I've been shooting on a smartphone for two years now, upgrading to a flagship model, and honestly, I can't tell the difference from my old entry-level camera in most lighting conditions unless I pixel-peep. Gear forums will tell you better lenses and sensors matter, but when I share my photos online, no one comments on the technical specs—they react to the moment and composition. For street photography and travel snapshots, I think the photographer's eye is 90% of the result, and the camera is just a tool. Still, I've seen pro prints that blow mine away, so maybe there's something to the gear debate after all.