The camera is only a tool

Comparing a camera and a smartphone isn't just about the tech, it's also about how you approach photography. 

With a camera, shooting is usually more intentional. You go out with the idea of taking pictures, picking the right gear and tweaking all the settings. 

Shot with iPhone 4s - 2013-08-20

This takes time and focus, but you have full control over the image and, in most cases, the quality is higher, especially when it comes to detail, dynamic range and rendering in tough lighting.

A smartphone is all about being quick and spontaneous. It's always with you, ready to capture a moment when you might not even think to take a picture. It can produce amazing results in a lot of situations but there are still limitations: it can be tricky to handle bright lights and shadows, it's harder to get that natural blur look, and post-production is often more limited than what you can do with a camera RAW file.

I've had mixed results using the smartphone. Sometimes the light and the scene are good and the result is great. At other times, when contrast is too high or in low light, the phone's limitations are noticeable, and I wish I'd brought my camera.

The key point is the intention behind the photo. If you're just trying to capture a moment or an emotion, and you don't need super technical stuff, a smartphone works great. But if you want to really mess around with a photo and play around with different settings, a camera is still the way to go.

We shouldn't see these two options as alternatives, but as complements. Smartphones are handy tools, even for those who mostly use a camera. But at the end of the day, the photographer's perspective is what makes a difference.

The camera is only a tool, it is the heart that commands it.

By the way... I know there are some high-end smartphones out there that can take amazing pictures, way better than my old Canon EOS 30D digital camera.Everything I'm talking about here is for the amateur photographer crowd, and I'm proud to be part of it.