The best camera ...

... Is the one you have with you at the time.

There is some discussion about the origin of the quote and just as many views on if people agree with it or not, especially as many phone manufacturers use it in their advertising for the cameras they now include!

The discussion for most of those who disagree focusses in this area comparing the technical capability of a DSLR/CSC and a camera phone, the low light capability, ability to user a range of lenses and all of these are very valid arguments.

But doesn’t each camera have its limitations? Absolutely! I have recently seen a review of the latest Nikon full frame CSC – full of glowing praises about how fantastic it was … but it only had one card slot, and that was a XQD card. Does this make it not the best camera for the job?

Unless you constantly upgrade your gear there will always be a better camera in one area or another; so it comes down to which limitations you are prepared to accept for the type of photography you do. It may be space in your luggage when you go on holiday, budget to buy the camera, weight of the kit if you are carrying it for a long time or even what a venue will let you take in.

However, it this doesn’t answer the core question.

What takes the photo? Is it the camera or is it the photographer?

For me it is the later the camera is only a tool to do the job. If you want proof give a pro photographer a camera phone and they will take amazing images – give Joe public a top end camera and the results could be “interesting”.

Proof of the pudding – take a look at these images of a wedding we went to in May and say which was taken with a phone and which with a DSLR?

Not so easy is it.

Ultimately, if you don’t have a camera you can’t capture an image – the moment has passed. If you have your phone and your DSLR/CSC you can choose which one to use based on the situation in front of you.

And don’t forget sometimes it works out in your favour.

This night shot from St Mark’s Square in Venice was taken with my phone – looked at small it is acceptable quality, a bit grainy but that is one of the limitations of the phone camera.

However, when blown up to full screen size of a PC it looks amazing! The grain makes it look like a watercolour painting and I love it.

Wouldn’t have taken it if I have my DSLR and tripod with me.

The answer on the wedding photos - the one on the right is with the phone ... and has won competitio