Are Phones Any Good for Landscape Photography 

Best book ever written? www.fototripper.com/chasing-awe-landscape-photography-book-gavin-hardcastle/

I love how real life and honest this is. Usually when RU-vidrs compare phones with cameras they have done a lot of prep work, figuring everything out and then come with a hyper technical detailed review. But that’s not real life. You test them as an actual real user, like we all are, and the frustrations are from the real world.

Pro Tip : place phone into Airplane mode….lest you get a phone call from Thomas Heaton at the most inappropriate moment….faffing on about your comment.

Yes, please continue with this line of experimentation and comparison …I’ve been watching David Addison’s videos, as he reviews different camera apps, snap on camera grips for smart phones…filters and add on lenses. Although he’s more concentrated on video shooting, he is producing valuable content in his reviews. To me, your observation that 10 years ago, this was almost unimaginable….is the most productive starting point to frame the discussion of the pros and cons of phone photography … thanks Gavin

The sensor inside your phone is Samsung Isocell GN3 in 4:3 aspect ratio and 8,16x6,14 mm size. Dividing 35 with 8,16 gives us crop factor of 4,29. So, we multiply this with 1,8 and the FF equivalent aperture of your phone is f/7,7 (just to put you in perspective what you get out of it). The reason why those jpgs are 12.5 MP is pixel binning to increase low light sensitivity, so Google it if you're interested.

Given the uniqueness of your videos/content I'm sure many of your subscribers like myself would be more than happy to see similar videos of this nature. Great stuff.

For the first shot, You chose full in the camera viewfinder, that's the lowest resolution mode. An you can select raw in the settings.

You come for the photography lesson but you stay for the effort and comedy banter. Love it.

Being able to properly adjust the settings and creatively influence the picture you are making... priceless.

Your aperture or depth of field in this case is not f1.8. Because the sensor is so tiny, it falls into an equivalence calculation and it’s actually more like f6 (I don’t know the s23’s specific sensor size). Which is why quite a bit of your images were in focus.

I originally got into photography with just my phone. Through many RU-vid videos and a few camera apps, I learned composition and manual control. My plan was to eventually invest into a decent camera and lenses, but after upgrading to my iPhone 13 Pro with its three different lenses, I've decided to just stick with using my phone. After buying a few filters, external lenses from Sandmarc, and a tripod, I've been able to get shots that are comparable to a high end camera, of course with reduced resolution and dynamic range, but it's really not that bad. I totally understand the argument of having an expensive camera with expensive gear, but not everyone can really afford that (like me), and just thinking back to a few years ago, I would've never believed that a phone can take some of the shots I’ve taken with my phone. A phone camera will never be as good as something like a Sony A1, but as a hobbyist, I'm satisfied with the pictures I get from my phone camera.

Remember the f stops are not 35mm equivalent. I don’t know the sensor size on your phone, but f/1.8 is probably nearer f/11 for a full frame sensor. Smart phone manufacturers always mix up the lens data which is confusing, they all do it. They state the focal length in full frame equivalent (e.g. 24mm), but aperture at the actual f stop for the tiny sensor!

The thing about all of these types of videos is they always shoot landscapes or mostly static subjects. Just wide scenes that any camera can shoot if you know how to use it. Do shooting at a distance or on fast moving objects, or even just normal moving objects, but in low light. And the difference becomes ridiculously clear. If you just want to shoot landscape, a 400 dollar D800 and a cheap 20mm prime lens will do 95% as well as a 7k+ system

“I’m going to do one of those stupid and pointless comparison videos”. You had me at stupid. 😂 Great vid, humorous and fun to watch. Well done 👍🏼👍🏼

Honestly, you have some impeccable sound quality. Loud, clear and crisp without clipping or distortion. I hope people appreciate this!

Not read all the comments so maybe someone has already suggested this. I use my iPhone 14 pro max quite a lot now but I use 3rd party apps especially for longer exposures. Main apps are ReeXpose and Even Longer. These are far easier to use and both offer raw. You can bracket your shots so you can do a stack but mainly you can shoot manually to bulb which negates the need of nd filter.I’d love to see more of this also more of your editing to show images from taken to finish. Love the videos btw 👍

This was interesting, the frustrations you had with the phone due to it being unfamiliar to you are just the same as I have as a complete beginner with a DSLR that's a whole new world to me. I guess it's all about learning and understanding the equipment that you’re using.

My year old 12 megapixel phone snapshots surprise me from time to time. I've even printed the odd photo at 13x19 and was pleasantly surprised by the results. It took a couple year jump in phones before I started being fairly happy with widerish angle phone photos. Still not impressed with telephoto shots. Now I'm not a pro photographer by any stretch but I do know casual observers simply enjoy a photo for the whole image. A very odd composition tends to be noticed before minor issues with sharpness, contrast, blown out areas.... If you fancy keeping the phone experiments going, try 3rd party camera apps for your current phone too. Nightcap camera app will let you do long exposures day or night. Not sure if it's iOS only but I'm sure there's an android equivalent. Just don't ask me how to use it, I button mash until I see something interesting😂😂 Enjoyed the self torture, I hope Amada isn't too hard on you for the pungent ride home.

This was interesting! I enjoy evrything you do!

Great video Gavin, keep up the good. I mount my smartphone in the hotshot in bracket to video what I am taking photos of. This can be wildlife, aishoes, motor sport and even portraits. As the model sometimes wants video content for their IG feed.

Great video, I could feel the frustration when you were setting up the camera on the phone! 😅

thank u, just canceled my Z8 preorder and now will get a S23 instead

Definitely interested to see what you can do mate. I just got the 14ProMax and doing my own tests right now. Pretty impressed with the Milky Way shots so far.

Great video. The Tomas Heaton metaphor was brilliant. :P

It's all in the setting Gav. Aspect ratio and recording raw is in the settings

I like this content a lot. I'm not a photographer and all I have is my Pixel phone (try it!!). Your videos help me to be more observant. Sony makes the Xperia phones that cost as much as a small car but pride themselves in using their pro camera-like software.

Enjoyed your video and I would like to see more comparisons.

My wife (she who must be obeyed) is always going on about ‘why do you need an expensive camera system -I can get just as good shots with my mobile’. So, this comparison doesn’t really help Gavin 🙄. Having said that, her mobile doesn’t do birds in flight 🫣🤣. So, I’ll stick to the camera and she can stick to social media 🙄. What’s that - “love you too darling” 🤗

Old cameras find new life with the newest software! Thrift store specials that save the RAW files rock!

looking forward to seeing what you will be able to get the phone to do Gavin

I thought that was quite interesting Gavin. I hope you continue to experiment.

Very interesting; thanks Gavin; I’ll not be ditching my proper camera system anytime soon!

There will always be a difference when the sensor of a smartphone is 1/6th the size of a full frame sensor. Smartphones work decently in good light but the dynamic range will suffer in low light conditions.

Yes yes, i am definitely interested in this type of content, so continue in ti please (i know that it will be hard because of all of the specialists in comments, but i would like to see this type of videos). 👍

I am always amazed by my Google Pixel 7 Pro camera. It can't compete with my Sony a7 Mark IV but the few times I do use my phone, especially when I need very quick sharing, I am not disappointed. I would like more control and less embellishment in the images from the phone like sharpening, smoothing skin, oversaturation, but on a sub 7 inch screen rendition is pretty fine. Also only any phone the Ultra Wide angle camera is the weakest one of the entire camera setup, they put the best glasses and most optimisation on the "normal" camera (the one it defaults to at 1x). Try Astrophotography with a Night Sight capable phone (Google Pixel 6 or 7, Apple iPhone 13 or 14, Samsung Galaxy S22 or S23) and compare that, you might be more impressed then you realised because of computational capabilities.

Great zinger about Tom Heaton. Coffee came out my nose!!! 😂

Hi Gavin, it will be interesting to see more tests with phone camera. I enjoy your shows and give me good laugh before a long week ahead. Regards Stuart Potgieter South Africa.

Really interesting video. I have no thought or plan of replacing my cameras and lenses with a phone camera anytime soon, but regardless, I still found this an interesting watch, thank you.

I could see that the aspect ratio in your phone settings was on 'Full' - probably explains why you felt some images were pano-like. If you tap that setting button you can choose from a variety of usual aspect ratios. I've tried Samsung's pro camera mode and it is a PITA to be honest. I can't understand why smartphone manufacturers keep upping the mega pixels when the sensors are too small anyway.

Although of course a professional camera will take better pictures, what I like about today's phone technology is if you don't have your camera gear with you, and you see a picture worth taking, the phone is getting good enough that it can suffice and you won't walk about without the shot. I have found on multiple occasions, especially on vacation where I don't want to lug around my camera gear everywhere I go I can still scope out photo opportunities and grab them. The iPhone 14 pro RAW camera system is very solid and I've taken some great keepers using it over the last 6 months.

You picked an interesting time to try this "experiment". I'm currently traveling in Italy and just had my full frame camera and lenses stolen in Rome. So I've been forced to use my Samsung S21 for all those shots I'd planned for months.

Love the humour as always especially the little dig at Heaton 😂 anyway I've done a write up about on FStoppers which will hopefully go live later next week

Great video. I like the freshening of the content. One suggestion that I would appreciate seeing would be a summary of your recommendations to optimize phone settings for photography with your model. It was a little tough to follow the outcome of your experience towards the end. I'm in a similar boat to you, although not a professional. I love using my Z7 ii and a 24-70/f2.8 or 14-24mm for landscapes, but sometimes with a family, it's not practical to carry my gear everywhere. If I see a shot, I'd like to use the tools on my phone to take a decent photo and have it not be garbage quality.

When i first started hiking, all my learning about photography was from the use of my Samsung Note 5 (Now using a Note 20 Ultra before upgrading to an Galaxy s23 Ultra). I then bought a dslr and my landscape photography went up from there. I'd like to see more videos like just to see a more seasoned photographer's perspective into using a smartphone for photography.

Thanks! I love your channel

Thank you for this very interesting video. I have been wondering about the usability of the phone cameras for some time - seems they are getting better.

It will be interesting to see how the next generation of phones perform. I never took phone photography seriously until a recent trip to Italy where I left my camera kit in my hotel room to go out to dinner. There were some good night shot compositions on the way back to the hotel and my Pixel 5a just killed it in low light and no tripod. So my kit spent the last 3 days in my hotel room. But for landscape outings I can't live without the apurture adjustment and focal length range.

Great video Gavin!!! Try expert raw mode, I even do astro with my s22 , and it's not a full frame camera but you can do great images.

If you just want to take photos, use a phone, if you want to learn how to take photos, use a camera

Is it just me or Does Heaton look like he should be travelling with a great dane and be eating scooby snacks?

I manage a lot of projects at work that involve print production and one of the things we've noticed about phone photos (besides general quality issues) is that only some phones permit downloading of their images in a large file size. So, we may be provided a decent-enough phone camera image, but the file is so small that it'll only print about the size of a large postage stamp.

Well, I'm all for some more phone experiments. I frequently find the phone is all I have because it's too risky or cumbersome to have a full sized camera with me. Saddly, I don't think they will ever have 'real' aperatures. The tiny sensor makes it physically impossible. I remember my excitement when I bought a Mavic 2 pro with a real aperature on board! The lens is so wide that depth of field was secondary to just slowing down the shutter speed. A big problem is that diffraction takes over with any setting over f4. Phones are 'fixing' all these issues with software and not optics. More likely it will be in the camera's firmware than any app. Soon enough you will just ask your phone for a picture of a waterfall.

Was there ever going to be a doubt ? Mind you that last image. Quite surprising. I enjoyed your frustration all the same

Fun content- I’ve been wanting to do this same experiment with my low light photography. I primarily use my phone with the Viewfinder II app for scouting comps- it displays frame lines in the image with a variety of focal length choices, giving you somewhat of a preview.

Thanks again for the Video Gavin. Interesting comparison. I remember watching a comparison with a 50MP Huawei phone. Very similar results on screen to yours. Impressive on screen. However, the You Tuber did discover a large difference in image quality/detail when he printed the shots out at full size. He determined that the 50MP phone printed at the equivalent quality and detail of a 12MP image taken by a DSLR or Mirrorless camera. Many reasons to stick to using a camera. But the phone is a great tool if you happen to be out with no gear.

🤣 The shade thrown at Thomas Heaton

Fun video Gavin.

Sad when $10,000 cameras (Nikon Z8 included) have to rely on a phone for GPS co-ordinates. At least you can still change the battery.

Great video as usual. That was a stunning shot from your phone. I have found, as you noted that phones are a real pain to use for photography - too many unclear settings and very fiddly to use. I think you are right that a tripod is needed to use any of the manual settings so doesnt make the phone a particularly portable option for landscape photography. I usually give up or 'snapshot' landscapes so have learnt Im better off with a small compact camera rather than the phone camera. However, Ive got lots of pretty good flower/mushroom photos and 'intimate' landscape photos with my S22 ultra due to the massive depth of field from the tiny sensor. It cant compete with my EOS R or even my Sony RX100V though in anything other than almost always being with me.

I find this interesting for sure. I've done the same with waterfalls with my phone. It is actually very capable and, with enough effort, I think I could get very close to my full frame. However, it takes longer to capture, because you do have to bracket more (due to poor dynamic range - and I've even focus bracketed with it). You do have to struggle more with filters. And then you have to spend more time post-processing all the extra files. But, to me, the worst is this: once it's on the tripod I can't just flip up the screen to SEE what's happening.

Absolutely loved this comparison. Yes, please do another attempt with the IPhone if possible. I currently have the IPhone 14 Pro Max. Would be curious to see how a different system compares whatever IPhone it may be.

On an IPhone, for shots like this, shoot a “live” photo, select image in photo library then swipe up and select “long exposure”. Job jobbed.

I agree we all need to continue learning how to use our cameras better whether they cost $100, $600 or $6,000. And if theyre the Mirror or not types. But there are many Moble Phone Professional Photographers out there. You can find them in the the different Photography Magazines. Im using them in conjunction with many comments from knowledgeable people on this channel how to use picture formats, etc Ive been struggling with, thanks. I am a Landscape Photographer. I'm using 2 moble phones mostly the Note 10. I have Dyslexia and severe Inattentive ADHD. I just point and shoot. Having a background in Art. It helps with my perception, composition of my pictures. I take multiple pictures at different angles as well different times a day to understand how the light effects the area. Its alot of studying as well observation and Im excited when everything comes together. My lenses are cracked from me dropping the phone yes with a case. Several yrs ago I learned about Light /Night Photographers. Thats alot of money buying necessaryequipment. But, I can get similar pictures without. The shattered lenses are my opportunity to create starburts and other cool effects.. I also have a Galaxy A13 5G, it doesn't compare with the Note 10, but Im still learning from both cameras in the Pro Mode, playing with the ISO, EV, WB etc. I have also created Photobooks. And this yr, Im going to send pictures from both cameras to the International Moble Phone Competion. Ive not yet done any app editing though Ive watched variety of RU-vid Photographer utlize,( the layering effect has my attention), but so far past 5yrs I do my editing on both phones. I know we all have our favorites we're loyal to. And I like control of my own creativity without using the AI. I dont do social media. Too much bullying or drama. Im not interested in being a blogger or having a channel.I find RU-vid the best & has many creative education channels, of artists, professional Photographers etc Im also an Mixed Media Artist. My cousin is a retired Portrait Photographer. I send/share with my ongoing experiments. I grew up with point and shoot Kodaks. Ive had a professional used Nikkon with a superb telephoto lensed that I used experiment in Micro in 09' and a DSR Nikon Digital that I didnt like. I found it to complicated with so many gadgets on it. It overwhelmed my poor brain. I haven't tried a Mirror-less 1 yet. But the Moble Phone Camera has reopened my opportunity, to do more than dream to start my own business. As for us old timers, AI, is being threaded in everything the internet is so much a part of our lives now. Im in my 50s. So where you stand, what equipment you utilize.. its ok. I gave that Digital Nikon to a friend. He recently found a complete Canon AE-1 Camera with everything for $25.00. My cousin said her Dad had 1 and she started her Photography using it. And now, the interest of Black & White Photography has returned as well. Im already been experiment with this too. So I believe my moble Phones are teaching me, Im learning how to better use this other camera once I remember to buy some batteries.

My old Samsung (4 I think) went from jpg to raw/pro setting with a quick swipe to the right. How to get there now is one of the greater mysteries of life 🤷‍♀️. I have a cheap Google Pixel phone that takes pretty good photos, and an iPhone 12 that suffers in comparison. Go figure. Phone is good for snapshots and my silly videos and so far that’s all they’ll ever be good for. Oh, and for watching cat videos 😹. I’ll stick with my Nikon. Thanks for the video Gavin!

In my opinion, it all depends what you use the images for…hobby, amateur or the average snapper. Again, in my opinion, the iphone is the best so far. I use my photos for social media and photo books just for my family. And i am quite pleased with the results. There are apps for RAW photography and long exposure. I have a 13 mini and happy with it. Also I have a Dslr…. I shoot both. But sometimes i just have my phone on me because i don’t want to carry an extra bag. All depends what you want to do….

Gavin, I really like this topic and what you've done here. BUT, you should've done a little bit of research about the camera app and the best settings for it. It's the same as any other tool really, you need to know it a fair bit to get the best out of it. There were plenty of settings that were not ideal. The video setting was at "Full", which actually just deceases the resolution to crop into the sensor and fill the display.. It should be set to 16:9 for full res video. 4K preferably.

Glad you did this comparison so I didn't have to. Phones still have a ways to go to be competitive with digital cameras. But, it is impressive, what they can do. I'll settle for mirrorless camera systems becoming smaller and lighter while keeping full frame sensors..

Lightroom Mobile has a built-in camera app that processes the RAW DNG much better than the stock camera app. I was very surprised when I tested it on my S22 Ultra. Only drawback is Lightroom Mobile only uses the main camera, so you're not getting access to the other focal lengths.

Interesting video & nice to see your comparison. I will not use my phone for landscape photography as the shots are terrible. I will only use it for family snaps, & finding a composition. I like my fuji xt3.

You, standing in the the middle of nowhere, in a river shows the dedication that most people wouldn't be bothered with. This is how I show the difference between "someone with a camera" and what we are doing... But I love teaching

Interesting to see how a pro photog interacts with a phone system for the first time. I've never really taken my phone to that level but am interested to try out some more of its capabilities after seeing you poke around on yours. I liked all the phfaffing about! Fwiw I have a relatively new iPhone 14 Pro (finally retired my 7 plus!) and one thing is for certain: it can zoom in quite a bit more on the raw images. (To enable raw, 48mp capability in the new iPhones, go into the Settings and in the camera section, select Apple ProRAW on and set the resolution from 12 -> 48mp. Then in the app you'll have the option to shoot in raw by clicking the "RAW" which is, by default, crossed out.

A $9000 difference? No, but that image could also be captured on a pro camera for less than an A1 setup and still have the desired dynamic range. Like you, I'm optimistic for the future of phones, but still not quite there to replace it.

I’m here because i greatly enjoy your vids and your landscape photos. I also like to take pictures (usually with the camera always in my pocket 📱) They turn out pretty good for my internet use. Somewhat unfortunate that some commenters here think everyone here is an elitist landscape pro with little tolerance for others or other photo applications. Great stuff as always. Is Amanda’s phonecam anything like her unicorncam?

I was reading that the mid range on an iPhone 14Pro is 48MP, but on the ultra wide end or the zoom range, it's 12MP. So that's something to keep in mind. Plus the F stop is deceiving because on that small of a phone sensor, an f1.8 isn't going to be anywhere near an f1.8 on a full frame sensor. Plus, the dynamic range and focus points are important to me. I have the iPhone 14pro, and it does OK for what it is, but I would never want to shoot an indoor event with it, or an outdoor sporting event.

Glyn Dewis put out a vid on this subject a few weeks ago, you want to see the quality of the huge 72 inch print he got out of it, it was very impressive.

Another great video but what ever happened to the TV program that you were going to do with Adam?

Sunset for me, but like them all. Lovely location. 😮

Great video. What app are you using on the phone?

I've been using my phone to take those photos you would have missed otherwise, usually while out walking the dog, or on an errand somewhere. I use the ProCam X app which does give me a fair bit of control (without the aperture). It does not replace my regular camera however, especially while travelling in risky areas. I would still use a small older camera/lens combo that I wouldn't cry if stolen, holding up a cell phone for a photo in that situation invites unwanted attention. Other locals where you have time and purpose, would still use the standard camera stuff.

Enjoy the videos, thanks. Have you tried much Wildlife photography with your A1?

I was looking forward to this one Gavin, ta! In my own experience, it doesn’t even take an expensive camera like your A1 to outperform a phone - I can get significantly better shots with my little Fuji X-E3 and 15-45mm kit lens, combined cost (to me) of around £350, compared to my iPhone 13 Pro Max.

Great video again, love it! Part of the equation is the skill of the photographer and you clearly can get the best from a phone camera. Is the iPhone Pro Raw system any better, seems the margins are becoming less significant with each years new updated phones. Keep up the great work, any news on the church project?👍

I'd love to see more videos with you using your phone, i used to shoot a lot with my Huawei p30 pro when out walking the dog in the countryside and the quality was great, i now own an honor magic 5 pro, and use that now, it's a lot easier than carrying my backpack with my DSLR 's in

the sensor on phones are way smaller than the ones on cameras, so even though it's 50megapixels... the files and quality will be inferior when compared to an actual camera.

One valid point is camera phones have gone a long way in even 5 years. ‘proper’ cameras haven’t really changed in 10 years. One example is overheating on videos which phones don’t seem to do. A 15 year old Nikon d300 will be comparable to a new slr for same price.

Very funny and had me laughing😂 They are surprisingly good pics. Only trouble is, most people dont bother wanting to know about shutter speeds, apertures or iso. Thing is, if they could get to grips with these basics then it would really encourage manufacturers to up their game especially as most pictures are taken using a mobile. Imagine that, a phone as good as a pro camera. I'd ditch my Z7! Great vid and laugh out loud factor was 4 today and thats very good😂😂😂

hi gavin, i think you should change the aspect ratio to 3:4, because other aspect ratio are just cropped from 3:4

FYI Gav, there is a RAW option you have to set to get RAW files from samsung's pro camera (at least on my Note 10). You can also change the aspect ratio to the native 4:3 on the camera (Pro or otherwise) hope this helps!

"looks like a bag of well-chewed pork scratchers" "Thomas Heaton after three sips of a weak, lager shandy" my opinion? looks like Fido's ass! (fewer words, direct and to the point) 😂

Make a 4x3 ft print and then compare them.

Very interesting, having just invested in a Samsung.....but I won't be tempted to ditch the dslr in favour of it. I mainly use the phone when scouting-out shots ....being rather rotund, I prefer to carry a minimal amount of additional weight when out walking/waddling....If something catches my eye, I'll return with the pro-gear (once I've recovered from the physical exertion 🤣). I've not personally used the Samsung camera (yet)....but found in the past that the Huawei P30 Pro smartphone really packed a punch with the camera.....but still not near the quality of the dslr.

Hi Gavin I like you have a new fancy phone I'm not entirely sure how to use it so any hints tips n help or even just an idea where to start that would be great my phone is the oppo find X5 cheers Mike.

In my experience, my S22 Ultra isnt as good as my Canon 77D with my L lenses. I really only use the phone camera to get photos of my cats or goofy photos of myself. The best example that I've got for comparing my phone's camera and my actual camera was from last month's Northern Lights show. The phone photos were all right, but the photos from my camera were magnifi-qua.

Since your phone is a crop sensor, you should be able to add a correction of something like 7x to the aperture. The full-frame equivalent is likely f13-ish. I think that makes sense seeing the resulting images. What do you think Gavin? A RX100 or G7 is probably a good compromise between portability and function.

Gavin, I just purchased the Google Pixel 7 Pro. I haven't done a deep dive into the camera app, but the night mode (NightSight in Google speak) kinda blew me away- stars were in focus and almost as sharp as my A7III. There's a lot of multi-image AI in the capture, but really impressive for a phone. Things fall apart in the deep shadow foreground when you zoom in of course, but still.

Danke!

Another cool video. I agree phones are decent these days, and a phone could get you by. I am not a pixel peeper. I also agree with the frustration using the phone cameras. I have not tried all of the apps out there for my iphone .

Would be nice to see a video showing large prints comparison.

I'm no pro by any means, but before I received the gift of a T6i I'd like to think I put some effort into my iPhone photos. That's what gets me the most -- Instagram turning from a photo app to a garbage snapshot app, and people not putting much thought into the photos they're taking. The best-result S23 photos you have looked really great to me, because effort was put into making them look the best they could look.

I would like to see a printed image quality comparison.