Color and detail of the jellyfish at the Monterey Bay Aquarium.

A sunset landscape in Monterey, California, captures varied tones and both highlight and shadow detail.

Flowers shot in Portrait Mode on iPhone X make a nice still life with rich color and texture.

The 2X zoom on the iPhone X allows me to move close enough to this seagull for a nice wildlife shot.

A memory of my Bloody Mary at brunch in Monterey, California.

The view from Cypress Point along 17 Mile Drive in Monterey.

iPhone X captures the wispy details of the jellyfish at the Monterey aquarium and a with a wide range of tones.

A natural landscape still life featuring the Lion's Tail plant against the blues of the Monterey Bay. 

Spectacular colors at the Monterey aquarium with the Pixel 2 XL.

Pixel 2 XL captures the fine details of my son's hair, the texture of his shirt and the folds of his jeans are remarkable.

Sunset at Lover's Point Park in Monterey, California.

The iPhone X camera's auto HDR is able to capture the varied tones, highlights and shadows at the marina in Monterey, California.

The beach near Tulum, Mexico, shot on iPhone X.

I'd be hesitant to take my DSLR out into the ocean on a kayak, but I have no fear taking along a modern water-resistant smartphone like the iPhone X. .

This breakfast crepe was a food highlight from Monterey, shot in Portrait Mode on iPhone X.