Spend even a few minutes browsing Instagram or Facebook and you’ll see that anyone with a relatively new smartphone and the ability to frame a shot can produce what, only a few years ago, would have been considered a professional quality photograph. This increase in smartphone camera quality has been slowly killing the point-and-shoot market, so much so that there are really only two camera markets left: DSLR vs Smartphone.

While the battle between smartphones and point-and-shoots seems to have ended with a clear winner, few would argue that photo quality of a smartphone camera could come close to matching that of a DSLR. The wide range of tools and options on my Nikon will far outperform any Android or iPhone in any environment. Period. Yet, for my most recent trip, I still found myself facing a dilemma. Should I pack my DSLR or not? In terms of quality, my Nikon will destroy my iPhone. In terms of convenience, my iPhone will destroy my Nikon. So, that brings us to a new million-dollar question for today’s generation of travellers: Does the performance of a DSLR outweigh the convenience of a smartphone?

DSLR vs Smartphone: Quality or Convenience?

In most situations, anyone interested in taking great photographs would make sure their DSLR was one of the first items packed. But once convenience becomes a factor, the question isn’t so easy to answer. On a recent trip, a packed itinerary and limited time off meant that I wouldn’t be in any one location for more than a couple of days and there would be a lot of walking, bussing, and navigating train stations in between. In addition, my carry-on-only strategy meant that I would already have limited space to work with. Being that this was my first trip after purchasing my new DSLR, I decided I had no choice but to bring it along for the ride.

During my two-week trip to Europe, I managed to take thousands of photos. Granted, only a small fraction of those were decent (I’m still relatively new to this). I constantly found myself eyeing different shots and going far out of my way to get the best angle. This added a new element to my experience as I explored each city. I’ve always taken pictures, sure, but now I was taking the time to line up shots, fiddle with settings, and wait for the right moment when there was a break in the crowds of tourists.

Ok. That’s Great. But Should I Bring it or Not?

There are a lot of factors that go into the decision to pack your DSLR. A good way to start is by asking yourself a few basic questions:

Who are you traveling with? Are you traveling alone or with friends? Are your friends also bringing their cameras? Will they be bothered if you continuously stop to get those great shots?

Where are you going? Is the location going to offer some amazing scenery and challenging photo opportunities? Is it a location were you might become a target by wearing an expensive piece of equipment around your neck? (An unfortunate but very important question to ask.)

How are you traveling? Are you only taking a carry-on? Are you going to be moving around a lot? Will you have a base to store your stuff?

Part of the reason I brought my DSLR to Europe was because I wanted to answer some of these questions for myself. While there are many factors that will play into whether or not you pack your DSLR, I was able to gain some exposure – pun intended – on this trip. Based on my experience, here are some pros and cons you should consider when deciding whether or not to pack your DSLR.

Pros

Amazing Photo Quality

This is by far the most obvious reason to pack a DSLR, but it can’t go without mentioning. Not only is the photo quality on your DSLR going to be much better, but you’ll also be able to capture a wider variety of environments, including those hard-to-get night shots. Here’s a quick comparison from London. I’ve included a few more DSLR vs. iPhone comparisons below.

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Nikon D3300, ISO 800, f/5.6, 1/2” shutter speed; iPhone 6, ISO 250, f/2.2, 1/15” shutter speed

Ability to Experiment

Your smartphone is forever stuck in “Auto” mode. With your DSLR handy and a decent knowledge of its features, you can create different effects that can bring a location to life. Hike up that F-Stop and lengthen your exposure time to show the effects of city movement. Switch over to aperture priority to blur the background and focus only on that one important scene. For me, having these creative capabilities was definitely worth the extra 3 pounds (~1.5 kg) of weight in my pack.

Nearly Endless Photo Time

On most new DSLRs, the time that you get out of the battery is impressive. If you are walking around taking an obscene amount of photos on your smartphone, you’ll quickly find yourself unable to check your email at the next coffee shop. On my most recent trip, I went days without needing to charge my camera battery, despite near constant use.

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Nikon D3300, ISO 200, f/10, 1/40” shutter speed; iPhone 6, ISO 32, f/2.2, 1/198” Shutter Speed

Camera Bag / Daypack

I never thought this would be an advantage, but my camera bag made a very convenient addition to my trip. When I would go out during the day, I would remove the extra battery, cables, and battery charger, leaving quite a bit of space all of my essentials and some. Because of the way my bag was positioned and the effort required to open the zippers, I felt more secure with everything around my neck than I would carrying my wallet, passport etc. in my pocket.

Cons

Space

For me, space was really the primary factor in considering whether to bring a camera or not. If you are backpacking for a long period of time, every bit of space counts. And it’s not just the camera we are talking about. You’ll be carrying the lens[es], batteries, battery charger, and any accessories you find necessary.

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Nikon D3300, ISO 100, f/8, 1/200” shutter speed; iPhone 6, ISO 32, f/2.2, 1/1582” shutter speed

Time

This is a huge argument for taking photos with your smartphone. During my two weeks, I spent almost as much time alone as I did with friends. What I noticed when I returned was that for each day I spent alone, I had nearly 3x or 4x the photos as the days I was with company. Lining up a decent shot on a smartphone takes seconds. Lining up that same shot on anything more than auto-mode with your DSLR will take time and attention. Unless your friends are as into photography as you are, you’ll be far less likely to spend long periods of time trying to get the perfect shot of that iconic landmark.

Looking Like a Tourist

Ok, maybe this one is just me, but I’ll mention it regardless. I enjoy exploring locations and looking like I know what I’m doing. That doesn’t mean throwing on a beret and brandishing my best accent. But, I will challenge myself to move fairly quickly, memorize the streets and metros, and try my best to see everything the city offers without looking lost and completely out of context. With a giant camera around your neck, however, this all kind of goes out the window. It’s basically a sign that says “tourist” and in some places, this also means, “sell me something”.

Laptop or Wait Until You’re Home

If you like to keep people back home updated on your travels and you didn’t bring a laptop, uploading those photos from your DSLR may be challenging. I made it a daily routine to sit down, transfer the photos from my SD card, and upload three or four of my favorite shots of the day. Had I not been carrying my laptop, I probably would have waited until I got home to do so, which would have resulted in quite a lot of sorting and selecting. With a smartphone, however, it’s as easy as finding a Wi-Fi connection.

Safety

This will largely depend on where and how you are traveling. Chances are, your DSLR is worth more than the rest of your pack put together. You should keep tabs on it the same way you would your passport. There are some places, unfortunately, that having a large camera strapped to your neck will make you a target, so use your discretion. When you are on the bus, for example, either keep the camera in your main pack, or have it around your neck.

Do you always bring your DSLR when you travel? Have you started to rely more on your smartphone? Let us know your DSLR vs Smartphone strategy in the comment section below. Still up in the air? You can view more DSLR vs Smartphone image comparisons here and here.

DSLR vs Smartphone Photography courtesy of Seth Mason. Header image courtesy of Tran Mau Tri Tam