Your Best Camera for Travel: DSLR Camera Vs Phone Camera
Contents:
What camera will you take travelling - DSLR camera vs. phone camera?
Explore 3 ideas for photography fun on your next trip!
Should I take my “big” camera travelling or just use the camera on my phone?
With the rapid changes in technology, the answer is getting easier, but I’m still conflicted and second-guess my camera choice every trip. As a maximizer, I like to keep my options open and take full advantage of situations. So when I’m somewhere highly photogenic with just my phone, it can be frustrating that my “big” camera is at home.
Let’s be clear, I am an amateur photographer. I’m one of those people who love travel for photography and have some photography knowledge - but not enough knowledge or practice to be exceptional at it. Photography is a hobby that is meaningful and soul-filling for me.
When I travel, I know that part of my longing to take camera equipment is the romantic view of photography as art - being the next Ansel Adams or Lucy Laucht or Ami Vitale or Jody MacDonald or Steve McCurry. But let’s be real! These folks are highly gifted professionals and don’t look at photography as a hobby! I’m pretty sure they don’t go anywhere without their $15,000 cameras and all the equipment!
In 1980, I started my photography hobby at 10 years old with a Kodak Brownie. Since then I’ve gone through a couple of DSLR’s and now own a Sony Mirrorless camera. Read about the differences here, but for this post, I’m lumping DSLRs and Mirrorless cameras together in the category of a “big” camera.
1981 Kodak Brownie
2019 Sony a7ii
2022 iPhone 13pro
How do you choose between using a DSLR camera vs phone camera?
Ultimately, the decision comes down to aligning your photographic intentions with your travel goals/preferences. Both phone cameras and “big” cameras have pros and cons, so you will need to consider a variety of factors when choosing the camera that best suits your needs. Here are the pros and cons I considered when choosing a camera for travel.
Smart Phone Camera
Portability (+)
Most people carry their phones everywhere they go, making it convenient to capture spontaneous moments.
Connectivity (+)
With the ability to edit and share photos instantly on social media, phone cameras are a convenient option for travellers who want to document their experiences in real-time.
Specialty perspectives (-)
Newer phone cameras are filled with excellent options like zoom, portrait mode, night mode, bursts, video options ect.. These are all great options to travel for photography.
Image quality (-)
If you only view your images on your phone or tablet - you don’t need anything more than a smartphone. As soon as you want to print or enlarge your photos, the quality becomes an issue.
Price (+)
You probably are footing the bill for a phone already. It would be upgrading that will cost you! The extra cost gets you something with multiple-functions.
Ease of Use (+) & Creative Control (-)
Phone cameras are incredibly user-friendly. This makes photography accessible to everyone as it is easy for beginners to take high-quality photos without the learning curve and fiddling with camera settings.
Taken with an iPhone 13 pro
DSLR or Mirrorless
Portability (-)
A “big” camera is heavy and doesn’t tuck into a slim cross-body bag like a phone. For me, size and weight are factors in trip packing and carrying around all day sightseeing.
Connectivity (-)
Depending on the camera, time is required to download photos to a device for immediate use. Or you have to wait until you get home to review and share your photos.
Specialty perspectives (+)
Only my “big” camera can zoom in with a telephoto lens while staying in sharp focus, or taking super wide angles without significant distortion, or creating dreamy backgrounds without using AI edits.
Image quality (+)
“Big” cameras have superior image quality because of their construction with larger sensors, allowing for greater detail and sharpness even in low-light situations. This results in photos that are more lifelike and vibrant, making them ideal for printing or enlarging.
Price (-)
There is such a range of camera prices and options. Cameras take pictures…just that. You won’t email from them or use them to show your boarding pass. And like most hobbies, it costs!!
Ease of Use (-) & Creative Control (+)
A DSLR camera and a phone camera have very different learning curves. Generally, DSLR’s require a greater understanding of photography principles and technical settings. This may be daunting for beginners or casual photographers who simply want to point and shoot without worrying about complicated settings.
At the same time, “big” cameras offer more creative control and customization than phone cameras. You can fine-tune settings such as aperture, shutter speed, ISO or use interchangeable lenses for capturing different types of shots.
Since COVID I have preferred the portability of my iPhone as my trusted travelling companion for international travel. I am a card-carrying carry-on-only traveller and the weight and space of my “big” camera equipment is something I struggle to justify. Because I am eager to take good photos, I upgraded my phone to take advantage of the most recent technological improvements. If I’m going on a local road trip, however, I generally take both camera options with me.
But my decision doesn’t have to be yours. Everyone is unique when it comes to travel for photography.
Taken with a Sony a7ii
3 Ideas for Photography Fun on your next trip: Travel for Photography!
So while my past and upcoming European trips will be smartphone-only photography, I’m always exploring other ways to travel for photography using both kinds of cameras. Regardless of your choice of DSLR camera vs phone camera, here are 3 ideas to consider when you travel for photography and want some fun!
Photography Tours
Many professional photographers offer photo tours. Find a photographer you admire in a place of interest and consider dedicating all or part of your next trip to a photography tour. Private or group photo tours are a fantastic option for people wanting to spend a day or a few days seeing a place through a creative perspective with the guidance and insight of an expert. As a solo woman traveller, this option is particularly appealing to me.
E.g. Wildlife Photo Tour
A full day with Professional Wildlife Photographer Catherine Babault! Catherine is an award-winning nature photographer located on Vancouver Island. With individuals and small groups (including women-only tours), she helps participants hone their nature photography skills while learning about wildlife and ethics. While I’ve lived on Vancouver Island for much of my life, this opportunity offers visitors or locals like me a perfect way to connect deeply with what makes Vancouver Island so incredible - nature and wildlife!
E.g. Smart Phone Safari
I had the pleasure of an online meeting with Jet of Jet Black Squares. Her company offers smartphone photography safaris and workshops. Essentially, safaris are private or small group photo tours that teach the foundations of your phone’s camera along with basic editing in a fun and interactive way while being guided around a location. I chatted with her about the possibility of being a safari tour leader here in Canada or on location! TBH I’m still thinking about it! I’ll be in the UK in the fall of 2024 and hope my schedule aligns with one of her safari dates. Stay tuned!
2. Set Yourself a Photo Challenge
For my last trip, I developed a travel photo shot list to help me tell a fuller story of the places I was visiting. I included the list in my travel journal as a handy reminder to take unique and creative pictures that shared more about my experience of a place than just a collection of “sights.”
Download my travel photo list here.
3. Hire a professional photographer for a photoshoot
I haven’t done this yet, but it looks like fun. For many women travelling solo, it’s a great option to get YOU in some photos. Plus people report that they get to see parts of the city that they would never have found on their own. Here are some examples from Get Your Guide.
What kind of photo fun will you get up to on your next trip? …and what camera will you take - a DSLR camera vs phone camera?
