Smartphones have come a long way as imaging tools, yet some still argue they aren’t “real” cameras. Traditionalists insist that only dedicated cameras count. But the reality is, smartphones are fully capable imaging devices, and dismissing them is more about personal bias than technical limitations.
Coming to you from Jason Row Photography, this straightforward video breaks down why smartphones qualify as real cameras. One of the weakest arguments against them is that they don’t support the exposure triangle. While most smartphone cameras have fixed apertures, they still allow control over shutter speed and ISO, which means they do follow the triangle—just in a slightly different way. Another claim is that a lack of a viewfinder disqualifies smartphones. But many professional cinema cameras also rely on external monitors instead of built-in viewfinders, and no one questions their legitimacy. Mirrorless and DSLR cameras often include LCD screens for composing shots, just like smartphones.
This video also tackles the argument that smartphones lack “proper” manual control. Many camera apps provide extensive control over shutter speed, white balance, ISO, and even raw capture. Computational photography plays a role in modern smartphone imaging, but larger cameras also use software-driven processing, whether in JPEG compression or in-camera color science. The idea that only smartphones rely on processing is outdated.
Another key point is that camera choice should match the job. A commercial photographer shooting for a billboard won’t use a smartphone, just as a filmmaker won’t use a medium format camera for run-and-gun video. But when a smartphone is the right tool for the job, there’s no reason not to use it. The video references Danny Boyle’s upcoming film, 28 Years Later, which was shot using an iPhone. Boyle is an Oscar-winning director, not someone looking for a gimmick. If a smartphone can meet the standards of Hollywood, it can certainly be considered a real camera.
The video also touches on how photography technology evolves. Digital cameras once faced the same skepticism that smartphones do today. Many photographers swore film would never be replaced, yet digital dominates the industry. The same shift is happening with smartphone photography. Image quality continues to improve, noise reduction is getting better, and software advancements are making small sensors more capable. Dismissing smartphones now is shortsighted. Check out the video above for the full rundown from Row.