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You're definitely going to get a better shot from a f/1.8 lens in low light than a cellphone camera, even vs night mode on iPhone. If you just set it on a stabl

You're definitely going to get a better shot from a f/1.8 lens in low light than a cellphone camera, even vs night mode on iPhone. If you just set it on a stable surface you can take exposures >10" and have it come out crystal clear. (Or carry a gorrilapod)

Griffinsauce 5y ago
This is amazingly far away from the point that point-and-shoots are terrible at their job compared to smartphones.
- alistairSH 5y ago
  That statement is completely dependent on what you think the job of the camera is. A high-quality P&S (like the Sony RX, Fuji X100, or Ricoh GR) is going to outperform a phone camera in just about any edge-case (low light, motion, natural bokeh). Even more so if you shoot raw. Somebody said it best in a sibling comment - a high-end camera is a tool, like canvas and brush, and you need to know how to use it, practice with it, and get in the zone when using it. Nobody is arguing that cell phone cameras aren't amazing. They are, no question. And they're almost always in your pocket/purse, so even better. They're great for generic snaps of life. But there are things they simply can't do - wildlife photography and outdoor sports (not enough zoom), low light - toddlers playing inside or indoor sports (sensor too small, stacking exposures with night mode doesn't work with fast moving subjects), natural feeling bokeh (portrait mode has some odd edge cases). If you don't care about any of those, then a cell phone camera is likely all you need. If you do care about those, then a high-end super zoom, mirrorless, or DSLR is going to make a massive difference.
astrange 5y ago
An f/1.8 lens never comes out crystal clear if you want the entire scene to be in focus. Though since you mentioned long exposures you probably meant closing it to f/4+, but then it doesn't matter what the top spec is.
- kenneth 5y ago
  I didn't mean the entire image would be in focus, just that your subject would be clear. A faster aperture will let in more light, so you will not need as long an exposure to get the same amount of detail. It can make a meaningful difference in low light shots. Adjust your aperture to get the appropriate amount of bokeh, of course; but generally I prefer as wide an aperture as possible in most situations, as long as the focus is appropriate.

Griffinsauce 5y ago

This is amazingly far away from the point that point-and-shoots are terrible at their job compared to smartphones.

alistairSH 5y ago
That statement is completely dependent on what you think the job of the camera is. A high-quality P&S (like the Sony RX, Fuji X100, or Ricoh GR) is going to outperform a phone camera in just about any edge-case (low light, motion, natural bokeh). Even more so if you shoot raw. Somebody said it best in a sibling comment - a high-end camera is a tool, like canvas and brush, and you need to know how to use it, practice with it, and get in the zone when using it. Nobody is arguing that cell phone cameras aren't amazing. They are, no question. And they're almost always in your pocket/purse, so even better. They're great for generic snaps of life. But there are things they simply can't do - wildlife photography and outdoor sports (not enough zoom), low light - toddlers playing inside or indoor sports (sensor too small, stacking exposures with night mode doesn't work with fast moving subjects), natural feeling bokeh (portrait mode has some odd edge cases). If you don't care about any of those, then a cell phone camera is likely all you need. If you do care about those, then a high-end super zoom, mirrorless, or DSLR is going to make a massive difference.

astrange 5y ago

An f/1.8 lens never comes out crystal clear if you want the entire scene to be in focus. Though since you mentioned long exposures you probably meant closing it to f/4+, but then it doesn't matter what the top spec is.

kenneth 5y ago
I didn't mean the entire image would be in focus, just that your subject would be clear. A faster aperture will let in more light, so you will not need as long an exposure to get the same amount of detail. It can make a meaningful difference in low light shots. Adjust your aperture to get the appropriate amount of bokeh, of course; but generally I prefer as wide an aperture as possible in most situations, as long as the focus is appropriate.