SHOOT SMART

Out and about without your usual camera kit? Try harnessing the power of your smartphone

- Kim Bunermann

As the famous Chase Jarvis quote goes, “The best camera is the one that’s with you,” and for most people these days, that’s likely to be the smartphone in your pocket. So unless you are carrying your bulky DSLR or mirrorless camera equipment around with you, a smartphone is often the next best thing.

Smartphone cameras have come on leaps and bounds over the past few years. Even mid-range models now feature powerful devices and many of us may not be aware of the sophisticated technology that now makes them comparable in quality to the compact digital cameras of a few years ago.

“Mobile phone photography is a great way to capture memories and moments on the go,” says professional smartphone photographer Himanshu Roy. “Smartphone cameras have made great strides recently. Many of them are capable of taking highquality photos to rival those of traditional cameras.”

Competition between manufacturers means that engineers are constantly working to improve camera quality. One advantage smartphones have over cameras is their processing abilities, meaning they can adapt technologies such as AI, allowing smartphone cameras to raise their performance in areas such as sharpness and white balance.

But while the technology is impressive, their lightweight, compact nature means they are limited by the need to avoid bulky components. However, with the right technical knowledge, these limitations can be overcome. Over the next few pages, we’ll look at the technology behind smartphone cameras and how you can make the most out of yours.

Discover pocket-sized technology 

Learn what's important in a smartphone camera to achieve maximum quality