With every smartphone update, our cameras seem to be increasing in quality. Nowadays, your smartphone camera can capture stunning photos and videos, and it’s easy enough for anyone to learn how to use. However, the question is, are smartphone cameras comparable to DSLR cameras? The answer is complicated.
If you’re creating a video for your business, high-quality content can be made using both cameras. However, they’re both vastly different, and one may be a better fit for the content you’re trying to create than the other.
Let’s take a look at some of the differences between smartphone videography and a DSLR camera:
Sensor Size
One of the biggest differences that you’ll notice between a DSLR and a smartphone camera is the sensor size that they each have. The bigger the sensor, the more light the camera can receive, which means that it will likely take better pictures.
If you’ve ever noticed that your smartphone camera doesn’t take great pictures in poor lighting, that’s because most smartphones have smaller sensors. When you’re working with digital cameras, the sensor size can differ between the camera’s make and model. However, smartphone sensors still remain closer to the bottom of the list when you’re comparing sizes.
A smartphone sensor is typically 20X smaller than a full-frame DSLR sensor, which makes a significant difference.
Aperture
Your aperture refers to the opening through which light enters your camera’s lens. It helps control how dark or bright the image will be, depending on the opening size. Unlike DSLR cameras, you can’t change the aperture that comes with your smartphone.
However, you can adjust how bright the image is on your smartphone by adjusting the ISO and shutter speed and more features can be unlocked by using specific Apps that can allow you to change many other settings.
Camera Lenses
Depending on the photos or videos you’re looking to create, you can usually attain different looks or visual characteristics by switching out your camera lens. When you work with a DSLR camera, you can typically use detachable lenses that can be easily switched out while taking photos or videos. On the other hand, smartphones have in-built lenses that have limited features. Even if you purchase lens accessories for your smartphone, they usually aren’t comparable to the quality you receive from DSLR cameras.
At the end of the day, the camera you choose to use it just a tool. In the hands of a professional, a phone can create commercial quality content. It also can flip the other way in that an unexperienced photographer or videographer shouldn’t expect professional results just because you buy a high-end expensive camera.
Do you have more questions about the differences between smartphone cameras and DSLR cameras? Contact the professional team at Stengel Media! We’ll help you determine the best tools to use for your video goals!
