Quite a few years ago I started shooting videos for my wife’s YouTube channel because that’s what nice husbands do!
At the time I was using a Samsung phone to shoot those videos and as I look back on them I can clearly state they were absolutely awful!
In fairness to that phone the problem was with me and my ongoing war with the art of lighting but that’s a story for another day.
Over the next year or so I pressed on spending way too much time watching YouTube tutorials on lighting, video settings, the technicalities of audio, editing and well the list went on and on.
Eventually I arrived at a point where I was capturing very acceptable looking video on that phone… BUT!
My wife still wasn’t happy and unbeknownst to me had a conversation with her brother, who happens to be a pro cinematographer, about all of this.
The result of that conversation was that I was suddenly and without consultation the proud new owner of a Sony ZV-E10 which is a camera specifically designed for creators such as myself!
The problem with that scenario was that I soon discovered to my horror that I had gone from smartphone video hero to video camera zero in a nanosecond!
So having started at square one with a mobile phone for video and then through no fault of my own, I was being sent back to square one with a camera, here’s what I discovered.
In this article, I’m going to break down the main differences between using your mobile device and a dedicated camera for shooting video.
That way, you can make the smartest choice for your content, your budget, and how you like to work.
Sensor Size and Image Quality
Mobile Devices – Small Sensors – Multifunctional
Smartphones are equipped with tiny image sensors (typically 1/2.5″ to 1/1.3″ in size) which impacts how much light it can absorb for recording.
Remember, they are not just built to capture video so physical space and access to processing resources is at a premium
This in turn affects the low light performance, the depth of field (how blurry your backgrounds can be) and the dynamic range (details in shadows and highlights) of the resulting video.
To compensate for these shortcomings phones use what could be described as computational photography.
This is a software solution where, loosely speaking, multiple shots or sets of data are combined to create an image that the software “thinks” is the best representation of the scene being captured.
It attempts to clean up the noise, add dynamic range and detail as well as faking shallow depth of field if that’s what you had set the phone camera to do.
All of this combined will at the end of the day, give you a decent-looking result provided there is good lighting available.
The Good Stuff
- Software can make your footage look very good, especially when the lighting is good.
- They can effectively fake cool cinematic effects like bokeh or shallow depth of field.
- Again, with reasonable lighting they give good skin tones and skin smoothing effects.
The Not-So-Good Stuff:
- They start to struggle when the available light reduces so you can expect graininess or an image that’s been smoothed to death.
- Limited control over how blurry you can make the background.
- If the algorithm misinterprets the scene, the colors and details can be off and skin can be overly smoothed and appear fake.
- Often they use variable frame rates that can represent motion inaccurately and prove to be problematic in editing software.
Dedicated Cameras: Big Sensors – Purpose Built
Cameras like DSLRs and MILCs pack much larger sensors (APS-C or full-frame are common sizes).
Additionally the software on those camera is the only software on them as they are dedicated to capturing video only.
They are not sharing space with all the other apps the average phone is carrying these days.
Because they are larger, they naturally grab more light.
This translates to:
- Better performance in low light with way less grain to deal with.
- Higher dynamic range and overall more accurate representation of colors.
- Real shallow depth of field based on lens choice and aperture settings.
- Greater detail each individual image as well as better motion representation.
This gives dedicated cameras a major advantage when it comes to image quality.
Verdict
If you want seriously cinematic or high quality footage with clean low-light performance, a dedicated camera is the clear winner.
Smartphones can hold their own in good lighting, but they’re still playing catch-up when all is said and done.
Lens Options and Zoom
Mobile Devices
Basically you are stuck with what you have got with most modern phones coming in with about three or four fixed lenses.
These are usually a wide angle, an ultrawide, sometimes a telephoto and also sometimes a lens devoted to macro (extreme closeup) shooting.
There will usually be a forward facing lens dedicated to selfies but usually this one will be operating at a lower resolution.
Usually the only way to select each one is to choose a zoom level at which point the phone switches to the relevant lens internally.
This is quite restrictive if you are trying to create different “looks” to your videos as they are pretty much set up to shoot automatically.
You can’t physically swap lenses out and although there are a number of “add-on” style solutions to this offered by various sources, none of them can hold a candle to a real lens change.
When it comes to zooming beyond the restriction of the existing lenses, this always comes down to a “digital zoom” system which means we are again relying on software to create the effect.
Digital zoom will invariably drop the image quality and even on high end cameras, digital zoom is an exercise in disappointment.
On my own camera which is pretty good quality, I have disabled the digital zoom altogether to make sure I never accidently use it!
The Good Stuff:
- Multiple lenses, all in one device even if somewhat limited.
- Super convenient and quick to switch between focal lengths.
Not-So-Good Stuff:
- Limited zoom range.
- No real control over aperture or focal length beyond what the phone gives you.
Dedicated Cameras
Interchangeable lens cameras or DSLRs let you pick the perfect lens for the job allowing for complete control.
You can shoot close with a wide angle, shoot long for a portrait or vice versa, open the aperture for shallow depth of field or close it down for those cinematic wide open spaces shots.
You can start off basic with a reasonable quality 15mm to 50mm variable lens and cover just about any shooting situation.
The Good Stuff:
- Full creative control and the ability to fine-tune visual storytelling.
- Specialised lenses for every need as well a great variable focal length choices.
The Not-So-Good Stuff:
- More gear to manage, more to go wrong and more cost.
- Comes with a learning curve that has to be overcome to be of any advantage.
Verdict
A dedicated camera will give you the ability to shoot in any condition or location as well as craft your shots in a way that can be more creatively satisfying.
Smartphones work if you only want basic functionality and are far easier to deal with especially if you are shooting in a “run and gun” “point and shoot” sort of style.
Manual Control and Customization
Mobile Devices: Keeping it Simple
Phones are all about speed and keeping things easy which isn’t always a bad thing.
Some apps do let you manually control settings like shutter speed, ISO and focus however the effectiveness and actual result you will get from doing that will be minimal due to the tiny sensor and equally tiny lenses.
If you are going to go through the pain of learning about those manual settings and the effect they have on your footage then it’s all a little wasted on a mobile device.
I am not saying it is entirely pointless but the reason most standard camera apps prioritize automatic settings and ease of use is because that’s what they are designed for.
The Good Stuff:
- Quick to set up and start shooting.
- Great for on-the-fly, “run-and-gun” content.
The Not-So-Good Stuff:
- Limited manual control in the default camera apps with little actual effect form taking control.
- Harder to get consistent results when the shooting conditions are changing.
Dedicated Cameras: More Control
Manual controls are a core feature of a dedicated video camera and that’s a good thing!
You can tweak the shutter speed to control motion blur, aperture for depth of field, ISO for exposure, and white balance for consistent colors.
Once you learn the basics, you get tons of creative control as well as high quality consistent results.
The Good Stuff:
- Complete control over every aspect of the video.
- Achieve the same result in any shooting environment.
- Far more data being included in each file allowing for more control in post production.
The Not-So-Good Stuff:
- A longer learning curve for beginners which is unavoidable. Sure you can use 100% auto settings but in that case, just use a phone!
- Much larger file sizes so you will need a decent computer to deal with them.
Verdict
If you have a passion to grow as a video creator and take you videos to the next level then a dedicated camera is in your future.
If you are happy with the results you are getting with your phone, like the convenience and it suits your style, stick with it.
Audio Quality: Don’t Let Your Video Sound Bad
Mobile Devices: Good Enough… mostly
Built-in phone mics are okay for casual use but they tend to pick up wind, background noise and the sounds of you just holding the phone.
The audio is often compressed as it is being captured and doesn’t sound very rich.
On top of that they record audio at a much lower bitrate which leaves you less room for enhancement at a later stage of production.
You can add external mics via adapters, but it can be hit or miss in terms of compatibility and performance.
The Good Stuff:
- Good enough for quickly uploading to social media.
- External mics are an option (but with some limitations).
The Not-So-Good Stuff:
- Built-in mics sound terrible in noisy environments.
- Less flexibility for using external audio gear.
Dedicated Cameras: Serious Audio
Most dedicated cameras have microphone built in and just like microphones for phones, they usually suck!
The upside is that most cameras have external microphone inputs and some even have headphone jacks for monitoring your audio as you shoot.
By using an external shotgun mic, lav mic or audio recorder, you can make a huge difference in sound quality as well a having data rich files for editing and enhancement in post production.
The Good Stuff:
- Professional audio options.
- A wide range of compatible systems at various price points available specifically designed for cameras.
The Not-So-Good Stuff:
- More gear to purchase and set up.
Verdict
Audio matters! Never underestimate the importance of your sound so make sure you have the appropriate setup.
Both phones and cameras are equally hopeless when it comes to using their built-in microphones.
My Sony ZV-E10 is “supposed” to have a reasonably good built-in microphone according to a bunch of people on the internet.
Let me tell you right now, it is awful!
It has a weak signal, a thin dynamic range and seems to be able to pick up unwanted sounds from three blocks away!
When it comes to deciding on a phone or a camera for your video needs just ignore audio as a point to consider altogether.
Either way you will need to find some kind of third party solution.
Battery Life and Recording Limits: The Endurance Test
Mobile Devices: Short Bursts
Phones aren’t designed for long recording sessions.
Battery life can be a real pain, especially with high-resolution video and overheating may also cut the session short.
Additionally it is important to research your own phone as far as external power solutions go.
Some phones allow you to directly power the phone externally through USB-C, which is fine.
However the hidden trap here is that some phones “seem” to allow this but something else entirely is actually happening.
On those phones the input power is actually trickle charging the battery while at the same time the phone is still running on its internal battery.
That means the battery is both charging and discharging at the same time and this always results in higher battery temperatures and in the long term, will shorten the life of your battery significantly.
The Good Stuff:
- Always charged and available.
- Affordable power banks and battery cases are available to extend power.
The Not-So-Good Stuff:
- Short recording when using high-resolution.
- Calls and notifications can interrupt a recording so you have to remember to put it in “Airplane Mode.”
- Possible battery life problems depending on how external power is handled.
Dedicated Cameras: Built for the Long Haul
Cameras usually have better battery life for video but that’s not always the case so individual battery life is something you should research for any model you are looking at.
On the plus side there are endless solutions available for powering cameras externally with high capacity batteries.
Some can take power in through USB-C, some have dedicated plugs for power in and you can even buy dummy batteries which can be connected to high capacity batteries that will run all day.
You can also swap batteries on the fly or use AC power if you’re in a studio.
The Good Stuff:
- Built for video workflows.
- No interruption from notifications.
- Many power solutions available.
The Not-So-Good Stuff:
- Extra batteries are heavy and need to be managed.
Verdict
Use a camera if you need a reliable way to power long sessions like interviews, recordings, or live streaming.
Storage and File Management: Keeping Your Media Organized
Mobile Devices: Filling Up Fast
Phones can fill up quickly with high-res video files so you need to look at each phones ability to add storage like an SD Card or similar.
The Good Stuff:
- Quickly edit the files on the device and upload directly.
- Sharing via cloud is simple.
The Not-So-Good Stuff:
- Storage is limited plus editing options are also restricted by resources available.
- You will need to maintain good housekeeping for when it comes to file naming protocols and cleaning out files you have finished with.
Dedicated Cameras: Organized and Efficient
SD cards and CFExpress cards help in the file management process allowing you to label, organise and backup different file types.
The Good Stuff
- Easy to use.
- Great for efficient storage.
- Designed with an understanding that there will be many files and they will be big!
The Not-So-Good Stuff
- Cards need to be purchased.
- Organization is paramount with the sheer size of the files requiring a storage solution to be in place.
Verdict
Cameras make your life easier if you are managing very large projects but the bottom line is that all modern video results in a bunch of large files so either way you will need a solution.
Professional Perception and Workflow Integration: Looking the Part
If you are simply shooting for your own content then whether or not you look the part is entirely irrelevant.
On the other hand if you are shooting professionally or even semi-professionally for people who don’t really understand the current technology, a camera is going to go a long way in building client confidence.
Mobile Devices: Casual and Convenient
Phones are great for shooting in a casual manner but may appear unprofessional in a client environment.
The Good Stuff
- Perfect match for personal use on any online platform like TikTok, Instagram or others.
The Not-So-Good Stuff
- May not be taken seriously in industry.
- Limited scalability.
Dedicated Cameras: Serious Business
Aside from various lenses, with a dedicated camera you can add a simple cage to the device then connect a whole bunch of accessories and other equipment.
Fixed external microphones, handle grips, external monitors, the list goes on.
This makes them potentially suitable for broadcast, documentaries, interviews and even movies not to mention the appearance of professionalism.
The Good Stuff:
- Commercial appeal.
- Compatible with other accessories.
- Professional appearance.
The Not-So-Good Stuff:
- More equipment to purchase and manage.
Verdict
Cameras will help make your project look more professional and appealing to clients if that’s what you want.
The ability to “add on” accessories beyond extra lenses makes them very versatile.
Cost and Practicality: What’s Your Budget?
Mobile Devices: Already in Your Pocket
You most likely already own a good smartphone that will perform as a great first camera.
The Good Stuff:
- You are “good to go” anytime you have the phone with you.
- Editing and shooting can be performed on the same device.
- Great value.
The Not-So-Good Stuff:
- The cost to purchase a newer phone that produces high quality video can be prohibitive.
- Accessories can also push up the price.
Dedicated Cameras: An Investment
Mirrorless cameras or DSLRs can start at around U.S $600 and the sky’s the limit upwards from there, so it can be a costly investment.
The Good Stuff:
- Purpose built for video and ultimately higher quality.
- Greater longevity given that the operating system and other apps will not affect the lifespan.
The Not-So-Good Stuff:
- A high price tag.
Verdict
Start with your phone if you have it, and purchase a camera when you want more value or at least when you have exhausted all possibilities with a phone.
Conclusion: So, Which One Should You Use?
In the end, both tools have a place and an important point to keep in mind is that they are tools.
My take on this entire argument is that there are numerous creators out there right now making great looking videos to big audiences.
Many of them are using phones to do that so the difference is not the tool being used, the difference is in how well they know the tool and how creative they are.
Some filmmakers have made award-winning projects all on a phone.
Just begin with what you have at hand and when you have the ability, learn as you progress and level up as your passion and skills grow.
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