After I lost my iPhone XR in June, I made the decision to buy the next model that would be released. The new iPhone 11 lineup did not change too much except for the camera features. I would not say they are “unsightly”, but perhaps “ridiculous” seems a more proper word to describe the design of the camera part. Nevertheless, I have pre-ordered one.
This time, instead of using it as a phone, I expect it to be my everyday camera. This idea started when I heard Ted Forbes, an American professional photographer, say that he had being using his iPhone XS as his everyday camera for several months, and was satisfied with the results. It inspired me to consider making the switch as well.
I had an everyday camera, which is a real camera, a Sony RX100M3. I carried it in my bag with me everywhere. Despite it being a super compact point and shoot, I still felt stressful carrying it every single day. Not to mention that every time I took it out, people around me would feel uncomfortable. These days, I have not been willing to use it on many occasions.
Well, I do not expect an iPhone to capture pictures as sharp as a real camera because it is not physically possible. Even a point and shoot camera like the RX100 has a big 1-inch sensor. However, the image quality is good enough, and usable in many situations. By accepting the iPhone as a camera, I do not need to carry an extra device anymore. This is a game changer for me.
I think the camera industry will struggle with even more pressure than before. With cellphones such as the iPhone 11, even high-end compact cameras are becoming obsolete. However, I do not believe they will eventually surpass real cameras. Besides the physical limitation mentioned above, shooting pictures with a phone does not bring the same enjoyable experience as with a real camera.