Who needs a DSLR when Phone cameras are this good.

Discussion in 'Other video capable digital still cameras' started by Jonathan James Harrison, Feb 8, 2012.



  1. The above video was shot on the Iphone 4s

    The best digital video camera 10 years ago was probably a standard definition interlaced sony digibeta that would set you back $50,000.
    Today a phone can shoot 1080p in 3D with solidstate recording, wireless digital publishing to youtube which has a global audience.
    I need a smartphone anyway so in effect it costs me nothing.
    If we've seen this much change in such little time and you believe in moores law of exponential computing power then what on earth are we gonna be using in another 10 years or even 5 or 3?
    I don't think my real eyes are capable of seeing detail above well compressed 4k.

    Shallow DOF can be added with letus type adapters.

    So what is next from a technical point of view? or are camera phones the final destination?

    By the way I've just sold my 550D
    Michael R. Gibson likes this.
  2. Terra I'm new!

    Depends on your market. For average consumers, camera phones will eventually do just about everything they could possibly want and more. For professionals, phones are too much of a rigging and ergonomics nightmare to really consider. Going through that display to access all of your functions is kind of a pain. Buttons are nice. Then again, people said the same thing when DSLRs became popular, so who knows?
  3. Kim Brown Not quite so new!

    Nice video, but I would never depend on an iPhone or an equivalent to film with for clients, unless of course they understand the medium. But that being said, I do love shooting with mine :).
  4. Tim Kossow Chatty!

    There will always be newer, more technologically advanced ways to tell stories. With 3D I think we're actually going back a little into the direction of the 'cinema of attractions'. People are paying a lot of money to see 3D. I guess, like we see it right now, professionals and semi-professionals will use these techniques until they are adapted into mainstream culture (like the iPhone). New technologies are always expensive at first. That's why people, who are willing to pay the buck will always be one step ahead and at the same time speed up the innovation process.

    So your full name is 'Terra'? ;)
  5. Advancements in technology in the last 4 years have opened the flood gates to all who have passion for motion pictures. People who formerly thought it nearly impossible to be taken seriously, like myself.

    Not everyone can afford an Epic, Alexa, F3, C300, FS100, or even a 5d/7D. But there are sub 1k cameras out there, and with a great story, and talented people, I believe you can make something worthwhile.

    ;)
  6. Donald Cameron Not quite so new!

    If that was shot entirely on a phone that is remarkable. The new iPad is going to take things even further I think. To be able to film (in 1080p), edit in iMovie, publish to Vimeo then watch it online on such a high resolution screen - all on the same portable device, opens up endless possibilities. These gadgets will never replace cinema cameras but I wonder how far we are away from seeing the first mainstream cinema movie shot entirely on a gadget like this, not that long ago it seemed far fetched that SLR cameras would be doing just this, so who knows.
  7. Kevin Hendrix Not quite so new!

    For me it's not so much a matter of resolution. I agree that the average consumer will not notice. What I cannot get past is the rolling shutter. You did a good job overcoming it for the most part but smartphones and other small-chip cameras are very unforgiving to even touching the camera. How much additional gear were you using to achieve your shots?
  8. Kevin Alexander Chatty!

    Personally, I don't care how amazing the image looks coming from a phone. I can't get past the ergonomics... The inability to control DOF... Difficult control of manual settings... Etc. I agree it's a great option for consumers. I wouldn't buy a home video camera when I can get such great options from my iPhone. But for professional use... Just isn't going to happen for me...
  9. Colin Trevor Chatty!

    I'm soo new this this world, I can't comment on the future of where things are heading... but this video knocked my socks off! Truly impressive. Could someone please tell me what was done to give the footage a "rustic" look? I love it. Thanks
  10. Colin Trevor Chatty!

    Magic Bullet Looks.... got it.
  11. Ivan Lietaert Chatty!

    Perhaps in the future, a corporate shoot will be done with the iPhone... nah, I don't think so.
    Ridley Scott's next feature (the pre-prequel Alien, titled Alpha) will be shot on the iPhone too..., nah, I don't think so.
  12. Matt Davis Administrator

    On the other hand, I'm shooting corporates on FS100 - and on three separate jobs, a shot or two from my iPhone 4S has found its way into the edit because "the best camera to shoot with is the one you have with you", so I'll be on a break or doing a quick recce, or even just wandering off to the loo and 'Something happens' - a little moment, a money shot, and all you have time for is to whip out the iPhone and capture it.

    In the past, even with the previous iPhone, the shot would not be usable as it would stand out from all the other footage. As demonstrated in the Zacuto 'Revenge' shootout, with careful grading and handling, it can withstand a 2K projection screening.

    Now, for one or two shots, nobody notices - and if I point out the shot to them, they don't care. It was just a perfect little moment.

    I don't want to rely on it, but I'll make bloody sure that it's always with me 'just in case something happens'.
  13. Mathews Harvey I'm new!

    I'm astounded by the good quality that the Iphone produced. This is indeed a problem for the future of camera making, as the phone manufacturers will keep on pushing the limits that can be achieved by their devices. It seems to be a good compromise for people who are after medium quality shots on the go.
  14. Matt Davis Administrator

    Get a good DoP who knows the strengths of the camera, who can film a short tailored to a certain shooting style, and yes: a camera phone is great. Bit of zacuto bracketry, some external lens frames, good mics feeding quality audio recorders, well, it just feels like an exercise in 'can it be done' - and finding out 'yes it can'. Now we can move on.

    Leaving aside the professional and film-making community, maybe the world of the happy-snap cameras are feeling the pinch. The Cisco Flip camera is toast because of smart phones. All my family movies are now from the iPhone (though the holiday stuff is primarily DSLR). I got better stuff from my Canon HV20, but honestly it was a faff. Batteries to be charged, spare tapes to store, then having to ingest them. But this is family stuff. Not paying stuff.

    I'm seeing less and less excitement in the domestic camcorder market (e.g. Dixons/PC World et al), but from prosumer upwards, no problem.
  15. Donald Ong Chatty!

    Also, I'm noticing s severe lack of palm handicams at events. Now all the cameras I see are DSLRs/phones/mirrorless. Barely any compacts or handicams.

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