Joshua Goldman writing for c/net offers ten reasons that even an inexpensive point and shoot camera will do a better job of capturing the photo you want to remember.  Following are some of the most important reasons.

Optical zoom
For a lot of people, optical zoom is the biggest feature missing from smartphones; with rare exceptions, the only option on mobile devices is image-destroying digital zoom. A good zoom lens, of course, can be used to bring distant subjects closer. But it can also be used for several other things, such as changing the relative size of subjects or compressing the distance between them, or, in the case of this photo, creating an out-of-focus background — no dSLR or software needed.

Macro
Even a sub-$100 point-and-shoot can take better macro photos than a smartphone. Many models can focus at less than half an inch from a subject and, depending on the quality of the camera’s high-resolution photos, you can enlarge them and view sharp fine details. Plus, with a camera’s slightly larger sensors, you’re actually able to create a shallow depth of field.

Shooting performance
Anyone who’s tried to capture a picture of a fast-moving child or pet with a smartphone knows how tricky it can be. Even when you think you’ve gotten the shot, chances are if you look at it larger, it’s blurry, soft, noisy, or all of the above. Camera makers have been improving all aspects of shooting performance, though; startup time, shutter lag, and shot-to-shot times are much better than they were even a couple years ago. Plus, since cameras have a shutter release button, it’s easier to hold the camera and quickly prefocus again and again until you get the shot you want. That’s not exactly easy to do when you’re trying to hold your phone and tap a screen.

Burst shooting
One of my favorite Android camera apps is Fast Burst Camera, which lets you fire off shots at up to 30 frames per second. However, that’s at a significantly reduced resolution, whereas a camera like the Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX9V can shoot 10fps at its full 16-megapixel resolution. The Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS20 is even better, shooting at up to 60fps at reduced resolutions, 10fps at full resolution, and up to 5fps with autofocus.

Battery life
Obviously, if you’re only going to take a couple snapshots or a 30-second movie clip, it won’t eat up too much of your smartphone’s battery. But if you’re out shooting at an event, on vacation, or simply while out and about for the day, using your phone’s camera will drain your battery.

Storage
If you’re just taking the occasional snapshot or movie clip, it’s not a big deal. But if your smartphone’s become your only camera, it’s something to consider. With a dedicated camera, you can shoot as much as you want without worrying about running out of space on your phone.

Optical or sensor-shift image stabilization
Smartphones only have digital image stabilization, which, like digital zoom, degrades image quality. Cameras, except really low-end ones, have either optical or sensor-shift image stabilization to help with camera shake, and it has no impact on photo quality and is much more effective. In fact, image stabilization has gotten so good that manufacturers are able to offer longer lenses that are actually usable handheld.

Read the rest of the article at http://news.cnet.com/8301-17938_105-57414697-1/10-ways-a-point-and-shoot-camera-beats-your-phones/