Camera Wars

I hope you guys like the Captain America - Civil War theme below, at least that's what I was going for.

This post will discuss, from the perspective of a "professional" videographer, I quote professional because I have gotten paid to make videos but it is not my full time job, why the devices we carry in our pockets have cameras that suit our needs so much more than multi-thousand dollar DSLRs.

I will make the case that mobile cameras, like iPhones and GoPros, are more suitable for consumers and semi-professional than professional cameras, like the Sony A7iii or the Panasonic DVX200, by comparing the 2 categories of cameras in various fields.

Stabilization

One of the biggest advantages mobile cameras like iPhones and GoPros have over their significantly more costly counterparts is auto-stabilization. Mobile cameras have sensors called accelerometers and gyroscopes that are able to track the device's motion in 3D space. On GoPros that data is reverse engineered and applied to the footage to create silky smooth footage even when the camera is mounted to a mountain bike. iPhone cameras are mounted to tiny motors that move to stabilize footage while it's being shot. Comparatively, no professional camera ships with auto-stabilization.

Audio Monitoring

Another huge advantage is the ability to monitor audio wirelessly. I can put my AirPods in my ear while filming with my iPhone and immediately I am able to wirelessly monitor my audio. With professional cameras, a wired set of headphones has to be hardwired to the camera, not only does that add to the clutter of a shoot, it also limits the cinematographer when it comes to what camera movements he can accomplish. On professional film sets there are designated members of the crew responsible for audio management but when indie filmmakers don't have dozens of engineers on set, wireless monitoring can be a game changer.

Quality

It is undeniable that professional grade cameras can capture higher quality footage with their superior sensors and lenses, especially in non-ideal conditions like low-light. However, mobile cameras are capable of filming in up to 4K resolution and 60 frames per second, as long as the scene is well lit, that quality is virtually indistinguishable from the quality of professional cameras.

It is argued that the lack of depth of field is a drawback of mobile cameras but with apps like Filmic Pro filmmakers can adjust depth of field, white balance, ISO, and many other controls on mobile cameras.

Convenience

One of the most obvious benefits of mobile cameras is their convenience. They are infinitely more portable, most commonly residing in the pocket of the filmmaker. No need for dedicated camera bags, multiple batteries, etc.

This also unlocks many new locations filmmakers can trek to achieve the perfect shot. You may not be able to carry hundreds of pounds of equipment on a hike up a mountain but your phone is probably already in your pocket.

Accessories

Accessorizing filming equipment is what will give any filmmaker an edge in the content he creates. The issue is, with professional cameras, the add-ons can cost almost as much as the camera. Lenses cost thousands of dollars and any worthwhile stabilizer is in the $500 range. Meanwhile, 2019 mobile phones have up to 5 lenses already built in. And if someone is looking to get cinematic level stabilization, they can purchase a $119 DJI Osmo Mobile 3 that will deliver just that.

So if we think of cameras as storytelling tools that are supposed to eliminate the barriers between a filmmaker and the story they are capturing, a strong case can be made that, based on the convenience of mobile cameras and only a slight compromises on quality, mobile cameras are more suitable for filmmakers that don't have dozens of crew members managing each component of the camera and thousands of dollars to spend.

Until next time...