Smartphone vs DSLR - is it worth it now?

Is a smartphone really all you need for YouTube videos? We’ll do a DSLR vs smartphone camera comparison to find out which one is best for the regular content creator.

-- LINKS --
(When available, we use affiliate links and may earn a commission!)

Recommended Smartphone Gear:

Recommended Apps:

Other Tools to Level Up Your Videos:

📕 FREE Guide to Filming Amazing Videos on Smartphone! 📕

Timestamps:
00:00 Smartphone vs DSLR - is it worth it now?
00:57 Filming with a Smartphone
04:37 Filming with a DSLR
11:30 Which is better... Smartphone or DSLR?
12:29 Is a Smartphone good enough for YouTube videos?
13:39 How to level up your videos!

Music in this video:
► "Everyone Knows" - Daniel Gunnarsson

*** GEAR WE USE ***

Learn how to build an audience, generate new leads on autopilot and SCALE your business with video step-by-step in our fast-track Primal Video Accelerator program!

--

-- Best Camera for YouTube (Smartphone vs DSLR/Mirrorless Camera Comparison) --

We’ve all been told that a smartphone is all you need for filming these days. But a lot of the people who say that smartphone cameras are enough, have a ton of extra filming gear they use with their iPhone or Android.

So, how do smartphone cameras really compare to pro cameras (DSLRs and mirrorless cameras)? Is smartphone video quality good enough if you don’t have access to professional gimbals, lenses, lighting, etc. to go along with it?

In this video we’ll do a Android/iPhone vs DSLR comparison to uncover which is the best camera for YouTube videos if you’re a regular content creator.

We’ll make sure to share all the info you need to know so that you can decide the best camera for video creation for YOU. Plus we’ll cover some smartphone filming tips along the way!

**********
Check out all the gear we use and recommend at Primal Video!
**********

--- Related Content ---

#SmartphoneVsDSLR #BestCameraForYouTubeVideos #YouTubeForBusiness #PrimalVideo

DISCLOSURE: We often review or link to products & services we regularly use and think you might find helpful. Wherever possible we use referral links, which means if you click one of the links in this video or description and make a purchase we may receive a small commission or other compensation.

[PrimalVideo]

❓Which one will you be using to shoot your YouTube videos - Smartphone or DSLR? Let me know 👇

[DariusTan]

When it comes to convenience, smartphones do all the work. But if you want quality, the DSLR is the one to choose. That's why using both features can give you a lot of help.

[TheAlkebulanTrust]

Have a feeling that both are needed because clearly smartphones are convenient but DSLR Cameras are still very much needed as smartphones can't produce the same quality

[RickLeMon]

I use a smartphone, and it's generally good enough for my needs, however, the one drawback I face is variable framerate. Editing software is generally unhappy with it, and while you can convert it, it never quite feels right.

[muralibalaraman]

What people don't tell you is that it takes forever to take a 30 minutes recording from the smart phone to the laptop, especially when they are recorded in 4K . I face this all the time on the latest iphone with a lightning connector, or airplay. So the smartphone is not complete yet.

[chereshenkovm]

The best thing about using camera is that it’s less sensitive to low temperature, than a phone(at least in my experience)
When I started shooting birds, it was cold outside, -20, and my phone in this temperature would die in like 30 mins max. But with camera I could go for 8 hours without any problem, no lags or any freeze artifacts. And it was nice to get Tele lenses to get those close shots

[masterkc]

Smart phone camera's are perfect for the everyday person. I remember back in 2005-12, I used to bring my DSLR camera or something smaller like a point and shoot for small getaways with the family. BUT - These days my phone camera is perfect and Excatly what I need. I take the video or picture and get to instantly edit and send online to friends...this kind of portability and flexibility is unmatched. Sure - DSLR's are amazing but...there are phones that have finally reached the sweet spot, where you have trouble telling apart DSLR pics to smart phone pics.

Final thing to mention is AI...thats the real game changer in smartphones.

[annoholics]

The competition on YouTube is huge and to grow you need all the benefits that you can get. The easiest thing to change is of course the camera. I know a lot of well established YouTubers make video's how you can make YT video's with less expensive gear. What they don't tell you is that they use far better gear themselves whenever they can. I understand the motivation to make these video's. It is not a popular statement to make that you need to invest many thousands of dollars/Euro's/pounds to get good video's. And of course, still content is king, but people also want good quality video and especially good audio.

[craiggrella]

I switched from canon dslr to iPhone - it was just easier to use and there are more apps to pull the iPhone into my Mac wirelessly. I switch between Camo (Wired) and Shoot app - which can do NDI wirelessly. The iPhone quality is just soooo good.

[videoicon]

I still use DSLR in certain indoor scenarios as it allows me to use external flash to bounce light and produce a soft light effect. There is no equivalent quality external flash attachment for smartphones. Also the "Portrait" mode on smartphones is still not good enough, it may be okay for throwaway photos but not for quality prints.

[easyx]

The big issue ruining my life!! Is memory space. It's not just the phone and camera memories, my laptop with 500gb is also full. What system do you guys use to record, save / delete between the different devices. Thanks

[tommymclaughlin-artist]

I tried to just use my smartphone for the longest time but it's drastically impractical for shooting drawing videos and similar content. You really need to be able to monitor the recording with an HDMI capture.

[CoasterManOfficial]

I use a Kodak AZ405 to film videos for YouTube. I have a phone with a decent mic and camera, but I like the form factor of a camera, and I don't have a tripod for it. I'll obviously be upgrading my camera setup eventually, but my Kodak camera and my Ambico tripod will work for now.

[daysd]

I still create videos at times on my iPhone XR - had it for almost 4 years and it performs superbly!! Sometimes I use my Filmic Pro with it but I can create videos of solid quality with it still until I retire to an upgrade later this year. Also, with my Canon M-50 and my accessories for both the phone and camera, I can now create just about any type of video I want with my weapon of choice! Great video Justin!!

[seiya]

Is it really worth to buy a Sony A7S III?

[jordanking]

It really depends on what you're going to be shooting for video. If you're only going to be shooting casual footage that nobody except for family and friends are ever going to see and maybe more professional stuff (to a point depending), then yes your smartphone is more than good enough. But for more professional work, you would use a proper camera. And for me personally, an actual video camera and not a DSLR, because to me using a DSLR for video just seems weird to me. Just my thoughts though. To each their own.

[mrjohn]

Another depth-filled video thx Justin!

[talatsultana]

Hey, Justin. In 1:36 there was a slight bounce kind of thing. I would like to ask what that is, why it happens, and how we can solve that problem in cell phones. It happens to me all the time, and this is quite annoying. Please help me with that.

[StarWarsJay]

I was just thinking about this Justin. I’m thinking about forking out for that nice, Sony vlogging camera. It’s not the most expensive, but it’s still half a months salary for most people. I have an iPhone 12 Pro with filmic pro on it, a gimbal, a tripod, microphone, lights etc etc etc. Do I really need to be forking out the best part of a grand? By the way, any filming I do is indoor stuff of myself and close ups of model kits, toys etc. No dramatic outdoor stuff.

[WrestlingWithTheTruth]

Smartphones are definitely the most convenient. We have been using webcams and Zoom as well since we are unable to record in person together.