Should I buy a camera for Disney World or use my iPhone 4S? Camera or iPhone 4S?

[vitani88]

I've been twice and used different iPhones. Neither the iPhone 3gs or the iPhone4 took very good photos in low light.

This year, I'm trying to decide whether to get a camera. I wouldn't get an expensive one.

I have an iPhone 4s this year. My question is, what would be the best option? Get one of these two cameras or stay with the 4s? I'm particularly concerned about getting good pictures in the shows which tend to be low light. Thanks!

 

[Gianna'sPapa]

I've been twice and used different iPhones. Neither the iPhone 3gs or the iPhone4 took very good photos in low light.

This year, I'm trying to decide whether to get a camera. I wouldn't get an expensive one.

I have an iPhone 4s this year. My question is, what would be the best option? Get one of these two cameras or stay with the 4s? I'm particularly concerned about getting good pictures in the shows which tend to be low light. Thanks!

I don't want to be the bearer of bad news, but most small sensor cameras, whether they be Iphone or inexpensive P & S, will struggle in low light. In good light most cameras will give you a good image. If those are your choices, save your money and use the Iphone. You are not going to improve your image with an inexpensive P & S.

 

[YesDear]

While I have a 4s Iphone and think the camera is amazing as a phone camera, it can take decent pictures in normal light, but was not designed for low light.

Get a camera!

 

[traylorc]

I don't want to be the bearer of bad news, but most small sensor cameras, whether they be Iphone or inexpensive P & S, will struggle in low light. In good light most cameras will give you a good image. If those are your choices, save your money and use the Iphone. You are not going to improve your image with an inexpensive P & S.

I wholeheartedly agree... the biggest issue regarding successful low light photography is having the proper tools (i.e. a good camera with the ability to crank up the ISO without significant noise and some fast glass). As Gianna'sPapa mentioned, a inexpensive P&S will struggle with low light situations. Heck, some of the entry to mid level DSLR cameras may struggle with low light situations.

 

[mjallemand]

The iPhone 4/4S makes a decent replacement of a low-end point & shoot, but if you want anything nicer than what a $100 wal-mart digital camera could get you, you're best off getting a real camera.

For me, my iPhone 4 has replaced my Canon point 'n shoot, which I've sold to put towards the purchase of a Fujifilm X10 in the coming months.

 

[PixieDust32]

I love my iphone camera, it really takes great pictures not to mention all the cool apps you can use to create great pictures, and I do take tons of pics with my iphone, however you'll need a regular camera for low light pictures, I always take my regular cameras to trips and specially to Disney.

 

[PixieDust32]

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[PixieDust32]

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[W8n4night]

I have an Blackberry son an Iphone both have a decent camera option and yes occasionally you'll catch a good shot but history has taught me it just won't happen often enough.

No doubt you'll grab shots worth posting to Facebook and emailing to family but in my view that's about it. If that's all you want from your photos you're good to go. This is not to say you need a upper level DSLR and lens options either, it boils down to you determining what you want from your photos.

I went to WDW this Feb and we used a Canon G12 which is perhaps a mid-upper level point and shoot. New model coming out but you can still get one of these for ~ 500.00. A fantastic camera IMO.

We also cart along a Kodak Zx5 waterproof, takes a decent quick pic and does 1080 vid .. but is lame in low light. Upside cheap like crazy.

Having tried it phone only .. for me I just don't get enough photos of a quality I'd print and mount.

 

[PixieDust32]

The iphone4 is 5 megapixel.. the iphone4s is 8 megapixels, way better camera. I used to have a nikon coolpix 4Megapixels (years ago) I took great pics at disney. But I agree for a better quality of prints just use a regular camera.

 

[Gianna'sPapa]

I've been twice and used different iPhones. Neither the iPhone 3gs or the iPhone4 took very good photos in low light.

This year, I'm trying to decide whether to get a camera. I wouldn't get an expensive one.

I have an iPhone 4s this year. My question is, what would be the best option? Get one of these two cameras or stay with the 4s? I'm particularly concerned about getting good pictures in the shows which tend to be low light. Thanks!

The iphone4 is 5 megapixel.. the iphone4s is 8 megapixels, way better camera. I used to have a nikon coolpix 4Megapixels (years ago) I took great pics at disney. But I agree for a better quality of prints just use a regular camera.

I want to go back to what the OP originally stated. Inexpensive camera or Iphone 4s. I don't know what inexpensive camera means to the OP. If it means the $99 special, then stay with the Iphone. If it means $500> for a high end P & S or superzoom then go with the camera. My definition of "not expensive" is the $99 special! After re-reading the OP's opening thread I realized they did not define "not expensive".

 

[PixieDust32]

I want to go back to what the OP originally stated. Inexpensive camera or Iphone 4s. I don't know what inexpensive camera means to the OP. If it means the $99 special, then stay with the Iphone. If it means $500> for a high end P & S or superzoom then go with the camera. My definition of "not expensive" is the $99 special! After re-reading the OP's opening thread I realized they did not define "not expensive".

Make sense. I bought my teen a sony cybershot for 100.00 for christmas, its a great camera, I cant remember the exact model but is not super expensive and its a great great compact camera, lots of cool features.

My iphone wasn't 500 bucks but I get your point, I like my iphone because I guess i love playing with all the apps and instant sharing...

 

[AndreeaScott]

i would recommend getting a camera rather than using your phone. This camera is a really high quality and can shoot in all kind of lighting conditions. Also it really light weight and cheap. This one is selling for 20 dollars!

 

[rtphokie]

While cell phones produce far better photos today than they did just a couple of years ago, none of them, iPhone 4S included (my wife has one) perform very well in low light. Even a sub $100 point an shoot can outperform any cellphone.

Cellphones also cant produce the quick shutter times needed to stop the action that even an inexpensive camera can. The result is blurry shots.

If you are going to be at DisneyWorld in the daylight only and never take photo indoors, you can get away with just a cellphone. But that's probably not how your vacation will be. It's work a few extra $$ and an extra thing to carry for a dedicated camera, even an inexpensive one.

my $.02