Camera or phone ?

fhopefaithlove1 · October 2015

My DH and I are debating on whether or not to invest in purchasing a camera or if we should just use our camera phones. I'm thinking the pictures you would get from an actual camera would be better quality than you'd get from a camera phone. Any suggestions and/ or recommendations?

Cook3133 · October 2015

I use my phone all the time. With one kid though a nice camera is great! But I am on #4 and phone is just more convenient. But if I had the money for a fancy camera I would get one

MargaretC5 · October 2015

We purchased a camera when pregnant with DS, I think I took 20 pictures on it and now I have no idea where it is.
I would honestly think if you would use it or not. Also maybe try taking some of the pictures from your cellphone and blowing them up to an 8x10 to see if you are happy with how they look.

Kern91 · October 2015

I had just a normal Sony digital camera but it wouldn't snap the picture fast enough no matter what settings I could adjust so I just gave up on that and started to use my iPhone once I got one. I'm debating on getting accessories for the camera on the phone itself. Also, I would love one of those dslr cameras for taking better "professional" looking pics. I will keep using my phon since I always have it on me and it's just easier then taking a camera places.

fhopefaithlove1 · October 2015

Thank you ladies!! I have an IPhone. I didn't even know they had accessories for the camera! I'll definitely have to look into that.

dramaphile · October 2015

If you are willing to splurge on a DSLR and are willing to lug a camera around, they can be fantastic. We have one, as do several of our friends with babies, and really love it. That said, I'll probably use my iPhone camera frequently as well. I wouldn't bother with a standard digital, Most of them don't have a fast enough shutter speed, and an iPhone will take just as good of a photo, if not better.

gkfk · October 2015

If we had the money and time, i would buy a new camera. However, I've taken my (old) camera and phone on my last 3 vacations and ended up using my phone 90% of the time, and taking better pictures than i could with the camera. So we're bringing our phones only and crossing our fingers. Hope that helps! Selfie stick??

rachswi · October 2015

We plan to just use our iPhones. We like the quality well enough. (Plus I don't think I'd want a nice brand new dslr camera around with all those lovely fluids!)

poupoule · October 2015

I bought a camera (dslr), but I did some photography a few years ago, I think the quality is not comparable with a phone, and I am comfortable using it... But it will depend on you to take them. The most important is to capture the moments

lyankowi · October 2015

I love the photos when I remember my camera. Also if using your phone please please back them up. You don't want to lose the only pictures you have

AmoLovesAud · October 2015

I have a DSLR for my small business. I have a feeling I'll use the camera on my phone a lot more, though, since it takes time to fiddle with the DSLR settings to get a good shot, so not very good for candid moments.

Also the thought of tiny, sticky fingers all over my nice camera makes me wince a little....

dramaphile · October 2015

lyankowi said:
I love the photos when I remember my camera. Also if using your phone please please back them up. You don't want to lose the only pictures you have

Yes, This. I've had friends who lost or broke their phones and lost all their photos. Cloud or computer backup frequently to make sure you don't lose your precious baby pictures! Even better, get prints! There are a bunch of apps where you can order prints right from your phone album.

lulamagoo · October 2015

We bought a nice camera for our first. We barely use it and I am now trying to sell it.

When we want to take nice photos, we usually borrow a camera from a friend or from my husband's work.

cdepperschmidt · October 2015

I just upgraded to the latest iPhone because the camera is better. I needed a new phone anyways (had the 4s) so this seemed like the most practical option for me.

fitmama89 · October 2015

We finally purchased a DSLR last Spring & it is my absolute favorite thing I own. The pictures that I have been able to take of DD are priceless. We used to do family photos 2-3 times a year and now we just do them once since I can take my own photos of DD. I also take pictures of DD and send them out as gifts come holiday season. I guess it just depends on you & whether or not you will TAKE THE TIME TO LEARN TO USE IT & use it enough to justify the purchase. There is a huge difference in quality when compared to a point & shoot or phone camera.
If you plan on using your camera for pictures of kiddos I would definitely recommend you buy the camera body & a 50mm lens to start out with. No need for the kits from stores such as Costco

Goodluck!
I've attached a couple of pictures I took of DD.

mmmynyx · October 2015

My husband and i got ourselves a little video camera when I was around 4 months. We wanted to record some of the pregnancy and use it for when she's born. I already own a dslr (photography classes in hs and college) and have had my own instax mini 8 since I was 18. I'll probably be a crazy parent using all of those and most likely have our daughter hate me...she's our first one so I don't wanna miss a moment. Lol
In all honesty it depends on the person. I LOVE taking pictures with my phone and cameras. It's just my thing. If you'd rather keep it simple and would rather just use a phone, make sure you buy one with a lot of storage and a nice fast camera!
Good luck!

VexedMommy · October 2015

We were recently given a DSLR. BF is over the moon excited about it. I have a feeling it won't be as useful as he thinks on a regular basis. He is very good at photography though and has considered doing photography professionally. It seems like it could be a good thing to occasionally bring in a little money. This camera would help him go that route if he does.

fhopefaithlove1 · October 2015

Thank you all for the advice, I really appreciate it! One of the things that worries me about using my phone is, what if it breaks and I didn't get a chance to backup my photos.. I'd be devastated if I lost precious pictures. We were looking into the DSLR cameras, although they are a bit pricey, I definitely think that's our best option for long term use.

Squirtgun · October 2015

KEH.com has some great used DSLRs if you're looking for something a little cheaper.

I do love my camera, but if you don't take the time to learn how to use it well, you might as well just have a phone camera or a simple point and shoot. Having a better camera doesn't equal better photos if you don't utilize the functions available.

WeirdAlice · October 2015

I got a camera for my birthday, so we will be using both phone and camera

jdal1206 · October 2015

I asked about good DSLR cameras on here a few months back and the advice I got was awesome. DH and I ended up getting a Canon Rebel T3 and so far we love it, our LO is expected to be here in 2 weeks so we have spent some time learning the different functions and stuff so I must say I'm super happy with this purchase. We got ours used on Amazon so it was a lot cheaper than a new model, we didn't mind getting the older model since neither of us are pros, this is a great starter camera. I know we will use our phones too but the quality we will get with the actual camera will totally be worth the money we spent!

KeHill08 · October 2015

I have a digital camera I will probably use. My phone is getting kind of old, not much memory available anymore, and will probably need to be replaced soon, so since I already have my camera it just makes sense for me. I'm sure I will take some pictures with my phone, especially if my camera isn't right there and it's something I want a picture of quick (although there isn't anything that quick about my phone anymore lol) but other than that... I think my camera will take better pictures too.

itstheblackwidowbaby · October 2015

For right now we'll just be using our phones. My SO's droid has an outstanding camera for a phone. My mom will be bringing her camera down with her for the immediate candid newborn shots (here's hoping she's better at getting shots of the spawn than of me, somehow she never takes a flattering photo of me...). We'll probably research and buy a good quality camera at some point within the next year since I have a small interest in photography anyway.

If you decide on a camera for special occasions, just make sure you buy a good case for it to live in and put that case somewhere where you know where it is. My mom has ruined/lost many a digital camera by not storing it well enough and forgetting where she put them.

dramaphile · October 2015

jdal1206 said:
I asked about good DSLR cameras on here a few months back and the advice I got was awesome. DH and I ended up getting a Canon Rebel T3 and so far we love it, our LO is expected to be here in 2 weeks so we have spent some time learning the different functions and stuff so I must say I'm super happy with this purchase. We got ours used on Amazon so it was a lot cheaper than a new model, we didn't mind getting the older model since neither of us are pros, this is a great starter camera. I know we will use our phones too but the quality we will get with the actual camera will totally be worth the money we spent!

We've had the rebel T3 for two years now, and I absolutely love it! Used cameras are a great deal, and older model canons and nikons are really good quality. We got ours in a Black Friday deal two years ago and it was totally worth it. I recommend getting a flash filter if you plan on using it for indoor flash photos, it really makes a difference in the light quality. They're really cheap, and take out some of the the harshness of the flash in low light.

HopefulMNMom · October 2015

We have a Sony something-or-other digital camera that also takes video. We bought it at Best Buy for right around $100. The camera photos look so much better when printed than iPhone photos do. We will be taking the digital camera with us because I don't want our first photos to be all blurry/grainy looking in the album. Plus I want the ability to do some video in those first moments & hours!

lesles89 · November 2015

If you are considering spending money on a camera why don't you look into bring a photographer instead? It might cost a little more, depending on which camera you were wanting, BUT they are professionals. It's their job to get good photos and then you and your significant other can focus on each other and the birth of your precious baby. If I had the extra money j would totally splurge on a photographer.

thefithuntress · November 2015

I love my DSLR. The quality truly doesn't compare and photography is an amazing skill to have. Not only does it benefit you but your family and friends too to have someone document those special memories.

With that said I'm leaving mine at home come delivery day.

Pontot31 · November 2015

We have a DSLR that we bought when I was pregnant with my daughter. My husband is a pro photographer (video though) so he loves it. We used it for the monthly pics with my daughter and we bring it out for trips and fun events.

Daily for capturing things like first smiles and rolling over its better to invest in a good cell phone because it'll be close to you and easier to use.

Our pro camera always looks better but nothing beats always having our phones for the impromptu moments.

Here's the difference between my phone and the DSLR from trick or treating yesterday. The phone looks good until you see the better camera. These were taken moments apart. Phone first, then camera.

fhopefaithlove1 · November 2015

lesles89 said:

If you are considering spending money on a camera why don't you look into bring a photographer instead? It might cost a little more, depending on which camera you were wanting, BUT they are professionals. It's their job to get good photos and then you and your significant other can focus on each other and the birth of your precious baby. If I had the extra money j would totally splurge on a photographer.

That's a nice thought but I'd rather pay for a camera that I would use for a few years than to pay for a photographer that I can only use once. We're planning on having our baby's pictures done at the hospital also but wanted to get a camera for long term.

fhopefaithlove1 · November 2015

thefithuntress said:

I love my DSLR. The quality truly doesn't compare and photography is an amazing skill to have. Not only does it benefit you but your family and friends too to have someone document those special memories. With that said I'm leaving mine at home come delivery day.

Thanks! I think we'll end up waiting until Black Friday to purchase a DSLR camera and just bring our phones along with us to the hospital.

Charismatic69 · November 2015

My sister took some beautiful pictures of my daughter on her phone. She very good with capturing the right angle. I to use my phone. I just bed to back them up.

fhopefaithlove1 · November 2015

@charismatic69 Your baby girl is absolutely beautiful !!!

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