To think a phone is not adequate as your only camera.

[Anyfuckerisnotguilty]

I think we need a new camera dh thinks we should just use our phones, but half the time the photos come our blurry and dark

We both have samsung galaxy phones

My S3 mini takes ok photos but nothing like as good as my Canon DSLR and a decent lens (the "nifty fifty" 50mm 1.8 is my favourite) and I think the photos I have taken of the DC justify the price I paid for all the equipment and lenses.

My phone has a great camera. If I had a separate camera I would forget to use it.

But if you want one, buy one.

Ooh no! I love my camera. Dp bought me it for Xmas last year. Its purple

And besides, my phone is shit.

Nifty fifty + cute child = no price too high

May I politely point out that quick JPEG type photos generated by compacts and phones often DO look instantly better than some alternatives, because these devices process the picture before you see it or save it (contrast and saturation tend to be ramped up). You are therefore looking at a spruced up image before you even begin to edit! Unedited RAW files from DSLRs can look rubbish by comparison.

What about getting the new Nokia Lumia 1020 when you next upgrade? That has a 41 megapixel camera (or something like that ). I never remember to bring a camera anyway and take all photos on my current Nokia Lumia and will be upgrading to the 1020 in a couple of weeks.

Mind you, if you are the type of person who will carry and use a separate camera, I would recommend taking no notice of your DH and buying one (or asking for one for Christmas maybe?)

YANBU.

I've got a galaxy s4. It's ok as a camera. I'm also now using my camera again.

My previous phone, Nokia N8, had a fantastic camera on it and I would have agreed with your dh back then. It took stunning photos, sharp detail even when zoomed in.

Phones are only good for in between.

I really miss having a normal camera for occasions or to capture motion moments with the children.

The trouble with a phone camera is that there is a delayed shutter speed and the moment has gone before you can catch it.

I used to take really good photographs (even if I say so myself!), but since replying on the camera which is always at hand on the phone, my photography has gone seriously downhill.

I say you definitely need a separate camera if you are serious about taking decent, quality, photos to keep.

"I say you definitely need a separate camera if you are serious about taking decent, quality, photos to keep."

Yes, definitely. I work with imagery at work and have, as a result, become quite critical of the quality of my photographs. Even my 8 MP Galaxy S2 photos aren't as good as the ones from my 12MP camera.

The Megapixel Myth

Megapixel Race

Megapixel Lies

Thank you for the links, they are really useful. I will amend my statement to say that basically, my Canon camera takes much better quality photos than my Galaxy S2, especially in low light conditions. Also the 14x zoom on my camera knocks spots off my phone.

My phone is a £9.99 job.

It's definitely not adequate as a camera.

It's barely adequate as a phone....

I have a lovely little Samsung camera that I had for a present.Buy as good a camera as you can but look for the special offers.

Bunbaker I did add any comments to my links, so they look a bit...confrontational, apologies. Are you working with a compact? What about a DSLR?

This is what my DSLR can do. That is why I think it is well worth the expense.

I have a Canon SX220 and am happy with the quality of prints. I am not a photographer, just a happy snapper and don't want an SLR camera because they are too bulky.

I care enough about the quality of images enough to have done a photography course which mainly concentrated on using Photoshop. I did pick up a few useful photography tips though.

God, I can't remember the last time I used my camera camera

I've been happy enough with my run of the mill Android phone for photos. I always have it with me, have used it for birthdays, holidays, days out, school shows, kids putting funny hats on, but my actual camera is very old. Although I don't have high expectations or quality demands of my photos. As long as my 3 aren't tearing the hair out of each other its a good family photo

I have a very good very expensive compact digital camera.

Since I got an iPhone 4 years ago I have barely used it.

They don't sell for very much now so it isn't even worth flogging. I used to have an SLR but I never had it with me so quite honestly I'll stick to the phone and for the odd amazing picture need (mostly related to my hobby) I'll ask people I know with SLRs to oblige.

YANBU remember arguing with a bloke in a phone shop who was determined to sell me this over priced piece of tat with a nasty little camera in it. I'd just bought myself a top of the range digital camera and was saying to him that my 10 megapixel beauty with a good ISO range, fully manual settings and wide angle Leica lens meant I didn't need a camera phone. He was trying to convince me that this poxy 3 megapixel plastic lens automatic piece of crap was better and was worth the extra money

Bollocks to it, I have a handbag, my camera is small enough to carry and is consistently better and more user friendly than any camera phone.

YABU my iPhone 5 camera is brilliant, and I take loads of photos now.

I am a photographer. I only use my pro camera for portraits.

The rest of the time I happily use my iPhone.

If I wasn't a photog I would be more than happy just to have the iPhone camera.

I want a camera. I have a Galaxy S4, and while it has a good camera, I can't zoom in and get a crisp, sharp image. I miss DH's old Nikon D40X.

Yes, I miss not having a zoom on my phone. This year I took some lovely pictures of the baby cheetahs at Chester zoo with my compact camera. Because I could zoom in and because the MP quality was higher. I could crop the images at home and get some lovely pictures without them being marred by fences and other clutter.

I have three cameras (digital compact, SLR, waterproof) plus a smartphone . I nearly always have my compact camera with me in my handbag.

My smartphone isn't as expensive as an iphone and the camera on it is pretty awful, although I'll use it when I don't have anything else with me. My friends with more expensive phones have good quality photos from their smartphones, but don't have as much flexibility with manual settings etc, though for most people that isn't a problem. Personally I really enjoy photography as a hobby so having full control is important to me.

Different tools for different jobs. I carry my tablet (an Asus Memo) everywhere with me, so if a 'moment' happens and I want to record it, I use the camera on there. The quality is great, but the control over aperture and shutter speed isn't. If I'm going out specifically to take photos, I'll take my Canon DSLRs with me, and spend ages setting up the shots. When I'm back in the UK I don't usually take the DSLRs with me (too bulky/heavy to travel with), but use a Kodak compact camera instead - it gives me some control over settings, but not as much as the Canons do. My phone has a camera too, but I can't remember the last time I used it, since I never worked out how to transfer the pics to my computer for editing/sharing.

If you're not a photography hobbyist, and just want decent family pics, I think a compact digital camera is probably the best compromise.

Sony have just brought out this smartphone lens which you can clip on to the front of amy smartphone (Android or iPhone) and it transforms your phone into a proper camera.
Apparently its brilliant for taking group pictures or pictures with yourself in them, because you can sit the lens on a table or similar and use your phone as a remote to take the picture.

I had this problem then found the perfect solution with the Samsung galaxy 4 Zoom... Looks like a phone from the front and a camera from the back with a proper zoom lens and a whole range of fab camera settings. It's perfect and means you don't need to lug a camera and phone around and you can email etc your photos on the spot. Just what I needed S's have just had my first baby and live boring everyone with photos every 5 minutes!!!