Ayup! I’m trying my hardest to stick with iPhone photography for the foreseeable future. That said, I’m constantly weighing up the pros and cons against a mirrorless camera.
It’s a mental battle I fight almost every day. To boil it down to the cold, hard facts, I thought I’d write this post for my future self (and anyone else facing this completely unacceptable first-world dilemma).
Pros – Reasons to stick with iPhone Photography
- It’s free
- It’s the camera that’s always with you
- Wider range of focal lengths than a prime lens
- The tech is (hopefully) about to get really exciting
- ProRAW & Lightroom B&W Profiles: Solid stack
- Oversharpening/processing might be coming to an end
Money is a big deciding factor here. When I say using an iPhone is free, I mean I’d own it anyway, even if I wasn’t using it for photography. Therefore, no extra gear purchases are required.
Right now, I’m trying to be a little more sensible with money. A camera is a nice-to-have, not a must-have.
If I went down that route, though, I’d likely pair it with a prime lens of some description. In contrast, the iPhone offers much more flexibility, with the 0.5x (13mm), 1x (24mm), and 2x (48mm) all being perfectly usable in the right conditions.
Development in the iPhone’s camera tech has been a little stale since the 13/14. Not that much has really changed in terms of image quality. Over the next few years, though, things will need to evolve for Apple to keep up with their competitors. Sensor size is a big factor, and Apple isn’t winning the race. Far from it.
Lastly, in my quest for natural-looking iPhone photos, my ProRAW and Lightroom profile stack is working a treat. Stunning results! Furthermore, guess who Apple just hired? Only the co-founder of Lux Optics, Sebastiaan de With.
This is particularly interesting. The internet is awash with folks complaining about the iPhone’s over-processing and sharpening. Lux made Halide, and Halide made Process Zero, which fully removes any AI and/or computational voodoo. Maybe, just maybe, we’ll eventually see less processing (or an option to turn it off) in the native camera.
For me, the decision to use an iPhone for street photography and fine art isn’t about chasing the absolute best image quality. It’s about using a tool that fits my process. The iPhone’s strengths—low profile, lightweight, always with me, no extra gear to mess with—align perfectly with the way I shoot.
Cons – Reasons to Use a Beautiful Mirrorless Camera Instead
- Better quality (if you look close enough)
- It just feels more like actual photography
Oh yes! Now we’re talking. Nope! Nope, no, stop it. Oh, go on then. No harm in just thinking about it. Honestly, I was expecting this list to be the longest of the two, but that’s all I’ve got. Still plenty to balance things out, though.
Firstly, we can’t compare the pros and cons of iPhone photography without mentioning image quality. The thing is, photos have become a little too sharp for most people’s tastes, no matter what you use.
In most cases, a mirrorless camera of any description will outperform an iPhone. Make that a full-frame mirrorless, and it’s not even close. But who’s even noticing? When you post photos on social media, it’s nearly impossible for most folks to tell whether you used a phone or a camera. That said, you, the photographer, will be astutely aware of the difference.
When it comes to prints, a mirrorless camera will usually produce far superior results. Far superior? Maybe just superior. I recently had some prints made from some of my iPhone photos. The quality was way better than expected.
Rounding out this comparison, there’s no denying that a dedicated, weighty camera/lens combo just feels way more serious. It’s a mindset thing, I guess. Does it matter? Not one bit. But that doesn’t make it any less of a deciding factor.
Can you call yourself a photographer if you don’t even own a real camera? The jury’s out on that one.
iPhone photos can look incredible when viewed from the small screen of a smartphone or tablet, but blow them up to A4, A3 or larger, and you can really see the difference compared to a full-frame camera.
Stick With the iPhone (Get a Camera)
Writing this post has done absolutely nothing to quieten the relentless to-and-froing. I’m more than happy with the results I’m getting from the iPhone at the moment. I’m the kind of person who likes to go all-in, but I also get bored easily.
With that in mind, I have zero doubt I’ll eventually cave. What I need to work on is the severity of it all. I really wish I hadn’t sold my beloved X-T2 and a7C II. As soon as my business enters a quiet spell (happens at least once per year), I panic and sell. Usually, I tell myself I shouldn’t have bought them in the first place.
One of my ideal plans is to buy these two beauties again. It’d be nice to move away from the all-in approach. Note to self: You can use (and enjoy using) different cameras and brands at the same time, you know.
Sounds like I’ve already talked myself into it. Don’t you dare! Well, that’s just tempting me further…