Learn: 6 Differences Between Phone vs Camera Photography

Whether you use a camera or not, you likely create photography with your smartphone. It's always with you, and it's so easy to pull your phone out of your pocket. So, why bother using a camera at all? What's the difference between photography with a smartphone and a standalone camera? Well, we decided to put this to the test. MPB's Jakub Golis compares the photography and filmmaking capabilities of the iPhone 13 and the Canon EOS M6 Mark II. Watch the video and compare the images using the slider comparison tools below. Over to you, Jakub.

I'm going to have a closer look at both the iPhone 13 and the Canon EOS M6 Mark II, especially at the famous iPhone portrait and cinematic mode, and I want to see how it compares against footage shot on a real camera. I'm going to examine their handling and ergonomics, and then we'll move on to a side-by-side comparison of their photo and video features. But before we jump into that, let's have a look at the tech specs of both contenders.

About the iPhone 13 Pro

The iPhone 13 Pro was released in September 2021, and it immediately became known for its innovative cinematic mode, which allows filming with background blur and picture characteristics we know from the big screen. Besides that, it is a great photo and video camera with a 12-megapixel sensor, three built-in lenses, and even a LiDAR scanner to help with creating depth in your pictures. It shoots 4K video, slow motion, and has all of the additional features a smartphone provides.

About the Canon EOS M6 Mark II

Our dedicated camera, the Canon EOS M6 II, was released in September 2019 as a mid-range mirrorless camera. This Canon has a much bigger APS-C size sensor with a resolution of 32.5 megapixels, an interchangeable EF-M lens mount, shoots RAW photos and 4K video with continuous autofocus and face tracking, and has great low-light sensitivity up to 25,600 ISO. Its flip-out screen makes it a great choice for all kinds of content creators. Be sure to check out our article on video tips for content creators.

1. Handling and ergonomics

As for handling and ergonomics, there are differences you'll notice even before turning on either device. Smartphones are designed to fit the palm of your hand and perform multiple functions, including photography, while remaining compact enough to fit in your back pocket—though not all of them do.

Dedicated cameras, on the other hand, are designed from the ground up for photography and videography. They have additional dials for quick access without looking, eliminating the need to tap everything on screen. However, like the Canon M6 Mark II, some still offer a touchscreen option for operation.

2. Versatility

A dedicated camera is part of a bigger system of lenses and accessories that can be adapted to various shooting needs. For example, I'm using the tiny pancake Canon EF-M 22mm f/2 STM lens here. but if you'd like, you can switch it to something bigger and more versatile, like the Canon EF-M 11-22mm f/4-5.6 IS STM zoom lens. If you're shooting in low light, you can opt for a great Sigma lens with an f/1.4 aperture, allowing you to capture images in really bad lighting conditions.

If you already own a previous Canon camera, like a regular Canon DSLR, you can use your old Canon EF Mount lenses via an adapter. For instance, I have my trusty Canon EF 85mm f/1.8 USM, which I can easily mount on this little mirrorless Canon.

3. Portraiture and resolution

Now, we're on Brighton Seafront, and I have both the iPhone 13 Pro and the Canon M6 Mark II with a 22mm f/2 lens, which should allow me to achieve a shallow depth of field. I'll take a few pictures of Zach—we have beautiful light behind him. This is quite a difficult lighting situation because the portrait is back-lit, creating extreme contrast between the background and the foreground. This is another test to see how these cameras perform under harsh lighting conditions. Now, onto the Canon camera. The RAW capture on the M6 Mark II gives me the flexibility to adjust the look however I like. I can lift the shadows and bring the highlights down to make it look like it was captured on an iPhone, but I can also grade it more to my taste. The 32.5-megapixel resolution from the Canon provides enough detail to crop the image without losing too much quality.

Left: iPhone 13 Pro | Right: Canon EOS M6 Mark II

4. Performance in full sun

We've moved to a place with direct sunlight, so now we'll see how pictures from both cameras look in such conditions. On the Canon, I have the ability to change lenses, so I swapped the previous 22mm f/2 for a beautiful Sigma 16mm f/1.4 DC DN EF-M. Now, I'm going to take a picture with the iPhone. The first picture will be at f/2.8. I think f/2.8 on an iPhone looks a little artificial, so I'm changing it to f/5.6 because I think it looks much more believable.

Left: iPhone 13 Pro | Right: Canon EOS M6 Mark II

5. Sensor size

We've compared the iPhone 13 Pro against a specific camera, the Canon EOS M6 Mark II, but remember that most of the principles I’ve discussed—ergonomics, handling and the ability to accessorise—apply to many other cameras as well. If you're considering a Sony A6400, Canon EOS 90D or any camera with a larger , the same factors will be relevant.

The Canon EOS M6 Mark II has an APS-C sensor, which is approximately 22.3x14.9mm. The iPhone 13 Pro has a 1/1.65" sensor, which is much smaller. The amount of detail you can capture, while mitigated by smartphone technology, will be lower on a phone than on a camera with a larger sensor. Learn more about camera sensor sizes.

Left: iPhone 13 Pro | Right: Canon EOS M6 Mark II

6. Usability

For my taste, the quality of photo and video, as well as the artificial blur the iPhone produces, still isn’t quite there yet. However, when portrait mode first appeared in smartphones, it wasn’t very good, and it has been improving steadily. That said, there are still things an iPhone just can't do. One thing I’m sure of is that an iPhone will always be flat, while a dedicated camera is designed to fit in your hands and be firmly held. You also just can't beat the experience of shooting on a real camera.

Left: iPhone 13 Pro | Right: Canon EOS M6 Mark II

Verdict

In conclusion, while the iPhone 13—and smartphones in general—have come a long way, they are still not quite there yet. However, they will continue to improve. But you can never beat the experience of shooting on a real camera.

Read more camera gear guides on the MPB content hub.