There’s an old saying amongst photographers, “The best camera is the one that you have on you”, but is that the truth?

Essentially, yes, because if you don’t have a camera to capture that moment then all you have is your memory of it. Sure you can tell the story, you can write about it, but as the other old saying goes, a picture is worth a thousand words.

However, just because you have a camera with you doesn’t necessarily make it the right camera for the job. We all love our phones, they have become a part of every day life for most people. They are a portal to the world of information and we contribute to that information every time we use them, and that includes the amazing pictures they are capable of taking. But they aren’t perfect, they do have shortcomings.

The truth about cell phone cameras is that they can take tack sharp images but cant’ deliver the same depth in that image that a proper/longer lens can with their stout “pancake” lenses. The length of a lens will greatly dictate the depth perception within your captured two-dimensional images and no amount of AI or filters is ever going to change that. The longer lenses more accurately portrays the depth with see with our own eyes creating that separation and depth in an otherwise flat image.

There’s no magic that is going to put the quality of a full camera with a proper lens into your pocket to carry around with you every day like we do with our phones, but whenever possible, you should be choosing to pick up a better camera than the pancake lensed one attached to your phone. Your lasting memories are worth preserving well.