Which Camera Do I Choose? DSLR vs. Smartphone

Wondering whether your smartphone is sufficient or if you need to splurge on a DSLR? A friend of mine came to me with this question recently and I’m not one who will tell someone they need the latest and greatest gear if they really don’t. There isn’t a one-size-fits-all kind of answer to this question, so I asked her a few questions of my own because whether or not you need a DSLR depends on a few different factors…

Here are 4 questions to ask yourself when deciding between a DSLR and Smartphone:

1 | What do I want to photograph?

Some subjects lean themselves toward requiring a DSLR camera and various lenses. Some of those subjects are portraits, wildlife, night photography (astro photography), among others. Photos like the one shown below can’t be done with just a smartphone. I suggest browsing sites like 500px and look at the photographs you’re drawn to. Take note of what camera and lenses are used by looking at the photo’s EXIF data (camera/lens details, aperture, shutter speed, etc.). Keep in mind many of the photographers who contribute to these sites are professionals, so they will often have upgraded photo gear, but it’ll give you an idea of what you might want to shoot for in the future.

Nikon D7000 | Composite 2 Images | 55-300mm lens

On the other hand, if you’re wanting to photograph your kiddos, family gatherings, work/public events, or even landscapes and travel, you can do all that with just a smartphone. Smartphone technology has advanced so much in recent years that’s it’s practically eliminated the need for a DSLR for those who don’t necessarily want to go pro. You can take quality photos with just your smartphone and some editing apps. For instance, the photos below were shot with my iPhone 7+ and edited in Snapseed.

iPhone 7+ | Edited in Snapseed

2 | Do I want to have full control over creativity?

If you want to be in full control over the creative process, then a DSLR is the way to go. When you’re able to adjust settings (Aperture, Shutter Speed, and ISO), you can do so much more to express your artistic vision. Add on the ability to swap out lenses and the possibilities are limitless. Take for instance the photo below. I shot this photo using a Lensbaby lens, which is my favorite type of lens for when I want to get creative with my photography. The creamy blur around the rose is possible because of the Lensbaby lens on my DSLR.

Nikon D7000 | Lensbaby Edge 80 + Macro | f/2.8 | 1/100 sec. | ISO 800

Now if you’re looking for a more simple approach to photography and want the camera to do most of the work, then a smartphone might just be perfect for you. There are a lot of opportunities with things like composition and editing to express your creative vision. Plus, you can’t beat the convenience of being able to shoot, edit, and share from one device.

3 | Do I want to do this professionally?

One caveat to the above advice is if you want to do this professionally. If the answer is yes, I would highly recommend the DSLR. You owe it to your future clients to invest in your equipment. But that doesn’t mean you have to go out and buy the most expensive gear either. Which leads me to my fourth question…

Nikon D7000 | 50mm lens | f/8 | 1/100 sec | ISO 400 | Composite in Photoshop

4 | What can I afford?

All of this leads to my final question, what can you afford? Entry-level cameras and equipment exist for a reason, and they can create some great quality images, too! There’s no need to buy a bunch of fancy gear if you don’t need it. Because remember, with a DSLR comes lenses and software expenses, too.

My final thoughts

Before purchasing any kind of photo gear, research what type of equipment your favorite photographers use. If you want to create photos like theirs, then that will give you an idea of what kind of gear you’ll need. But don’t get caught up in the idea that you need the latest and greatest gear to create great photos!

For more on this subject, check out my blog post, “The single most important thing to know when starting out…”

I hope this helps! Do you have thoughts on the subject? Drop a comment below and join the conversation.