DSLR or iPhone? Answer: Sony A6000

[DVC Mike]

So, my next Disney trip is less than a month away, and I've been thinking what camera I should bring:

• Canon EOS 5D Mark III + multiple lenses + MacBook Pro (w/Lightroom)
• iPhone 6 Plus + iPad Air 2 (w/Lightroom Mobile)

I'm leaning toward the latter. I've been using Lightroom Mobile on both my iPhone 6 Plus and iPad Air 2, and I'm pretty impressed. I can't do everything I can do with Lightroom on my Mac, but most of the basic adjustments and presets are there.

I like this comparison between the iPhone 6 Plus vs. Canon 5D Mark III.

No, the iPhone (or any camera phone) is not as good as my 5D Mark III, but I'm just taking photos while on vacation at Walt Disney World, so do I really need to lug my DSLR down?

In the same vein, why would I want to bring down a smaller camera, such as a Canon G7X or Sony RX-100 III? Would it really produce a significantly better photo than my iPhone? I think gear can only get you so far.

Thoughts?

 

[hakepb]

I've really enjoyed your trip reports over the years!

The photographer is the most important aspect of photography. Years ago, you took really nice pictures with a standard Canon point and shoot, and I think the iPhone 6 will do at least that well for your daylight landscape pictures.

Indoor (ie character meets), nighttime or zoom pictures are where the iPhone vs DSLr gap really widens. The RX100 or G7X will get you more of the low light capability you had with the D7000, but the 5DIII is a world above that.

The other issue is the sunlight and how much you enjoy having a viewfinder vs looking at a screen.

You might want to consider a camera connection kit for the iPad (so you can transfer pictures from the 5D to the iPad) and bring the 5D, but possibly leave it in the room unless you get the itch for some dark ride shots.

 

[havoc315]

So, my next Disney trip is less than a month away, and I've been thinking what camera I should bring:

• Canon EOS 5D Mark III + multiple lenses + MacBook Pro (w/Lightroom)
• iPhone 6 Plus + iPad Air 2 (w/Lightroom Mobile)

I'm leaning toward the latter. I've been using Lightroom Mobile on both my iPhone 6 Plus and iPad Air 2, and I'm pretty impressed. I can't do everything I can do with Lightroom on my Mac, but most of the basic adjustments and presets are there.

I like this comparison between the iPhone 6 Plus vs. Canon 5D Mark III.

No, the iPhone (or any camera phone) is not as good as my 5D Mark III, but I'm just taking photos while on vacation at Walt Disney World, so do I really need to lug my DSLR down?

In the same vein, why would I want to bring down a smaller camera, such as a Canon G7X or Sony RX-100 III? Would it really produce a significantly better photo than my iPhone? I think gear can only get you so far.

Thoughts?

Depends on the type of trip you want. If you just want to enjoy freely roaming around Disney World and capture a few snapshots to stick on Facebook, your iphone will be fine.

If you are a photography enthusiast, and you enjoy capturing breath taking images, you want to come back and print a couple large frame-able shots, and/or you want to take pictures of dark rides... Then you want the big gear.

And a camera like the RX100 lets you fall in between. You'll get noticeably better shots than the iphone. In perfect light, you may get some stunning images that can be printed and framed large. And in less than perfect light, you'll still get very good 8X10s. It's a good compromise because it really doesn't weigh you down at all.

Each camera type and size will give a very different vacation experience. I've done Disney with full dSLR and with RX100 (never just with phone). I enjoyed both. More often than not, I don't mind being weighed down -- it's a price that is worth it for me, as a trade off for my hobby. But then there are times when I just want to walk freely, without several pounds of extra weight around my neck and shoulder, just enjoy the moment instead of looking for my next photo opportunity.

 

[xlxo]

Just look at your iPhone images on a computer. Are you happy when you zoom-in?

How are the iPhone images indoors, especially in low-light with no flash?

 

[havoc315]

Just look at your iPhone images on a computer. Are you happy when you zoom-in?

How are the iPhone images indoors, especially in low-light with no flash?

Thing is..... We are still a long way off from an iphone competing with a large sensor camera in terms of IQ.
But on the other hand, the iphone can compete very well with small sensor cameras. And 90% of people are perfectly happy with small sensor cameras.

For people looking for the quick snapshot of the family standing in front of the Castle at noon, that they can then share with their friends on facebook....... An iphone may be a much better tool than a dSLR.

 

[Skywise]

Obviously you know your iPhone will not take as good a picture as your DSLR but it ultimately depends on what you want to use the camera for.

If you're just going for some family photos and fun shots the iphone will probably be fine. I took my iPhone4 to US last year (Because I knew I was going to be on thrill rides and didn't want to carry the DSLR around with me on them.) and did OK. I took some photos of friends and family and they came out about as I expected and grabbed a great video of the wishing fountain (one of those one in a thousand ones) that I might not have gotten with the DSLR (although the quality/angle would've been better) but I really wanted to get some better scenery shots that the iPhone4 just couldn't get no matter how hard I tried.

But don't let me catch you trying to shoot the parades with your iPad!!!

 

[boBQuincy]

So, my next Disney trip is less than a month away, and I've been thinking what camera I should bring:

• Canon EOS 5D Mark III + multiple lenses + MacBook Pro (w/Lightroom)
• iPhone 6 Plus + iPad Air 2 (w/Lightroom Mobile)

I'm leaning toward the latter.

For me, No how, No way, Not gonna' happen! The iPhone has a good P&S camera but it is very limited as a real photographer's tool.

I like this comparison between the iPhone 6 Plus vs. Canon 5D Mark III.

Thoughts?

This article is so full of inconsistencies, falsehoods, and just plain BS that it is almost humorous. The author knows nothing about batteries and most of the comparisons are silly. Plus, when someone refers to "tons" of connectivity it is time to quit reading.

If you are happy with iPhone photos (and I have one, use it, and like it, just not as my main camera) then I would say take it. Those are my thoughts.

 

[Groucho]

Hmm... talk about opposite ends of the spectrum.

I'm with Bob, I would never consider a cell phone camera. It's no different than using a disposable camera back in the day - except that a disposable camera usually had the same "sensor" (35mm film!) as the high-end SLR.

Probably something in the middle is better. Even a cheap PnS will easily whomp any cellphone and give the advantage of zoom, more manageable storage, vastly superior ergonomics, better UI, and there are plenty with wifi if you really need to "social media" your photo instantly, or an EyeFi or similar card if yours doesn't support it. You don't NEED to take one of the biggest DSLRs that uses some of the biggest lenses.

On our next trip, I'll be using my usual DSLR and tons of lenses, and my wife has decided to use our Pentax Q instead of her small-ish DSLR - you lose some image quality but have pretty much all the power of a DSLR (including raw photos) in a tiny camera with tiny interchangeable lenses, and we'll probably end up putting our EyeFi card in it for any social sharing she wants to do.

 

[fla4fun]

I take both on the trip, but I don't carry the DSLR to the parks unless I know I plan to be taking photos. For example, if I have a couple MK days planned, and I want some ride photos, I will do those one day with the DSLR, and the other day I will go without it. Or when I go to the F&G festival at Epcot in the spring, the first day I will take the DSLR and photograph everything, and the other Epcot days I won't.

So long as you are happy with your phone photos, that is all that matters.

 

[bob100]

I take both on the trip, but I don't carry the DSLR to the parks unless I know I plan to be taking photos. For example, if I have a couple MK days planned, and I want some ride photos, I will do those one day with the DSLR, and the other day I will go without it. Or when I go to the F&G festival at Epcot in the spring, the first day I will take the DSLR and photograph everything, and the other Epcot days I won't.

So long as you are happy with your phone photos, that is all that matters.

^^ good strategy

 

[HPS3]

I agree with bringing your camera and lenses and picking which days you want to haul them to the parks. I am headed there next Friday and will mainly be using my Fuji X-E2 and 23 f1.4.

 

[Animagic!]

this comparison between the iPhone 6 Plus vs. Canon 5D Mark III[/B].

This comparison is an exceedingly poor example of a legitimate camera comparison. It was actually painful to read. I thought the author was trolling at first and the whole article was a joke.

Truth be told, if you own and shoot with a $3500 camera and you can't tell the difference between using a professional camera and a feature on your cell phone then you probably don't need a $3500 camera. It's just that simple.


I think if you agree with the article then by all means, leave the Canon at home.

However I am puzzled as to why a person who owns and shoots with a professional camera doesn't know whether or not they'd like using it at WDW. I'd think if it's the camera that you use then only you could answer that question. Only you know if you want to carry around a DSLR. Only you know if a cell phone feature is better to you than a professional camera.

Yes, a RX100 is a SIGNIFICANT improvement over an iPhone. It's better in every way imaginable other than being as thin as a cell phone. Of course, the 5D Mark III is way better than just about every other consumer camera on the market so if image quality is any concern to you at all... use ANY camera (not phone) by any maker and you'll beat the iphone 6.

However since you're trading in a 5D Mark III for a cell phone I am going to assume photo quality is of no concern to you in your choice of CAMERA. (Ironic, isn't it?)

Bottom line... if sensor size, form factor, interchangeable lenses, basic camera settings, basic camera controls, storage space, and image quality mean nothing to you then go for the iPhone. If the ability to change camera settings, controls, image quality, or photography in general hold any value to you at all then use your Canon.

 

[DVC Mike]

No, the iPhone (or any camera phone) is not as good as my 5D Mark III, but I'm just taking photos while on vacation at Walt Disney World, so do I really need to lug my DSLR down?

In the same vein, why would I want to bring down a smaller camera, such as a Canon G7X or Sony RX-100 III? Would it really produce a significantly better photo than my iPhone?

This was my question.

Depends on the type of trip you want. If you just want to enjoy freely roaming around Disney World and capture a few snapshots to stick on Facebook, your iphone will be fine.

If you are a photography enthusiast, and you enjoy capturing breath taking images, you want to come back and print a couple large frame-able shots, and/or you want to take pictures of dark rides... Then you want the big gear.

And a camera like the RX100 lets you fall in between. You'll get noticeably better shots than the iphone. In perfect light, you may get some stunning images that can be printed and framed large. And in less than perfect light, you'll still get very good 8X10s. It's a good compromise because it really doesn't weigh you down at all.

Each camera type and size will give a very different vacation experience. I've done Disney with full dSLR and with RX100 (never just with phone). I enjoyed both. More often than not, I don't mind being weighed down -- it's a price that is worth it for me, as a trade off for my hobby. But then there are times when I just want to walk freely, without several pounds of extra weight around my neck and shoulder, just enjoy the moment instead of looking for my next photo opportunity.

You've captured my thoughts. Hmm, I think an in-between camera is what I need.

Obviously you know your iPhone will not take as good a picture as your DSLR but it ultimately depends on what you want to use the camera for.

Exactly!

Probably something in the middle is better. Even a cheap PnS will easily whomp any cellphone and give the advantage of zoom, more manageable storage, vastly superior ergonomics, better UI, and there are plenty with wifi if you really need to "social media" your photo instantly, or an EyeFi or similar card if yours doesn't support it. You don't NEED to take one of the biggest DSLRs that uses some of the biggest lenses.

Another vote for something in between.

Truth be told, if you own and shoot with a $3500 camera and you can't tell the difference between using a professional camera and a feature on your cell phone then you probably don't need a $3500 camera. It's just that simple.

I didn’t ask what the best camera is.

Yes, if I were shooting WDW for a layout for a magazine, I’d bring the 5DM3. If I were shooting a wedding at WDW, I’d bring the 5DM3. Of course, I’d bring the best tool I have for something that important.

I have a slew of DSLR gear: Canon 5DM3, EF 24-105 f/4L, EF 17-40 F4L, EF 70-200 f/4L, EF 100 F/2.8L, Speedlite 600EX-RT (3), ST-E3-RT, RRS carbon fiber tripod, C-Stands, light stands, studio strobes (4), rectangular/octa/strip soft boxes, beauty dishes, diffusers, reflectors, umbrellas, etc.

However, if I’m just going on vacation to WDW, do I really need to lug along a lot of heavy gear, or will something smaller do? Especially since all I’m doing is just posting small JPEGs (1024 pixels long) on the DIS, Flickr or Facebook?

However since you're trading in a 5D Mark III for a cell phone I am going to assume photo quality is of no concern to you in your choice of CAMERA. (Ironic, isn't it?

Again, if I’m just posting vacation shots of WDW, I think in many cases an iPhone 6 Plus would do just fine. Most people won’t look at a pretty photo of WDW on the web and respond with a comment about how there’s too much noise or the corners don’t seem that sharp.

During most of my many trips to WDW, I’ve lugged along a Canon or Nikon DSLR and a bunch of lenses. One time, I brought just a Canon PowerShot S120, and while it took great snapshots, I felt constrained from a creative aspect.

After thinking about that experience, I don’t think the iPhone is going to be enough for me. However, I still don’t want to lug around a bunch of heavy and expensive gear on vacation.

So, I’ve decided I need something in between the iPhone and 5DM3. I looked at the Sony RX100 iii, but while it is a great camera, I still want to be able to use a selection of lenses and have a few more buttons so I’m not digging through the menus.

I’ve decided the answer (for me) is a Sony A6000 with a 10-18mm f/4 OSS and 35/mm f/1.8 OSS prime. The 24 megapixel APS-C sensor with hybrid AF in such a small package (at least compared to my Canon 5DM3) looks perfect for my WDW vacations.