iPhone VS. Traditional Camera: What the Experts Say

Over spring break, I travelled to Boston in order to participate in an a cappella competition.  On my downtime, I explored the city with my Dad, taking pictures at almost every location.  But I did not do so with a standard camera--  instead, I used my iPhone 5S to snap said pictures.

But are they up to snuff?

In late 2013, Sean Captain, a writer for a technology magazine called Tom's Guide, published an article about the growing use and popularity of smartphone cameras in relation to their ability to shoot quality photos.  He discusses how, in the beginning stages of Apple's iPhone development, "The first three iPhone models (original, 3G and 3GS) had abysmal cameras that, ironically, may have jump-started the photo-app craze."  The ability to quickly point, shoot, store, and share photos outweighed the quality. 

However, in 2010, Captain mentions Apple's advancements in quality that put it on the map with other high-end cameras.  The introduction of a sensor into the iPhone 4 which included  "just-emerging technology called (unfortunately) backside illumination" propelled the iPhone into photographic stardom.  "This tech moves a lot of the wiring to the back of the sensor where it won't block light from reaching the pixels in the front."  This technology was developed in the newest iteration of the iPhone via the "True Tone flash" feature, which "mi[xes] the light from two LEDs — one white and one amber...[and] match[es] the lighting in any environment, complementing rather than contrasting with it." 

In comparison to real cameras, iPhone also made advancements in its high-speed capabilities.  Captain describes the iPhone's ability to shoot 10 photos per second, saying that "The iPhone analyzes burst[s] of images and picks the best one to use as the final photograph. Sony pioneered similar technology several years ago in its Cybershot point-and-shoot cameras and then expanded out to higher-end models, such as its NEX Mirrorless cameras. That was a killer feature that point-and-shoots had over smartphone cameras. Not anymore."  Clearly, Apple was gaining on the competition.


So, in all, what makes the difference?  Portability?  Quality?  Price?  Tradition?

This is a photo of the view from the Performing Arts Theater at the Berklee College of Music in Boston. I shot this photo with my iPhone 5S.  You decide, America.