Sunday News

A PLACE FOR BOTH

Digital imaging experts say smartphones and stand-alone cameras can coexist because each has its own advantages.

SMARTPHONES OFFER SPONTANEITY … : Smartphones offer always-on connections to the Internet, allowing users to easily share their photos on social networking sites or over email or messaging services. They also offer a large selection of apps that can be used to tweak, edit or share pictures. And users don't have to remember to bring another gadget, because their smartphones are almost always with them.

… BUT NOT THE BEST IMAGE QUALITY: Because they lack optical zoom lenses, smartphones typically do poorly when shooting from a distance. And they typically do poorly in dark rooms or at night, thanks to smaller image sensors and lower-powered flashes.

STAND-ALONE CAMERAS OFFER QUALITY … : Digital cameras have larger image sensors, typically better flash systems and often-powerful zoom lenses, allowing them to shoot high-quality shots from a distance or in the dark. They also typically offer users finer control over the exposure of their pictures.

… BUT NOT CONVENIENCE: Users have to remember to bring along their camera. While a growing number include Wi-Fi, most don't, so sharing pictures taken from them is not as immediate or easy. And few cameras offer the kind of apps found on smartphones.