Old Sony professional camera Vs iPhone camera?

Question

So I Have an old 2005 Sony Cyber-shot DSC-R1 that I found under my bad. I'm planning to take some professional images with it but I don't know how much better it would be than my iPhone 6s since the camera is so old. The iPhone is defiantly easier to use, the camera still has a learning curve to it which I don't mind learning if it worth it.

Here is an overview of the camera:
The Sony Cyber-shot DSC-R1 is a bridge digital camera announced by Sony in 2005 (and discontinued in 2006). It featured a 10.3 megapixel APS-C CMOS sensor (21.5 × 14.4 mm), a size typically used in DSLRs and rarely used in bridge cameras (which usually use 2/3" (= 6.6 × 8.8 mm) or 1/1.8" (= 5.3 × 7.1 mm)). This was the first time such a large sensor was incorporated into a bridge camera.[1] Besides the APS-C sensor, the DSC-R1 also featured a 14.3–71.5 mm Carl Zeiss Vario-Sonnar T* lens, providing for an angle of view equivalent to 24–120 mm on a full frame camera.

Please let me know if this would give me good a good image quality compared to today's standards, or if I'm better of using a iPhone camera. If you feel you disagree with both please advice me with an affordable camera I can buy that would give me some good results.

Answer 1

There's more to a camera than just image quality, which the Sony should win. There's control over the image-making process which smartphones do not have. In other words, what good is a smartphone that's very easy to use if you don't have the ability to control it to get the shot they you want it? Even if the image quality was better, a camera with more control is a far better option than being restricted by no control.



Best thing to do is just run a test. Even though the Sony is older than your phone, it has a relatively huge APS-C sensor with vastly larger pixels. No camera with any given sensor size has ever been rated higher than a camera with a larger sensor. It's kind of like asking if an old and out dated 2004 Corvette would beat a 2017 Toyota Prius.

Answer 2

Depends what you mean by "worth it" regarding the learning curve.



But note that there is no such thing as a "professional camera", but note that pros do tend to use upmarket DSLRs for their versatility, ultimate image quality, and ruggedness. Your Sony camera is not a DSLR but does indeed have a physically large sensor which certainly helps image quality. The zoom lens provides good wide-angle capability.



But it depends what you want from photography. For family snaps and selfies and similar you will get good results from the mobile phone. For serious work you already know that an advanced camera offers more in the way of image quality.

Answer 3

Looks like a great camera! Does it still work? Batteries lose charge over time. If left uncharged for a very long time, it loses charge entirely and becomes impossible to recharge. If that happens, you will have to buy a new battery. After more than 10 years, you might have trouble with that. Add to that the memory card. It uses CF cards. Although they are still available, it's also hard to track them down. CF card readers are harder to find even. Discouraged already? Personally, I'd try my darnest to revive that camera but that's because that's what I do. You may want to stick with your iPhone instead.

Answer 4

As much as I hate to say it, the iPhone will probably do you more good. The R1 is a much better camera, but it will require a learning curve to be used to good effect. If you aren't willing to take the time to learn how to get the best results with the R1, and just intend to use it as a point and shoot like the iPhone, then just stick with the iPhone.



I would suggest you at least make the effort to learn the Sony, as that 24-120 equivalent lens beats the pants off using digital zoom on the phone.

Answer 5

That is not a professional Sony camera.

Answer 6

That sony would be better than iphone 6

Answer 7

Try it and see what results you get.