Are smartphones replacing DLSR cameras for professional use?
Are smartphones replacing DLSR cameras for professional use?
The last few decades can be known as the "technological revolution era." With constant development within the smartphone industry, one of the factors that have reached fascinating heights is the smartphone camera. No one ever imagined that it would be possible to use a smartphone camera for shooting a song, making professional videos, taking portraits, or even developing full-fledged commercials. However, thanks to the continuous development of technology, this has become possible. All it takes are good skills, and you can easily capture pictures and/or videos on a smartphone with the same clarity as a DSLR.
If we compare the current photography trends to the ones that existed 10 years ago, we will notice very prominent differences. For instance, if we talk about the 2010s, all the photography maniacs who liked to capture moments or take their own portraits used to always roam with DSLRs. There was always one cool friend with access to a DSLR who used to make others jealous by taking professional portraits and capturing pictures with higher resolutions. If there were any school parties, any birthdays, or other important events, bringing a DSLR was considered a must. But currently, we will see most people relying on their smartphones to capture every day’s highlights. The trend of carrying your personal DSLR to casual events or daily outings has become almost obsolete.
It is assumed that in the upcoming period, the use of professional DSLRs will be totally replaced with smartphones. But is it true? Let’s check it out!
The battle of megapixels
Primarily, a megapixel is an indication of how large a picture you can capture with your camera. When DSLR cameras first entered the market, they gained immense popularity due to their high-megapixel cameras, which captured up to 48 MP. But having more megapixels is not considered a scale of evaluation anymore. Different advanced smartphones, such as the OPPO Reno8 Pro 5G, come with a rear camera that captures up to 50 MP easily, giving them tough competition with standard DSLRs. However, there is still a difference. The megapixels in a DSLR are more focused on enabling high-quality printing of the images. Smartphone camera pixels, on the other hand, are designed to capture higher HDR capabilities. Thus, we can say that a smartphone camera works even better than a DSLR while capturing highly dynamic ranges, enabling extra-realistic and extra-vivid visuals for the user.
Manual controls
One factor that limited the use of smartphone cameras for professional photography for an indefinite period of time was the lack of manual control and settings. Most of the smartphone cameras used to come with pre-set photo and/or video capture settings, pre-developed modes, and auto-focus light settings, which sometimes created obstacles for the users. However, this is not the case anymore. For instance, the OPPO Find X5 Pro 5G comes with a 4K ultra-night videography mode that enables the users to set the shutter speed, the white balance, ISO, and even the aperture as per their own preferences. Another barrier to the development of professional videos was the lack of RAW file development, as smartphone cameras used to develop files in JPG or PNG form. However, the OPPO Find X5 Pro 5G now enables its users to save the RAW files too, unlocking hundreds of different doors of possibilities for videographers. This is a major upgrade for all serious photographers who are aiming to use their smartphone cameras for professional purposes.
Multiple accessories
Some of the photographers and/or videographers prefer mobile photography as it enables the user to integrate multiple accessories, such as a density filter, a tripod, a remote shutter, etc. These accessories are used for different purposes, but a DSLR camera doesn’t usually come with such flexibility, which restricts its scope significantly. Have you ever imagined being able to capture a 30-second, razor-sharp video with your smartphone camera? This is now also possible, thanks to high-quality smartphone cameras and a wide range of mobile accessories!
Is a DSLR camera phone better?
A DSLR camera phone is one that provides DSLR-level output via a smartphone. There are many aspects in which a DSLR camera phone can be even better than getting a separate camera. Some of the prominent benefits of choosing a smartphone with the best camera phone DSLR quality rather than a professional DSLR are explained below.
1. Mobile phones are easy to carry.
The size and weight of your photography device are very important. If you are a nature photographer who often goes on long hikes or adventures or a travel photographer who is always on the go, the ease of carrying the camera would be extremely important to you. When a smartphone camera is able to give you good results, carrying a separate DSLR camera seems like a waste of energy. Usually, DSLRs are much heavier than smartphones, and it is also highly important to carry them with maximum precaution, as even slight damage can cost you thousands of pounds. Thus, in terms of feasibility, undoubtedly, a DSLR camera phone is a much better choice.
2. It serves multiple functions
When you invest in a DSLR camera, you will only get a camera that will enable you to capture images or videos at maximum quality. However, if you invest efficiently in good phones for photography, you won’t only get a camera, but you will also get a multipurpose smartphone, which will enable you to do so much more. More than 70% of the UK’s population already has access to smartphones, so you won’t be investing in something that you will only take out once in a while; instead, you will be spending money on something much more sustainable.
3. Much more quick
When you capture pictures on a DSLR camera, you will have to wait till you get home to transfer the captured images or videos onto your smartphone or laptop. This process can take hours if you have a large number of images or if the processed files are very large (which is common with videos). Afterwards, you need to separately edit them before sending them to your friends and family. On the other hand, a DSLR camera phone enables you to instantly look up the images and/or videos that you have captured, edit them at the same moment, and share them with your friends and family within the blink of an eye. There is no separate need to transfer the files to some other device first. Just a "click" on the camera, and the picture will be automatically saved, ready for any further editing or sharing.
4. It is much cheaper
As compared to professional DSLR cameras, getting the best budget camera smartphones makes much more financial sense. Despite being multi-purpose, more sustainable, and easy to carry, getting even the best camera phone with DSLR quality is way cheaper. There is so much variety in DSLR cameras, but a decent device can easily cost thousands of pounds. On the other hand, different innovative brands have developed much more pocket-friendly alternatives for their users. One such example is that of OPPO camera phones. These camera phones are highly fascinating, have hundreds of amazing features, and are usually very affordable.
Best Budget camera smartphones
If you are looking for the best camera phone with DSLR quality, then OPPO camera phones are undoubtedly the best choice for you! The top recommendations, which come with outstanding cameras, affordable prices, and unmatched features, are listed below.
OPPO Reno8 Pro 5G
Tagged as the "portrait expert,” the Reno8 Pro 5G comes with a Mari Silicon X NPU processor, an ultra-clear imaging processor enabling extra-clear picture and video quality. The maximum resolution of 4K Ultra HD video results in extra-realistic videos that can also be processed in RAW format.
OPPO Find X5 Pro
The OPPO Find X series is powered by Snapdragon 8 processors, which enable extremely seamless app transitions and highly enhanced camera qualities. The Find X5 Pro also comes with a Mari Silicon X NPU ultra-clear imaging processor, along with a 50MP rear camera, a 50MP ultrawide camera, and a 13MP telephoto camera. A camera with such high megapixels is an effective alternative to standard DSLR cameras, as they also capture mostly up to 50 MP.
OPPO Reno8 5G
The main camera of the OPPO Reno8 5G captures up to 50 MP, and the front camera also reaches up to 32 MP, enabling the user to capture extremely dynamic photos and/or videos. Aside from its DSLR-level mega pixels, the OPPO Reno8 5G's integrated AI technology is what elevates it above a standard DSLR. The smartphone has a variety of intriguing features, including Ultra HDR video, hyper lapse, 960 fps slow motion, ultra-night video, and AI portrait retouching.
Final Remarks
After presenting the above comprehensive guide, it is not wrong to say that smartphones are surely going to replace DSLR cameras in casual or everyday photography and/or videography. Other than this, keeping in mind the average requirements of an individual, getting a DSLR camera phone makes much more sense than getting a personal DSLR camera. Different OPPO camera phones have made their mark in the industry for their unmatched camera quality and integrated AI features, which enable the user to do professional-level photography and videography and much more on the same device. However, despite all this, it is safe to say that even the DSLR camera industry is not going to go totally obsolete. Many professional photographers and/or videographers will still use these cameras to achieve high-end results that are not achievable via a smartphone. But what can we predict about the future? So, I guess we will have to wait and see.