A recent
article in Business Week points out that digital camera sales are declining
while the numbers for smartphones continue to surge. One obvious conclusion
that can be taken from this is many people are deciding their phones are all
that they need for pictures. For many people, a phone can be a smart choice.
You give up little compared with a digital point-and-shoot camera.
Pixels
o It
used to be that cell phones only took low-resolution pictures, but now they can
rival just about any point-and-shoot digital camera. Several phones offer
16-megapixel cameras. One megapixel is plenty for snapshots to post on the web.
Seven megapixels are plenty to print an 8-by-10 photo, but few people do that.
So just about any current phone model -- whether it is a smartphone or not --
will have more than enough resolution for the average user.
Not Just Megapixels
o While
a cell phone camera can have plenty of resolution for most users, there is more
to taking a good picture than just the number of pixels. The size and quality
of the lens will determine how much light can be captured and how much
distortion you get in the image. Some phone camera lenses are like fish eyes
and cause the edges of the scene to curve noticeably, but others can take
excellent pictures. For low-light settings, a phone with a flash will take
better photos. So before you choose a phone, check the image quality of the
pictures it takes.
Making Movies
o Short
video clips are rapidly becoming popular as they show more interaction with the
subject than a snapshot. Most new digital cameras can also take movies, and in
high definition. Many people don't realize that some cell phones can also take
movies, and some even can make them in 1080p high definition. So you really
don't have to give up anything by using a phone instead of a digital camera.
Convenience
o The
best camera is the one that you have with you. A digital camera might have some
advantages, but you have to remember to bring the camera in the first place.
Most cell phones are good enough for most people's photography needs, and they
are also the device owners are most likely to have with them when they want to
take a picture or movie. Add to this the fact that many smartphones can now
automatically upload your photos when you take them, which can save you time if
you want to share them with others by email or social networks.
