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Cameras Compared: Sony Xperia Z vs Galaxy Note II
Posted:
February 13, 2013
By: ccsoya
23 comments
UPDATE: Check out our Sony Xperia Z vs HTC Butterfly shoot out as well.
Despite being called smartphones, a good camera is always one of the main things customers look for when choosing a new device, and it is precisely because of that we compare the 13MP camera of one of the latest Android smartphones to hit Malaysia — the Sony Xperia Z — with one of the best cameras on a smartphone currently available in the market — the 8MP shooter in the Galaxy Note II.
There’s only one picture from each device for comparison in this post but we will add more as we go along. In the meantime, we want to hear from you. Which one do you think is the better camera? The Xperia Z or the Note II? We’re inclined to say that the Galaxy Note II performs better in this shot but what do you think?
Full resolution image available for your scrutiny and analysis after the jump.
Cameras Compared: Nokia Lumia 920 vs iPhone 5 at a Concert
Posted:
December 17, 2012
By: ccsoya
9 comments
For a lot of people, camera performance is a key differentiator when it comes to choosing a smartphone. And today’s top of the line devices are among the most accomplished digital shooters ever incorporated into a phone. Yes, cameras in smartphones are getting better and better but which one is the best out there?
This post is not going to answer that question but if wondering between the Nokia Lumia 920 and the iPhone 5 which one records the best video and audio at a concert, then this might help you make a choice.
The video recording compares the Nokia Lumia 920 and the iPhone 5 side by side. It’s an interesting comparison and its surprising to see how much better one is over the other at a concert.
It’s Official: The 12MP Nokia Lumia 910 Doesn’t Exist
Posted:
February 6, 2012
By: ccsoya
No comments
There were talks of an N8 successor in the guise of a Lumia device running Windows Phone complete with a 12MP camera. While still very much a rumour, many got excited at the prospect of a device that could carry forward the N8’s pedigree of amazing imaging prowess. With the ease of use and functionality of the Windows Phone platform, this rumoured Nokia – dubbed the Lumia 910 – could very well be one of the most anticipated phones in 2012.
Unfortunately, this will not be the case because officially, the Lumia 910 doesn’t exist. Damian Dinning, the head of Imaging Experience of the Nokia Smart Devices division was asked by a fan on Twitter to comment on the rumors of the Lumia 910 and as definitive as can be he responded that no such device exists.
So, if a 12MP Windows Phone smartphone is not on the cards, what will Nokia unveil at the MWC at the end of this month? Our hunch, Nokia’s not going to rely on phones to pull crowds at its MWC return, instead, Nokia will be talking about something bigger. 2012 could very possibly be the year we see a Nokia tablet – running Windows 8, no less. Now, that is something worth getting excited about.
[source]
Cameras Compared: Xperia S vs Xperia arc S
Posted:
February 2, 2012
By: ccsoya
No comments
After the jump are a few sample shots comparing the camera performance of the Xperia S and the Xperia arc S. The 12MP Xperia S has to, at the very least, match what the 8MP Xperia arc S can muster but in this comparison, it looks like the Xperia arc S is taking the better pictures.
Having said that, just two samples from each camera are not enough for us to draw a conclusion (though the low light performance on the Xperia S looks better here) and once again, it’s very possible that the Xperia S used here is a pre-production unit. Await the final production version of the Xperia S we shall.
Sony Xperia S Camera Shutter Performance Demoed
Posted:
January 30, 2012
By: ccsoya
2 comments
The Sony Xperia S boasts a Fast Capture, a feature where you go from screen switched off stand-by mode to successfully taking a picture in just 1.5 seconds. While that’s certainly fast, many want to know how the shutter performance of the Xperia S fairs in comparison to the Zero Shutter Lag feature seen on the Galaxy Nexus.
This video gives you an idea of what kind of shutter speeds you can expect from the Xperia S. It’s pretty snappy considering the pixel count (12MP on the Xperia S) but it’s not really as fast as the Galaxy Nexus’ Zero Shutter Lag.
Why is a fast shutter important? The faster the shutter, the less likely of you taking blurry pictures, It’s certainly something we can appreciate. In this respect, the Xperia S does a commendable job but again we’ll save our final word on this device when we get a review unit to test thoroughly. Also, we’re not sure if the unit seen in this video is a final production unit. As you are aware, different production versions have marked differences in performance.
Another thing worth pointing out, the Xperia S will be getting Ice Cream Sandwich, with that it’s also possible that the device will be getting the Zero Shutter Lag feature as well. While some will argue that Zero Shutter Lag is hardware dependent and a feature that exclusive to the Galaxy Nexus, we’re inclined to think that it is possible for other ICS devices to have the feature as well.
Zero Shutter Lag is officially listed as one of the features of Ice Cream Sandwich, so we’re expecting ICS devices other than the Galaxy Nexus to have fast shutters at the very least if not Zero Shutter Lag.
What do you think?
[via]
Sample Pictures and Video: Samsung Galaxy Tab 7.0 Plus
Posted:
December 3, 2011
By: ccsoya
9 comments
We’ve compiled some samples pictures and a video taken using the camera on the Samsung Galaxy Tab 7.0 Plus. With “only” 3.2MP, it’s easy to assume that the Galaxy Tab 7.0 will find it hard to compete with the impressive 8MP phones like the Galaxy S II, Galaxy Note and the iPhone 4S but take a look at the collection of images after the jump, you’ll be impressed as to how well the camera on the Galaxy Tab 7.0 Plus performs.
Details are pin sharp, colour reproduction is accurate and contrast management is good as well. Overall, we’re mightily impressed at the pictures and video the Galaxy Tab 7.0 Plus is capable of producing.
All Samsung Galaxy Tabs have 3.2MP cameras (with the exception of the Galaxy Tab 10.1v which has an 8MP sensor. The device is not available here) and we’re not sure if Samsung has done anything to the one on the Galaxy Tab 7.0 Plus but from our real life tests, it looks like the 7-incher has the best sub-8MP camera in the market today. If fact, aside from the loss in detail due to the small MP count, the Galaxy Tab 7.0 Plus can hold its own even when pitted against the Samsung Galaxy Note — one of the best smartphone cameras in the market right now.
Take a look at the pictures and video after the jump and tell us what you think.
The front camera on the Galaxy Nexus can shoot 720p HD but its not the only one
Posted:
November 22, 2011
By: ccsoya
2 comments
We just found out that the front facing camera on the Galaxy Nexus shoots 720p HD videos and that made us wonder what other devices have front facing cameras that can do the same. Coincidentally we have with us the Motorola RAZR, the Samsung Galaxy Note and the Galaxy S II, and we set out to test all three devices.
And what we discovered surprised us.
The 1.3MP front facing camera on the Motorola RAZR can shoot 720p video as well and the quality is not bad either as you can see above.
Funny how both Google and Motorola mentioned nothing about this pretty amazing feature anywhere. We certainly didn’t hear about this at the launch of these devices and there’s no mention of this feature in the press release or official websites.
Anyway, the 720p HD video quality from the front camera on the RAZR is not bad actually, same goes with the Galaxy Nexus as well and both have 1.3MP sensors.
Whatever the reason, now you know that there are at least two Android phones in the market right now (yes we know, the Galaxy Nexus is not on sale in Malaysia yet. Still its on sale) that can do 720p HD videos with the front camera.
If you know of other phones that does this too, let us know in the comment section below. Also, head on over to after the jump to see a video demo of the Galaxy Nexus front camera doing 720p HD (skip all the way to min 3:24.
Sample Pictures and Videos: Samsung Galaxy Note
Posted:
November 20, 2011
By: ccsoya
9 comments
Click for larger image
Head on over the jump for some pictures and video samples taken using the Samsung Galaxy Note in various lighting conditions.
If you’ve read through our Motorola RAZR vs Galaxy S II vs Galaxy Note camera comparison, you’ll notice that in less that ideal lighting both the Galaxy Note and Galaxy S II struggles with white balance, but this is not the case in most conditions as you can see in the sample shots here. A point worth noting: The Galaxy Note uses continuous focus in video mode. This can be a bit of nuisance for some as the Note will, at times, hunt for a focus point. We’d prefer for the Note to have a tap to focus override as well.
Overall, we really like the camera on the Galaxy Note. Although the 8MP sensor is probably identical to the one in the Galaxy S II, we see that Samsung has optimised it further in the Note, and the result is, quite simply, mighty impressive. Pictures come out vivid and pin sharp, colour reproduction is fairly accurate as well — in most cases at least. Low light performance is also better than average. While noise is still noticeable, the camera didn’t trade-off details to get decent pictures in poor light. As can be seen in the clouds picture, contrast is good too where the separation between various gradients of darkness are distinct.
Bottom line, the 8MP shooter on the Samsung Galaxy Note is one that you can really impress your friends — and yourself — with.
Cameras Compared: Sony Ericsson Xperia arc vs iPhone 4S
Posted:
October 17, 2011
By: ccsoya
22 comments
In an earlier shootout, the Xperia arc was pitted against the iPhone 4. Some would argue that that wasn’t a fair fight considering the iPhone 4 had only 5MP against the Xperia arcs 8.1MP camera. But on the other hand, megapixel count is not a real indicator of camera performance.
In any case, with the iPhone 4S things are now leveled. We have two very capable smartphone cameras, both with 8MP and both having a sensor optimised for low-light conditions. Also interesting, both sensors on the iPhone 4S and the Xperia arc are manufactured by Sony. In that case, are the two cameras one of the same? Perhaps, but there’s no way to be sure at this point in time. More importantly, that’s not the point.
The point is, between the iPhone 4S and the Xperia arc, which one takes better pictures? After the jump is a series of pictures taken using the iPhone 4S and the Xperia ray arc.
Take a look and tell us what you think.
Cameras Compared: Nokia N9 vs iPhone 4S
Posted:
October 16, 2011
By: ccsoya
9 comments
Update: See how the camera on the iPhone 4S compares with the one on the Xperia arc here.
We have assembled for you here a collection of pictures taken using the Nokia N9 and the iPhone 4S. Both shooters feature 8MP sensors and high-end optics. Nokia wowed us before with the epic 12MP sensor on the N8, will the N9 repeat the same success?
Based on the sample pictures that you will see after the jump, the answer is a disappointing no.
In every situation, the iPhone 4S outperforms the Nokia N9, especially in the sharpness and colour reproduction departments. The iPhones shooter is also better at capturing details.
The Nokia N9 performs better in certain low-light and high-contrast conditions but generally the iPhone 4S is better overall.
Some may argue that the iPhone 4S over-saturates colours, while this is true, the result is a generally more rich picture overall, and most can live with that trade-off.
What do you think?