Need a camera when have a smartphone?

[ljca79]

We will have Memory Maker and we have good cameras on our smartphones. Do I need to take a separate camera? Seems like overkill. Since we have little ones, we will be back in the room midday for charging.

 

[lauradis]

Not unless you like taking pictures with your camera better

 

[AllieBoo]

On our last trip, I only took my cell phone and did get some good pictures - but we recently bought a new DSLR camera and I am thinking I am going to take it on our trip in June. I don't usually do memory maker though. If you think your cell phone takes as good a photo as your cell phone does and you will have Memory maker, I probably wouldn't bother.

 

[smitch425]

I used my iPhone 5s for pics last trip, and while many were good, I regretted not using my actual camera more often. I will not make that mistake this year. We also get MM, but they don't capture all of the random magical moments.

 

[BuzzLiteyear]

I took a lot of pictures with my iPhone 6+ and they turned out great. That being said, I always take another camera (super zoom or DSLR) with me. There are just some shots my iPhone can't get.

 

[xlxo]

Some thoughts...

• take an outdoor picture with your phone, take an outdoor picture with your camera. Put both files on a computer.... which looks better?
• take a low light picture with your phone, take a low light picture with your camera. Put both files on a computer.... which looks better?
• it really depends on which phone you have and which camera you have. How important is image quality to you?
• Is the flash strong enough for that group shot? Is the flash uneven?
• How fast can the phone autofocus?
• Are you willing to hand over your phone to a stranger for a picture? Is your phone backed up?
• Do you plan to be packing a selfie stick? Do they allow selfie sticks?
• Is your phone going to have a dead battery halfway through the day?
• Is optical zoom important to you?
• Is convenience and portability more important?
• Love my Nikon DSLR...
  
• you can always stop by a camera store to get the get the latest Nikon DSLR when your phone battery dies halfway through the day.

 

[Maleficent Dragon]

It depends on if you are taking pictures for social media or scrapbooks. Quality is the biggest difference. Also, if you take a lot of pictures, like many of us do on vacation, even with a Mophie (or equivalent), your phone battery will drain fast, especially with it always searching for a signal in the parks.

 

[SplashMo]

You should bring a nice P&S camera for photos. A SONY RX100 (first version) is in the 3-$400 range. For less the SONY WX80 at about $150.00. The thing with a smartphone is that they are wide angle. So the subject must be close to you if you want the subject to be big. SO taking pictures of tings far away makes them look very small with a phone camera. With a real camera you can see take up much more of the frame....

 

[fla4fun]

I use both. I take the DSLR on days when I know I will want better photos (such as going on the safari at AK), but on days when I'm not planning to be taking a lot of photos, I leave the camera behind and travel light.

 

[momof2n2]

What is it you want to do with the photos? If it's just share online, you will likely be satisfied with your phone. If you want to blow them up to over-the-fireplace sizing, a true camera is likely in order.

 

[ConnieB]

If battery lasting is an issue, just take along a power stick....you can get them for about $10. Many different styles, but I like the ones that are about the size of a lipstick because it fits into your pocket without bulk. The one we have will charge a nearly dead phone at least twice. There are charging stations around the parks, but then you have to leave your phone (or stand around and wait). Doing all the obvious things, like turning off certain apps or settings, to conserve power will also help.

And if you're going to use your phone for photos, be sure that you have the largest SD card your phone can handle, and that you transfer everything off it each night.

 

[Robo]

Is your phone going to have a dead battery halfway through the day?

you can always stop by a camera store to get the get the latest Nikon DSLR when your phone battery dies halfway through the day.

Not if you go to Walmart before the trip and spend $12 for a pocket phone recharging unit.

 

[goofyintoronto]

I dont bother with cameras anymore. Unless you have a DSLR camera, (which I dont), its not worth it. I just use my smartphone, it takes pretty awesome pictures for what I need it for.

Since you have a MM, I honestly wouldnt bother. Keep in mind DSLR cameras arent light!

 

[fla4fun]

Keep in mind DSLR cameras arent light!

It depends on the camera and lens. I bought the Canon SL1 specifically because it was the smallest and most lightweight DSLR available. With my heaviest lens, it weighs the same as the super zoom point and shoot I used to carry. Most days I have either the kit or pancake lens on it at Disney, and it's so light I forget I'm wearing it. But not everyone needs a DLSR to get photos that are better than phone photos. You can get a good quality, light weight point and shoot with a good optical zoom without paying a lot of money, but the difference in the photos will be easy to see. Most phone cameras employ digital zoom instead of optical zoom, and that really affects the quality of your photos.

I don't think everyone needs a separate camera. I agree that if you are only sharing photos online, you can get away with the phone camera most of the time. But there are things a real camera can do that the phone cameras just aren't quite able to yet.

 

[MKMomma]

My phone is enough. It takes great photos.

 

[sharona]

It really depends on how picky you are about the quality of the photos, if you're happy with your cell phone pics then no need to bring a camera. IMO, there is no comparison between cell phone pics and what a "good" camera can produce.

 

[mshanson3121]

In-phone cameras will never compare to a real camera. Yup, they're good, but they're limited. However, for the average person, they're fine. But to a photographer, no way, lol. I'll be taking my camera because I want real photography of Disney. If I was just concerned with snapshots, then I would just take my phone, for sure.

 

[mshanson3121]

Some thoughts...

• Is your phone going to have a dead battery halfway through the day?
• you can always stop by a camera store to get the get the latest Nikon DSLR when your phone battery dies halfway through the day.

^^^THIS. Your phone will never last through an entire day at Disney without having to charge it somewhere. A good DSLR battery will, especially if you invest in a battery pack.

 

[nat8199]

I take both and use both. I take my DSLR because I enjoy taking pictures with it. I, my DH, and both my ILs will also be using iphone of various models to take a bunch more pictures.

 

[Robo]

Your phone will never last through an entire day at Disney without having to charge it somewhere.

Unless you go to Walmart before the trip and spend $12 for a pocket phone recharging unit.