Can the smartphone camera replace the big cameras? It is like asking if a normal sedan can replace the sports car which is really a non argument. When you consider the things you do might not need the precision and quality for some genre and in fact gave you greater joy without the bulk, maybe the sacrifice can be justified. Some genres definitely are still best taken with a camera like sports, performances, fireworks and astro just because the ergonomics and sensor quality helps the user more but for the majority of shots, a smartphone is enough for some users. In the last six months after trips abroad using two phones, vivo x300 pro gave me the flexibility to shoot far and wide with precise colors while Oppo find X9 pro gave me the Hasselblad/Leica aesthetics in portraits and food shots. My trusty Lumix S5 is still there for astro and fireworks and shots that require good AF tracking with reach. I managed to shoot a jungle fowl and a Koei amongst the Sakura blooms using the Vivo but the ability to catch those is honed by using the Nikon system over the decades. In the end, choose the right tools for the shots and you will go far. But sometimes using a bad tool might train you in ways big cameras have made it convenient. Of course the reverse is definitely true as well. https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1HaxutNpZq/

Why pay so much for a smartphone when its photo and video functions are not as good as those of a Mirrorless or DSLR? Fact: The smartphone camera will NOT be as good as a mirrorless or DSLR with a good lens. There is no 'if' or 'but' simply because physics will not make an ultra-small sensor as sensitive as a big ass sensor inside the camera body. Fact Two/Too: The AI inside the smartphone has largely (not totally) mitigated the issues associated with small sensor + lenses simply by condensing what used to be an arduous post-editing process into a workflow that can be applied in microseconds. All distortion correction and colour management/science are tweaked for the vast majority of users. Any more and it will be in the realm of discerning professionals. Is it perfect? No, and that is why mirrorless and DSLRs will still have a place in imaging. Fact Three: The best camera is the one always with you. It really depends on what is in your pocket, too. If I have an old Nokia shooting 720p HD photo and video, I would be better off shooting with a Nikon or Canon. Then again, would that HD camera shoot something significant like the 2001 World Trade Centre attack? It would, but it won't be sharp, but at least you get the shot. Fast forward 25 years, and you have a smartphone that shoots pretty close to the quality of excellent film cameras, without the film grain. So what's stopping you from capturing decisive moments? The smartphones are too good for most that heck, even youngsters are going back to 2000s compact cameras like the Fujifilm cameras that I sold in partnership with MS Color in NUS/NTU flea market when digital cameras were starting to emerge for the consumer market, just for that old-school digital feel (aka Fujifilm Tokyo filter). To complain that Smartphones are not as good as Mirrorless is asking a Toyota Supra to become an F1 car. Each has a place, and it is up to the user to know which tools to use within a budget that one can accept. Besides, can a good photographer use any tools to shoot good photos? Would a good camera transform Tom, Dick or Mary into a pro? I think we know the answer: both tools and skills are needed in equal measure.

If you’ve been meaning to get better at photography but never quite know where to start, this is for you 📸 I’m running an Imaging Class that’s designed to help you understand your camera (or smartphone), see light better, and shoot with more confidence — without jargon or complicated theory. It’s practical, hands-on, and focused on real-world shooting you can apply immediately. Whether you’re a beginner or someone who’s been shooting for a while but feels stuck, come learn, practise, and grow together with like-minded folks. 👉 Register here: https://tms.wings.sg/web/event_details/12066 Hope to see you in class!

If you’ve ever dreamed of photographing snow-capped mountains by day and the Milky Way by night, this is your moment. Join us this March on a carefully curated photographic journey through Western Sichuan, where dramatic landscapes, Tibetan culture, and pristine night skies come together in one unforgettable experience. 🌄 By day, we explore iconic locations like Four Sisters Mountain, Red Sea Lake, and ancient Tibetan villages — chasing soft spring light, mountain reflections, and timeless scenes perfect for landscape storytelling. 🌌 By night, we slow things down. Far from city lights, you’ll have the chance to photograph the galaxy stretching across the sky, learn night-sky composition, and capture long-exposure images with snow peaks and valleys as your foreground. This is real dark-sky territory — quiet, humbling, and incredibly photogenic. ✨ Why join this tour? • Thoughtfully planned for photographers of all levels • Guidance on both landscape and astrophotography • Unique spring conditions with clear air and dramatic light • A balance of shooting, learning, and simply being present. Smartphone imaging supported. This isn’t just a trip — it’s a chance to see differently, shoot with intention, and come home with images (and memories) that truly matter. 📅 March departure is Confirmed | Limited spots available 📩 Drop us a message to find out more and secure your place Online Flip Book and Contact Details: https://online.fliphtml5.com/erqnr/kfin/#p=1