by syncing with my phone I could draw GPS data and have it overlaid, in the form of a speedometer, by the Insta360 app before sharing.

The only real worry is how naked those glass lenses are when the camera is in use; the joy of re-positioning the camera angle after the fact can be hours of fun. 5.7K is good enough for sharing, but more resolution would help pro work.

Read our full Insta 360 X3 review for more details

Best for travel vloggers

9. Sony ZV-E10

✅ You want ready-to-share footage:  this Sony is made for capturing footage with minimal editing to get up on YouTube and social media straight away. ✅ You want excellent audio:  the ZV-E10 has built-in stereo microphones that capture some of the best audio possible on a camera without external mics.

❌ You are more interested in photos:  the ZV-E10 is not a bad photography camera, but its video focused build means other cameras are better for stills shooters. ❌ You want a viewfinder for framing:  if you love a viewfinder for framing shots, then the Sony A6400 is almost the same camera, but with an EVF. 

The ZV-E10 makes for an excellent traveler's camera and is one of the cheapest vlogging-focused cameras yet. Combined with its slim dimensions, and wide choice of lenses, this makes it a perfect choice for travelers who want to shoot a lot of video. 

The big selling point of the ZV-E10 over other cameras capable of similar video is that the ZV-E10 comes with sophisticated built-in mics and a clip-on windshield for noise reduction, making it much easier to get clean audio on your vlogs even outdoors – which works excellently. Sony has put its years of audio experience into this camera and it shows.

The ZV-E10's 4K UHD video is of excellent quality too, and as we've come to expect from Sony, the autofocus is best in class, whether shooting video or stills. The camera has tracking modes for easy autofocus and digital image stabilization that crops your footage slightly but attempts to iron out any shake, which works well except for in very heavy movement.

And a point worth mentioning is that, while the ZV-E10 may be optimized for vlogging, it's still a capable stills camera with a 24MP sensor, and 11fps burst shooting, so photographers needed worry about restricting themselves with it. 

However, if you are more keen on photography than video, cameras in the Sony a6xxx range (like the Sony a6400 ) offer almost the same specs, but with a viewfinder, but you do lose the built-in stereo mics. Making it a tough choice for a hybrid shooter that might want the best of both worlds. 

Read our full Sony ZV-E10 review

How to choose the right travel camera

These are five key things to look out for when choosing the right travel camera for your needs.

1) Image quality: Ask yourself how you will use any photos or videos you capture. If you only plan to share content online on social media then any of the above cameras will be suitable. If you plan to print your pictures, though, then mirrorless cameras with larger sensors and higher megapixel counts will produce better-quality results.

2) Focal range: What kind of range do you need for your traveling activities? Compact cameras can have impressive zoom ranges, but to achieve their tiny size they often lack quality compared to mirrorless cameras. For mirrorless cameras, what lenses are available? So-called standard zooms are a great option for all types of travel, but they can also be large and heavy. A wide-angle lens might be best for capturing cities and landscapes, or if you are going to see wildlife or a sporting event then a compact telephoto lens might be best.

3) Size and weight: If you're going on vacation then the last thing you want to take is a heavy kit – especially given things like baggage restrictions when traveling. With that in mind, both your camera and lens(es) need to be small and light. If you want something that can fit in your pocket, get a compact camera – but if you don't mind taking a bag, a mirrorless system with one or two lenses could be more versatile. 

4) Simplicity: Don't want to get bogged down with camera settings? Most modern cameras have a range of auto modes – especially compact cameras, which take away the stress. Advanced modes and complicated controls don't usually mix with spur-of-the-moment snaps, so decide what is important to you and pick your camera based on that.

5) Price: The cameras in our list have a range of prices, and we try to include cameras that suit every budget. The price of a camera usually reflects its capabilities, although all the options listed here will take great images and video – so try to strike the right balance between what you need in a camera and what you can afford.

Is it better to use phone or camera for travel?

We covered this a little bit at the start of the article, but the answer is that it is always better to use a camera for stills or video when possible. So the question really becomes, "Do your travel plans make using a camera possible?" Phones are so small and quick to use that they go where cameras are too bulky and slow to shoot. A great compromise is a compact camera – or the Olympus Tough TG-6 , which is a weather-proof camera that goes the places that you wouldn't dare to use your phone! 

Is a DSLR or mirrorless camera better for travel photography?

As a travel camera, mirrorless cameras are usually the better choice for most people. They are much small and lighter than DSLRs, and also usually have a selection of smaller and lighter lenses to match. This makes traveling easier as it takes up less space and weight in increasingly restricted carry-on bags. Mirrorless cameras also are generally newer than DSLRs and most likely have more modern technology, making photography and video easier to capture and of better quality.

What size camera lens is best for travel?

Again, this comes down to what your travel plans entail and what you plan to shoot. The kit lens that comes bundled with many cameras will cover the most commonly used focal ranges, so that's a good place to start (though kit lenses do not deliver the best image quality). We recommend checking out the best lenses for travel photography to see what's right for you.

How we test travel cameras

When we are reviewing cameras, we carefully think about what scenarios each camera could be used for. When considering which cameras would make ideal travel cameras, we judge each camera on how small and lightweight it is for easy packing and transport, as well as carrying for long periods of the day while out exploring. 

We also consider the technical capabilities of each camera, and how suitable they are specifically for travel photography scenarios from beach vacations to safaris, to city breaks. Finally, we consider the price of the cameras to select options that cover a range of budgets and requirements.

We use our real-world experience with each camera and our in-depth camera knowledge to determine a final selection of top cameras that we would recommend as the ideal camera traveling companions.

Want to find out how we test and review DSLR and mirrorless cameras? We trial cameras both in real-world shooting scenarios and in carefully controlled lab conditions. Our lab tests will generally measure resolution, dynamic range, and signal-to-noise ratio, which gives us a benchmark by which to compare cameras. 

Resolution is measured using ISO resolution charts, dynamic range is measured using DxO Analyzer test equipment and DxO Analyzer is also used for noise analysis across the camera's ISO range. Our compact camera evaluations are based on real-world testing alone.

For our real-world testing, our reviewers spend time with each camera, testing it in a variety of shooting situations and providing their qualitative thoughts on how the camera was to use and evaluating the images and video it produced. Here's an example of how we literally take a camera on vacation to evaluate it!

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Gareth is a photographer based in London, working as a freelance photographer and videographer for the past several years, having the privilege to shoot for some household names. With work focusing on fashion, portrait and lifestyle content creation, he has developed a range of skills covering everything from editorial shoots to social media videos. Outside of work, he has a personal passion for travel and nature photography, with a devotion to sustainability and environmental causes.

• James Artaius Editor

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• DSLR vs Smartphone: The Travel Photography Showdown

Spend even a few minutes browsing Instagram or Facebook and you’ll see that anyone with a relatively new smartphone and the ability to frame a shot can produce what, only a few years ago, would have been considered a professional quality photograph. This increase in smartphone camera quality has been slowly killing the point-and-shoot market, so much so that there are really only two camera markets left: DSLR vs Smartphone.

While the battle between smartphones and point-and-shoots seems to have ended with a clear winner, few would argue that photo quality of a smartphone camera could come close to matching that of a DSLR. The wide range of tools and options on my Nikon will far outperform any Android or iPhone in any environment. Period. Yet, for my most recent trip, I still found myself facing a dilemma. Should I pack my DSLR or not? In terms of quality, my Nikon will destroy my iPhone. In terms of convenience, my iPhone will destroy my Nikon. So, that brings us to a new million-dollar question for today’s generation of travellers: Does the performance of a DSLR outweigh the convenience of a smartphone?

DSLR vs Smartphone: Quality or Convenience?

In most situations, anyone interested in taking great photographs would make sure their DSLR was one of the first items packed. But once convenience becomes a factor, the question isn’t so easy to answer. On a recent trip, a packed itinerary and limited time off meant that I wouldn’t be in any one location for more than a couple of days and there would be a lot of walking, bussing, and navigating train stations in between. In addition, my carry-on-only strategy meant that I would already have limited space to work with. Being that this was my first trip after purchasing my new DSLR, I decided I had no choice but to bring it along for the ride.

During my two-week trip to Europe, I managed to take thousands of photos. Granted, only a small fraction of those were decent (I’m still relatively new to this). I constantly found myself eyeing different shots and going far out of my way to get the best angle. This added a new element to my experience as I explored each city. I’ve always taken pictures, sure, but now I was taking the time to line up shots, fiddle with settings, and wait for the right moment when there was a break in the crowds of tourists.

Ok. That’s Great. But Should I Bring it or Not?

There are a lot of factors that go into the decision to pack your DSLR. A good way to start is by asking yourself a few basic questions:

Who are you traveling with? Are you traveling alone or with friends? Are your friends also bringing their cameras? Will they be bothered if you continuously stop to get those great shots?

Where are you going? Is the location going to offer some amazing scenery and challenging photo opportunities? Is it a location were you might become a target by wearing an expensive piece of equipment around your neck? (An unfortunate but very important question to ask.)

How are you traveling? Are you only taking a carry-on? Are you going to be moving around a lot? Will you have a base to store your stuff?

Part of the reason I brought my DSLR to Europe was because I wanted to answer some of these questions for myself. While there are many factors that will play into whether or not you pack your DSLR, I was able to gain some exposure – pun intended – on this trip. Based on my experience, here are some pros and cons you should consider when deciding whether or not to pack your DSLR.

Amazing Photo Quality

This is by far the most obvious reason to pack a DSLR, but it can’t go without mentioning. Not only is the photo quality on your DSLR going to be much better, but you’ll also be able to capture a wider variety of environments, including those hard-to-get night shots. Here’s a quick comparison from London. I’ve included a few more DSLR vs. iPhone comparisons below.

Nikon D3300, ISO 800, f/5.6, 1/2” shutter speed; iPhone 6, ISO 250, f/2.2, 1/15” shutter speed

Ability to Experiment

Your smartphone is forever stuck in “Auto” mode. With your DSLR handy and a decent knowledge of its features, you can create different effects that can bring a location to life. Hike up that F-Stop and lengthen your exposure time to show the effects of city movement. Switch over to aperture priority to blur the background and focus only on that one important scene. For me, having these creative capabilities was definitely worth the extra 3 pounds (~1.5 kg) of weight in my pack.

Nearly Endless Photo Time

On most new DSLRs, the time that you get out of the battery is impressive. If you are walking around taking an obscene amount of photos on your smartphone, you’ll quickly find yourself unable to check your email at the next coffee shop. On my most recent trip, I went days without needing to charge my camera battery, despite near constant use.

Nikon D3300, ISO 200, f/10, 1/40” shutter speed; iPhone 6, ISO 32, f/2.2, 1/198” Shutter Speed

Camera Bag / Daypack

I never thought this would be an advantage, but my camera bag made a very convenient addition to my trip. When I would go out during the day, I would remove the extra battery, cables, and battery charger, leaving quite a bit of space all of my essentials and some. Because of the way my bag was positioned and the effort required to open the zippers, I felt more secure with everything around my neck than I would carrying my wallet, passport etc. in my pocket.

For me, space was really the primary factor in considering whether to bring a camera or not. If you are backpacking for a long period of time, every bit of space counts. And it’s not just the camera we are talking about. You’ll be carrying the lens[es], batteries, battery charger, and any accessories you find necessary.

Nikon D3300, ISO 100, f/8, 1/200” shutter speed; iPhone 6, ISO 32, f/2.2, 1/1582” shutter speed

This is a huge argument for taking photos with your smartphone. During my two weeks, I spent almost as much time alone as I did with friends. What I noticed when I returned was that for each day I spent alone, I had nearly 3x or 4x the photos as the days I was with company. Lining up a decent shot on a smartphone takes seconds. Lining up that same shot on anything more than auto-mode with your DSLR will take time and attention. Unless your friends are as into photography as you are, you’ll be far less likely to spend long periods of time trying to get the perfect shot of that iconic landmark.

Looking Like a Tourist

Ok, maybe this one is just me, but I’ll mention it regardless. I enjoy exploring locations and looking like I know what I’m doing. That doesn’t mean throwing on a beret and brandishing my best accent. But, I will challenge myself to move fairly quickly, memorize the streets and metros, and try my best to see everything the city offers without looking lost and completely out of context. With a giant camera around your neck, however, this all kind of goes out the window. It’s basically a sign that says “tourist” and in some places, this also means, “sell me something”.

Laptop or Wait Until You’re Home

If you like to keep people back home updated on your travels and you didn’t bring a laptop, uploading those photos from your DSLR may be challenging. I made it a daily routine to sit down, transfer the photos from my SD card, and upload three or four of my favorite shots of the day. Had I not been carrying my laptop, I probably would have waited until I got home to do so, which would have resulted in quite a lot of sorting and selecting. With a smartphone, however, it’s as easy as finding a Wi-Fi connection.

This will largely depend on where and how you are traveling. Chances are, your DSLR is worth more than the rest of your pack put together. You should keep tabs on it the same way you would your passport. There are some places, unfortunately, that having a large camera strapped to your neck will make you a target, so use your discretion. When you are on the bus, for example, either keep the camera in your main pack, or have it around your neck.

Do you always bring your DSLR when you travel? Have you started to rely more on your smartphone? Let us know your DSLR vs Smartphone strategy in the comment section below. Still up in the air? You can view more DSLR vs Smartphone image comparisons here and here .

DSLR vs Smartphone Photography courtesy of Seth Mason . Header image courtesy of Tran Mau Tri Tam

Source: http://www.departful.com/2015/03/dslr-vs-smartphone-travel-photography/

We Can Take Our Own Pictures… So Why Hire A Professional Photographer? December 15, 2016

The Benefits Of Hiring A Professional Photographer December 8, 2016

Shootout: How Does A High-End Smartphone Camera Compare To A $3,400 Dslr? November 16, 2016

Ordinary People VS. Photographers November 11, 2016

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Smartphone vs Digital Camera

Which is your go-to choice when faced with the option of shooting with a smartphone vs a camera?

Truth be told, the gap between smartphone cameras and DSLR models is lessening. So, which is preferable? Which type of device provides the best quality and versatility for the professional photographer?

Don’t worry, we’ve done the hard work for you. We’ve created a guide on smartphone vs camera devices. Dig in as we look at different in price, image quality, flexibility, and post-processing.

Plus, we look at several popular photography devices in a head to head comparison.

Smartphone vs Digital Camera:

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Smartphone vs Camera – Example Devices

First, to effectively compare smartphone vs camera models, you’ll need a baseline understanding of the specs, prices, and features.

To do that, let’s look at three popular smartphone models and two mid-range DSLR camera bodies:

Samsung Galaxy S10

• Megapixels: 16MP
• Aperture: f/2.4
• Max ISO: 800
• Notable Feature: 123-degree field of vision
• Price: $800 (SIM Only)
• Megapixels: 12MP
• Aperture: f/1.8
• Max ISO: 2304
• Notable Feature: Smart HDR capabilities
• Price: $949.00

Google Pixel 3

• Megapixels: 12.2MP
• Max ISO: 14,000
• Notable Feature: Advanced zoom without loss of quality, exceptional low-light capabilities thanks to “Night Sight”
• Price: $539.00
• Megapixels: 20MP
• Aperture: Variable (based on the lens used)
• Max ISO: 25,600
• Notable Feature: 19 cross-type autofocus sensors
• Price: From $999.00

Nikon D7200

• Megapixels: 24.1MP
• Notable Feature: Wi-Fi enabled
• Price: From $800.00

What Can We Tell From The Numbers:

From this basic list of features, first, we see the base prices aren’t too different.

Remember, however, the DSLR prices listed are for the body only. You’ll need to purchase a lens or two. On the same note, the smartphone prices will also go up depending on options such as how much memory and storage space you need.

Second, it is clear that DSLR cameras have a much higher ISO range. And, third, the raw megapixel quality on a DSLR is generally much higher than smartphones.

All that being said, this is only basic information and cannot be taken at face value – there are additional details and factors involved. In the paragraphs below, we provide a direct comparison of smartphone vs camera models in greater detail.

Related Posts

Head to Head Comparison – Smartphone vs Camera

Before we really dig in, a quick reminder…

The research and information we provide are based on the above camera models and smartphones. The smartphones are considered benchmark products for mobile camera technology at the time of writing. The Samsung Galaxy S10, for example, is the latest model with a 12MP camera.

Additionally, the Canon 70D and Nikon D7200 are two popular mid-range choices with similar price tags.

Obviously, there are cameras that far surpass the performance levels of smartphones – these, however, have a hefty price tag.

This is why we’re comparing mid-range DSLR cameras. Aspects we looked at in the smartphone vs camera debate include price, ease of use and convenience plus others:

Smartphone vs Camera: Price

Price should never be the determining factor for your choice, but it is important. You may have a set budget, for example. Looking at the above specifications, the basic cost doesn’t vary that much:

• Samsung Galaxy S10: $800.00
• iPhone XS: $949.00
• Google Pixel 3: $539.00
• Canon 70D: $999.00
• Nikon D7200: $800.00

This basic cost is not a true representation, however, of what’s involved.

In most cases, a smartphone would be purchased with a contract. There would be no upfront cost but instead a monthly payment – this is obviously easier to manage than a one-off lump sum payment.

Furthermore, a smartphone doesn’t require any other purchases – everything you need is contained within the device and its cameras.

To purchase a DSLR camera, on the other hand, you’ll likely need to pay the full amount instantly. This requires savings or paying on a credit card.

Furthermore, the prices listed above are just for the camera body. You must also purchase a lens. DSLR lenses can cost just as much as the camera body itself and drastically increase the overall price.

Winner in Smartphone vs Camera Pricing: The Smartphone

Smartphone vs Camera: Ease of Use

DSLR cameras do require a learning curve, but once you understand the basics, they are easy and convenient to use. Models such as the Canon 70D and Nikon D7200 are ergonomically built – the grips and button locations fit your hands perfectly.

Moreover, the viewfinder allows for fantastic control and accuracy in your photography. DSLR cameras are certainly comfortable and easy to use.

Smartphones have a similar level of usability. The controls are usually easy to operate.

A smartphone can also easily be held in your hand and is much lighter and more compact to carry around.

Some people, however, find it difficult to keep a smartphone steady. In addition to this, a smartphone has no viewfinder – users, therefore, have to rely on the mobile screen when taking photos.

Winner in Smartphone vs Camera Ease of Use: The DSLR Camera

Smartphone vs Camera: Convenience

There’s no question about it: smartphones are highly convenient.

Although smartphones are now generally larger than they once were, they still comfortably fit in your pockets. Plus, the devices are lightweight and can easily be carried/transported.

On the flip side, DSLR cameras are undoubtedly heavier and bulkier. A Canon 70D equipped with a mid-range zoom lens, for example, is much heavier.

It takes up a lot more space.

In most cases, a carry-case or backpack is required to easily transport a DSLR camera.

Winner in Smartphone vs Camera Convenience Level: Smartphone

Smartphone vs Camera: Image Quality

In terms of raw megapixel quality, DSLR cameras certainly outperform smartphone cameras.

It’s hardly even a contest…

For example, the iPhone XS shoots at 12MP whereas the Canon 70D has an image quality of 20MP. Furthermore, DSLR cameras have advanced sensors that can simply capture greater detail than their smartphone counterparts.

Smartphone photo quality isn’t bad, but at higher levels, a DSLR camera can produce better results. The combination of larger resolution, improved camera sensor, and range of quality lenses means that the basic image quality of a DSLR camera is usually better.

Winner in Smartphone vs Camera Image Quality: DSLR

Smartphone vs Camera: Specialist Settings

That beings said, smartphones have a range of specialist settings.

Some phones, for example, can take panoramas and HDR photos without any extra post-processing on your behalf.

In fact, smartphones usually have a range of effects that can be applied to images – different filters and styles for example.

In terms of actual shooting modes, a smartphone does not have the same degree of control as a DSLR camera. Although, some third-party apps can give you some additional control.

DSLR cameras have a huge array of specialized settings. For example, a DSLR can shoot in aperture priority mode (AV), shutter priority mode (TV), or Manual mode. It’s also possible to shoot panoramas and HDR photos with a DSLR – the process is just slightly different.

Smartphones may be easier to use in terms of specialized settings, but a DSLR camera offers so much more creativity and possibilities.

Winner in Smartphone vs Camera Specialist Settings: DSLR

Smartphone vs Camera: Flexibility

A DSLR camera offers so much more flexibility. It can be equipped with a dismountable flash. In addition to this, each manufacturer provides a range of high-quality lenses – from specialized macro lenses to ultra-telephoto zoom lenses.

Furthermore, a DSLR camera enables a myriad of shooting modes such as AV, TV, Manual , and Auto. In short, a DSLR camera is flexible to whatever needs you to have.

Smartphone cameras simply do not have this same level of flexibility.

Winner in Smartphone vs Camera Flexibility: DSLR

Smartphone vs Camera: Exporting, Sharing & Post-Processing

How photos are handled afterwards must also be given consideration. Post-processing is an important aspect of professional photography.

How can images be exported? What file formats can be used? How easily can the photos be shared?

Smartphone cameras have excellent sharing capabilities. These devices are meant for internet usage. Since most users have apps such as Facebook , Twitter , and Instagram , they can easily share their photos.

Sharing photos via a smartphone is certainly convenient and easy.

In addition to this, you can install post-processing apps and do all your post-processing on the same device! If you like to shoot RAW, most smartphone cameras now support RAW image file formats too.

DSLR cameras do not have as extensive sharing capabilities.

Both the 70D and D7200 have Wi-Fi connections, but it’s undeniably easier to share images using a smartphone. One advantage of a DSLR is that you always have the option to shoot RAW.

Winner in Smartphone vs Camera Exporting, Sharing and Post-Processing: Smartphone

The Pros and Cons of Smartphone vs Camera Devices

Smartphones.

DSLR Cameras

Smartphone vs Camera – Final Thoughts and Outcome

So which device do we feel is the better choice in the smartphone vs camera battle?

For PhotoWorkout, it has to be the DSLR camera .

This type of device will always produce better end results. But it’s not just the RAW quality. A DSLR camera provides greater flexibility, utility, and features.

For example, a DSLR camera can be fitted with a myriad of different lenses – these lenses can specialize in certain types of photography.

A smartphone could mimic the photos, but the end quality would never be as sharp. DSLR cameras also have much better autofocus and can perform infinitely better in low-light situations.

Photography 101: All Tutorials

• Camera Basics
• Composition
• Natural Light
• Artificial Light
• Editing Photos
• Choosing Gear
• Printing Photos

A seasoned content creator at PhotoWorkout, Paul merges his love for traveling and photography to craft insightful articles. With a solid grasp of Adobe Lightroom and Photoshop, he enjoys testing new photo software, apps, and gear. His background in web development further enriches his photography endeavors. Connect with him on LinkedIn .

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DSLR vs Smartphone Camera or Phone Best For Family Travel?

An in-depth guide on dslr vs camera phone for travel photography..

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Are you torn between using a DSLR camera or your smartphone for capturing your family travel moments? In the world of travel photography, there’s a constant debate that seems to be on everyone’s lips: “Camera or phone – which is the best travel camera?

With today’s advancements in smartphone technology, it’s no wonder that many families are opting to ditch their bulky DSLRs in favour of the convenience and versatility of their phones. However, before you make your decision, it’s important to weigh the pros and cons of each option.

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This article is a comprehensive guide to choosing between a DSLR and a smartphone for your family travel photography. It’s a long one, so use the table of contents to find the bits you’re most curious about. Happy reading!

As a family that’s been travelling the world on and off for years, we’ve had our fair share of experiences with both. From the majestic peaks of Mt Ruapehu in New Zealand to the vibrant streets of Hoi An in Vietnam, we’ve captured it all, sometimes with a hefty DSLR and other times with just our trusty Google Pixel smartphone .

Photography has always held a special place in my heart. Some of my most cherished childhood memories involve shooting with a camera that, today, would be considered ‘vintage’. I remember the thrill of developing films in our pitch-dark bathroom, and the joy my dad and I shared when the photos came out just right, neither underexposed nor overexposed.

Yup, back in the day, nailing the exposure on the first shot with a manual camera was what separated the pros from the rest.

Since our family has always been loyal users of Canon, I invested my first lot of savings in a Canon DSLR , pairing it with a 24-70mm f2.8L lens shortly after graduation. This DSLR became an extension of me, a tool I used to capture glamour, portrait, and real estate photography in Sydney, Australia .

But my true passion lay in travel photography . I carried my DSLR across continents, up mountains, and deep into forests, documenting the world through my lens. However, this year marked a significant change. I decided to part ways with my $4000 DSLR kit. .. ( cliffhanger )

In this guide, we’ll dive deep into the world of DSLR vs smartphone cameras, comparing their pros and cons, and sharing our personal experiences. Whether you’re a parent looking to document your family’s adventures, a budding travel blogger, or simply someone who loves travel photography, this comprehensive guide will help you make an informed decision.

Read on and find out whether a DSLR or a smartphone camera is the best fit for your family’s travel needs.

Table of Contents:

DSLR vs Phone Cameras: The Difference

When it comes to capturing your family’s travel adventures, the camera or phone you choose can make a world of difference. But before we get into the pros and cons of DSLR vs phone cameras, let’s first understand what these devices are and how they differ.

A DSLR, or Digital Single-Lens Reflex camera, is a type of camera that combines the optics and mechanisms of a single-lens reflex camera with a digital imaging sensor. These cameras are known for their superior image quality , interchangeable lenses , and manual controls , making them a popular choice among professional photographers and serious hobbyists.

On the other hand, a smartphone camera is the built-in camera in your mobile phone. Over the years, smartphone cameras have seen significant advancements, with many modern smartphones boasting multiple lenses, high megapixel counts, and a host of features that were once exclusive to high-end cameras.

The biggest advantage of smartphone cameras is their convenience – they’re compact , easy to use , and always with you .

While both DSLR and smartphone cameras can take stunning photos, they each have their strengths and weaknesses. A DSLR might offer more control and better image quality, but it’s also bulkier and more complex to use. A smartphone, while not as powerful as a DSLR, offers portability and simplicity, making it a handy tool for capturing spontaneous moments.

Camera or Phone for Travel Photography?

In the age of digital technology, capturing memories from your family travels has never been easier. But with so many options available, you might find yourself asking: should I use a camera or phone for travel photography?

There are many factors to consider, so let’s break them down.

Image Quality

When it comes to image quality, DSLR cameras typically have the upper hand. Thanks to their larger image sensors, DSLRs can capture more light and detail, resulting in superior image quality, particularly in low-light conditions.

If you’re planning to print or enlarge your family travel photos, a DSLR would be your best bet. The superior quality of DSLR photos becomes quite noticeable in these scenarios.

However, if your photos are primarily for sharing on mobile phones or online, the difference in quality might not be as distinguishable to the average viewer.

In fact, if you’re a blogger, the high-resolution images produced by DSLRs could slow down your site if uploaded directly. This could impact your site’s performance and, subsequently, its ranking on Google.

In contrast, smartphone cameras produce smaller files that are more web-friendly, while still offering good quality for digital viewing. So, if your main aim is to share your family’s travel adventures online or maintain a travel blog, a smartphone camera might be more practical.

Interchangeable Lenses

DSLRs allow you to interchange lenses to suit different shooting scenarios. This versatility is particularly useful when it comes to capturing a variety of scenes during your family travels. Whether you’re photographing sweeping landscapes with a wide-angle lens, capturing close-up portraits with a prime lens, or zooming in on distant wildlife with a telephoto lens, a DSLR gives you the flexibility to adapt to different shooting scenarios.

However, this flexibility comes with its own set of challenges. Changing lenses can take time and requires a certain level of skill. It’s not always practical, especially when you’re trying to capture spontaneous moments. Plus, it requires patience from your family, as they may need to wait for you to switch lenses and set up the perfect shot.

On the other hand, smartphone cameras, while not offering interchangeable lenses, have made significant strides in versatility. Many modern smartphones come equipped with multiple built-in lenses, such as wide, ultra-wide, and telephoto lenses. This allows you to capture a range of shots, from expansive landscapes to detailed close-ups, all without needing to change lenses.

The convenience of a smartphone camera can be a significant advantage during family travels. You can quickly capture a moment, whether it’s your child’s laughter or a stunning sunset, without any delay. Plus, with automatic settings and intuitive controls, even the less tech-savvy family members can easily take great photos.

Manual Controls

DSLR cameras offer a high level of creative control over your photos, thanks to manual settings such as aperture, shutter speed, and ISO. This is particularly beneficial in challenging lighting conditions, such as astrophotography, or when you want to experiment with artistic effects like light painting.

However, this doesn’t mean smartphone cameras lack creativity. While they may not offer the same level of manual control as DSLRs, modern smartphones come packed with features that can significantly enhance your photos. For instance, portrait mode can create a blurred background effect, night mode can improve low-light photos, and some models even offer a pro mode, allowing for manual adjustment of certain settings.

In essence, both DSLRs and smartphones offer a range of features that can cater to your creative needs. The choice between the two often comes down to your personal preference, the level of control you desire, and the specific shooting conditions you’ll be encountering during your family travels.

Depth of Field

One of the standout features of DSLR cameras is their ability to create a shallow depth of field. This is the effect where the subject of the photo is in sharp focus, while the background is beautifully blurred. This can give your photos a professional and aesthetically pleasing look, often associated with high-end photography.

A few years ago, I would have argued that smartphones simply couldn’t compete with DSLRs in this regard. The large aperture photos, particularly the professional-looking portraits with blurred backgrounds, seemed beyond the capabilities of a smartphone camera.

However, the landscape of smartphone photography has undergone dramatic changes in just a few short years. Many of the latest smartphones now offer features like ‘portrait mode’ or ‘bokeh effect’, which mimic the shallow depth of field traditionally associated with DSLR cameras.

Moreover, apps like Google Photos allow you to adjust the depth of field in post-editing . While these effects are software-generated, they have become increasingly sophisticated, often producing results that can stand toe-to-toe with those from a DSLR.

Battery Life

When you’re out and about capturing your family’s travel adventures, the last thing you want is for your camera to run out of power. Here’s where the longer battery life of DSLR cameras can be a significant advantage.

DSLR cameras are designed with heavy usage in mind. Their batteries are often more robust compared to those in smartphones. That said, if you’re planning a long day out or a trip away from power sources, you’ll likely need to invest in extra batteries for your DSLR.

I used to carry a minimum of 2 extra Canon batteries just for peace of mind.

These camera accessories can add to the overall cost and require additional space in your camera bag.

On the other hand, while smartphones may not have as long a battery life as DSLRs when used intensively, they offer the convenience of universal charging. You can easily charge your phone using a standard phone charger or a portable power bank .

In addition, many modern smartphones have power-saving modes and quick charging capabilities, allowing you to extend your battery life or charge your phone quickly when you’re in a pinch.

Power banks are also widely available, often cheaper than DSLR batteries, and can also be used to charge other devices like tablets or e-readers.

Affordability

DSLR cameras are typically expensive investments. The cost of the camera body itself can be quite high already, especially for the latest models.

Additionally, if you want to take full advantage of the DSLR’s capabilities, you’ll likely want to invest in a variety of lenses, which can also be as costly as the camera body.

Add in the cost of extra batteries, a high-quality camera bag , and other accessories like tripods or filters , and the expenses can quickly add up.

On the other hand, smartphones, particularly high-end models, can also be expensive. However, a smartphone is not just a camera – it’s also a necessity in modern life, meaning the cost of the camera function is essentially bundled in.

Moreover, the cost of additional equipment for smartphone photography is typically lower than for DSLR photography. While there are optional accessories like clip-on lenses or tripods for smartphones , many users find they’re able to take great photos without them.

Plus, as we discussed earlier, the cost of extra batteries or portable chargers for smartphones is usually lower than for DSLRs.

To Sum Up The Pros & Cons of DSLR vs Smartphone

Factors to consider when choosing between a DSLR and smartphone camera

Now that you know the pros and cons of DSLR vs phone camera, there are several key factors to consider when deciding on investing in a camera or phone for your family travel photography.

Convenience vs Quality

DSLR cameras are known for their superior image quality, but this comes with a trade-off in terms of convenience. DSLRs are heavier and bulkier than smartphones. In addition to the camera itself, you’ll likely need to carry essential accessories like lenses, a tripod, and spare batteries. This can make DSLRs less than ideal for light travels , especially when travelling with kids.

Pack Light & Travel Light: 20 Creative Pro Tips | Minimalist

I’ve experienced this struggle firsthand. Between managing a toddler in one arm, a preschooler in the other, and a 3kg camera bag on my back, I often found myself questioning whether the superior image quality was worth the hassle. And that’s not even mentioning the times my kids knocked over my DSLR from the tripod!

In contrast, smartphones offer a high level of convenience. They’re lightweight, compact, and something most of us carry with us anyway. This makes them a practical choice for family travel photography, especially when you’re juggling the demands of young children.

Moreover, the quality of smartphone photos has improved dramatically in recent years. For instance, I’ve found that the photos from my Google Pixel phone are more than adequate for web and personal use. They’re even good enough for prints and photobooks.

So, when deciding between a DSLR and a smartphone camera, consider your specific needs and circumstances. If convenience and ease of use are your top priorities, a smartphone camera might be the best choice. However, if you’re willing to carry extra gear for the sake of higher image quality, a DSLR could be worth the extra effort.

Ease of Use: Time is of the Essence

When you’re travelling with kids, magical moments can happen in the blink of an eye. A spontaneous hug against a stunning backdrop, a fleeting expression of pure joy, a sudden burst of laughter – these are the moments that make for unforgettable photos. The last thing you want is to miss a precious moment because you need to adjust the settings or change lenses. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve missed a golden opportunity because I was busy setting up my DSLR.

This is where the simplicity of smartphone cameras really shines.

Smartphone cameras are designed to be user-friendly, offering the advantage of speed and accessibility. With automatic settings and intuitive interfaces, you can capture high-quality photos with just a tap. Whether it’s a quick snapshot of your kids playing on the beach or a panoramic shot of a stunning sunset, your smartphone camera is always ready to go.

On top of that, with automatic syncing to your cloud account, your photos are instantly backed up and accessible from anywhere in the world.

On the other hand, while DSLRs offer more control over your photography, they can also be more complex to use. Adjusting settings like shutter speed, aperture, and ISO can be daunting for beginners. However, for those willing to climb the learning curve, the level of control offered by a DSLR can be a significant advantage, allowing you to capture images exactly as you envision them.

So, when it comes to capturing those fleeting, precious moments, a smartphone camera can often be the more practical choice. After all, when a magical moment happens, it’s better to have a photo than none at all.

Durability: DSLR vs Smartphone

DSLR cameras, while robust in their own right, can be quite delicate. They need to be handled with care, protected from the elements, and regularly maintained.

I treated my Canon camera like a baby, always ensuring it was safe from wind and rain, handled gently, and cleaned before each use. I even went as far as to protect it with a ‘ camera condom ‘ to prevent erosion and rust from shooting near the sea, earning a laugh from a fellow photographer.

However, after carrying this ‘needy baby’ across three continents, I was ready for a change. My Google Pixel , on the other hand, offered a refreshing level of durability. It was lightweight, water and dust resistant, and well-protected against bumps and bruises thanks to the Spigen phone protector I swear by.

The peace of mind that came with not having to protect my camera like an eggshell was invaluable. With a smartphone, I could focus more on capturing the moment and less on worrying about the well-being of my camera.

So, if you’re planning to travel in a variety of conditions and want a camera that can withstand the rigours of family travel, especially when journeying around the world , a durable smartphone might be the better choice.

Versatility: Camera or Phone?

As my Dad once told me,

Use a tool for what it’s designed to be used for. Kida.co

A DSLR is designed to take photos, and it does that exceptionally well. However, when it comes to other features, such as video and instant sharing, a DSLR might not be the most practical choice.

It’s true that modern DSLRs come equipped with video capabilities, but they are primarily designed with photography in mind.

Using a DSLR for filming presents its own set of challenges. For instance, you can’t see what you’re filming through the viewfinder, relying instead on a small screen. This might be less than ideal in certain conditions, such as bright sunlight, or for those with less than perfect eyesight.

Additionally, while DSLRs do offer some stabilisation features, they might not match the smoothness of handheld smartphone footage without the aid of additional equipment like a tripod or a stabilisation rig. This not only adds to the cost but also to the amount of gear you need to carry around.

It’s also worth noting that while DSLRs are robust pieces of equipment, excessive use of the video feature could potentially impact the lifespan of the sensor. However, this is typically a concern only for those who plan to do a lot of filming.

On the other hand, smartphones are designed with both photography and video in mind. They typically come with built-in stabilisation, which can result in smoother, more professional-looking footage. Plus, with a smartphone, you can see your footage on a larger, brighter screen, making it easier to ensure you’re capturing exactly what you want.

So, when deciding on a camera or phone in terms of versatility, a smartphone has many more features than just taking great photos.

Editing and Sharing Options

With a DSLR, the process of exporting and editing photos can be more labour-intensive. After capturing your photos, you’ll need to transfer them to a computer for editing. This can be a bit of a faff and requires access to editing software, which isn’t always at your fingertips, especially when you’re out and about exploring the world.

On the flip side, smartphones make the whole process a lot easier. With a smartphone, you can edit your photos directly within apps like Google Photos. This handy app offers features like background blurring, lighting adjustments, filters, and manual effect adjustments. And the best part is all of this can be done after you’ve taken the photo.

There’s also a whole host of other photo editing apps available, such as Lightroom and Photoshop Fix, giving you a smorgasbord of options for a quick and easy post-editing experience.

Plus, sharing your photos is as easy as pie, whether you’re posting them on social media, sending them to family and friends, or uploading them to your travel blog.

In terms of convenience and ease of use, smartphones win the race. The ability to edit and share photos directly from your device can save you a lot of time and effort, making it a more practical choice for many of us.

AI Technology: The Game-Changer in Photography

Artificial Intelligence (AI) has been shaking things up in many corners of our lives, and it’s certainly made its mark on photography. The fusion of AI tech with smartphone cameras has seriously upped their game, making them a worthy rival to the traditional DSLRs.

One of the most significant advantages of DSLR cameras over smartphones, particularly in the context of travel photography here, has traditionally been their superior image quality. However, the rapid advancement of AI technology in smartphone cameras is quickly closing this gap, making the ‘DSLR vs smartphone’ debate increasingly relevant.

AI technology has made it possible for smartphones to compensate for their smaller sensors and lenses by intelligently processing images. This includes techniques such as multi-frame processing, where the camera takes several shots in quick succession and combines them to create a single, high-quality image. This can significantly improve the sharpness, detail, and dynamic range of smartphone photos, bringing them closer to the quality of DSLR images.

In addition, AI technology is used to enhance low-light photography, a scenario where DSLRs have traditionally excelled. Features like Night Mode use AI to brighten photos, reduce noise, and enhance details, resulting in clear and vibrant low-light photos that can rival those taken with a DSLR.

AI is also used to create software-generated effects that mimic those of DSLR cameras. For example, the ‘portrait mode’ or ‘bokeh effect’ found in many smartphones uses AI to blur the background of a photo, creating a shallow depth of field effect that was once only achievable with a DSLR.

This means that even if you’re not a seasoned photographer, you can still capture stunning, high-quality photos with ease.

Psst … As always, we aim to deliver free & valuable content to you. If this post has helped you in any way, a cup of coffee is all it takes to make my day! Thanks a latte <3

AI Image Processing

AI is also revolutionising post-processing. Companies like Midjourney and Adobe Firefly are harnessing the power of AI to offer advanced editing features that used to be the exclusive domain of professional photo editing software.

Midjourney is an AI image generator that turns text into breathtaking art. It’s like having a pro artist on speed dial, ready to bring your vision to life. This app lets you generate images straight from text descriptions, making it a must-have tool for bloggers, content creators, and anyone looking to spice up their digital presence.

Other similar AI art generators like Blue Willow, Night Cafe and Stable Diffusion are all competing to advance in new features like high-res images, zoom-out generative fill, better image composition, and next-gen aesthetics. As technology continues to advance, we can expect to see even more amazing features in the future.

Then there’s Adobe Firefly , an AI-powered tool that offers a wide range of jaw-dropping features to enhance your creative process. It can generate images from simple text prompts, apply styles or textures to words and phrases, generate colour variations of your vector artwork, and even convert 3D designs into images.

Firefly also lets you use a brush to remove objects or paint in new ones, offering a level of control and versatility that’s hard to beat. This tool is a godsend for content creators, letting you create high-impact design elements, engaging videos and images, stunning PDFs, animations, and more.

You can see some of Firefly’s work in this blog, where I enhanced our travel photos to better match the blog’s aesthetic.

Microsoft Image Creator from Bing is another AI-powered tool that’s been making waves in the photography world. It uses AI to generate images from text descriptions, making it a powerhouse for content creators. It can whip up a wide range of images, from simple illustrations to complex scenes, all based on your text input. This lets you create unique, customised images for your content, without needing a degree in design.

To wrap it up, the fusion of AI tech with smartphone cameras has seriously closed the gap between smartphones and DSLRs. With AI, smartphones now offer a range of advanced features and capabilities that make them a handy and powerful tool for capturing your family’s travel adventures.

As these technologies continue to evolve, the gap between smartphone and DSLR photography is likely to close even further, making the choice between the two increasingly a matter of personal preference rather than a compromise on quality.

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Price and Utility: Balancing Cost with Needs

When it comes to the cost, DSLRs and phone cameras can vary significantly, and the best choice for you will depend on your budget and your specific needs.

As mentioned earlier, DSLRs can be quite an investment. The camera body itself can cost several thousand dollars, depending on the model. And that’s just the beginning. You’ll also need to consider the cost of lenses and accessories like a camera bag, extra batteries, memory cards, and possibly even editing software, and the costs can quickly add up.

On the other hand, smartphones are a more versatile option. While high-end smartphones can also be quite expensive, they offer much more than just a camera. Your smartphone is also your communication device, your entertainment centre, your navigation system, and so much more. When you consider all the functions that a smartphone serves, the cost can seem more justified.

So, when considering the price and utility of a DSLR vs phone camera, think about your specific needs and how you plan to use your device. If photography is a serious hobby for you, or if you’re a professional photographer, the superior image quality, flexibility and advanced control of a DSLR can make a significant difference in your travel photography

However, if you’re a casual photographer, or if you primarily share your photos online and looking for a versatile device that can take great photos and do much more, a smartphone might be all you need .

The Art of Photography

Photography, at its core, is a form of art. It’s not just about capturing a scene; it’s about capturing a moment, an emotion, a story. And like any form of art, photography is highly subjective. What one person finds beautiful, another might not. What one person sees as a perfect shot, another might see as flawed.

You don’t take a photograph, you make it. Ansel Adams

This subjectivity extends to the tools we use to capture our photos. Some photographers swear by their high-end DSLRs, valuing the control and precision they offer. Others prefer the convenience and simplicity of their smartphone cameras. And that’s okay. Because in the end, the best camera is the one that allows you to capture your vision.

In recent years, the rise of smartphone cameras has been nothing short of remarkable. These devices, which most of us carry in our pockets every day, are now capable of capturing high-quality photos that rival those taken with a DSLR. And they’re only getting better.

With each new model, smartphone cameras are becoming more advanced. They’re equipped with better sensors, more sophisticated lenses, and innovative features powered by artificial intelligence. They’re becoming more versatile, more capable, and more accessible.

Moreover, with the rise of AI text-to-image processing, the quality of a smartphone photo is no longer a significant drawback.

But perhaps the most significant advantage of smartphone cameras is their portability. With a smartphone, you have a powerful camera at your fingertips at all times, ready to capture those unexpected moments. You can take a photo, edit it, and share it with the world in a matter of minutes. And all of this can be done without the need for expensive equipment or technical know-how.

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So, does this mean that DSLRs are becoming obsolete? Not necessarily. DSLRs still offer superior control and flexibility, making them the preferred choice for many professional photographers and serious hobbyists. But for the average millennial or gen z parent, a smartphone might be all they need to capture their memories.

In the end, whether you choose to use a DSLR or a smartphone will depend on your personal preferences, your needs, and your budget. But one thing is clear: in the world of photography, there’s room for both. And as photographers, we’re all the better for it.

The Decision: Camera or Phone?

The decision to stick with your DSLR or switch to a smartphone for your travel photography needs is a personal one and depends on various factors.

If your photography is primarily for web use and social media, the quality offered by a modern smartphone is often more than sufficient. Web images are typically under 1920px by 1080px in size, and larger images can slow down page loading speeds, potentially affecting your search engine rankings. This is a consideration unless you’re showcasing a professional photography portfolio.

Social media platforms like Youtube, Instagram and Facebook compress images and videos to optimise loading speeds, meaning your high-definition DSLR photo may not look significantly different from a smartphone photo when viewed on these platforms anyway. The rise in popularity of filters, image editing apps and AI image processors also makes it increasingly difficult to distinguish between DSLR and smartphone photos, even for professionals.

However, if your photography involves shooting for weddings, commercials, or other scenarios where you plan to print and enlarge the photos, a DSLR may still hold the advantage.

Is Smartphone Good Enough For Travel Photography?

The question of whether to invest in a good phone camera is not a straightforward one. It depends largely on your specific needs and the type of photography you do.

If your photography is primarily for personal use and sharing on the web, a smartphone could be a wise investment. The convenience, portability, and AI-enhanced capabilities of modern smartphones make them a strong contender against DSLRs.

However, if you’re a professional photographer specialising in weddings, portraits, wildlife, or other areas where the superior image quality and control of a DSLR are essential, then a DSLR may still be the best choice for you.

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In conclusion

The “DSLR vs smartphone” debate is not about which is universally better, but rather depends on the individual photographer, their specific needs, and the scenarios they’ll be shooting in.

At the end of the day, the most important factor in photography is not the camera you use, but the moments you capture and the emotions you convey. Whether it’s a camera or phone, the best camera is the one that you have with you and that allows you to capture your travel experiences in the way you want. The essence is to tell a story, evoke emotions, and captures a moment in time, regardless of whether it was taken with a DSLR or a smartphone.

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Happy travels!

I don’t agree with the main point. If someone takes the photos only for his personal purposes, it does not imply that he doesn’t want the photos to be of the highest possible quality and the quality may be more important to him than the size and cost of the equipment and the time of photo postprocessing. I personally know several persons, to whom this applies.

That’s a good point. It comes down to what you value and the use of your photos. Thanks for sharing your thoughts.

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Mirrorless Camera vs. Smartphone: Which is the Better Choice for Photography?

Mirrorless cameras and smartphones are two of the most popular devices used for photography today. Both have their strengths and weaknesses, but which one is better?

The answer to this question is not straightforward, as it depends on various factors such as personal preferences, technical specifications, and practical considerations.

Mirrorless cameras have gained popularity in recent years due to their compact size, high image quality, and interchangeable lenses.

They are a hybrid between point-and-shoot cameras and DSLRs, offering the best of both worlds. Mirrorless cameras are ideal for professional photographers who require high-quality images and have the budget to invest in expensive equipment. They are also suitable for hobbyists who want to take their photography to the next level.

On the other hand, smartphones have become the go-to device for casual photography. They are convenient, always with us, and capable of producing stunning images.

Smartphones have evolved to the point where they can compete with low-end point-and-shoot cameras in terms of image quality.

They are also ideal for social media sharing and documenting everyday moments. However, smartphones have limitations when it comes to technical specifications, such as sensor size, aperture, and zoom capabilities.

Key Takeaways

• Mirrorless cameras offer high image quality and flexibility, making them ideal for professional photographers and hobbyists.
• Smartphones are convenient and capable of producing stunning images, but have limitations in terms of technical specifications.
• The choice between a mirrorless camera and a smartphone ultimately depends on personal preferences, technical requirements, and practical considerations.

Mirrorless Cameras: An Overview

Understanding mirrorless cameras.

Mirrorless cameras are a type of digital camera that lacks the mirror and optical viewfinder found in traditional DSLR cameras.

Instead, they use an electronic viewfinder or the camera’s rear LCD screen to display the image. Mirrorless cameras are compact and lightweight, making them a popular choice for photographers who want to travel light without sacrificing image quality.

One of the biggest advantages of mirrorless cameras is their autofocus system. Mirrorless cameras use a hybrid autofocus system that combines both phase detection and contrast detection autofocus. This allows for fast and accurate autofocus, even in low light conditions.

Mirrorless cameras also offer a range of other features, including:

• Interchangeable lenses: Mirrorless cameras have a wide range of interchangeable lenses available, allowing photographers to choose the best lens for their needs.
• Electronic shutter: Mirrorless cameras use an electronic shutter, which eliminates the need for a physical shutter. This allows for faster shutter speeds and quieter operation.
• Video capabilities: Many mirrorless cameras offer 4K video recording capabilities, making them a popular choice for videographers.

Popular Mirrorless Camera Brands

There are several popular mirrorless camera brands on the market, each offering a range of cameras to suit different needs and budgets.

Sony is one of the most popular mirrorless camera brands, with a wide range of cameras available, from entry-level models to high-end professional cameras.

Sony’s mirrorless cameras are known for their excellent autofocus system, high-resolution sensors, and impressive video capabilities.

Nikon and Canon, two of the biggest names in traditional DSLR cameras, have also entered the mirrorless camera market.

Nikon’s mirrorless cameras are known for their excellent image quality and fast autofocus system, while Canon’s mirrorless cameras offer impressive image stabilization and video capabilities.

Other popular mirrorless camera brands include Fuji and Leica. Fuji’s mirrorless cameras are known for their retro styling and excellent image quality, while Leica’s mirrorless cameras are known for their high-end build quality and exceptional optics.

Smartphones: A Closer Look

Smartphone cameras explained.

Smartphone cameras are becoming increasingly popular due to their convenience and portability. They are designed to be user-friendly and easy to use, with most models having a simple point-and-shoot mechanism. The cameras on smartphones use a small sensor to capture light and convert it into a digital image.

One of the main advantages of smartphone cameras is their ability to take high-quality photos in a variety of lighting conditions.

They have automatic settings that adjust the exposure, white balance, and focus, making it easy for the user to take a good photo without any technical knowledge.

Smartphone cameras also have a range of features that allow users to enhance their photos, such as filters, editing tools, and the ability to shoot in RAW format.

Some models even have multiple cameras, which can provide better zoom capabilities and depth perception.

Leading Smartphone Brands

There are several leading smartphone brands that offer high-quality cameras, including Apple, Samsung, Google, and Huawei.

Apple’s iPhone has long been known for its high-quality camera, with each new model offering improved features and performance.

The latest iPhone models have cameras that can capture stunning photos in low light and produce cinematic-quality videos.

Samsung’s Galaxy series is also known for its impressive camera capabilities, with the latest models featuring multiple cameras and advanced features such as 8K video recording.

Google’s Pixel phones have been praised for their camera performance, with the latest models featuring Night Sight mode, which allows users to take clear photos in low light without using a flash.

Huawei’s P series has also gained a reputation for its camera capabilities, with models featuring Leica lenses and advanced AI technology that can automatically adjust settings for the best possible photo.

Key Features Comparison

Image quality.

Mirrorless cameras generally have larger sensors than smartphones, which means they can capture more detail and produce higher-quality images.

The larger sensor also allows for better low-light performance and more control over depth of field. Smartphones, on the other hand, have smaller sensors, which can result in lower-quality images, especially in low-light situations.

Control and Customization

Mirrorless cameras offer more control over settings such as aperture, shutter speed, and ISO, which allows for greater customization and creativity.

They also typically have more physical controls, such as dials and buttons, which make it easier to adjust settings quickly.

Smartphones, while they do offer some manual control options, are generally more limited in terms of customization and physical controls.

Lens Variety

One of the biggest advantages of mirrorless cameras is their ability to use interchangeable lenses. This allows for greater flexibility in terms of focal length and aperture, which can be useful for different types of photography.

Smartphones, while some do offer multiple lenses, are generally limited to a fixed focal length and aperture.

Battery Life

Mirrorless cameras generally have larger batteries than smartphones, which means they can last longer on a single charge.

However, the larger battery also means that the camera itself is heavier and bulkier than a smartphone. Smartphones, while they have smaller batteries, are generally more portable and convenient to carry around.

Photography Aspects

When it comes to photography, there are several important aspects to consider when comparing mirrorless cameras with smartphones. Below are some of the key factors to keep in mind.

Focus and Exposure

One of the most significant differences between mirrorless cameras and smartphones is the ability to control focus and exposure.

Mirrorless cameras offer more precise control over these settings, allowing photographers to capture images with greater detail and accuracy. In contrast, smartphones typically rely on automatic settings that may not always produce the desired results.

Resolution and Detail

Another important factor to consider is resolution and detail. Mirrorless cameras generally offer higher resolution than smartphones, which means that images will be sharper and more detailed. This is particularly important for photographers who need to capture fine details or print large images.

Low Light Performance

Low light performance is another area where mirrorless cameras tend to excel. These cameras typically have larger sensors and better low light capabilities, which means that they can capture more detail and produce higher quality images in low light conditions. In contrast, smartphones may struggle to produce good quality images in low light.

Motion Blur and Dynamic Range

Finally, motion blur and dynamic range are two additional factors to consider. Mirrorless cameras typically offer better dynamic range, which means that they can capture more detail in both bright and dark areas of an image. They also offer better control over motion blur, which can be important for capturing fast-moving subjects.

Overall, while smartphones have come a long way in terms of their photography capabilities, mirrorless cameras still offer several advantages when it comes to image quality and control. However, the best choice will depend on the individual photographer’s needs and preferences.

Technical Specifications

Sensor size and image quality.

Mirrorless cameras have larger sensors than smartphones, which allows for better image quality. While smartphone cameras have improved over the years, they still have smaller sensors than mirrorless cameras.

The larger the sensor, the more light it can capture, resulting in better image quality. Mirrorless cameras typically have APS-C or full-frame sensors, while smartphones have smaller sensors, usually around 1/2.3″.

Shutter Speed, Aperture, and ISO

Mirrorless cameras offer more control over shutter speed, aperture, and ISO than smartphones. Shutter speed determines how long the sensor is exposed to light, while aperture controls the amount of light that enters the camera.

ISO determines the camera’s sensitivity to light. Mirrorless cameras allow for manual control over these settings, while smartphones typically only offer automatic settings.

Editing Capabilities

Mirrorless cameras shoot in both JPEG and RAW file formats, allowing for more flexibility in post-processing. RAW files contain more information than JPEG files, allowing for more detailed editing.

Smartphones typically only shoot in JPEG format. Additionally, mirrorless cameras typically offer more editing capabilities in-camera, such as adjusting exposure and white balance.

Overall, while smartphone cameras have come a long way in terms of image quality and convenience, mirrorless cameras still offer superior technical specifications.

Mirrorless cameras have larger sensors, more control over settings, and more editing capabilities, making them the preferred choice for professional photographers and enthusiasts.

Practical Considerations

When deciding between a mirrorless camera and a smartphone, there are several practical considerations to keep in mind. Here are some of the most important factors to consider:

Ergonomics and Portability

One of the main advantages of a smartphone is its portability. It is easy to carry around and can be used to take photos on the go.

However, smartphones are not always the most comfortable to hold for extended periods of time, especially when taking photos in low light conditions.

On the other hand, mirrorless cameras are designed with ergonomics in mind. They often have a larger grip and are more comfortable to hold for longer periods of time.

However, they are also larger and heavier than smartphones, which can make them less convenient to carry around.

Investment and Market Share

Another important consideration is the cost of the equipment and the market share of each device. Smartphones are generally more affordable than mirrorless cameras, and most people already own one.

This means that there is a lower barrier to entry for smartphone photography, and it is more accessible to the general public.

Mirrorless cameras, on the other hand, require a larger investment. They are more expensive than smartphones, and they also require additional accessories such as lenses and memory cards.

However, mirrorless cameras have a larger sensor size, which allows for better image quality and more flexibility in post-processing.

Social Media and Sharing

Social media and sharing are also important considerations when deciding between a mirrorless camera and a smartphone.

Smartphones have built-in NFC and GPS, which make it easy to share photos on social media and tag them with location data. They also have a wide range of editing and sharing apps available.

Mirrorless cameras, on the other hand, do not have built-in NFC or GPS. However, they do have Wi-Fi and Bluetooth connectivity, which allows for easy sharing of photos to a smartphone or computer.

Additionally, mirrorless cameras often have better image quality, which can make photos stand out more on social media.

Conclusion: Which Wins?

In conclusion, the choice between a mirrorless camera and a smartphone camera ultimately depends on the individual’s needs and preferences.

Both devices have their advantages and disadvantages, and it is up to the user to decide which one suits their needs best.

For professionals and enthusiasts who prioritize image quality and versatility, high-end mirrorless cameras are the way to go.

These cameras offer larger sensors, interchangeable lenses, and advanced features that allow for greater control over the image-making process. However, they come at a higher cost and require more technical knowledge to operate.

On the other hand, smartphones are more convenient and accessible than ever before, and their cameras have improved significantly in recent years.

They are perfect for casual photographers who want to capture everyday moments without carrying a bulky camera around.

Additionally, smartphones offer a range of editing and sharing options that make it easy to share images with friends and family.

While smartphones have made great strides in camera technology, they still cannot match the image quality and versatility of high-end mirrorless cameras. However, for most casual photographers, a smartphone camera is more than sufficient for their needs.

In summary, both mirrorless cameras and smartphones have their strengths and weaknesses. Choosing between them ultimately comes down to the user’s needs and priorities.

For professionals and enthusiasts who prioritize image quality and versatility, a high-end mirrorless camera is the way to go. For casual photographers who want to capture everyday moments, a smartphone camera is more than sufficient.

Pocket-lint

Best travel cameras: lightweight options to capture memories on your journey.

From the pocket-sized GoPro to the best mirrorless Canon models, and even a tiny but mighty drone, these are the best cameras for travel shots.

Traveling is always an exciting time. You're setting out to see the world and make some new memories. Of course, you'll want to keep something on your to capture some of those memories, so you can look back on them later. That means a camera. For cameras, you can travel with, you have so many options that it's enough to make your head spin.

GoPro Hero 12 Black

Dji osmo pocket 3, sony alpha 7c, canon eos rebel t7, dji mini 4 pro, these are the 8 gadgets to gift travelers this holiday season.

So, here are the best travel cameras that we could find. We included a good mix of handheld, mirrorless, action, full-frame, and even a selfie camera for good measure. Regardless of whether it's out in the wilderness or a big city somewhere far away, we think at least one of these cameras will work during your travels.

It'll go anywhere you want it to go

The GoPro Hero 12 is an obvious choice for a travel camera. It's small enough to fit in almost any luggage, takes great photos and videos, and is waterproof, so it'll work even if your trip is outside.

• Waterproof means you can take it almost anywhere with you
• Shoots high-quality 5.3K video and 27 MP photos
• Surprisingly good stabilization
• Battery life could be better
• While it is versatile, other devices can take better photos

The GoPro Hero 12 is a great first choice for a travel camera. It's an action camera , which means it comes with features you don't find in mirrorless cameras or even most selfie cameras. It can take a bit of a beating without breaking down and is water-resistant. That means it can go almost anywhere, whether in a big city or in the wilderness.

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It is capable of taking excellent 5.3K video along with 27MP photos. That's a nice combination if you want to have a mix of both while you're on your travels. The battery life could be better, and it's not the best pure camera on the list, but it does everything well and costs under $500. That's a hard collection of features to get at this price point.

It looks cool and shoots great photos

The Nikon Z fc is a retro-inspired mirrorless camera that is compatible with all of Nikon's latest lenses along with their old ones if you have an adapter. At less than $1,000, you'd be hard-pressed to find a better value for mirrorless cameras.

• Takes excellent photos
• Fully articulating screen means you need fewer accessories
• Less than $1,000 for a mirrorless camera is a decent price
• Better at photography than video, but it can do 1080p at 120 FPS
• The camera is body only, so you'll need to buy a lens to go with it

There are several great mirrorless cameras out there. The Nikon Z fc is one of them. It offers great photo quality, good video options, and a plethora of lenses to choose from. The selection grows if you get the FTZ adapter, which opens you up to a number of older, less expensive, and third-party lenses for Nikon cameras. This thing is compact, easy to use, and less expensive than many of its competitors. Plus, the articulating screen makes it semi-decent for selfies.

Best mirrorless cameras: Top models from Nikon, Canon, Sony, and more

The only real downside is that there are dozens of great options in this space, especially if you can afford a more expensive camera. Despite smartphones taking over the photography space, mirrorless and DSLR cameras are highly competitive since they still technically take better pictures and have more photography options. Additionally, we have a list of the best mirrorless cameras you can buy if you want to browse further.

About as good as it gets for selfie cameras

The DJI Osmo Pocket 3 is a stick-style selfie camera that works well as a vlogging camera. It takes pictures along with video and has a state-of-the-art gimbal that'll keep you in the center of the frame no matter what.

• 3-axis stabilization makes footage smooth
• Records up to 4K at 120 FPS
• The high-tech head can track you at all times
• It's very expensive
• Not waterproof

The DJI Osmo Pocket 3 is among the best selfie cameras on the market. It's a stick-style camera that you hold in your hand and point the camera at your subject, which can be you or something else. The unique gimbal-style head also has three-axis stabilization that helps you take steady video and sharp photos. Additionally, it'll keep you in frame while you shoot with it for nearly flawless vlogging .

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It's quite expensive, and that's honestly its biggest detractor. Fortunately, this thing is good enough and versatile enough to justify the price, but we totally understand if it's not for you. The DJI Osmo Pocket 3 is also a bit more fragile than a lot of other cameras, thanks to all the moving parts. It shoots 4K video at 120 FPS, which is more than most selfie-style cameras. We just don't recommend roughhousing with it too much.

Best you can get for under $2,000

The Sony Alpha 7C is recommended by our very talented videographer and YouTube lead, Cam Bunton. It's a compact, full-frame, mirrorless camera that should fit in your luggage and take great photos.

• Compact for a full-frame mirrorless camera
• Under $2,000 is very reasonable
• Better than the legendary Sony a7III
• Not the latest camera in the series
• Price is body only, so you'll need to buy a lens

The Sony Alpha 7C , also known as the A7C, is an excellent mirrorless camera from a company that is known for making great cameras. It shoots photos at 24.2 MP along with 4K 30FPS video. Add to that Sony's excellent selection of lenses and processing acumen, and you have a camera you can take with you just about anywhere. It's also more compact than many of its contemporaries, allowing you to carry it in your luggage fairly easily. It's a higher quality camera than the Nikon Z fc we mentioned earlier, but you will pay for it because it's roughly twice as expensive.

Sony A7C review: Taking full-frame to a new level of tiny

There are only two downsides worth discussing. The price above is for the body only, so you'll need to buy a lens. Sony often runs deals where you can get this plus a 28-60mm zoom lens and still keep the price under $2,000. This was also recommended by our head YouTuber and general camera expert, Cam Bunton, so, of course, we're going to recommend it to you, too. If this isn't for you, we have a list of great mirrorless cameras you can also check out.

A great option for under $500

Cameras can get expensive, but they're not all that way. The Canon EOS Rebel T7 is a bit older, but it still takes great pictures and decent video for a much more palatable price than most modern cameras. Plus, Canon has a metric ton of lens options for your situation.

• Takes very good pictures for its price point
• It also does reasonably good 1080p video
• Inexpensive camera with lots of lens options
• Doesn't have all the features of more expensive cameras
• Doesn't have the ruggedness of similarly priced action cameras

The Canon EOS Rebel T7 is the least expensive full-size camera on the list, and it's still a great option. At under $500 for the body, that makes it half as expensive as the Nikon Z fc listed above and less than one-third of the price of the Sony. What you get in return is a reasonably competent camera that takes great pictures and reasonably good 1080p video. Canon has a wealth of lenses available, so you can get the one that'll work best for the types of photos you want to take.

Best DSLR cameras: Classic models with lasting appeal

It is missing some of the features of higher-end cameras. The screen doesn't articulate at all, and it's a lower resolution than you'll find on newer, more advanced cameras. It requires a microUSB cable instead of the more modern USB-C. If you don't mind a feature set from yesteryear, you can get a very good camera for a pretty low price. Plus, it's a great starter camera if you've never had something like this before.

Perfect for refrigerators and photo albums

Sometimes retro is the way to go, and the Canon AE-1 is a big name in the analog camera space. It uses 35mm film, which you can develop into photographs just like in the old days.

• One of the best analog cameras around
• 35mm film isn't all that expensive
• Great for physical photos
• Digital photography has come a very long way
• Camera is a bit expensive for what it does

There is a reason so many people my age remember the phrase "it's a Kodak moment", and it's because people really enjoyed taking photos and having them printed out. You can still buy cameras that do that exact thing, and the Canon AE-1 is one of the best. It's compact, solid-feeling, and takes reasonably good pictures. You do lose out on all the advancements made in camera tech, but this also costs less than 10% of some of those more advanced cameras.

Best Canon camera: Classic for a reason

Otherwise, what you see is what you get. You buy this, some 35mm film, load it in, take the pictures, remove the film, and have it developed. Anyone alive in the 1990s has gone through this process before. Once the photos are developed, you can copy them, send them to your friends, put them in a photo album, or even just hang them on the fridge. This is how people captured memories back in the day, and it's a fun retro method to do so today.

Sometimes aerial is the way

Sometimes, the best photos are taken from above. Drone photos can get you shots you can't get with a normal camera. DJI makes a good drone, and the Mini 4 Pro is a decent mix of functionality and affordability, considering these things can cost thousands of dollars.

• You can take photos with drones that you can't with normal cameras
• DJI makes some excellent drones, and this one is easy to carry
• Shoots excellent video as well
• Please make sure to check local laws before flying

Aerial photography is becoming a bigger and bigger deal now that drones are more available to the masses. DJI is one of the top makers of consumer-level drones, and the DJI Mini 4 Pro is a good drone. It's still quite expensive, at around $750, but that's a lot cheaper than the company's other drones, including the Mavic and Air models. You still get 4K 60FPS video along with the capability of taking some breathtaking photographs from a place where normal cameras can't go.

DJI Mini 4 Pro review: Aerial perfection

Other than its price, the only downside remains within the law. Countries and even different U.S. states have laws about drone flying. Please remember to check the rules and register your drone accordingly before flying. It can take a bit to learn everything, but it's worth it not to cause any problems later on down the line. Drone cameras are surprisingly good, and DJI has a history of making good cameras.

Or, just use your smartphone

A lot of people use their smartphones as their main cameras now. In fact, smartphone cameras have wiped out the compact camera market almost entirely. That's part of the reason the list above is stocked with higher-end mirrorless and DSLR cameras, along with action cameras and drones. We can't recommend a point-and-shoot camera that's going to match the versatility and image quality of the camera that's sticking out of the back of your phone.

Best camera phones: Handsets that take pro photos and videos

Smartphone manufacturers compete heavily over camera quality, especially Apple, Google, and Samsung. Their flagship devices take outstanding pictures. Midrange devices from OEMs like OnePlus and Motorola can also shoot pretty good photos as well. You can save yourself hundreds, or in cases over $1,000, by just learning how to use the device in your pocket a little better.

Best foldable phones: Expert tested and reviewed

Bottom line: what are the best travel cameras.

For the most part, it really depends on what you're looking for. However, we think that the GoPro Hero 12 is the best option for most people. It's waterproof, it takes good videos and reasonably good photos, and it's compact enough to take almost anywhere. The DJI Osmo Pocket 3 is another great option, even if it's a bit more fragile, thanks to its many moving parts. You can do far worse than those two, even if they are a bit pricey.

The Nikon Z fc, Sony Alpha 7C, and the Canon EOS Rebel T7 are great options for regular cameras at varying price points. The DJI Mini 4 Pro covers aerial photography, and the smartphone in your pocket is the best budget option since it already has a camera, and you already own one. Fans of retro-tech can take the Canon AE-1 with them along with some 35mm film and do it up old school. In short, you have plenty of choices.

How did we choose these travel cameras?

To start, I've been tech blogging for 15 years and used several cameras throughout my career. I also used to make YouTube videos, so I know a thing or two about how cameras work. Plus, the list was run by Pocket Lint's YouTube guru, Cam Bunton, who vetted the list along with editor Christina Darby. This list passed through a total of three people before it was written. In terms of picks, a few of them were obvious. For example, people use their smartphones as their main cameras. That's just a fact of life. The rest were judgment calls based on the subject, and we think we did a good job.

How to choose a travel camera

The most important thing to know is what you plan to shoot. If you plan on going out into the wilderness, then you should probably take a camera that can handle water and a bit of rough use. Those going to big cities should take a camera that can take great photos of still objects like buildings. In any case, make sure your camera fits in your bag and is in a safe place, like a case of some sort. The nice thing about cameras is that they're all good at specific things, so choosing a specific camera for the task is just a matter. Also, smartphone cameras are good at just about everything, so if you want to take multiple cameras, having your smartphone as a backup is always a good idea.

Can you carry a camera on an airplane?

Yes, you can fly with a camera either on your person or in your checked luggage. You'll have to show it at security checks; otherwise, you're allowed to have them.

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BEST 2024 TRAVEL CAMERAS reviewed: midsize, pocketable, smartphone

• by Tom Dempsey
• March 13, 2024
• 28 Comments

Tom Dempsey recommends the following camera gear for on-the-go photographers:

• PART A: SMARTPHONES are antiquating larger cameras by revolutionizing photo sharing and improving their capture of telephoto and dim light — as in the latest Apple iPhone 15 Pro and Pro Max models with 3x and 5x optical tele (prices at Amazon) . The Google Pixel Pro 8 also sports a top 5x optical tele. Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra beats all with a good 10x optical tele camera. Because the best camera is the one you have with you , upgrade your phone first before considering larger cameras below…
• PART B: the top POCKETABLE CAMERA captures sharper images using a superior 8x optical zoom and larger 1-inch Type sensor for better performance in dim light: Sony RX100 VII or cheaper RX100 VI (prices at Amazon) — reviewed in Tom’s article “ Sony RX100M6 . ” Save $ on a Panasonic ZS100 (Amazon) or versatile smaller-sensor ZS80 with electronic viewfinder . OM System (Olympus) Tough TG-7 waterproof camera is good for water sports .
• PART C: MIDSIZE CAMERAS : the 37-ounce Sony RX10 IV  (Amazon) with versatile 25x zoom lens surpasses the telephoto sharpness of larger-sensor systems in its weight class — read Tom’s “ RX10M4 review .” Much cheaper, a crisp 16x-zoom Panasonic FZ1000 version II weighing just 29 ounces beats the bulk & cost of DSLR systems below.
• PART D:  DSLR-STYLE TRAVEL CAMERAS provide a traditional optical viewfinder — a bulky legacy design. Eliminate awkward lens-swapping with an economical all-in-one solution : Nikon D3500 (Amazon) mounted with 19x zoom Tamron 16-300mm f/3.5-6.3 Di II VC lens , which captures blurrier edges than Sony RX10 IV but saves $600. Read more in “ BEST TELEPHOTO ZOOM LENS 300mm+ .”
• PART E: FULL-FRAME SENSOR CAMERAS take sharper indoor or night images at high ISO 6400+ sensitivity — but are costlier and require bulkier lenses. The best compact option is the 60-megapixel Sony a7CR mounted with the sharpest travel zoom, a 7x Tamron 28-200mm F2.8-5.6 Di III RXD . Save $ on the 33MP sibling Sony a7C II .

Recommended PRINTERS ■ SCANNERS ■ MONITOR ■ ACCESSORIES ■ SOFTWARE ■ TIPS for travel in adverse conditions

PART A. Top SMARTPHONE CAMERAS

compensate for tiny cameras with ease-of-use, instant photo sharing, good close focus, and vast computational power for superior AUTO HDR . Get the latest most-advanced Pro or Ultra models for superior speed, telephoto, and dim-light (night mode) performance. Top brands include:

• Apple iPhone (unlocked, at Amazon) versions 15, 14, 13, 12. Get the latest Pro  or  Pro Max version, for a good 3x or 5x power optical telephoto
• Samsung Galaxy (unlocked) : S23 Ultra and S22 Ultra beat those with sharp 10x power optical telephoto
• Google Pixel Pro 8 has a good 5x optical tele

Photographers using Cloud storage can get away with 128GB internal storage on the phone. For business use, Tom prefers 256 or 512GB.

An “ unlocked ” phone lets you pick a lower-priced wireless service provider and/or install a cheap foreign SIM in each country visited (as I did in Japan and UK ). To save money on your USA wireless carrier , consider Consumer Cellular (external link) , which accesses AT&T’s complete USA-only network most cheaply while providing top customer support. Get Consumer Cellular’s “all-in-one SIM” from Target stores or via mail, then insert into an unlocked GSM phone and activate with their help. For international roaming capability when away from Wi-fi, I now use Consumer Cellular’s T-Mobile service. With my wife on Consumer Cellular’s AT&T and me on their T-Mobile service, together we broaden our USA coverage.

Off by default, be sure to turn ON your phone’s “Wi-Fi Calling” Setting , which costs nothing extra. Wi-Fi Calls in the USA will be clearer, if cell reception is poor where Wi-Fi is strong. When you are outside of USA, Wi-Fi Calls eliminate roaming charges when calling US phone numbers. While you are roaming, calls made to non-USA numbers are charged per-minute rates by both the foreign and home mobile network operators. When abroad , only use Wi-Fi service to access internet data ; turn OFF “Data Roaming” to avoid unexpectedly large bills.

PART B. World’s best POCKETABLE TRAVEL CAMERA

The best and brightest pocketable 8x-zoom camera is now the Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX100 VII (RX100M7) (2019, 11 oz, 24–200mm f/2.8-4.5). The sweet spot for a sharp, portable zoom is now found in cameras like this which use Sony’s 1-inch-Type sensor — as explained in my “ Sensors ” article .

Or save $ on the older RX100 VI (RX100M6)  (2018). Read Tom’s “ RX10M6 review .”

Accessories: Avoid dropping its slippery body by adding  Sony AG-R2 attachment grip . Fit into  Tamrac Digital 1 Photo Bag  with extra  Wasabi Power  NPBX1 batteries . Avoid LCD scratches with  QIBOX Premium GLASS Protector .

Other good pocketable cameras

• Panasonic Lumix DSC-ZS100  (2016, 11 oz,  25-250mm equivalent lens f/2.8-5.9 ). Read Tom’s ZS100 review .
• Panasonic Lumix DC-ZS200  (2018, 12 oz, 24-360mm equivalent lens f/3.3-6.4) outguns all pocket-size 1″-sensor rivals with a versatile 15x zoom, but sibling ZS100 is sharper and brighter through 10x.

• Best value pocketable superzoom : Panasonic ZS80 (2019, 11.5 oz, 24–720mm equiv 30x zoom, 20MP, Electronic ViewFinder/EVF ).
• Cheaper, tiniest 10x zoom : Canon PowerShot ELPH 190 IS (2016, 5 oz, 24-240mm equivalent, 1/2.3″ sensor, but no viewfinder).

Weather resistant pocketable cameras

• OM System (Olympus) Tough TG-7 camera (2023, 9 oz, 25-100mm, f/2.0-4.9 lens) is waterproof, shockproof, and dust-resistant. Beat smartphone image quality by shooting and editing its raw format files, as I did after rafting the Grand Canyon using the earlier TG-4.
• For hiking in the rain , a waterproof smartphone is a good choice (plus adds topographic tracking via Gaia GPS, AllTrails, or other apps). My Samsung Galaxy Note9 worked great in New Zealand rainforests .
• Beware that seawater can corrode contacts even on waterproof phones, so a case or a TG-7 is advised. While a cheap CaliCase Universal Waterproof Case can take smartphones snorkeling under seawater, beware that 2 out of 4 copies that I received in 2018 noticeably softened camera resolution due to a milky stain on the already-blurry plastic window.

TIP: As a workaround for sluggish autofocus (AF) in cheaper compact cameras: prefocus (lock) on a contrasty edge of the subject by half pressing and holding the shutter button , then the subsequent full press will be instant, ≤ 0.15 second. But half-press autofocus lock doesn’t work in continuous focus or action modes . Don’t let an inferior camera frustrate your capture of action, people, pets, or sports. For surer action shots, upgrade to a newer model with hybrid AF such as pocket-size Panasonic ZS100, Sony RX100, or midsize RX10M4 or Panasonic FZ1000 II, or an interchangeable-lens camera.  

PART C. MIDSIZE TRAVEL CAMERAS

Since 2018, the Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX10 IV  packs the ultimate all-in-one travel tool into 37 ounces — read Tom’s “ RX10M4 review .” Its dust-sealed, bright f/2.4-4 lens with remarkable 25x zoom is sharp across the frame from 24-600mm equivalent, well into birding territory ( read Tom’s Telephoto article ) . With an efficient 1”-Type sensor, it captures great depth-of-field details, everywhere from close flower shots to distant bird feathers.

• Accessories: Preserve your investment with B+W 72mm XS-Pro Clear MRC-Nano 007M Filter for the lens and Sony PCK-LM15 protective LCD cover . Extend shooting time with Wasabi Power NP-FW50 (1300mAh) batteries for Sony and SanDisk Extreme PRO 128GB UHS-I/U3 SDXC Flash Memory Card (Amazon) . Carry the RX10M4 in the perfectly-fitting Lowepro Photo Active TLZ 45 AW toploader bag, using included removable shoulder strap or an Ortlieb chest harness on the go. Or Spider Holster – Spider X Backpacker Kit carries any midsize camera from any belt or backpack strap.

Smaller, cheaper midsize cameras with 1″-Type sensor

• Best midsize camera for the money:   Panasonic FZ1000 version II (2019, 28.5 oz with fast-focusing 16x zoom lens 25-400mm equivalent, bright f/2.8-4 aperture, 20MP, 1″-Type BSI sensor) rivals the zoom quality of APS-C-sensor and DSLR systems of this weight. (The earlier FZ1000 version I has a noisier sensor and poorer LCD screen & EVF.)
• Travelers may prefer FZ1000 II over the older, heavier Panasonic FZ2500 (2016, 33 oz, 20x zoom 24-480mm f/2.8–4.5, 20MP, called FZ2000 in some markets). In comparison to Sony RX10 III, the Panasonic FZ2500 has a fully articulated LCD with touchscreen , increases  viewfinder magnification (EVF 0.74x versus 0.7x), has better menus, and improves  video specs (ND filter, Cine/UHD 4K). But FZ2500’s lens collects a half stop less light, lowering image quality; its telephoto doesn’t reach long enough for birders; and its CIPA battery life of 350 shots is shorter than RX10III’s 420 shots.

Larger APS-C sensor, midsize camera for dim light, indoor action, events

Tiny 1/2.3″-type sensor extends zoom range for midsize cameras.

Tiny, noisy 1/2.3″-Type sensors are leveraged well by smartphones’ superior processing power, but therein mostly limited to wider angles of view. When attached to larger-diameter lenses to collect more light, these little sensors usefully extend zoom range in the following midsize cameras:

• Cheapest: Panasonic Lumix FZ300 (2015, 24.4 oz, 12MP, bright f/2.8 lens 25-600mm equivalent, 24x zoom range, weather sealed ).
• Nikon COOLPIX P950 (2020, 35 oz, 24–2000mm equivalent 83x zoom lens f/2.8–6.5, 1/2.3″ sensor, 16MP). Fully articulated LCD. 290 shots per charge. P950 adds a flash hot shoe and can record RAW files (whereas older P900 only captured JPEGs).
• Compare with bulkier Nikon COOLPIX P1000 (2018, 50 oz, 24–3000mm equivalent 125x zoom lens f/2.8–8.0 on 1/2.3″ sensor, 16MP) for dedicated birders and wildlife specialists . The P950 and P1000 are best intended for zooming above 1000mm equivalent , whereas various rival cameras would better cover 24-1000mm. For example, superior processing of modern smartphones generally beats P950 and P1000 at wide angles (24-50mm equivalent). A 1″-sensor Sony RX10M4 shot at 600mm can be digitally cropped by 2x to outshine the P950 and P1000 up to about 1200mm equivalent.

If your camera was made prior to 2018, do yourself a favor — upgrade for better real resolution, lower noise at higher ISO speeds ≥800, or quicker autofocus. From 2009–2022, top cameras have markedly improved handheld optical image stabilization (branded as Nikon VR , Canon IS , Panasonic OIS , Sigma OS , Tamron VC , Sony OSS ), largely freeing us from daytime tripod use. The latest cameras capture more highlight and shadow detail, by using better sensors plus automatic HDR ( high dynamic range ) imaging and other optimizations for JPEG files. On advanced models, I always edit  raw format images to recover several stops of highlight and shadow detail which would be lost with JPEG . Related camera history:  Tom Dempsey’s travel cameras adopted from 1978 until now .

PART D. DSLR-STYLE TRAVEL CAMERAS

feature an optical viewfinder using a legacy mirror box. Tom recommends the following economical DSLR camera body:

• Nikon D3500 (2018, 13 oz body, 24MP APS-C sensor/DX format, CIPA battery life 1550 shots)
• or upgrade: Nikon D5600 (2016, 16.4 oz body, 24MP) adds fully articulated (flip out) LCD touchscreen

and attach a travel lens:

• Tamron 18-400mm f/3.5-6.3 Di II VC HLD Lens for Nikon F Mount  (2017, 25 oz) (also available for  Canon EF-S Mount ): 22x zoom range, with Vibration Compensation stabilization to reduce handheld shake by up to 2.5 stops. At wide angles, it’s image quality is similar to kit lenses, but is too soft beyond 50-100mm compared to Tamron 16-300mm and superior Sony RX10 IV and III.
• Nikon AF-P Nikkor 70-300mm F4.5-5.6E ED VR (2017, 24 oz) takes sharper, faster-focusing shots of birds, wildlife, and sports.

Read “ BEST TELEPHOTO ZOOM LENS 300mm+ ” to seriously magnify wildlife, birds, and sports with optical image stabilization. Ultra-wide- angle lenses broaden the DSLR perspective.

Recommended close focus, macro enlargement prime lenses for DSLR cameras

• Tamron SP 90mm f/2.8 Di Macro 1:1 VC USD (Model F017, released in 2016) : 5.5-inch working distance; enlarges subjects down to 1.4 inches wide (3.5 cm) (in comparison, Sony RX10M4 at 600mm has 28″ working distance and enlarges down to 2.8 inches wide)
• Compared to the above 60mm lenses, longer macro lenses such as 100mm  and  105mm   give you a few more inches of comfortable working distance from the front of the lens (to avoid startling insects) and can have a different bokeh (character of out-of-focus areas), but at the cost of larger size, weight, and expense.

Instead of carrying one of the above prime macro lenses for a DSLR camera, consider using a pocketable camera or smartphone which can focus very closely at wide angle with deep depth of field, and can serve as a backup for your larger/main camera. A pocketable Panasonic ZS100 captures good close-focus shots optimally sharp at 45mm equivalent (after the Macro/Flower symbol button is pressed).

In fact, I gave up lens-swapping in 2016. Instead, I carry the Swiss-Army-Knife of cameras — the 25x zoom Sony RX10 IV, which captures excellent macro at 400-600mm, sharpest at f/5.6 —  read Tom’s RX10M4 review .

Historical DSLR comparison: Nikon version Canon

Nikon D3300 (released in 2014) offers more for your money (at a lighter travel weight) than Canon EOS Rebel cameras of 2014 and earlier . Also, the earlier  Nikon D3200  beats Canon Rebel DSLR cameras of 2012 . The best mirrorless designs can pack more quality into a smaller box, but DSLR cameras offer more specialty lenses, with a design legacy inherited from the 35mm film era , where an optical viewfinder’s mirror box adds bulk.

PART E. FULL-FRAME-SENSOR TRAVEL CAMERAS

The world’s best full-frame mirrorless camera in a compact body is the

• Sony a7CR ( 2023 , 18.2 oz body , 60MP BSI CMOS sensor ). Up to 7EV of in-body image stabilization (IBIS) is achieved by impressive sensor-shift technology.
• Cheaper sibling: Sony a7C II (2023, 18.1 oz body, 33MP BSI CMOS). 7EV of stabilization built into the body means lenses needn’t provide it.

Mount it with the optimal travel lens for Sony Alpha 7 (A7) series cameras:

• Tamron 28-200mm F2.8-5.6 Di III RXD  (2020, 20 oz, AFA071S700) with sharp 7x zoom range . This lens plus a compact A7CR or A7C II camera body = 38 ounces (just 1 ounce more than a 25x-zoom Sony RX10M4). Handheld shake is counteracted by excellent IBIS in the A7 bodies (instead of in the lens).

Let’s compare this Tamron 28-200mm F2.8-5.6 lens mounted on a 60MP A7 Series camera ( 38 oz total) versus a 20MP Sony RX10M4 with 24-600mm equivalent lens F2.4-4 ( 37 oz ). Advantageously in dim light , the A7’s full-frame BSI CMOS sensor may capture up to 3 stops less noise in terms of ISO setting. The A7CR will be sharper from 28mm to about 340mm equivalent . Cropping the Tamron shot at 200mm from 60MP down to 20MP image size extends its reach to roughly match 350mm equivalent on the RX10M4. Further cropping the A7CR’s 200mm image to 6.7MP ( still useful for publications ) would digitally zoom to 600mm equivalent. (This is an inverse-square relationship: cropping to one-ninth of the megapixel area on the sensor makes an equivalent-lens linear magnification of 3x — from 200mm to 600mm.) When compared to Sony A7CR mounted with Tamron 28-200mm , the Sony RX10M4 makes a compelling all-in-one travel solution by: ■ being sharper from 400-600mm equivalent for wildlife magnification (optimally shot sharpest at f/5.6), ■ by covering wider angles of view from 24-27mm equivalent, ■ by being smaller (protrudes less by 1.25 inches when retracted), ■ by including a built-in flash and a sharper LCD (although with less articulation, just swiveling), and ■ by costing half as much .

More Sony FE (full frame) E-mount lens options:

• Sony FE 24-105mm F4 G OSS (2017, 23 oz, SEL24105G) has a more-limited 4x zoom range but is sharper than the above lenses. Lens + body = 41 ounces .
• Sony FE 24-70 mm F2.8 GM SEL2470GM lens (2016, 31 oz) 3x zoom is brighter and incrementally sharper than the above options. Lens + body = 49 ounces .

Sony A7 series history : The A7R  (2014, 16.4 oz) captures 36MP . In contrast, A7S (2015, 17 oz) has 12MP optimized with large photosites and more sensitive autofocus great for low-light videographers , but its stills require ISO 12,800+ to beat A7R’s 36MP image quality. Instead of having an optical viewfinder like a DSLR, the A7, A7II, A7R, and A7S  have a great electronic viewfinder (EVF) with 2.4 million dots (XGA). The 3-inch tilting LCD has 1.23 million dots (except 921,000 on A7S). New Hybrid AF builds phase-detection autofocus into the sensor, capturing 5 fps with continuous autofocus. With contrast-detection autofocus only, A7S shoots 5 fps and  A7R shoots 4 fps. Weatherproof bodies.

Full-frame-sensor cameras excel at night, indoor, high ISO 6400+, and very-large-print photography. Covering that large sensor area requires more glass, thereby restricting the optimally-lightweight travel lens to 7x zoom range — using the crisp Tamron 28-200mm F2.8-5.6. (To capture distant wildlife or birds while traveling, instead use a smaller sensor, as described in BEST TELEPHOTO ZOOM LENS 300mm+ .)

When an image is well-shot in bright outdoor light, the advantages of full-frame cameras are only noticeable when large prints bigger than 3 feet diagonally are inspected very closely. Full-frame cameras tempt us with high megapixel counts such as 33 to 60MP, but can be overkill for most practical publications, since a billboard only needs 3 to 10MP at typical viewing distances .

A tradeoff exists between absolute image quality, zoom range, system weight, bulk, and other features. The optimal choice depends on your preferences.

What makes an ideal travel camera? The “best” travel camera is the one you want to carry everywhere. For many people, a smartphone is sufficient — so get one with the best telephoto reach. But for me, the best Light Travel cameras (as chosen above) should MINIMIZE bulk and weight while MAXIMIZING sensor dimensions ( read article ) , zoom range , lens diameter , battery life ( ≥ 350 shots), and ISO “sensitivity” (for lower noise in dim light). A sharp optical zoom lens should magnify the field of view by a factor of 7x to 25x to rapidly frame diverse subjects, without the bulk or annoyance of swapping lenses. Lenses should autofocus fast (with hybrid AF minimizing shutter lag ≤ 0.3 second), optically stabilize images , and focus closely (for good macro enlargement). Travel cameras should pop up a built-in  flash  and also  flip out (articulate, hinge, or swivel) a high-resolution display screen to jump-start your creative macro, movie and candid shooting at arm’s length. OLED displays usually outshine LCD . Sunny-day reflections often obscure display-screen visibility − but to save bulk, most pocket cameras sadly lack a viewfinder. A camera with a brilliant electronic viewfinder (preferably EVF with ≥ 1 million dots) gives superior live feedback on the final digital image than a non-digital optical viewfinder . 

RECOMMENDED PHOTO PRINTERS | SCANNERS | MONITOR

The 13-inch-wide Canon imagePROGRAF PRO-300 Printer with ten pigmented inks is excellent for photographers.

The 8.5-inch-wide Canon PIXMA TR8620 Multi-function Printer is an excellent value for a one-person office, with five ink colors including pigmented black, accepting paper from small media up to Legal 8.5×14-inches. Adding photo blue ink in the following model achieves slightly better color accuracy, but it’s hardly perceptible and costs more for ink usage: Canon PIXMA TS8320 combines a pigment-based black ink with dye-based cyan, magenta, yellow, “photo black” and photo blue inks.

MONITOR: ASUS PA328Q 32″ 16:9 4K/UHD IPS Monitor , nicely precalibrated at the factory, has served me well since 2017.

RECOMMENDED ACCESSORIES

• Buy extra Wasabi Power brand batteries for a variety of camera models (from Blue Nook / Amazon.com) .
• Portable battery power bank chargers (Amazon).  I use the Mi Premium Power Bank Pro 10000mAh , 18W Fast Charging Slim. Great for travelling away from electrical outlets! It efficiently powers a phone 40% longer than rival Anker PowerCore 10000, says PCMag. It thankfully supports pass-through charging of itself AND your device at the same time. Fits most phones; includes USB-C adapter cable.
• A clear glass filter protects precious lenses from scratches & catastrophic drops. I speak from experience! Get a clear glass filter , NOT a UV filter, which modern multi-coated lenses have made redundant. Example: high quality B+W 72mm XS-Pro Clear MRC-Nano 007M Filter fits my Sony RX10 III (read article) .
• Mount a circular polarizing filter (B+W brand at Amazon)  only to remove reflections or haze, or to contrast clouds with polarized sky. Don’t forget to immediately take it off for all other conditions, as it can block 1-1.5 stops of light.
• Spider Holster – Spider X Backpacker Kit  for midsize cameras — “Self Locking, quick draw access to your camera on the go from any belt or backpack strap!”

RECOMMENDED SOFTWARE

• Adobe “20GB Photography Plan” — I rely on Lightroom Classic (LRC) to organize and edit 200,000 photos stored on my Windows PC (5 terabytes, too large for Adobe Cloud). The included Photoshop helps build trickier panoramas, complex Layers, or CMYK color space for book publishing. I don’t use LR with its 20GB cloud. LR and LRC both radically speed tonal editing, adjustment-brushing, cropping, organizing, sorting, and labeling of images.
• Apple Photos easily organizes photos for free on Apple devices — be sure to add critical adjustment brushes with Google’s free  Snapseed app (for iOS, MacOS, Android, and Windows).

TIPS for travel in adverse conditions

• Weather & dust protection : Prudent bagging can avoid the extra expense of a weather-sealed body & lens – keep a camera handy, safely in a front pouch on your chest or hip (where it can be retrieved more quickly than from a pack on your back). Adverse fluctuations of temperature & humidity, or dusty conditions, or sea spray all require cameras to be double-protected in a zip-lock plastic bag inside the  padded pouch (Amazon) . Use a soft, absorbent silk cloth to wipe away moisture or dust from lens & body before bagging.
• Cold batteries : Using camera batteries (price at Amazon)  below 40 degrees Fahrenheit (or 4 Celsius) loses their charge quicker, causing camera shut down or lock. Revive and extend battery life in cold or below-freezing weather by warming an extra battery or two in an interior pocket near your skin and swapping with the camera’s battery after every 5-10 minutes of cold exposure.
• Satellite communication : Stay in touch everywhere in the world via Iridium satellite with a 3.5-ounce Garmin InReach Mini 2 (Amazon) : send and receive 160-character text messages with GPS coordinates (accurate to five meters) to cell numbers or email addresses worldwide and post updates to social media. Tom found it valuable for texting with his wife while backpacking. Good battery life. This affordable technology connects campers, hikers, hunters, backpackers, alpinists, and backcountry skiers who often venture outside of cell phone networks. Messages are easy to read on the Mini 2. But Smartphone connection via Bluetooth is required for a faster keyboard and smoother interface, as the Mini 2 screen and menus are otherwise very slow for typing characters. While charging, the Garmin disconnects from the smartphone. The month-to-month “Freedom – Recreation” plan is $34.95/month, which can be paused as desired to save money in ensuing months (unlimited SOS, 40 text messages/month both sent & received then 0.50 overage per text, unlimited preset messages set up on website, unlimited 10-minute tracking). You only pay for active months plus an annual $34.95 activation fee on the anniversary of initial activation into Freedom Plans. In case of SOS, info is shared with Garmin International Emergency Response Coordination Center. 24/7 monitoring & emergency dispatch benefit is available to anyone using your inReach. Compared to Mini 1, version 2 uses a quicker chip set and more satellites (Multi-GNSS, over 100).

Terminology and metric conversions

• oz = ounces | above camera weights in ounces (oz) include battery and memory card.
• g = grams |  multiply ounces by 28.35 to get grams
• mm   =  millimeters | 10 millimeters = 1 centimeter (cm) | multiply   centimeters  ( cm ) by  0.3937  to get  inches
• ILC = Interchangeable Lens Compact  = “ midsize mirrorless camera ” term used above
• DSLR = Digital Single Lens Reflex = a traditional camera where an optical viewfinder uses a mirror to see through the interchangeable lens
• EVF = Electronic Viewfinder
• OLED  (Organic Light-Emitting Diode)  consumes less power and beats an LCD in dynamic range from darkest to brightest.
• LCD = Liquid Crystal Display
• MP = megapixel
• LPH or LPPH = resolvable lines per picture height = the best empirical measure of real resolution of a camera’s sensor for a given lens (independent of pixel pitch or megapixel count ). A camera with higher LPH can make sharper large prints . Look up cameras on dpreview.com to find absolute vertical LPH judged by photographing a PIMA/ISO 12233 camera resolution test chart under standardized lighting conditions. Note which lens, settings, and camera body was used in each test, and compare with others within the same web site.
• Compared lenses are equivalent  only in terms of angle of view . (To determine sharpness or quality, read lens reviews which analyze at 100% pixel views.)
• Crop factor  = how many times smaller is the diagonal measurement of a small sensor than a “full frame” 35-mm size sensor . For example, the 1.5x crop factor for Nikon DX format (APS-C size sensor) makes a lens labeled 18-200mm to be equivalent in angle of view to a 27-300mm focal length lens used on a 35mm film camera. The 2x crop factor for Micro Four Thirds sensors makes a lens labeled 14-140mm to be equivalent in angle of view to a 28-280mm lens used on a 35mm film camera.
• 10x zoom   range = a zoom lens’ telephoto focal length divided by its wide angle focal length in mm . For example, a 14-140mm focal length zoom has a 10x zoom range (140 divided by 14). An 18-200mm zoom has an 11x zoom range (200 divided by 18).
• equivalent  F-stop = refers to the F-stop (F-number) on a full-frame-sensor camera which has the same hole diameter as the F-stop of the camera lens being compared. The concept of “ equivalent ” F-stop lets you compare capabilities for creating shallow depth of field on cameras with different-size sensors. Smaller-sensor cameras use shorter focal lengths for the same field of view, so at a given F-stop they have a smaller physical aperture size, meaning more depth of field (with less blur in front of and behind the focused subject). Formula: F Number (or Relative Aperture ) = actual focal length of lens divided by diameter of the entrance pupil.

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28 thoughts on “BEST 2024 TRAVEL CAMERAS reviewed: midsize, pocketable, smartphone”

I agree with your thoughts on the Nikon DX line of cameras. I believe they and the lenses designed from them represent the best image quality to price ratio in the market. I have (too many) types of cameras but have the luxury of selecting what I bring on whatever type of location and coverage I visit. I love my tiny point-and-shoots, my advanced point-and-shoots. and all the way up to my full-frame DSLRs. I regularly shoot on one-inch sensors, micro four thirds, APS-C, and full frame even as I shoot a whole bunch on my iPhone. I love the ability to choose exactly the kit I want for any excursion. I’ll bring my OM-D camera with a wide-ranging travel zoom on a bike ride, I’ll bring my 1-inch sensor point-and-shoot for park walks with my family. I like my APS-C camera with three zoom on short hikes or the same body with a fast prime on evening walks in the city. Of course, when it’s a money shoot, it’s gonna be my full-frame with a bag full of lenses. Horses for courses.

I am surprised to see more emphasis on the RX series of Sony’s point and shoots over the 5100 or 6xxx alpha series.

These compact interchangeable bodys with full APS-C sensors can make use of any Sony E-Mount lenses that you may have to use with a full frame Sony.

I am surprised to see such strong recommendations for Nikon cameras, especially the 3500. Nikon is such a mess right now and may never recover financially. The Nikon D3500 looks and feels cheap and plastic like a toy. It will be in a dumpster in a couple of years with millions of other lower end DSLRs manufactured today which aren’t mirrorless.

With your emphasis on professional portrait photography, I understand your preference for Sony 6xxx Alpha series (APS-C), or full-frame (35mm) mirrorless cameras — great tools for that job.

For travel photography, I recommend compact mirrorless cameras with 8x to 25x zoom lenses; and I discourage using DSLRs, whose legacy design is becoming obsolete. But for readers who want an optical viewfinder (instead of EVF), a Nikon D3500 makes an inexpensive entry level product which captures about the same image quality as more expensive models, depending on lens choice.

For my hiking, travel and nature photography, I look for portable high-quality cameras on a moderate budget. As I’m not tied to any one system or brand, I regularly upgrade to the optimal tool. I’m a big fan of all-in-one zoom lenses which can instantly re-frame rapidly-changing travel subjects without the extra bulk or annoyance of swapping lenses.

After using various interchangeable-lens cameras from 1978-2004, I switched entirely to all-in-one zoom lenses after 2004. I fell in love with mirrorless cameras in 2003 using the fun Canon PowerShot G5, then upgraded to Canon PowerShot Pro1 in 2004. After 5 years of using Nikon DLSRs starting in 2007, I went entirely mirrorless in 2012, using Sony Alpha NEX-7, then A6000, then A6300, all mounted with Sony’s versatile 11x E-Mount 18-200mm lens for APS-C. Then Sony developed a superior tool. From 2016-20, my 1-inch-sensor Sony RX10 III and IV cameras have preserved publishable image quality while radically extending all-in-one zoom range to 25x. They even capture sharp macro, especially good at 600mm. The edge-to-edge sharpness of a 20-megapixel Sony RX10 IV is more than sufficient for my professional publishing in a variety of sizes.

Regarding effective print size, one of my rock pattern images from 2002, scanned at just 10 megapixels from 35mm film, was enlarged 64 feet wide onto the permanent glass of a Calgary skyscraper . Good gear is somewhat helpful, but the photographer’s perseverance, skills and talent are more important.

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Smartphones vs Cameras: Closing the gap on image quality

At DXOMARK we have watched over the years as smartphone cameras have gone from being a novelty to becoming the world’s most popular way of capturing photographs. In a keynote session at Electronic Imaging 2020, our CEO and CTO, Frederic Guichard, began by providing a historical perspective on the rise of smartphone photography and how it has been made possible by impressive advances in technology. He then demonstrated how smartphone cameras compare today with current standalone digital cameras, and how they have different strengths and weaknesses. Finally, he presented a case for the roles of smartphones and cameras, and speculated about how they are likely to evolve in the future.

In this article, we share his analysis, along with some of the images he used to illustrate the history, strengths, and weaknesses of both smartphone and standalone cameras.

There is no better illustration of the increased popularity of smartphones for photography than these shots of groups of photographers. Ten years ago they were full of people with various compact cameras and DSLRs. Now, almost all you see are smartphones.

The crossover occurred about the same time we introduced our DXOMARK protocol in 2012—by 2011 more than a quarter of all photographs captured were taken using smartphone cameras. By 2015, over one trillion photos were being captured each year, with the vast majority of them coming from smartphones.

The sheer number of photos taken on smartphones is one obvious result of their increasing market share overall. By 2013 they were outselling digital cameras of all kinds by a factor of more than 10 to 1. Initially, it wasn’t obvious that this transition would happen so quickly—and it certainly caught many camera makers flat-footed. But in hindsight it is straightforward to see what caused the rapid adoption of smartphones for photography.

Convenience and ease-of-use made the smartphone the top choice for photography

The first major factor that helped make smartphones the camera of choice for most people was simply that they became essential tools for daily life. As a result, nearly everyone had one, and had it with them all the time. As the famous saying goes (made even more famous by iPhone icon Chase Jarvis), “The best camera is the one you have with you.”

Just as importantly, smartphones revolutionized photographic workflow. Doing anything with photos captured on a traditional digital camera typically requires a lot of effort, and often a complicated set of steps:

With cloud-connected smartphones and increasingly intelligent cloud photo sharing sites, it was no longer necessary to manually upload your images onto a computer, organize them by hand, and finally process and share them. They could be shared right after they were captured—with only a couple taps and in about that many seconds. This was particularly true for the type of casual photography that is most popular with smartphone users. Typically shots are taken with little or no setup, and while using the default settings picked by the camera app. Post-processing is also usually minimal, allowing for quick sharing.

Quality followed quantity in smartphone photography

The rapid rise of smartphone photography got a lot of people more interested in their photographs and more demanding about capturing high-quality images. Smartphone makers responded by putting an increasing emphasis—and substantial investment—into improving their cameras and image processing systems.

Full- frame camera or smartphone image—can you tell?

In an increasing number of cases it is hard to tell the difference between a photo taken with a smartphone and one of the same scene captured with a full-frame camera. The simple clues that used to give smartphones away aren’t always reliable any more. Below are a pair of images, one taken with a Google Pixel 3 and the other with a Sony a7R III. Can you tell which was taken using a phone?

First, it’s worth noting that both images are quite impressive for a night scene. We expect that from a full-frame camera, but it is an impressive achievement for a smartphone. Looking closer we notice some loss of detail in the water in the image on the left. Perhaps it is natural foreground blur from the optics of the full-frame camera, or is it maybe motion blur from the smartphone? On the right there is amazingly good detail preservation throughout the image, even in very low light, so it would be easy to conclude that it couldn’t possibly be from the smaller-sensor smartphone.

In fact, the image on the left is the one from the Sony a7R III, and the one on the right is from the Pixel 3. Google has used the power of computational imaging to assemble several frames automatically into a very impressive result. The fact that it can be this hard to tell which image is which is a sign of how good smartphone cameras have become in many situations. Results like these induced Guichard to dig deeper into how this became possible, and where both technologies will go from here.

Full-frame camera or smartphone: Image quality questions

The impressive improvement in smartphone cameras leads to three important questions that Guichard addressed in the remainder of his keynote speech:

• How have today’s smartphones managed to close the image quality gap with digital cameras?
• Are today’s smartphones actually better than digital cameras?
• If so, is there still a role for digital cameras?

Bridging the gap: Smartphones caught up by conquering noise

There are dozens of axes on which image quality can be measured, and hundreds of attributes. When we test cameras and sensors at DXOMARK, it requires over 1600 images in a variety of lab and natural environments to get a good measurement of its performance for the most important of these:

Many image quality issues that detract from a camera’s performance are fairly straightforward to correct using automated processing. That includes many kinds of optical distortion , lens shading, and even poor tonal range , as the following examples show:

Lens shading, also referred to as a type of vignetting , is another image defect that can be fixed automatically once a camera system is carefully modeled. The very visible lens shading in the original image below on the right is simple to fix automatically right in the smartphone itself, since the phone’s software knows what lens is being used and how to correct for it.

Even chromatic aberration , a type of fringing effect that is frequently seen in smartphone cameras, has become something that can be largely corrected automatically right in the smartphone:

All of these automatic corrections do require measuring the characteristics of the optic and sensor combinations very precisely. Smartphone makers can do that because they provide the complete system, including the sensor, optics, and image processing pipeline. They also often have access to additional information about the distance to the primary subject or even a depth map of the entire scene. However, one area that has proven remarkably stubborn in resisting improvement is image noise.

Noise represents the toughest challenge

Early smartphones suffered in both resolution and noise due to their small sensor size. Advances in sensor technology quickly began to close the resolution gap with larger cameras, but noise reduction continued to remain an elusive challenge for the smaller-sensor cameras in smartphones. The amount of noise is directly related to the overall amount of light captured in an image (which Guichard describes as the photon flow). Fewer photons means more noise. Since a typical smartphone sensor might receive less than one-twentieth of the photons of a 35mm full-frame sensor for the same exposure time , it is much more prone to noise. That difference in sensor size is the equivalent of a 4.5EV ( f-stop ) deficiency to overcome.

2003–2013: Better technology helped smartphone cameras overtake compact cameras

As the camera and its image quality became a major selling point for smartphones, manufacturers began investing heavily in technology to bridge that 4.5EV gap. For starters, they innovated both by using larger sensors with higher resolution, and by improving their image capture and processing. As the result of these “resolution wars,” in fewer than 10 years—from 2000 to 2008—smartphone sensor resolution increased by more than a factor of ten.

Amazingly, despite the necessarily smaller pixel sizes of the higher-resolution sensors, newer smartphone models managed to eclipse older ones in both sensitivity and dynamic range . Intriguingly, that was only partially because of improvements in sensor technology. Using the results of our testing of APS-C sensors in our labs at DXOMARK over that time as a baseline, we can see that there was roughly a 1.3EV gain in performance for a given sensor size:

By contrast, smartphone image quality increased by over 4EV. So increased sensor resolution and sensitivity was only part of what helped smartphones overtake compact cameras in image quality. An even larger factor was the increased computing power of mobile devices, and the ensuing improvements in image processing. Over the same time that sensors improved by about 1.3EV, digital processing of images produced results that had improved by around 3EV, thanks to an increase of about 100x in processing power and new algorithms.

To illustrate these improvements in image processing, Guichard processed a RAW file from his first DSLR—a Nikon D70s. The series of images he presented showed how much image processing pipelines improved over the years after he captured the original image in 2005. Advanced processing techniques developed for use in post-processing RAW files on the computer rapidly found their way into smartphones:

These improvements in image processing account for the roughly 3-stop improvement in smartphone image quality over their first decade of existence. Overall, the combination of around 1.3EV from improvements in sensor technology with the 3EV gain from post-capture technology meant that image quality for a given camera size improved by roughly 4 to 4.5 stops over the decade. The result was that a 2013 smartphone-sized sensor became capable of producing image quality similar to that of an APS-C DSLR from a decade earlier.

2013: Smartphone photography becomes a mass phenomenon

By about 2013, helped along by improvements in image quality and by growth in smartphone sales, smartphone photography rapidly became the most popular way to capture images.

2013 to the present: Bridging the gap – turning the tables on DSLRs?

While the first decade of smartphone innovation saw them catch up to earlier DSLR models and competitive compact cameras, innovation definitely didn’t stop there. Not long after smartphones began to surpass compact cameras for many use cases, the next obvious question was, “Can they also surpass DSLRs and their newly-evolved full-frame mirrorless competitors?” That battle began in earnest around 2013 and 2015, so we’ll look at how those technologies have evolved between then and now.

During those years, smartphones continued to make great strides in image quality, despite a slowdown of progress in basic sensor and optical technology. For example, look at these crops from a standard target image taken with five generations of iPhone:

Low light (5 lux) hand-held pictures taken with generations of iPhones — 5s to 11 Pro Max. (Credit: DXOMARK)

If progress wasn’t through better sensors and optics, the obvious question is—how was it possible? One solution used to improve image quality and reduce noise was increased exposure time. However, simply leaving the shutter open longer causes a number of issues. First, if the camera isn’t on a tripod, camera motion becomes an issue. To deal with that issue, smartphone makers began deploying more sophisticated optical stabilization systems. However, a stabilization system by itself doesn’t help with the second issue, which is motion by the subject.

Going beyond image stabilization, smartphone makers also began stacking multiple captures using computational imaging. With sufficiently clever algorithms, that technique allows the creation of lower-noise images with less subject motion. The combination of these two innovations was a major factor in improving image quality on smartphones over the last 5-6 years—but it was only made possible because of the greatly increased processing power of modern smartphones.

Fusing stacked images effectively requires sophisticated software to avoid introducing artifacts , including ghosting . Fortunately, improved algorithms and faster processors have allowed the technique to improve rapidly, which is reflected in much better low-light image quality:

This dramatic improvement in smartphone cameras, thanks to computational imaging and better processors, has been made possible because of their incredible popularity, and the resulting large investment in innovation that smartphone makers are able to make as a result. Over time, all this has allowed smartphones to improve much faster than would have been possible otherwise, given their physical limitations.

However, in addition to processing improvements, there has been one fundamental hardware innovation that has played an important role in increasing image quality—larger sensors in thin phones. It wasn’t thought possible to increase the sensor size in a smartphone without increasing the thickness of the phone—something manufacturers dread. But the invention of Back-Side Illuminated (BSI) sensors has allowed larger sensors without adding thickness (Z-height) to the phone.

By placing photosites closer to the surface, BSI sensors are able to gather light from more directions. That results in multiple important benefits. First, apertures can be larger, which means more information can be captured in a given exposure, which in turn means less noise in captured images. Second, the lens can be placed closer to the sensor, enabling the use of larger sensors without increasing the thickness of the phone. Finally, flatter lenses can be used, which allows more flexibility in adding additional optical elements and creating longer effective focal-length lenses—also without causing thicker phones.

BSI sensors weren’t just the only trick smartphone makers had up their sleeve. They also started using more than one main camera module. Since individual camera modules are so small, it is possible to put more than one of them on the back of a phone. Initially the plan was to use multiple cameras to gather more light and create better images. However, various technical challenges have meant that smartphone makers have instead primarily used additional cameras to provide optical zoom and such specialized shooting modes as black and white, as well as bokeh effects. We’ve seen flagship phones go from a single main camera module to as many as five cameras.

Of course, DSLR makers haven’t been standing still either. So Guichard next took a look at how both technologies have progressed since our 2005 Nikon D70s baseline.

Sizing up the competition: Where are smartphones when compared to today’s modern DSLRs?

Given all the improvements to smartphone cameras over the last few years, it is fair to ask how they compare to DSLRs and full-frame mirrorless cameras when it comes to image quality. To do that, Guichard constructed a model of how both DSLRs and smartphones have improved since his 2005 Nikon D70s. He categorized the various improvements and provided a rough estimate of the number of f-stops each was able to contribute to better image quality:

The total gain in f-stops shown in the table above is an estimate of how the overall image quality for a 2019 full-frame camera and a 2019 smartphone compares to the baseline of the 2005 Nikon D70s. (Some items have ranges because they are more effective in some situations than others.)

From the table, we can see that in some cases the image quality from a smartphone can actually be better than that from a DSLR. But we can also see that smartphone results are much less consistent, and therefore it isn’t possible right now to trust our smartphones to always provide a quality image.

Testing the image quality of a full-frame camera versus smartphones

To validate the noise results shown above and to benchmark other important image quality attributes—and thus see how a full-frame mirrorless camera compares with modern smartphones, DXOMARK tested a current model, the Panasonic Lumix S1R, using the same extensive test methodology it employs when testing smartphones. Guichard then compared the results to several current flagship smartphones.

For relative scoring, Guichard used some of the Photo sub-scores from the DXOMARK Camera test suite:

Eyeing the results, it’s clear that the comparison comes up with a split decision. Let’s take a look at some of the specific test images to get an idea of the strengths and weaknesses of the mirrorless cameras and the smartphones. (The smartphones used in each comparison were the ones that fared best in that particular test.)

Testing detail preservation / texture : Guichard looked at sample images shot under both well-lit and night-time conditions, as low-light image capture was traditionally a weakness of smartphone cameras. First we show at the full image to give you a sense of context, and then show a tight crop of the woman’s eye:

Using another set of tight crops, Guichard showed that smartphones have now also gotten very good at preserving textures, even in night scenes. Again, first we’ll show the full scene for reference:

Testing noise: The native capability of the larger-sensor DSLR still puts it on top when we look at this set of tight crops from a standard DXOMARK indoor test scene, but by a remarkably thin margin, especially given how much smaller the smartphone sensors are. The results of looking at these crops agrees with the bottoms-up comparison from our table above. First we’ll show the entire lab test scene, followed by illustrative cropped sections:

Testing zoom: For the Zoom comparison, Guichard chose the multi-camera module Xiaomi CC9 Pro Premium Edition. Its two telephoto cameras give it the best long focal-length zoom of any smartphone DXOMARK has tested:

The super-telephoto from the Xiaomi is compared in this case with a 35mm lens on the mirrorless camera, which doesn’t take into account the fact that the camera photographer has a wide range of telephoto lens options to choose from. You can see from the comparison images below that even without a specialized telephoto lens, the Panasonic still has an edge in Zoom performance, but the Xiaomi does a remarkably good job considering the tiny size of its camera modules.

Testing bokeh: Another area where full-frame cameras have traditionally had the edge over smartphones is bokeh. The shallow depth of field that is possible with a larger sensor, and the optically-determined bokeh effect in out-of-focus areas have made larger-sensor cameras a must-have for portrait photographers. However, smartphones have begun using their computing power and additional sensor technology to calculate depth maps for portrait images and to synthesize bokeh effects to mimic the performance you’d get with a purely optical system.

While smartphones do increasingly well in processing simple portraits such the woman on the bridge (above)—“simple” because the foreground is nicely separated from the background—more complex situations can still result in unpleasant artifacts. In the example below, where we first show the entire image and then a crop around an area where the bokeh effect is important, you can see that the smartphones did not properly identify the man’s ear:

In addition to the problem of artifacts when synthesizing bokeh, the quality of the bokeh effect itself is also a problem for smartphones. Here you can see that while the full-frame camera has natural blur with proper color and shape, the Samsung phone has blur with the proper shape but little color, while the iPhone preserves the color but has an elliptical shape. First we show the entire image, then tight crops on the lights along the street:

Testing HDR : Intuitively, we would expect that the larger sensor of the Panasonic would give it a large advantage in rendering high-dynamic-range scenes. However, this often isn’t the case when compared with modern smartphones, as is shown fairly dramatically in this indoor sample scene:

Given the impressive rendering of the HDR scene with a smartphone, it is fair to ask how it is possible for smartphones that are limited to 10 bits of dynamic range are able to outperform 14-bit full-frame sensors in many situations when capturing high-contrast scenes. The answer is straightforward: the full-frame camera is by default simply capturing the scene with a single frame and rendering the way it appears. For a photographer who has taken the time to carefully arrange the lighting of a scene, that is exactly what is desired. However, even without that kind of preparation, it is easy to see the potential in the full-frame camera’s sensor if instead you shoot HDR scenes in RAW and then use post-processing software to bring all parts of the image into view:

Is there still a role for digital cameras?

Having looked at the impressive trajectory of smartphone image quality, Guichard then addressed the logical follow-on question of what, if any, role remains for standalone digital cameras—in particular, for the DSLRs and mirrorless models still favored by most professionals and many active amateurs. If smartphones are so good, why are millions still using larger, heavier, more expensive alternatives?

For Guichard, the secret to the longevity of digital cameras is trust. In the hands of someone who knows how to use it, a DSLR can be relied on to render a scene in the way the photographer envisions. An experienced photographer can also learn the limits of their DSLR and know that if they stay within those limits they can achieve repeatable, quality results. Smartphone algorithms, no matter how clever, are still susceptible to making mistakes, or of simply misunderstanding the intention of the photographer.

It’s not hard to find smartphone photo fails like those shown above. Unfortunately, it is hard to predict when they will occur. So for situations where a photographer needs to be sure they will capture the images they need, a standalone digital camera is usually still the tool of choice. That contrasts with smartphone photography, where ease of use is paramount, settings are already chosen, and the photographer is free to simply focus on the content—but results can be hit or miss, and control is limited.

Digital cameras let the photographer tell a story

Photography as a craft isn’t just about capturing reality, it is about telling stories. To do that, photographers rely on the creative freedom they get from a versatile camera that is built to be used in that fashion. Not only do DSLRs and mirrorless cameras feature a wide array of settings, they are designed ergonomically so that those settings can be changed quickly and precisely by someone who has taken the time to learn to use them. In addition, of course, a wide array of lenses and accessories make standalone cameras uniquely versatile tools.

In contrast, smartphones usurp much of the photographer’s creative control, and can sometimes ruin the story a photographer is trying to tell. The following image of Burmese fishermen provides a good example of how a DSLR provides the type of dependable creative control that helps a photographer tell a story:

The photographer has deliberately chosen harsh lighting conditions, with the sun backlighting the subject. Desiring only a silhouette of the fishermen, the image was deliberately underexposed, allowing the sun and sky to retain detail and color that would otherwise be blown out. That also helps provide isolation of the subject against the dark water. There are certainly some minor technical corrections that we can make to the original image, such as correcting the horizon angle and correcting for the specific optics used:

So far, well and good. But instead, if we imagine what a smartphone would have done with the image, we get a much different result. It would likely interpret the scene as a backlit portrait, and use a combination of a brighter exposure and local tone mapping to try and correct for what it decided were problems with the photo. The result would look something like this:

Beyond automating the camera, automating the photographer

As with most decisions about photography, there isn’t a single right choice when it comes to determining what types of creative control to delegate to the camera and which to keep under the purview of the photographer. Modern smartphones continue to break new ground both in replacing what a photographer can do with camera settings, and in going beyond them to areas that were previously solely the realm of the photographer’s own creativity. To go further, smartphones have begun to guess the intentions of the photographer. Two examples of this are the “beauty” enhancement capabilities integrated into some smartphones, and features that help press the shutter at the right instant when photographing people:

Leaving image capture aside, there is another area where its streamlined workflow helps smartphone photography provide automation benefits to the photographer. Beyond assisting with image creation, smartphone photographic ecosystems now include a large number of automatic backend processing features to make the overall photography experience even more painless.

Innovations in automating photographic workflow using AI, cloud resources, and the unique capabilities of smartphones are happening almost too fast to chronicle. By combining location information, object recognition, AI-based image quality evaluation, and bursts of frames, systems such as the Adobe Cloud, Apple’s iCloud, and Google Photos are able to offer automated image tagging, face recognition, album creation, best shot selection, and suggested shareable stories. The overall effect is that smartphones are essentially curating our memories for us, which is a long way from a photographer crafting a story and employing their camera simply as a straightforward tool for capturing the needed images.

DSLR owners can shoehorn their images into those systems—although often without all the metadata needed for full functionality—but it is an area where smartphone vendors are moving much more quickly than camera vendors. Combined with their advances in image quality, these innovations are bringing smartphones very close to delivering on one of the first promises made to consumers by the photographic industry.

Smartphones: Delivering on Kodak’s original promise

George Eastman developed the first consumer camera in 1888. This camera came equipped with a 100-shot roll of film; the photographer simply clicked the shutter, wound the roll forward, and then sent the entire camera back to the factory when it ran out. In return, they’d receive prints of their images and a newly-loaded camera. Along with the camera came the promise, “You press the button, we do the rest.” For many if not most people, modern smartphone photography has finally delivered on that 130-year-old promise.

Memory maker or storyteller?

We have seen how advances in technology have helped smartphone cameras surpass compact cameras in image quality and many other capabilities over the course of their first decade, despite their small size. In their second decade, taking advantage of their unique computational imaging capabilities, they have begun to push past even DSLRs in many areas, including automatic image enhancement and organization. However, that automation also makes smartphone cameras harder to predict, and difficult to rely on for repeatable results— leaving a market role for more-traditional digital cameras.

The landscape photographer Ansel Adams once said,  “ There are always two people in every picture: the photographer and the viewer. ”

As Guichard sees it, photographic technology  will eclipse the role of the photographer for many, but not for all, photographers:

“ Smartphones have already completely automated photography.  The next logical step is to automate the photographer. This is good: people can enjoy a personal digital photographer to capture their memories. But there will always be those who would rather have a trustworthy tool to tell their own stories.”

While smartphones are increasingly good at painlessly capturing memories, and even turning them into shared experiences, some photographers will always want to tell their own stories and keep creative control of their images. Standalone digital cameras such as DSLRs, mirrorless, and of course larger formats allow them to do that. So, at least for the indefinite future, they have a place in the hearts and minds of many.

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8 Slim Cameras That are Better Than Your Phone

See recent posts by Peter Thornton

Sure, your smartphone can take a decent picture and is always with you when you travel. However, if you want more options in low-light situations and better quality photos, it’s still best to have a stand-alone camera.

Cameras That Are Easy to Carry While Traveling

Digital photography gives you plenty of options to enhance your photo with software, but the key to a good photo is the lens. This is an area where a smartphone just can’t compete with a stand-alone camera. If you don’t want to lug around a large DSLR camera, check out these pocket-sized cameras that will give you better quality pictures than your phone without the bulkiness of a more professional camera.

Sony RX100 20.2 MP Premium Compact Digital Camera

This is a great camera in a compact design that you can easily slip in your pocket or stash in your day pack to better capture your travel experience. The bright F1.8 Carl Zeiss Vario-Sonnar T* lens combined with the 1” Exmor CMOS sensor allows you to capture more light, which means better photos at sunset or other low-light scenarios. You can save RAW images and compact JPEG files both at once so you have easy to share photos and high quality files that you can edit on your PC later. The camera also shoots full HD 1080 video at 60 frames per second allowing you to capture fast-moving subjects.

Amazon User Review: “ Extremely portable and easy to use. Has the features of bulky camera while maintaining an awesome size and quick use. ”

Price: Starting at $275.01 on Amazon

Average Star Rating: 4.3

Panasonic Lumix ZS50 Camera

Another quality camera in low-light situations, the Panasonic Lumix also features a 30x optical zoom, which is good for capturing clear images of far-away objects. It’s image stabilization compensates for blurring and ensures leveled photos and video. The camera also has a manually controlled focus to make sure you’re capturing the intended object with precision.

Amazon User Review: “ This is a great little camera. I own several cameras from DSLR to advanced point and shoots and Micro Four Thirds mirrorless cameras. Photography is a hobby. I wanted a camera with a long zoom and with advanced control features that could fit in my pocket and at a reasonable price. ”

Price: Starting at $25 0 .00 on Amazon

Average Star Rating: 4.2

Canon Powershot G9X Mark II Compact Digital Camera

If you’re looking for a stylish camera that is packed full of features, this lightweight, pocket-sized Canon is a great choice. It has a higher price point than some others on this list, but the features are comparable to cameras that are priced even higher. In addition to its large 1.0 inch, 20.1 Megapixel CMOS sensor, it has wireless connectivity and a touch screen panel. The built-in WiFi and Bluetooth means you can transfer photos and videos directly to the web or your phone without the need of a laptop.

Amazon User Review: “ It is convenient to take on vacations and you will be glad you bought it after looking back at higher quality photos compared to any smartphone camera could ever take.”

Price: Starting at $449.00 on Amazon

Average Star Rating: 4.5

Sony DSCW830 20.1 MP Digital Camera

A simple point and shoot camera that is on the affordable side of things. If all you want is improved images and don’t need all the bells and whistles of the higher priced cameras, this small camera from Sony will do the trick. The Sweep Panorama mode makes it easy to take in sweeping landscapes. It also has a bunch of great auto features such as face detection and smile shutter technology, which will take a shot as soon as your kid shows you that hard to get smile.

Amazon User Review: “ I have purchased several Sony Cyber-shots over the years. I like that they take warmer quality photos, and are affordable. ”

Price: Starting at $128.00 on Amazon

Olympus TG-5 Waterproof Camera

This rugged waterproof camera from Olympus is perfect for the adventure traveler. It can be used in just about any setting—even in freezing temperatures. It’s waterproof up to 50 feet and can withstand a fall up to 7 ft. It has an extremely fast shooting speed to capture those critical moments that last only milliseconds. The Ultra HD 4k video gives you life-like memories of your most daring activities. And it’s also easy to use while wearing big gloves, making this a great camera to capture those epic vistas when you’re hitting the slopes.

Amazon User Review: “ I love this camera! It rocks! It constantly amazes me at what it can do. I also have a Nikon D-800 I use for my more serious photography, but this thing is my stuff in my pocket and travel camera. Of course it blows my iPhone away no matter what Apple says.”

Price: Starting at $294.00 on Amazon

Canon PowerShot ELPH 190 Digital Camera

Here’s another great point and shoot camera if you are on a tighter budget. You can’t beat the value with this Canon Powershot that has a 10x optical zoom, built-in WiFi, and cool features like shooting scenes with a fisheye effect or a vintage pinhole camera look. The camera comes in three different colors (black, blue, and red) if you prefer to have a colorful device instead of the standard black or silver style of most other cameras.

Amazon User Review: “ A great value pocket/purse camera for very good 'basic' POINT & SHOOT performance at a stunning price. Well exceeding cell phone camera performance at a fraction of the price. ”

Price: Starting at $159.00 on Amazon

Nikon Coolpix S9900 Digital Camera with 30x Optical Zoom

The best feature of this Nikon is the 30x optical zoom. Catch wildlife in their natural habitat with clarity and from a distance. The swivel display allows to you catch photos at many angles and still be able to see what is in the frame. It also has full manual exposure control so you can turn off the auto settings and set up the aperture and shutter speed to your liking. The built-in GPS keeps track of where your photos were taken so you can easily share your travels and whereabouts with family and friends.

Amazon User Review: “ This is the most incredible point and shoot camera you will ever have. A little heavier than the average point and shoot but this one has 30X wide optical zoom which means the photo with the nest and eggs is something you can take from a long distance away. Definitely worth the money. ”

Price: Starting at $210.00 on Amazon

GoPro HERO7

The smallest camera on this list may not have the biggest lens, but it is the most versatile camera and an excellent choice for adventure travelers. The HyperSmooth video stabilization will make your shaky experiences bearable to watch while you are sitting still. It’s rugged and waterproof to bring in any situation from your first surf lesson to a bike ride in the mountains. The GoPro HERO7 is packed with features like a time warp video to capture the full extent of a sunrise or sunset and voice control so you can attach the GoPro to your body and use hands free.

Amazon User Review: “ As an avid traveler I want smooth videos without dragging along more weight and components and The Hero 7 fits the bill perfectly!”

Price: Starting at $250.00 on Amazon

Average Star Rating: 4.6

Header image by Dinga via Shutterstock . Product images courtesy of Amazon.

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Advantage & Disadvantage on Camera vs. Phone for Travel

Want to know about the camera vs. Phone for travel?

Well, camera and phones are the most common device in today’s world. Plus, most of the people feel relaxed to use these gadgets. But there are plenty of differences between them. Cameras are the best choice for capturing high-quality trip photos as well as videos. On the other hand, phones are also used to catch several fun pictures and more.

However, traveling is one of the recreational activities that aid reduce your previous panic. You can also get tons of fun and joy at the traveling moments.

So, why are you not capturing that valuable moment? That’s travelers need to hold the digital camera or smartphone. Sometimes, they feel confused about which one is the right choice. Here, we ensure the total comparison between camera vs. Phone for travel.

Essential Things About the Camera and Phone

At first, we focus on the basic information about these technological devices that helps you to learn more.

A camera is one kind of visual gadget that is highly recommended to document pictures or images. Generally, they have a small hole along with a fixed body and the multiple mechanisms to maintain properly. Cameras come to catch images onto their light-sensitive surface.

Who doesn’t like to travel as well as catch the travel pictures? For this reason, a camera is the best way to record thousands of videos and images as well. As a professional photographer, you like to snatch more visible images. So, the camera is fundamental to you.

A mobile phone or smartphone is another outstanding thing to communicate with friends and family as well as to record your favorite pictures or videos. Most of the people use it to enjoy multiple benefits. It offers you the front and back site camera to capture high-quality pictures.

Anyone who wants to enjoy traveling along with a cell phone, he/she will handily hold it without any problems. And, document their travels video and picture and send social media as early as possible.

Comparison Table: Camera vs. Phone for Travel

Now, we show here a comparison table between these two devices for providing specific data.

More about Camera vs. Phone for Travel

We think the comparison table is not enough to make sure of the one. That’s why we also discuss more information about the camera vs. Phone for travel.

Offers more Visible Photos

Cameras allow photographers to capture any exciting moment in traveling. Even not only see your previous images, but you feel you perhaps stayed that era. You can easily catch the vibrancy scene with reproductive colors.

A Great Zooming System

We have known that the more zooming benefits aids increase the quality of the photos. For this purpose, a camera provides you the proper balancing zoom according to the image mood. Even its accurate zoom function supports taking clear photos that you want.

More Sharper and Artistic Shots

If you want to get sharper and artistic shots, a camera is good for that. Cameras made from high-quality tools that catch fantastic shots as natural. Photographers can’t avoid this tool to find high-resolution photos in the traveling moment.

Able to Catch Moving Objects

To capture a fast-moving image is quite challenging for every photographer. For example, if you would like to snatch a moving animal, you can’t keep your attention because animals move quickly here and there. So, cameras are the right option to pick the fast-moving objects like wildlife.

Perfect for Night Photos Capturing

Another benefit of cameras is to take night photos clearly without any flashing. When you travel at night and want to capture its scenery, you should use a camera to find the perfect images or videos.

It is challenging to capture the night sky or moons. But, you can easily do it using a high-quality camera. No worries if you will record your friends and family group photos as a traveling moment.

Easy to Use

A phone is a very common device for using different purposes. Most of the users have already known how to use this tool. To use the phone’s camera, you can catch images without any hassle. Images are also fine if you utilize the high-performance smartphone.

Super Easy to Carry

Everyone likes to carry his/her phones while traveling. You can easily carry it in your purse or pocket. And, it is pretty thin. So, you will be able to handle with ease and capture photos in different places.

Upload Photos

Phones are the best option to pick images and upload photos within a short time. You can transfer your lovely pictures to your laptop or more. And, send your family & friends to share the traveling experience.

Strengths and Weaknesses of Camera vs. Phone

Final Thought

Cameras and phones both are essential to snatch pictures or videos. If you are a professional photographer, you should select a high-resolution camera. Alternatively, if you are not professional just fun and enjoyment, you will turn on phones.

Hopefully, you understood the topic Camera vs. Phone for travel.

Happy traveling!

• The Best Travel Camera Under $500
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10 Tips for Taking Stunning Travel Photos with Your Smartphone

T aking stunning travel photos with your smartphone has become increasingly popular, thanks to the ever-improving camera technology in mobile devices. Here are 10 tips to help you capture breathtaking travel moments with your smartphone:

• Clean Your Lens : Before you start shooting, make sure to wipe your smartphone lens with a clean cloth. Smudges and fingerprints can affect the clarity of your photos, so keeping the lens clean is essential for sharp and vibrant images.
• Use Natural Light : When possible, take advantage of natural light for your photos. Avoid harsh midday sunlight, which can create harsh shadows and overexposure. Instead, opt for softer, more flattering light during the golden hours – the hour after sunrise and the hour before sunset – for beautiful, warm tones.
• Experiment with Composition : Apply the rule of thirds to compose your shots. Imagine your photo divided into nine equal segments by two horizontal and two vertical lines. Place your subject or points of interest along these lines or at their intersections to create a balanced and visually appealing composition.
• Find Unique Angles : Instead of shooting from eye level, try different angles and perspectives to add interest to your photos. Get down low or climb up high for a unique vantage point. Experiment with shooting from unusual angles, such as from the ground or above your subject, to create dynamic and compelling images.
• Use Gridlines : Most smartphone cameras have gridline options that can help you compose your shots more effectively. Enable gridlines in your camera settings to assist with aligning your subjects and maintaining balance in your photos.
• Focus and Exposure : Tap on your smartphone screen to manually adjust the focus and exposure of your shots. This allows you to control which part of the image is in focus and adjust the brightness levels accordingly. Experiment with different focus points and exposure settings to achieve the desired effect.
• HDR Mode : Use the HDR (High Dynamic Range) mode on your smartphone camera to capture more detail in high-contrast scenes. HDR combines multiple exposures of the same image to create a well-balanced photo with enhanced color and detail in both the highlights and shadows.
• Use Editing Apps : Take advantage of photo editing apps to enhance your images further. Apps like Adobe Lightroom, Snapseed, and VSCO offer a range of editing tools and filters to adjust exposure, contrast, color, and more. Experiment with different editing techniques to make your photos pop.
• Capture Candid Moments : Some of the best travel photos are candid moments that capture genuine emotions and experiences. Be ready to snap photos spontaneously and capture the spontaneous moments that unfold during your travels. Candid shots often tell a more compelling story and evoke a stronger emotional response.
• Practice and Experiment : Like any skill, improving your smartphone photography takes practice and experimentation. Take the time to explore your smartphone camera settings, try out different techniques, and learn from your results. Don’t be afraid to experiment and push the boundaries of your creativity to capture truly stunning travel photos.

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Best Phone Cameras

There are lots of great phones on the market, but these are tops for photos and videos

When you shop through retailer links on our site, we may earn affiliate commissions. 100% of the fees we collect are used to support our nonprofit mission. Learn more .

Phone cameras might not produce photos with the image quality of a great point-and-shoot camera , but in many situations, they come very close.

The phones featured below have been singled out by Consumer Reports’ testers as having the best cameras you can buy. (Most appear high in our overall smartphone ratings , too.) When it comes to portability and photo-sharing options, they make dedicated digital cameras seem cumbersome. And as the saying goes, the best camera is the one you have on you.

Smartphones these days tend to have high-resolution sensors (48 megapixels or more) to produce sharp cropped or enlarged prints. All of the best phone cameras in our list have optical image stabilizers to help minimize blurriness from a shaky hand. And they can capture spur-of-the-moment video with high-definition clarity.

• About CR's Phone Camera Rankings

11 Best Phone Cameras

Most new phones offer two or more rear-mounted cameras in addition to a front-facing selfie camera. One rear camera delivers typical shots, and the others work as zooms or wide-angle lenses. Some phones can use the cameras together to produce a bokeh effect , which blurs the background while leaving the subject in sharp focus.

Storage is something else to consider if you’re planning to shoot a lot with your phone. Images and video captured by the best phone cameras are relatively large, about 5 megabytes per still image and several hundred megabytes per minute of video.

If you’re a shutterbug, there’s a real advantage to choosing a phone that accepts microSD memory cards, such as the 6.5-inch Sony Xperia 1 III, $920; the 6.1-inch Sony Xperia 5 III, $700; or the 6.5-inch Samsung Galaxy A53 5G, $450. A card with 64 gigabytes of storage is easy to install and costs as little as $10.

Memory card slots, however, are becoming rarer in new phones. If you buy a phone that lacks this advantage—Apple’s iPhones, for example—you can probably get by with 64GB of internal storage, especially if you’re comfortable using cloud storage . But if you’d rather play it safe, a smartphone with 128GB should do.

Consumer Reports is a nonprofit member organization that works to create a fairer marketplace . We buy every product we rate, from smartphones to SUVs .

CR's Phone Camera Rankings

Some popular smartphones failed to make the top 10 list below, but often only because the slightly newer models in the same series outshined them by a hair. (The iPhone 13 or Samsung Galaxy S23, for example.)

The bottom line: Just because a phone doesn’t make the cut here doesn’t mean it has poor cameras. Our head of electronics testing, Richard Fisco, says that from a camera-quality standpoint, there’s little variation among the top-tier smartphones.

In fact, the differences among this group are so small that they could be chalked up to variations in our test samples, he says.

In computing the score for cameras, our expert testers rate the quality of the still images taken with a smartphone’s rear cameras, examining resolution, dynamic range, color accuracy, and visual noise. They also evaluate the quality of a phone’s front (or selfie) camera and the rear camera’s video quality.

Many models can shoot in 4K ultra-high definition, giving your home movies a professional touch. And more phones are making use of AI assistance, whether for enhanced zooming or smarter photo editing on the back end. In any case, chances are this list will steer you toward a quality camera that’s more than capable of capturing quality moments.

When we take a close look at our ratings, these 11 phones are at the top for overall camera quality. For a deeper dive into what makes the options below great for shooting photos and video, see the model-by-model write-ups that follow.

(Honorable mentions also go to the OnePlus Open and Sony Xperia IV , both of which break into the top 10 for the still-image quality of their rear cameras. And older models of the iPhone—including iPhone 12, 13, and 13 mini—still manage to tie for tenth place when it comes to rear camera video.)

Melanie Pinola

Melanie Pinola covered smartphones, home office products, and a wide range of other technology topics for Consumer Reports. A seasoned service journalist, her work has appeared in the New York Times, Popular Mechanics, Laptop Magazine, PCWorld, and other publications. Follow Melanie on X, formerly known as Twitter @melaniepinola .

Courtney Lindwall

Courtney Lindwall is a writer at Consumer Reports. Since joining CR in 2023, she’s covered the latest on cell phones, smartwatches, and fitness trackers as part of the tech team. Previously, Courtney reported on environmental and climate issues for the Natural Resources Defense Council. She lives in Brooklyn, N.Y.

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Mirrorless vs DSLR cameras: the 10 key differences you need to know

We settle the great mirrorless vs DSLR camera debate

• 1. Size and weight
• 3. Viewfinders
• 4. Autofocus
• 5. Continuous shooting
• 7. Features
• 8. Image quality
• 9. Battery life

The great mirrorless vs DSLR camera debate has been rumbling for a few years now. While the decision will always be a personal choice, the major camera manufacturers have chosen their side: almost all are now entirely focused on developing the best mirrorless cameras .

Both Canon and Nikon have been discontinuing, or simply not updating, their DSLR models over the last few years. As a result, mirrorless is very much the default format for new cameras and is our recommendation for most people. But it isn't quite that simple: the best DSLR cameras continue to offer excellent value and have large, established ranges of lenses. There's also a healthy second-hand market, which counts for a lot during these financially-challenging times.

Nikon has officially confirmed that it's ceased production on two of its most popular entry-level DSLRs, the Nikon D3500 and D5600 . And while Canon has been quieter about the future of its DSLR line-up, it has confirmed that the 1D X Mark III will be its final flagship DSLR. The only company that appears to be carrying the torch for new DSLRs is Pentax, which launched the K-3 III in 2021, followed – surprisingly –by a Monochrome version in 2023. In reality, we don't expect to see any new DSLRs launched from this point on. Mirrorless is the future, but second-hand DSLRs continue to offer great value. 

In the early days of mirrorless cameras, the situation was very different. If you were a pro, you tended to pick up a DSLR. Hobbyists and amateurs, who were more concerned with weight and portability, would instead lean towards their mirrorless counterparts.

This has now changed completely. With cameras like the Sony A7R V , Fujifilm X-H2S and Canon EOS R3 , the big manufacturers have confirmed that mirrorless is the future for their flagship technology. A new breed of cameras like the Nikon Z9 and Sony A9 III don't have mechanical shutters at all, making them flag-bearers for the next, all-electronic generation.

But what exactly are the differences between a mirrorless cameras and a DSLR? And are there any situations where you should still consider the latter? Our in-depth guide is here to give you all the answers – including a simple explanation to that first question.

Mirrorless vs DSLR: what's the main difference?

Mirrorless vs dslr: the basics.

Let’s start with the basics and look at the key differences between these two types of cameras. The key is in the names. DSLR stands for Digital Single Lens Reflex, which works by the light hitting a mirror angled at 45 degrees. That light goes straight up into an optical viewfinder which allows you to see precisely what the lens is looking at. This is a true optical path, with no digital processing in the middle. 

When you’re ready to take a photograph, that mirror moves out of the way – to reveal the image sensor – and if you’ve used one in the past, you’ll be familiar with the satisfying (but fairly loud) noise it makes as it does so. 

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By contrast, mirrorless cameras – you’ve guessed it – don’t have a mirror. With these cameras, the light passes through the lens and straight onto the sensor to be processed. It’s then displayed either on the monitor on the back of the camera, or in the electronic viewfinder (EVF), which is in essence a very small monitor. This time, when you take a picture, the camera is simply recording what is on the sensor at that moment in time. 

DSLRs use the same technology as their film counterparts, which have been around for decades. They’re very familiar for anybody who has been serious about photography in recent years. Legacy companies such as Canon, Nikon and Pentax have been making them for all those years and so have a lot of experience to draw from. 

These days, almost no new DSLRs are coming to the market. Finding stock of certain models is becoming harder, but there are still a lot you can buy, including many that are available second-hand. They tend to have great handling, offer fantastic image quality and one advantage that doesn’t look set to go away for a while yet: very impressive battery life. 

By taking away the mirror, mirrorless cameras give you several advantages (and very few disadvantages). The key one is that, since they don’t need that big clunky mirror setup, they can be smaller and lighter than their equivalent DSLR counterparts. 

Some of the tasks of the camera, like autofocusing, can take place on the sensor itself, leading to super-quick focusing speeds. Speaking of speed, with no mirror to move out of the way, frame rates aren’t limited so much by physicality. Mirrorless cameras routinely offer at least 10fps, with some high-end models delivering 20fps or 30fps at full resolution, with continuous autofocus between each shot. 

In the beginning, mirrorless cameras tended to use smaller sensors than DSLRs. But now, the most popular sensor size in these models is full-frame, with Sony , Nikon, Canon and Panasonic all producing this type of camera. APS-C is also a common sensor size, for both mirrorless and DSLR. All of this means that there’s no generally discernible difference between outright image quality in DSLRs and mirrorless cameras, no matter which you choose to go with.

The electronic viewfinders found on early mirrorless cameras weren’t particularly great, being low in resolution and slow. But over the years the technology has advanced so much that many photographers now prefer the super high-resolution viewfinders on the current crop of high-end mirrorless cameras. They show a truer reflection of what your final image will look like, as well as allowing you to see a preview of your image after you’ve shot it.

All of this makes it sound like mirrorless is the obvious winner. While the fact that only one DSLR has been announced in the past 12 months – and that was a monochrome version of a camera from 2021 – might seem to back that up, there are still some advantages of the older technology. 

We’ll discuss the main differences in the coming pages to help you come to a firm conclusion, so use the arrows at the top of this page navigate your way through them.

• Sensor sizes explained: what you need to know

1. Mirrorless vs DSLR: Size and weight

• DSLR cameras are traditionally larger, with ergonomic handling
• Mirrorless cameras are generally smaller and lighter

When mirrorless cameras first entered the market, one of their big selling points was their small size. The first cameras of this kind to get really popular were Micro Four Thirds models, which traded on the idea that the overall system was much smaller and lighter than their DSLR equivalents.

As larger sensor sizes started to become popular, it no longer became a simple statement of fact that mirrorless meant 'smaller'. When you use an APS-C or a full-frame sensor, you might be able to get a small(ish) body, but the compatible lenses will likely be big and heavy. 

Some manufacturers have attempted to answer the problem with retractable or 'power-zoom' kit lenses , but as soon as you need to swap to a different type of lens, the problem appears again. 

If size and weight is your main concern, the Panasonic G series and Olympus (now OM System) cameras have the advantage. They use the Four Thirds sensor format inside their Micro Four Thirds models, which are smaller than APS-C and full-frame sensors. 

There's an argument that their outright image quality can't match larger sensors – especially in some shooting scenarios such as low light – but the smaller sensor helps to deliver a much more compact system all round. And it's great for those who need high levels of zoom in a small package.

Alternatively, clever mirrorless packaging means APS-C cameras like the Fujifilm X100VI and even full-frame models like the Sony A7C R number among some of the best travel cameras you can buy.

At the other end of the spectrum, some higher-end mirrorless cameras are actually very large, with some manufacturers responding to feedback from pros who say they'd prefer larger grips for better ergonomics. The flagship Nikon Z9 , for example, has a bulky body that adopts the classic styling of a DSLR, complete with two grips.

Conversely, the final entry-level DSLRs shrank to compete with the smaller footprint of similarly priced mirrorless cameras. Nikon's D3500 and Canon's EOS Rebel T7 / 2000D are usefully small and light, making them less of a burden to carry around.

2. Mirrorless vs DSLR: Lenses

• Large lens ranges available for established DSLR mounts
• Newer mirrorless systems are expanding all the time

Technically speaking, if you want the widest possible choice of lenses, a Canon or Nikon DSLR will be your best bet. Each of these options has a huge range of lenses at a variety of price points, with third-party manufacturers such as Sigma and Tamron also providing options. 

DSLRs have the age advantage, with the lens format having been around for decades. But the options available for mirrorless cameras have caught up rapidly, and now there’s a diverse range of lenses to suit almost every need, with more new lenses being added as time goes on. It's really only those with very niche needs who are missing out by choosing mirrorless.

The longest established mirrorless system – although now falling in popularity – is Micro Four Thirds , used by Olympus and (some) Panasonic cameras. As such, this system offers the most all-encompassing range at the moment. 

Fujifilm ’s X-series is also pretty comprehensive, having been around for a similar length of time. Its medium-format GFX series has fewer options, but is gaining ground as the years go by. Both offer a good set of zoom and prime lenses, and while there are still a few gaps here and there, they tend to be niche optics that the average consumer won’t be too bothered about being without. 

Sony’s APS-C and full-frame mirrorless cameras have been around for quite some time now. They share the same mount, so while there are lenses that are specifically designed for either APS-C or Full-Frame, being able to swap between the two is beneficial for those upgrading. There are some high-end optics among the best Sony lenses , which match perfectly with models such as the Sony A7 V , including premium optics like the Sony FE 24mm f/1.4 GM wide-angle prime.

Canon officially has two lines of mirrorless cameras – APS-C and full-frame – but it's increasingly clear that Canon is moving towards a singular RF-mount. If you are an existing Canon DSLR owner, you can also use mount adapters on its mirrorless systems, giving you the option to only replace lenses as and when its necessary, rather than all in one go. 

Right now, there’s a healthy range of lenses for EF-M and RF mounts, but there are still some significant gaps to be filled, even among the best Canon RF lenses . The arrival of new RF-S lenses (for APS-C cameras) almost certainly puts an end to Canon's EF-M range, although it remains a good-value option. We're hoping to see a lot more RF-S lenses arrive to make cameras like the EOS R7 and EOS R10 more attractive.

Nikon also uses the same mount across both its APS-C and full-frame mirrorless systems. The Z-mount is different from the F-mount used by Nikon DSLRs, but if you already have some lenses, you can use an adapter to bring those across. It’s a pretty seamless transition and helps to fill in any gaps in the line-up while we’re waiting for Nikon to expand its mirrorless lens range. At the time of the system's launch, there were only a handful of Z-mount lenses, but there’s a good degree of choice among the best Nikon Z lenses now.

Another fairly recent introduction is the L-mount alliance , which is a joint venture between Panasonic, Sigma and Leica. These three companies are developing products that can be used in conjunction with each other, giving buyers the advantage of triple the range and triple the development power. There’s already a good range of lenses available for L Mount, with more appearing regularly – including the Lumix S 100mm F2.8 Macro , which arrived in January 2024 as the world's smallest and lightest 100mm macro lens.

3. Mirrorless vs DSLR: Viewfinders

• Some prefer the clarity of a DSLR's optical viewfinder
• Modern mirrorless EVFs are sharp and display useful info

All DSLRs, even the cheapest, come with an optical viewfinder, because it's an integral part of the DSLR design. Although it's relatively rare in current line-ups, some entry-level mirrorless cameras, on the other hand, don't have viewfinders at all. This means your only option is to compose photos via the rear LCD, which is a boon for portability, but doesn't always work so well in bright sunlight.

Mirrorless cameras use electronic rather than optical viewfinders. That means they display the image directly from the sensor readout and not via an optical mirror/pentaprism system.

Electronic viewfinders are advancing at a fast pace, and the latest rarely show any graininess that was an issue in earlier generations, while the visible lag that was once common has all but been eradicated.

The advantage of electronic viewfinders is that they can display a lot more information than an optical viewfinder, including live image histograms, for example. They can also simulate the digital image the camera will capture, so you don't get any horrible surprises when you review your image, as it's exactly what you're seeing.

This simulation is not always perfect, however, and many photographers prefer to see the world with their own eyes as they compose the image, then check the digital version on the LCD once it's been captured. Optical viewfinders are also easier to use in low light.

This will come down to personal preference. Get one of the latest high-end mirrorless cameras with a large magnification, large resolution electronic viewfinder, and you'll be hard pressed to find fault with it. The Sony A7S III is an example of a simply stunning electronic viewfinder, offering superb clarity with a 9.44m-dot resolution. And this is increasingly becoming standard on the latest mirrorless cameras.

4. Mirrorless vs DSLR: Autofocus

• Most DSLR cameras have older, slower autofocus systems
• Hybrid AF systems with AI subject-tracking are the future

Professionals who wanted the very fastest autofocusing used to head straight for DSLRs. But these days, with fantastic advances made in mirrorless technology, it’s very often the newer type of camera that has the advantage – especially if you go for premium mirrorless options. 

High-end DSLRs haven’t been updated in some time, but models such as the Nikon D850 and Canon EOS-1D X Mark III still offer sophisticated systems. They use fast and efficient ‘phase-detection’ autofocus modules which are mounted below the mirror in the camera’s bodies. 

However, DSLR systems are limited by the fact that their autofocus only works while the mirror is down. This means that fast frame rates are difficult to achieve, since this needs to be moved out of the way each time. You could switch to using Live View, but that means the regular AF module is no longer in the light path and a slower contrast-detect AF system is used.

Some slightly newer DSLR models, such as the Canon EOS Rebel SL3 / EOS 250D and Canon EOS 6D Mark II have included Dual Pixel CMOS A, which uses phase-detection pixels built into the sensor. This gives faster autofocus in Live View, and while it helps to close the gap on mirrorless cameras, we’re now seeing such incredible systems from several manufacturers that mirrorless definitely now has the edge. 

Since there’s no mirror, these types of cameras use sensor-based autofocus all the time. Many are contrast-based AF, but they tend to be faster than the equivalent AF modes on DSLRs. More mirrorless models are now using advanced hybrid AF systems, which combine contrast-detect with phase-detect AF from the sensor to deliver exceptional performance. 

They impress not only with their speed, but also accuracy when it comes to tracking a moving subject. Both the Canon EOS R5 and the Canon EOS R6 are two recent introductions that offer almost unerring accuracy when tracking a subject. Similarly, super high-end models such as the Sony A9 II and Sony A1 are fantastic options for sports and action photographers who simply can’t afford to miss a shot. 

Another advantage that many mirrorless cameras offer is eye- and face- detection which makes photographing people (and animals) even more accurate. All of the major mirrorless brands offer Face/Eye detection, helping you to get sharp shots almost without fail. The latest models are also leveraging the power of AI to offer enhanced subject recognition and tracking. One example is the Sony A7R V , which features a dedicated AI chip for this purpose.

5. Mirrorless vs DSLR: Continuous shooting

• The best DSLRs can no longer match mirrorless burst speeds
• Electronic-only continuous shooting can hit up to 120fps

You need a fast continuous shooting mode to capture action shots, and mirrorless cameras are streaking ahead here. This is partly because the mirrorless system has fewer moving parts, but also because many models are now pushing ahead into 4K or even 8K video – this demands serious processing power, which helps with continuous shooting too.

To put this in perspective, Canon's top professional DSLR, the Canon EOS-1D X Mark III , can shoot at 16 frames per second when using the viewfinder. Compared this to the Canon EOS R3 , which can shoot full-resolution RAW stills at 30fps. The Sony A1 can do the same at a resolution of 50MP with autofocus.

You have to be a little careful, though, when looking at the specs. Some mirrorless cameras will boast even higher frame rates than this, but will have to use an electronic shutter to achieve this and focus will be fixed from the first shot. This isn't great if you're planning to track a moving subject, or shoot under some types of artificial light, where banding can occur without the use of a mechanical shutter.

You've also got to be realistic about what kind of burst shooting speeds you are going to need. Shooting at 60fps means you'll fill up a memory card pretty quickly, and you'll have to spend a lot of time trudging through a multitude of images to find that 'one' shot. That said, with even entry-level mirrorless cameras offering faster burst shooting speeds than most DSLRs, mirrorless cameras certainly have the edge if this is your priority.

What's more, the latest all-electronic flagships are pushing the boundaries of burst shooting speeds. The Nikon Z9 can capture 11MP JPEGs at 120fps, with full autofocus and auto exposure. Upping the stakes even further, the Sony A9 III uses a new type of sensor to shoot at 120fps with no risk of rolling shutter distortion.

6. Mirrorless vs DSLR: Video

• Mirrorless is the clear choice for videographers
• 4K is now the standard, with the best shooting 6K or 8K

DSLRs were well ahead of mirrorless cameras when it came to offering professional HD and Full HD video capture. Their vast range of lenses and other accessories made them a hit with pro video makers – the Canon EOS 5D Mk II , in particular, changed the game by shooting video from a full-sized sensor, for far less money than many pro cameras.  

But the shift has certainly been towards mirrorless cameras favor in recent years, offering a wealth of video features that most DSLRs can't match.

4K capture is a more common feature for starters on mirrorless cameras, while DSLRs have been slow to offer this functionality. With relatively few new DSLRs appearing in recent months, there's not too many to choose from if you need this kind of video. For entry-level models that do offer it – such as the Canon EOS Rebel T8i / EOS 850D – a heavy crop is applied, which is pretty limiting in many situations.

There's also the efficient live view autofocus and processing power offered by mirrorless cameras, while the growing range of adapters and accessories out there offer video shooters a more complete system.

The Panasonic Lumix GH6 is currently our pick for the title of best 4K camera . It offers fantastic video quality and value in tidy packaging. But one look at our round-up of the best video cameras reveals that things have moved on since it launched in 2022. Uncropped 6K is now almost the norm, in a list topped by its cousin, the Lumix S5 II , which benefits from phase detection autofocus.

We're also starting to see even higher resolution options come to the market. The Nikon Z9 is one of a few cameras that can shoot 8K video, and its our top choice. The Canon EOS R5 is another, although its subject to some recording limitations. We expect 8K to become the norm over the coming years as the technology develops and becomes more commonplace.

Hybrids make up an increasingly large segment of the mirrorless market, offering a blend of stills and video performance for enthusiasts. The niche was previously occupied primarily by Panasonic cameras such as the Lumix GH6 and GH5 Mark II , but models such as the Nikon Z8 , Fujifilm X-S20 and Sony A7 IV show that hybrids are high on everyone's agenda.

7. Mirrorless vs DSLR: Features

• Event entry-level DSLRs offer full manual controls
• Mirrorless cameras benefit from the latest features

In the past, it was hard to split DSLRs and mirrorless cameras on their feature sets. But these days, with more money and time being thrown at the development at mirrorless cameras, the latter are now the clear winners.

Both DSLRs and mirrorless cameras offer full manual control over exposure and give you the opportunity to shoot both raw files and JPEGs. Image quality between the two is pretty much identical, aside from the newer sensors found in mirrorless bodies. In any one sector, such as entry-level cameras, enthusiast or pro models, the control layouts and capabilities are pretty similar, too. Entry-level DSLRs tend to hide away the manual controls under a layer of automation, but it's the same for mirrorless cameras.

While the feature set of high-end DSLR cameras is generally pretty impressive, it's fair to say that the average mirrorless camera now beats the average DSLR on specs. Most mirrorless cameras offer advanced IBIS (in-body image stabilization systems), advanced autofocus technologies such as tracking and eye-detection, 4K video as standard and more besides.

Processing power is at its height in mirrorless cameras – again, by virtue of them being newer. These high-end processors facilitate some of the more impressive features, including high ISOs, fast shooting speeds and 4K video at faster frame rates.

The fastest autofocusing, as well as the most comprehensive spread of points across the sensor, is now with mirrorless cameras, while super-fast frame rates of up to 30fps are only really possible thanks to the lack of a mirror. 

Most mirrorless cameras offer articulating or tilting touch-sensitive screens, and although there are several DSLRs which offer the same, you'll now see the best screen technology (and menu systems) on mirrorless cameras. Optical viewfinders were often the preference, but with dramatic advances in EVF technology over the past few years, many people have now switched to electronic 'finders.

8. Mirrorless vs DSLR: Image quality

• Both formats use APS-C and full-frame sensors
• Smaller Micro Four Thirds sensors are mirrorless only

There's nothing to choose here, either. Currently, the highest resolution can be found in a mirrorless camera, the medium format Fujifilm GFX100S , which has a 102MP sensor, closely followed by the Hasselblad X2D 100C at 100MP. Admittedly, those are not cameras many people can afford, although the cheaper Sony A7R V mirrorless camera manages 61MP – still a good 11MP more than the closest DSLR, the Canon EOS 5DS and 5DS R .

It's not just about megapixels, though, because the main factor in image quality is sensor size. With the exception of medium format sensors, full-frame sensors are the biggest and offer the best quality in low light, while cameras with APS-C sensors are competitive on image quality and much cheaper – you can get either of these sensor sizes in both DSLRs and mirrorless cameras.

But the compact system camera market offers smaller formats too. The Micro Four Thirds format used by Panasonic G series and OM System is smaller than APS-C, but so are the cameras and lenses, so you need to weigh up what's most important to you – size or ultimate image quality.

Overall, then, there's no intrinsic image quality advantage in a DSLR, given that the same sensor sizes are available in mirrorless cameras, too.

9. Mirrorless vs DSLR: Battery life

• DSLRs have superior battery life, averaging 800+ shots
• Mirrorless battery life is usually weaker at around 400 shots

Battery life comparisons might not be exciting, but they are important when the differences are as great as this. 

The very affordable Canon EOS Rebel SL3 / EOS 250D DSLR, for example, can take 1,070 shots on a single charge, while the Fujifilm X-T4 mirrorless camera, a much more advanced model, can only shoot 500 photos before the battery expires. This pattern is repeated across the range of DSLRs and mirrorless cameras.

Why's this? DSLR batteries are sometimes larger, though not always, and you might have thought that driving the mirror up and down for each shot would consume more power, and that that LCD display would be used just as much. However, mirrorless cameras also have to power an EVF in most cases as well, and this is why they still have much shorter battery lives.

So, this is one area where DSLRs do often have a substantial practical advantage. If you're somebody that likes to shoot a lot in any given day, then you'll almost certainly need to invest in a second battery, or look for a mirrorless model that offers USB charging, so you can use a power bank while on the go. That isn't too difficult these days, though – most recent mirrorless cameras offer in-camera USB charging.

10. Mirrorless vs DSLR: Price

• Cheaper DSLRs tend to miss out on the latest features
• Entry-level mirrorless cameras are more expensive

You might hope that the simpler design of a compact system camera would make them cheaper to buy, but that's not necessarily the case. If you want a fully-featured, 'proper' camera with a viewfinder for the least money, then a DSLR is still the cheapest option – but it's getting a lot closer between the two.

For example, the 24MP Nikon D3500 DSLR has a great APS-C sensor, an optical viewfinder (of course), decent manual controls and a staggering 1,550-shot battery life.

Its nearest rivals on price include models such as the Sony Alpha A6000 , which packs in an almost identical 24MP APS-C sensor and features a built-in electronic viewfinder. That said, it's only that cheap because it's been superseded. You'll find a comprehensive overview of the best budget cameras in our dedicated round-up.

Once you get into enthusiast and pro market, however, the differences largely disappear – for any given amount of money you get broadly the same features, performance and power. This is borne out by many of the premium entries in our list of the best cameras overall.

Mirrorless vs DSLR verdict

• DSLR cameras offer impressive handling, long battery life and top image quality
• Mirrorless are technically more advanced, and often smaller and lighter

In times gone by it was harder to give a definitive answer in the mirrorless vs DSLR debate. But these days it's becoming increasingly difficult to argue the case for the DSLR. With more and more mirrorless models coming onto the market – and fewer and fewer DSLRs – it's clear which way the future lies.

Mirrorless cameras give you the advantage in many different scenarios. They are generally lighter and smaller their DSLR equivalents – often with smaller and lighter lenses to match, too. They bring a comprehensive, modern feature set, such as superlative AF tracking performance, 4K video recording and IBIS, where DSLRs are now starting to fall behind.

That said, there's still something to be said for DSLRs – and there's still some life in the old dog yet. On the whole, because they're older and lack EVFs, they tend to be a cheaper proposition than mirrorless cameras, and you can pick up some great bargains. 

The trade-off is that you might not get the latest tech, but not every photographer needs it. DSLRs also give you a more comprehensive lens range, at least for the time being. Battery life for mirrorless cameras remains some way behind DSLRs and, while it is improving, nothing yet quite matches what a DSLR is capable of in that respect.

The ergonomics of both high-end DSLRs and high-end mirrorless cameras are fantastic, but it's arguable that cheaper mirrorless cameras aren't quite as pleasurable to use as cheaper DSLRs. This is, though, often down to personal choice and shooting preferences. There's now less to choose between optical and electronic viewfinders, with the latest iterations now being so good that many often prefer them.

If you're already invested in the DSLR system – or perhaps you really do have a strong craving for their shooting style – there's still a little bit of life left in them. We won't write them off completely just yet, but it seems relatively unlikely we'll be seeing many new releases from here. Nikon has already said as much , and other manufacturers like Canon are likely to follow suit.

All in all, it's safe to say that if you're coming to a 'real' camera for the first time, it makes more sense to choose mirrorless now. It's clear that every manufacturer will be pursuing advances in this area much harder than DSLRs, which will be consigned to the history books over the next decade. 

Right now, there's never been more choice – but for most photographers, mirrorless makes the most sense.

• The best mirrorless cameras
• The best DSLR cameras
• The best Canon camera
• The best Nikon camera

Formerly News Editor at Stuff, Chris has rarely been able to resist the bite of the travel bug – so he now writes about tech from the road, in whichever Wi-Fi-equipped café he can find. Fond of coffee kit, classic cars and sustainable gear, if there’s one thing Chris loves more than scribbling, shooting and sharing his way around the world, it’s alliterative triplets.

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I put the Xiaomi 14 Ultra vs iPhone 15 Pro Max through a camera shootout — here’s the winner

How does the iPhone compare to the most ultra of camera phones?

The Xiaomi 14 Ultra is so focused on being a great photography phone, you can also buy an optional accessories kit to make it look and behave more like an actual purpose-built digital camera. But since this is still a £1,300 flagship Android phone, albeit one equipped with a quad rear camera array, it'll still take care of all your phone needs.

Xiaomi's selling the 14 Ultra globally this year, although still not in the U.S. So without the home turf advantage of staying a China-exclusive device, the comparisons against the other best camera phones we've tested are quite relevant. And in particular the phone at the top of our guide - the iPhone 15 Pro Max .

As you'll see below, the Xiaomi 14 Ultra has several impressive on-paper advantages over the iPhone 15 Pro Max, but when you take the two phones out into the real world, things become more complicated. We've got several sample comparisons for you to check out, as well as our opinions on which photos are better, and why, below.

Xiaomi 14 Ultra vs. iPhone 15 Pro Max: Camera Specs

If you ever forget the resolution of one of the cameras on the Xiaomi 14 Ultra, guessing it's 50MP is a fairly safe bet. The phone features four 50MP cameras, serving as main (also used for intermediate 2x shots), ultrawide, 3.2x and 5x telephoto, with a maximum of 120x zoom on offer. These, plus a 32MP front camera, were developed in association with the team at Leica, as the prominent branding on the big round camera block wants to remind you of.

The iPhone 15 Pro Max offers the same maximum optical zoom range, but lacks a second telephoto camera, and maxes out at just 25x zoom. It also lacks resolution in comparison, coming close with its 48MP main camera but lagging behind with its remaining 12MP sensors front and back.

Xiaomi 14 Ultra vs. iPhone 15 Pro Max: Photo samples

Now let's actually see what the cameras of these two phones can produce. For reference, all of the Xiaomi images were taken using the "Leica Vivid" color profile, one of two options you can switch between while in the camera app (the other being Leica Authentic). Otherwise, I used default settings for both phones.

There's immediately a noticeable difference in the colors of this image of Camden Town Underground station, taken with the two phones' main cameras. The whole scene — but especially the station's trademark oxblood tiles — look richer in the Xiaomi image, and it's a touch sharper too when you look at fine details like the mech around the top of the building. 

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The iPhone has a bit more color in the sky though, which makes for a more balanced image but if you want to focus on the tube station, the Xiaomi's the better of the two.

Winner: Xiaomi 14 Ultra

A little down the road at Camden Lock, we see the same color difference. However, the iPhone's image is a fair bit brighter, which brings out the detail in dark areas like the walls along the canal. There's also more contrast between the tree and the water in the iPhone's shot. 

Winner: iPhone 15 Pro Max

It's the iPhone that's brighter when the sun goes down too, as this snapshot of my backyard at night shows. There's still detail to be found in the Xiaomi photo, but it disappears as you look at the darkest parts of the image on the right hand side of the frame. 

Moving now to the ultrawide lens, this shot from the middle of Camden Market Buck Street still shows the Xiaomi image as the more vividly colored. This is particularly visible in the clothes on the stalls and the keychains in the souvenir shop. You can also make out more details in the shadowy areas. 

Now we return to the main camera for the first of our zoom comparisons - a 2x zoom using the main camera sensor. Back at Camden Lock, this image of the tree overhanging the canal is best shown off in the iPhone's brighter image. The Xiaomi's image is still detailed; it just doesn't pop as much. 

Moving to 3x, the Xiaomi can use the first of its two telephoto cameras, while the iPhone has to make do with digital zoom. It's obvious with upon close inspection that the Xiaomi shot is much more detailed in the sign. The iPhone offers a more saturated photo but it's not nearly as sharp. 

At 5x, where both phones can use dedicated zoom lenses, there's not much difference between them. There seems to be a bit more texture to the Xiaomi's photo though, especially in the bricks. 

The Xiaomi's party trick is its 120x zoom range, which I demonstrate above with several images of the Camden Lock bridge. I'm astonished at how good everything looks even at the full 120x magnification, although it took several tries and the support of a nearby streetlamp to steady myself enough to get the shot you see here.

We end the comparisons as always with a selfie portrait. The Xiaomi phone's applied some skin-smoothing beautification to my face, which means it's less accurate to my actual appearance but is perhaps a worthwhile feature to keep enabled for your social media posts' sake. Both phones have done an excellent portrait effect, though I enjoy the iPhone's blurrier default bokeh more. And both have missed the mark with my hair. It's too dark in the Xiaomi image, and too light in the iPhone's in this instance.

Winner: Draw

It was for this that I appreciated the camera accessory kit the most, since it makes it easier to keep a stable grip on the phone when trying to zoom in. Zooming in's also made easier by the camera-style sliding switch, as you don't need to adjust the way you hold the phone like you would if you needed to use the on-screen touch controls.

Verdict 

It's safe to say the Xiaomi 14 Ultra is a very capable camera phone, even without diving into advanced features like its fully adjustable main camera aperture or its in-depth Pro controls for photo and video. Its zoom abilities are astonishing, and the color you get from its images makes the iPhone look drab at points. About the only weakness is how it processes the shadows in its images, something the iPhone has no issue with. Nonetheless, the Xiaomi won this face-off after tallying up the wins, winning or drawing five times compared to the iPhone's four.

Despite the Xiaomi's great showing in this review, I think the iPhone 15 Pro Max is still the better camera phone choice for most users. Other than the lack of availability for American buyers being an issue, the Xiaomi's very expensive, even for a flagship phone. And as phone cameras are primarily meant to be used for point-and-shoot purposes (at least to me), the iPhone still deserves its top spot on our best camera phones guide, along with other flagship phones like the Galaxy S24 Ultra or Pixel 8 Pro, which follow the same philosophy. 

But if you'd rather your phone cater to a deeper enthusiasm for photography, acting more as a pocketable DSLR, the Xiaomi 14 Ultra may satisfy that need better than anything else on sale right now.

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Richard is based in London, covering news, reviews and how-tos for phones, tablets, gaming, and whatever else people need advice on. Following on from his MA in Magazine Journalism at the University of Sheffield, he's also written for WIRED U.K., The Register and Creative Bloq. When not at work, he's likely thinking about how to brew the perfect cup of specialty coffee.

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The Ultimate Guide to Cleaning Your Smartphone

Is your smartphone looking a little worse for wear? It's time to give it a proper clean.

Quick Links

What to avoid when cleaning your smartphone.

• Cleaning Your Smartphone Screen
• Cleaning Your Smartphone Charging or Headphone Jack
• Cleaning Your Smartphone Camera
• Cleaning Your Smartphone Speaker
• Cleaning Your Smartphone Case
• Removing Stickers From Your Smartphone

Key Takeaways

• Avoid using water and harsh chemicals. Stick to gentler cleaning materials like microfiber cloths, rubbing alcohol, or Clorox wipes.
• Be cautious when cleaning ports. Use compressed air, cotton swabs, or toothpicks wrapped in cotton wool to remove debris without causing damage.
• Clean camera lenses with a cotton swab and rubbing alcohol. Use circular motions and avoid pressing down too hard. Compressed air can also be used at a safe distance.

We use our smartphones every day, so it's no surprise that dirt and debris can quickly build up on our screens, cameras, or connection ports. If your smartphone is looking a little grubby, our tips will help you get it back in sparkling condition.

There are a few resources and techniques to avoid when cleaning your smartphone, the most obvious being water. While you can dampen a cloth to clean your phone screen, it's crucial to be careful about applying too much water to your device. After all, water and electronics don't mix.

Additionally, you should avoid using abrasive materials or very harsh chemicals on your smartphone. Your smartphone is made up of fragile materials, especially your camera and screen, so you should limit yourself to gentler cleaning materials and only opt for cleaning products known to be smartphone-safe. Examples of these products include isopropyl or ethyl rubbing alcohol, a small amount of water, or Clorox wipes.

1. Cleaning Your Smartphone Screen

When cleaning your smartphone screen , your best option is a microfiber cloth. Toilet roll, kitchen towels, and similar materials can leave fibrous residue, whereas microfiber cloths are designed to pick up all sorts of dirt and dust.

You can use a few cleaning products to clean your smartphone screen, including a small amount of water, rubbing alcohol, or a disinfectant wipe.

If you're using a microfiber cloth, only apply a small amount of liquid, regardless of whether you're using water or rubbing alcohol. Once a small portion of the cloth is damp, rub it gently in a small circular motion across your phone screen.

You should do this a few times to catch all the dirt, but avoid your smartphone's front-facing speaker and any bezels. After all, you don't want any product seeping into the spaces between your phone's components. Keep your cloth on the screen.

After this, you can wipe your phone with a dry microfiber cloth to remove any residual dust and dirt.

You can use the same process when cleaning the back of your smartphone and rub your microfiber cloth over the camera lenses, but do this very gently to protect the lens glass.

2. Cleaning Your Smartphone Charging or Headphone Jack

When cleaning any connection port, you have to be very careful. If you're not gentle, you can damage your connection ports or leave residue within them.

There are a few ways to clean your smartphone's headphone jack or clean your charging port . Firstly, you could use a can of compressed air to force debris out of the ports. Don't push the compressed air nozzle into any of your ports, as this can very easily cause permanent damage. Instead, hold the nozzle three or four inches away from the port, and apply short bursts of air.

You can also use a cotton swab or a toothpick wrapped in cotton wool to clean your connection ports. However, this can be a little risky. You don't want to leave fibrous residue inside your ports and don't want to force anything that will cause damage. If you don't have a compressed air can, make sure you use a dry cotton swab and do not apply too much pressure to the port.

If there's visible residue nearer the outside of one of your smartphone ports, you can use a toothpick directly to scrape it off, but make sure you're not pushing it in too far.

3. Cleaning Your Smartphone Camera

Your smartphone's camera lenses and flashlight can accrue dust and dirt over time, affecting the quality of your pictures and videos. But cleaning your smartphone camera needs to be done with care and attention.

A cotton swab is the best option for cleaning your smartphone camera, as it can get into the areas a cloth cannot. You can use a dry cotton swab, but consider applying a small amount of rubbing alcohol to the swab for the best results.

Gently rub each camera lens in circular motions, ensuring you do not press down too hard. Don't press down harder if there's a bit of dust or dirt that won't come off. Instead, hold the cotton swab (ideally dabbed in alcohol) over the mark for ten to twenty seconds to see if it helps.

You can also use a compressed air cleaner to force dust and dirt out of your camera lenses but do not hold the can very close to the device. Instead, keep a distance of three or four inches to avoid damage.

4. Cleaning Your Smartphone Speaker

Like your charging ports, you may want to use a compressed air can to gently push debris out of your smartphone speaker. Again, make sure you hold the nozzle three or four inches away from your device before applying the compressed air.

Using any liquid is a bad idea when you're cleaning an interior part of your smartphone, but you could use a toothpick to dislodge debris gently.

You can lightly twist the toothpick to loosen dirt and dust, but ensure you're not applying pressure to the speakers. Only the gaps within your phone's exterior should be cleaned; nothing else. If you don't have a toothpick, you can also use your phone's SIM key.

5. Cleaning Your Smartphone Case

Cleaning your smartphone case doesn't involve contact with any electronic components, so you don't need to be as picky about what you use. If you've got a plastic phone case without a pop socket or stickers, you can consider soaking it in warm, soapy water for an hour or so to allow persistent dirt to disintegrate.

If you don't want to go the soaking route, use a damp rag or disinfectant wipe to give your case a general clean, and then use a water or alcohol-soaked cotton swab to get into the nooks and crannies. If your smartphone case includes a screen protector, use a microfiber cloth dampened with a little water or alcohol to wipe it.

If it's been a long time since you cleaned your case and there's a lot of tough residue, consider using a needle, pen knife, or eyebrow tweezers to dislodge the dirt. Then, you can wipe it off or wash your case with soapy water.

6. Removing Stickers From Your Smartphone

You may have a few decorative stickers on the back of your smartphone you no longer want, but removing stickers can leave a nasty residue that lasts for months.

So, if you want to remove a sticker effectively without damaging your device, you should first place a cloth dampened with warm water over it and hold it there for a short while. This should loosen the sticker's edges up a little so they are ready for removal. To encourage this, you can gently rub the sticker with a damp cloth.

Now, it's time to peel that sticker off. You may be able to do this easily, but chances are some residue will remain. To avoid this, don't peel the sticker off with your fingers alone. Instead, dampen your cloth with some rubbing alcohol or nail polish remover and start pushing the sticker's edges upwards. This should lower the chance of residue sticking to your smartphone. If there is still some residue left over after peeling, reapply some alcohol or nail polish remover, and use a blunt object, such as a credit card or eyebrow tweezers, to pull the rest of it off.

We also have a guide on how to remove stickers from your computer if you've got a laptop or PC that needs a little tidying up.

More From Forbes

New samsung leak reveals important galaxy s24 ultra camera upgrades.

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Samsung's Galaxy S24 Ultra is tipped to receive a major camera upgrade, but you'll have to be ... [+] patient.

Major camera improvements are coming to Samsung’s Galaxy S24 Ultra, according to a new report, but owners of the flagship smartphone will have to be patient.

The information comes from prolific leaker Ice Universe , who claims that Samsung’s imminent March firmware download will include an unexplained “underage mode” as well as other unspecified optimizations. However, the big changes won’t arrive until the subsequent April release, which will include a “major camera update” improving both white balance and telephoto image quality, according to the leaker.

Since replacing the dedicated 10x telephoto lens of the S23 Ultra with a 5x model in the S24 Ultra, albeit with a much higher resolution sensor, Samsung has had a challenging task convincing customers that the long-range zoom quality of previous flagship models can be maintained. Indeed, as Dxomark’s tests reveal , the Galaxy S24 Ultra currently underperforms against the Galaxy S23 Ultra when shooting at the very highest magnifications, despite significant improvements across the rest of the telephoto range.

Ice Universe, too, has previously criticized the S24 Ultra’s rendition of extremely “zoomed-in” photos when compared to images captured with rival flagships such as the OPPO Find X7 Ultra and Xiaomi 14 Ultra.

However, while Samsung can’t now fix any shortcomings inherent in the hardware, tweaks to the camera’s image processing algorithms still offer plenty of scope for significant software-based improvements.

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Some S24 Ultra owners have noticed that the camera currently tends to apply its image processing algorithms in an inconsistent manner where, for example, shots captured at 9.9x zoom can have a markedly different appearance, which some prefer to those shot at 10x. Significant differences in processing have also been shown to occur when text is visible in telephoto images, resulting in the non-textual parts of the picture appearing radically different to when no text is in frame.

These differences in quality are all down to decisions made in software that Samsung could easily improve over time. All will be revealed in the April software update.

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