Upgrade from a camera phone

Martytoon · 20 Oct 2015 at 14:54

I do quite a bit of fell walking and I like to document my journeys through pictures. I've been using my phone, which under good light conditions, produces OK results, such as:

However, as soon as the light becomes more challenging, the picture quality becomes noticeably worse, such as:

I would really appreciate your advice and comments as to whether, on a budget of say £150, a compact camera is going to give me noticeably better results? I do appreciate that at this very budget end that I'm not going to get great results but am just trying to work out whether its worth the investment as I often return from a days walking in breathtaking scenery only to be disappointed by what I've captured on "film"!

Greebo · 20 Oct 2015 at 15:34

Yes. £150 is enough to beat camera phones. As per the other thread where the op wanted a compact for £60-70 the results in that price range struggle to beat camera phones but just possible.

If you can buy second hand then your money will got a lot lot further and will knock your phone for 6.

I presumes its just landscapes that you wish to snap?

if so then you can avoid compacts which try and include massive zooms on their bodies which reduces quality and increase bulk.

maybe a 2nd hand Fujifilm X10 or Canon PowerShot S110 maybe?

Im sure somebody will be along with more options soon

Mr Jones · 20 Oct 2015 at 15:38

What phone are you using now?

It might be worth looking at what app and options are available to you, essentially your first shot was exposing for the foreground, and thus you get an overexposed background (sky is blown).

The second image you got shows the camera exposed for the background (sky/clouds) and thus underexposed the foreground.

Do you tap on your phone to select where it's focused or do you use it all at Auto?

Some apps / settings allows for evaluation of exposure based on focus point, that may help even out some exposures, or if better, get an app/phone that allows for more manual control. Anything that allows you to adjust the exposure compensation will help you loads without buying a compact camera first.

Martytoon · 20 Oct 2015 at 15:59

Mr Jones said:
What phone are you using now?

Do you tap on your phone to select where it's focused or do you use it all at Auto?

It's an iphone5s. I do sometimes tap to focus but found that if I was standing in shade but near distance was in sun the picture appeared totally washed out - overexposed? I hadn't thought of looking at apps for greater control - will give that a look. Thanks.

Martytoon · 20 Oct 2015 at 16:02

Greebo said:
I presumes its just landscapes that you wish to snap?

Yes, just landscapes. The second hand route is a good call. Will give that some thought. Cheers.

Mr Jones · 20 Oct 2015 at 16:06

I'm not familiar with iOS for apps, so look for something with HDR functions (can be as subtle or as exaggerated as you like, app settings dependent)

It's basically impossible for any camera to expose correctly, without additional software help. Apps on mobile, especially with the iPhone 5s (iOS range of apps) should help on that front. Otherwise, compact camera will also have the same problem till you start bringing in graduated filters to aid correct 1 shot exposure.

D.P. · 20 Oct 2015 at 22:47

Just note that if the lighting is bad then there is really nothing you can do, come back another day with better lighting. That is what photography is about.

This photo would not have worked without the lighting, the camera was irrelevant as a smartphone would have done a good job. The Sun was hitting the larch trees that were just starting to change yellow so the foreground was glowing electric while dark storm clouds were brooding in the background. The recent snow added the textural interest to the mountains which might otherwise loose detail.

Time of day is key, sunrise or sunset is best.

Some of the best moments are at the end of the day when the sun was hiding behind rain clouds and then just creeps out before setting.

But sunrise can give the clearest photos

Clouds are actually your best friend, adding a lot of interest to other boring skies

darreny · 20 Oct 2015 at 23:23

Think with the 5s if you hold the focus point it locks the exposure at that focus point so maybe you could reframe after that?