ogg
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Post by ogg on Jan 9, 2017 19:38:32 GMT -8
Recently, while sorting some photos of an overnight backpack that I undertook last Oct in Joshua Tree NP, I was pleasantly surprised how well my cell phone camera photos turned out in comparison to the photos from my P&S camera. For reference, my P&S is a 2014 vintage Canon Powershot SX600 with a 16MP CMOS sensor, Digic4+ processor yada-yada, phone is a MOTO G4 8MP, came out last summer, don't know much else about the camera but it has been well rated. Battery life of the MOTO G4 is pretty decent and I already use it while hiking paired with a Delorme InReach for messaging and as a GPS in conjunction with the Earthmate app on the phone. Makes sense to me use the phone as a camera and keep the gadget inventory simpler, ditch the Canon. But then again, I tend to take 40-50 shots per day.
P&S camera sales have declined. Cell phone cameras are getting better. I'm curious, for those that may have switched to using the cell phone as their sole camera on overnight or longer backpacking trips, how it has worked out for you?
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tigger
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Post by tigger on Jan 9, 2017 19:50:11 GMT -8
I have given my P&S cameras to my kids. I use my cell phone camera or my DSLR when backpacking depending on the image. Around camp, for the most part it is just my cell phone. It takes great pics for sharing on Facebook, etc. When I have a scene that looks worthy, I pull out "the beast".
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BigLoad
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Post by BigLoad on Jan 9, 2017 20:40:11 GMT -8
I've used my cellphone camera a little bit on the trail. It doesn't have nearly the capability of my P&S, but despite that, it gets some pretty good images. I'm not ready switch yet, but it's not a crazy idea.
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toejam
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Post by toejam on Jan 10, 2017 6:59:16 GMT -8
My phone is the best camera I own. But I don't have a way to keep it charged on a long trip. I have a friend who carries a solar charger/battery. When I'm convinced those are reliable & worth the weight I'll ditch the P&S.
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ErnieW
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Post by ErnieW on Jan 10, 2017 7:26:20 GMT -8
My phone is the best camera I own. But I don't have a way to keep it charged on a long trip. I have a friend who carries a solar charger/battery. When I'm convinced those are reliable & worth the weight I'll ditch the P&S. I count on my phone as potential emergency communications device and emergency GPS. A lot of the time I carry my phone fully charged, turned off and in a Ziploc freezer bag to make sure I have battery power if I need it. I think there can also be something said for having your phone off on the trail. |
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Post by JRinGeorgia on Jan 10, 2017 7:52:51 GMT -8
I haven't done a real comparison of the quality of the photos from my phone cam vs. my POS. But I perceive/believe that my POS takes better pictures, certainly has more capabilities and indisputably has a larger lens that will capture more light. I take pictures to re-live the glorious experiences and wonderful scenery on the trail and so I want the better camera for that, thus I still use the POS. My base weight is low enough that it isn't a burden.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Jan 10, 2017 10:30:59 GMT -8
I think the use of the photos is a factor to consider when choosing the phone over the P$S.
This past summer, I was able to compare a GPS unit and phone gps. The GPS unit was, surprising, a lot more accurate then the phone.
GPS units now come with a camera.
Typically, where we have been going, the phone function does not work at the trailhead. We do keep the phone in the car.
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sarbar
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Post by sarbar on Jan 10, 2017 13:28:54 GMT -8
About 3 years ago when I had a Nokia Lumia 1020 I quit hauling a camera. I run on a Samsung Note now....and I shoot every photo I take with it. I'm a blogger. I post a lot on Instagram. The cameras are amazing on phones now. I import all my photos onto OneDrive, then I pull into my computer where I can process them. I get asked often what I shoot on, and most are shocked it isn't a fancy camera. The processing is more important to me.
As for the while "the phone doesn't work out in the boonies"? Pffffttt....that's what airplane mode is for ;-) I also use my phone for my mileage tracker (S Health app) and it doesn't need phone connection to work.
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texasbb
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Post by texasbb on Jan 10, 2017 14:36:59 GMT -8
I haven't done a real comparison of the quality of the photos from my phone cam vs. my POS. But I perceive/believe that my POS takes better pictures, certainly has more capabilities and indisputably has a larger lens that will capture more light. I take pictures to re-live the glorious experiences and wonderful scenery on the trail and so I want the better camera for that, thus I still use the POS. My base weight is low enough that it isn't a burden. This post had me thoroughly confused till I realized you meant P&S.  |
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Post by JRinGeorgia on Jan 10, 2017 16:27:15 GMT -8
Hmmm, I thought I have seen POS used to abbreviate point-and-shoot, but you're right that doesn't make sense. P&S it is.
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Post by High Sierra Fan on Jan 11, 2017 2:16:53 GMT -8
But the optical telephoto on my Canon ELPH has vastly more reach than my iPhone 7 Plus.
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texasbb
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Post by texasbb on Jan 11, 2017 7:45:59 GMT -8
Hmmm, I thought I have seen POS used to abbreviate point-and-shoot, but you're right that doesn't make sense. P&S it is. Where I come from, POS means something very different (and it ain't Point Of Sale). |
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davesenesac
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Post by davesenesac on Jan 11, 2017 21:47:46 GMT -8
All many do in this smartphone era is post images on the web and look at images on their computer monitor or TV. For such use a cell phone camera is fine. Thus low to mid quality P&S camera sales have tanked leaving just models at the high end.
Expensive digital cameras as in P&S, DSLR, and mirrorless are for those that intend to sometimes create larger high quality prints.
If one does carry a cell phone outdoors, they ought to figure out how to secure it against DROPPING. Cellphones don't have ways to attach a strap but I was able to drill 2 tiny holes into my 2015 moto g near the SIM card slot compartment through which I threaded 20 pound test monofilament fishing line then tying a small loop that extends outside. To that attached a small metal lanyard clip that connects to a short cord that connects to another clip at the other end that I can attach to zipper pocket pull tabs. Thus when I am at ski resorts on high up on lifts taking out the cellphone, don't have to worry about dropping it onto snow where it is likely to dive unseen down below the snow surface. Likewise hiking around in rocky mountain areas, one drop from chest height on bedrock could be deadly.
David
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Post by High Sierra Fan on Jan 11, 2017 23:02:36 GMT -8
Agreed I leash my cases for outdoor use as well.
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jazzmom
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Post by jazzmom on Jan 12, 2017 5:13:21 GMT -8
I had an old Canon P&S that I've always taken on hikes and it looked like it's been through a war; body is dinged up, shutter cover slightly askew... when it started to become unreliable, I considered not replacing it but, eventually, a great sale came my way and I bought another similar P&S. On the other hand, my son's cell phone died a premature death last month and it turned into an all-out panic getting it replaced, that ended up costing over $600 when all was said and done.
So, for me, I know from experience that I'm rough on cameras on the trail and it's unrealistic to think that my cell phone would survive. I could just pay for cell phone insurance but, even then, it's a huge hassle (IMO) switching to a new phone. I don't mind that the P&S doesn't get used all the time; there's always plenty of memory, I don't stress about battery-life, and a few dings here and there are OK.
Also, while the pictures look the same/comparable on the screen, I think prints of pictures taken on the P&S look a lot better.
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