Buy smartphone just for camera, not phone service?

[novicenew]

I want an easy to carry, portable device for photos and video; like a smartphone. I don't want to pay for phone service though. I just want the camera.

Can I buy a phone just for the camera? Is that a good idea? Perhaps I could buy a used phone?

 

[libra89]

I believe you can do that, it just depends on the device. In some phones, there's a way to just have pictures upload over wifi. A used phone would probably be a good idea for this kind of scenario. What phone do you have in mind?

 

[Mooncatt]

I'm curious why you're wanting to go this route instead of a dedicated camera. If you have a specific reason, more power to you. For the same money, you can get dedicated cameras that will take much better pics. Heck, you could get a starter DSLR setup for how much some new phones cost (I know this from window shopping DSLRs recently). Granted they are bulky, but that puts things into perspective.

Many digital, cameras also have various share functions so you can share the pictures to other devices wirelessly. Samsung even makes a thin Android powered camera. You'll get better pictures, and optical zoom vs a smartphone, at cheaper price. So unless you have a specific need for a phone for a camera, I'd suggest going that route instead.

If you still want to go with a phone, I'm loving the camera on the LG G4. It's ranked as one of the best cameras on the market. One of its biggest selling points is optical image stabilization and manual controls for pictures. There have been issues with early batches having boot loop problems because of a hardware defect. So an alternative to that could be the LG V10. It's the same camera hardware, but also adds manual controls to video as well. People say it seems to be better built than the G4, but I haven't kept up to know if it has any wide spread issues.

 

[SpookDroid]

Not a bad idea at all. I know parents that get phones with busted radios or used ones with only WiFi access to their kids because it's cheaper than an iPod and they get music AND app access.

You can also look at portable cameras, though, and see if price-wise those are a better deal (there are some razor-thin ones from Sony that I think don't sell for over 150 bucks...good luck finding a phone with a DECENT camera for that price!).

 

[novicenew]

I know almost nothing about phones or cameras. I had been told, or read things, that lead me to think that a phone would be smaller and more convenient to carry around. I didn't know if cameras allowed you to take selfies. I think I'd like to take selfies sometimes.

Do many cameras record video as well?

I don't know about the different phone models. I don't have wireless service.

 

[PapaGary]

Can I buy a phone just for the camera?

Sure, if that's what you want.

Is that a good idea?

I don't feel it is because for less money than the price of most cell phones you can buy a compact, 20 Megapixel camera like these: link

(Note- I have referenced Canon cameras because I own three Canon digital cameras which I use for serious photography. The other big brands: Nikon, Sony, Fuji, and Olympus all make similar compacts which are probably just as good.)

Perhaps I could buy a used phone?

This is probably the worst idea as an older phone will have an older camera in it. Cell phone cameras get better in each generation so the newer the better.

 

[Mooncatt]

Pocket cameras are coming along well. They can record HD video, some have flip screens for taking selfies, some can interact with a phone for more control options, etc.

A phone would be thinner, because of smaller components and no zoom lenses. Pocket cameras are a little thicker, but the features are worth it. Most of the bulk is from the lens assemblies and I'm guessing simple ergonomics.

 

[novicenew]

Do you recommend any particular photo/video cameras?

Pocket cameras are coming along well. They can record HD video, some have flip screens for taking selfies, some can interact with a phone for more control options, etc.

 

[Mooncatt]

Nothing specific. I've only made cursory searches to see what features have come out for this thread. If you stick with name brands, I doubt you'd get a bad one. Just see which one has the specs you desire and check reviews. Kinda like shopping for a phone.

 

[novicenew]

Do you know if there are cameras that fit in you pocket?

A used smartphone may not be the latest and greatest, but aren't new smartphones expensive?

I don't feel it is because for less money than the price of most cell phones you can buy a compact, 20 Megapixel camera like these


This is probably the worst idea as an older phone will have an older camera in it. Cell phone cameras get better in each generation so the newer the better.

 

[novicenew]

You can buy an unlocked phone

I'm not sure what that means. Is that a used phone?

 

[SactoKingsFan]

I'm not sure what that means. Is that a used phone?

Unlocked phones can be used on many carriers, whereas the use of a locked phone is restricted to specific carrier.

 

[PapaGary]

Do you know if there are cameras that fit in you pocket?

Yes, I own one.

A used smartphone may not be the latest and greatest, but aren't new smartphones expensive?

A high quality compact camera will be less than a new smart phone. Click on the link in my post above.

 

[kramer5150]

I think you should consider low light conditions. Many (but not all) Cell phone cameras don't do well in low light. If this aspect is at all important to you then I think you should strongly consider a dedicated camera of some sort first.

 

[hallux]

I think you should consider low light conditions. Many (but not all) Cell phone cameras don't do well in low light. If this aspect is at all important to you then I think you should strongly consider a dedicated camera of some sort first.

Yup. The sensor size is quite an important factor in low-light photography. Larger sensors perform better in low-light situations, dedicated cameras will absolutely have larger sensors (not just talking megapixels, talking physical size) than phone cameras.

My opinion on the original question, $ for $ you're going to get MUCH better photographs from a dedicated camera than you will from a phone. Canon makes good point and shoot cameras with optical zooms (phones use digital zoom, using 4 pixels at 2x zoom for every one at regular focal length). Going the dedicated camera route, I would suggest getting a couple extra SD cards and a spare battery or two (or three), and even with those add-ons you're STILL under the cost of a phone.

This was taken with a camera classed between the P&S linked above and a full-on DSLR, you won't get a shot like this out of a phone...



Taking "selfies" with this camera is a bit of a stretch though.

 

[kramer5150]

Lets not forget that many cameras have flash and lens attachments too.

 

[novicenew]

I would like to be able to take selfies. I was hoping to have that.

It would be nice to have better quality photos, and it seems a waste to spend more for an inferior camera, but I've read; in a number of places, that the camera in a phone is good enough for most people.

Yup. The sensor size is quite an important factor in low-light photography. Larger sensors perform better in low-light situations, dedicated cameras will absolutely have larger sensors (not just talking megapixels, talking physical size) than phone cameras.

My opinion on the original question, $ for $ you're going to get MUCH better photographs from a dedicated camera than you will from a phone. Canon makes good point and shoot cameras with optical zooms (phones use digital zoom, using 4 pixels at 2x zoom for every one at regular focal length). Going the dedicated camera route, I would suggest getting a couple extra SD cards and a spare battery or two (or three), and even with those add-ons you're STILL under the cost of a phone.

This was taken with a camera classed between the P&S linked above and a full-on DSLR, you won't get a shot like this out of a phone...

View attachment 216917

Taking "selfies" with this camera is a bit of a stretch though.

 

[novicenew]

I would like to be able to take selfies. I was hoping to have that.

It would be nice to have better quality photos, and it seems a waste to spend more for an inferior camera, but I've read; in a number of places, that the camera in a phone is good enough for most people.

 

[novicenew]

Another feature that phones have, that I would like, is an audio recorder. Do any cameras record audio, as well as video?

 

[hallux]

I would like to be able to take selfies. I was hoping to have that.

It would be nice to have better quality photos, and it seems a waste to spend more for an inferior camera, but I've read; in a number of places, that the camera in a phone is good enough for most people.

The Canon cameras linked before MIGHT be selfie-capable as they're lighter and a little more balanced than my camera that has an interchangeable lens. I never really understood the fascination with the concept. There's always the original "selfie stick", a tripod and self-timer, or ask a friendly passer-by to help with taking a photo of you.

Another feature that phones have, that I would like, is an audio recorder. Do any cameras record audio, as well as video?

Yes, if the camera can record video it should also do audio, some also have a mic input if you want to use an external mic.