When to Invest in a Camera and Stop Using Your Phone
Have you ever asked yourself whether you need to invest in a camera to create video content? Here are six signs that you need to invest in a camera and stop using your phone.
As the cameras on our phones continue to get better, the question is, do I even need to invest in a camera? It's something I get asked all the time, so here are six signs that you need to invest in a camera and stop using your phone.
Want Better Video Quality
One big reason for upgrading to a camera is to create higher quality videos.
Although the cameras on our smartphones are amazing, they don’t compare to a professional camera.
Professional cameras are designed to capture quality videos and give you far more capabilities and control with things like aperture and focal length.
With smartphones, you will find there are a limited number of settings or features you can play around with, which makes it harder to adjust settings.
Already Invested in Lighting
I always recommend that people invest in lighting for their videos before upgrading their cameras.
Lighting can change the look and feel if set up correctly. Lighting can add depth, make the video's subject stand out, and make it easier for the camera's sensor to record.
‘Proper’ cameras will also do a better job at capturing your lighting setup. If you’re using your phone, it may auto-expose as it struggles with the lighting levels.
Want an Improved, More Streamlined Workflow
You might think using your phone is the quickest and most effective way of creating videos, but this isn’t always the case.
The risk with using a phone is you can get distracted during filming. Notifications may start popping up, emails ping through, or you get a call halfway through filming.
You may also spend ages setting up the phone on a tripod only to dismantle it all after every video. This is because you use your phone for so many other things, whereas cameras are a piece of kit dedicated to one job, filming.
You can mount your camera on a tripod, adjust the setting and when you’re done, move it to the corner of the room until you’re ready to shoot your next video.
This can save you time and help you create a more streamlined workflow for filming.
Then, you'll need to get your footage off of your phone and onto your computer for editing. Phones can be a bit of a pain to transfer videos from, whereas with a "proper" camera, it's as simple as removing a card and plugging it into your computer.
Want to be More Creative With the Shots You Can Get
Another reason to upgrade to a camera is to be more creative with the shots you capture.
Cameras allow you to experiment with the aperture, ISO, and shutter speed, resulting in different visual effects.
For example, a low shutter speed introduces more motion blur. This can make traffic or people walking look like they’re moving super-fast.
You can also use your camera in a wider variety of setups, giving you more flexibility.
Have Learnt the Fundamentals of Storytelling
I always go on about the importance of storytelling in your videos.
They resonate with your audience, helping to convey emotions, better illustrate key points and help capture their attention and imagination.
It makes so much more sense to use the camera you already have, your phone, and learn the fundamentals of storytelling.
Once you have this down, you can then invest in better cameras.
The story is the most important element of videos.
Have Learnt the Basics of Video Editing
Editing is where the magic happens. It can give your video that professional edge or do the opposite.
It would help if you mastered video editing basics before diving into using a dedicated camera. This is because they typically have a more in-depth workflow, with larger file sizes and the need for colour grading.
Also, if you don't know how to edit your videos to keep your audience engaged, you'll just be wasting your money on an expensive camera.
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