The constant want for better cameras?

[LiE]

Is there a reason manufacturers are going for multiple sensors with different lenses, rather than single larger sensor.

Larger sensor means bigger lens, including depth.

 

[Glaucus]

Larger sensor means bigger lens, including depth.

That's a shame as I would imagine that would improve quality far more. Wonder how thick a phone would be with a sensor twice as big which would be 4X the area.

 

[£15]

Do you think the vast majority of DSLR photos go anywhere beyond Facebook either?

The best camera is the one you have on you, and unless you're a pro you won't be toting your DLSR everywhere you go either - going to a party, will you bring your camera? Going out for dinner, will you bring your camera? Having a good phone camera is massive because it means you don't have to have a decent separate camera on those occasions you don't want to be on a photography trip.

This. 100%

I have a DSLR and some expensive L lenses, but hardly ever take them out as it requires so much time, effort and planning. Plus with family days out (three kids) all the kit just gets in the way. I'm always over the moon with the shots I get, but it also means I'm not getting involved with the family as I'm being the photographer.

Compare that with always having my phone on me and being able to whip it out and put it away at the drop of a hat.

I'm thinking more and more about whether or not to keep my gear and either buy a more compact camera, like an RX100, or just get a new phone with the best camera I can afford. But yet again, you're in the position of having to carry a phone and a camera, albeit a smaller one (than a DLSR) - it'll just get left behind, as we're rushing out the door late for our trip to 'the seaside'

At the moment, I think a smartphone with a good camera is just so much better for me.

I love my 950XL, but I'm now looking for it's Android replacement.

 

[mrgubby]

I'm thinking more and more about whether or not to keep my gear and either buy a more compact camera, like an RX100.

I've got a 6D, 7D2 and a RX100, they don't get used unless "I'm doing photography"

My phone however, gets used all the time

 

[OspreyO]

I find this apparent consumer demand confusing in phones. ....On these handsets, detail, DR, noise, sharpness are pretty much a mute point, editing latitude not relevant...

I don't agree. If you are catching a moment of the kids or a scene in marginal light, there is world of a difference between a good and bad camera on a phone. In that scenario, noise detail, sharpness are all very much an issue.

 

[OspreyO]

Yeah but it's a contradiction in terms to want the best picture quality and use a phone.

They want the best picture quality they can get on a phone.

 

[OspreyO]

...My point being that the vast majority, maybe 98%, will never ever leave the confines of the handset and therefore nearly impossible to differentiate from a flagship camera of 3 years ago so I suppose my question is born of the fact that at the top of nearly everyone’s hit list is a better camera, in actual fact they couldn’t tell if it was the same camera as last years model simply being displayed to them on a better handset screen.

I think you are being unfair. A lot of people will be able to tell one photo is better than another when looking at them on a handset. They won't be able to tell you why its better. But they will see a difference.

The biggest advance has a been in speed and all the associated quality benefits, and also low light performance, and noise reduction in all conditions.

 

[roadie]

I just want a camera in a phone that can rival or better that of my old Lumia 950. It appears that only the top end phones that are absurdly expensive have optical image stabilisation and can perform well in most conditions.

 

[Schizo]

My phone never gets used for photos as I use it as a phone and make calls,when ever I'm out (not working) my camera goes out with me,my bag is always ready to be picked up.

 

[LiE]

My phone never gets used for photos as I use it as a phone and make calls,when ever I'm out (not working) my camera goes out with me,my bag is always ready to be picked up.

This. I have a Pixel 2 and it takes very good photos by phone standards, but it just cannot compare to my mirrorless camera. All the photos I take with my Fuji camera are loaded onto Google photos, and when I'm looking back through my photos those taken on a phone really stand out in a bad way. It's gotten to the point now where I begrudge taking photos on my phone because I want everything captured on my Fuji.