iPhone 6 "best smartphone for image quality"

[4xdog]

Trevor and others -- have you found that iPhone cameras -- from the same iPhone model -- give different image qualities?

A buddy who's a serious iUser and Canon photographer has felt tiny manufacturing variations in iPhones give different quality results. He's reported that the Genius Bar (in San Diego) will sometimes swap out a phone for this when a user raises the issue.

I was side-by-side with a family snapshotting colleague in Arches NP two weekends ago and his iPhone 5S seemed to do consistently better than mine in non-HDR or HDR modes. My original iPhone 4 was simply awful and my iPhone 4S was noisy, not perfectly sharp, and very "meh" even as folks started to use that model for semi-serious photography. I just moved to 5S a few weeks ago, and while its camera is OK, I sorta think my toast is always falling buttered side down when I compare my images to others.

It would be nice to have the iPhone for decent images, but frankly I've never been able to get there. Maybe there's a menu or some tips I don't know about?

Don

 

[Lost Canadian]

I don't understand how people can even seriously discuss such topics. Its a phone. It's not a camera. You can take snapshots for FB page (and I do that a lot ), but thats about it.

These things are more camera then phone anymore. And last I checked they take pictures. Pictures that have been used in practically every form and medium available. I've seen images from these "phones" in everything from fine art installations to newspapers and magazines, video news footage, digital media... Yada yada... I dont think I have to to go on. Cell phones take images as good as compacts 4-5 years ago, some better, and most offer full control over every parameter of image making, from shot control to post processing. It's a very narrow stance to take if you don't think they are relevant image makers, because the plethora of examples to the contrary proves they are. It's like saying if you're not shooting full frame or medium format or large format or or or, you're not taking real pictures or your gear isn't good enough, and we all know those arguments are nonsense.

 

[Lost Canadian]

Don, I can't really comment having not shot side by side with multiples of the same model. I do know that some of my friends who don't take their time can take right crappy images with their phones. I think any differences your likely to see is more a matter of shot technique and discipline then consistency with build or variances between same models. I've seen similar type things with photographers standing right next to each other with pro gear... One takes a great image the other not so much.

 

[4xdog]

Don, I can't really comment having not shot side by side with multiples of the same model. I do know that some of my friends who don't take their time can take right crappy images with their phones. I think any differences your likely to see is more a matter of shot technique and discipline then consistency with build or variances between same models. I've seen similar type things with photographers standing right next to each other with pro gear... One takes a great image the other not so much.

Yeah, I'll accept that user effects are important in general, Trevor. But in my case I halfway know my way around a camera and my colleagues are absolutely not photographers. I take pretty good care with my shots and I'm still very lukewarm on iPhone photo quality.

Here's one I took with my new iPhone 5S coming down Independence Pass on the Leadville side the weekend before last.

Light was failing, so the iPhone chose f/2.2 and 1/30 s exposure at ISO50. The image metadata notes it was shot at 4.13 mm (51 mm equivlanent; 1.7X digital). Perhaps the marginal sharpness is a result of pushing into darkness too much or unkowningly using digital zooming too much. Whatever, the image just doesn't do justice to the subject.

I took a simple snapshot with my go-anywhere Canon PowerShot SD870 IS the day before at sunrise at Arches NP, and taking no more care than with that iPhone shot, in at least as demanding a scene. Without it even being my serious camera, I'm much happier with the result. F/2.8, 1/320 s, ISO 81, 28 mm equivalent. Real cameras give the best results for me, although I wish I could get the quality others do out of iPhones!

It would be nice if some of these guys rating smartphone cameras would test them against a real camera reference.

Don

 

[Ryanmb21]

1/30 was likely the culprit of the first one, unless you had a tripod.

 

[kojackJKU]

^and the winner of the most ridiculous post of the day.........................it's you!

And the winner of the most arrogant a hole award is YOU!

 

[Lost Canadian]

Yeah, I'll accept that user effects are important in general, Trevor. But in my case I halfway know my way around a camera and my colleagues are absolutely not photographers. I take pretty good care with my shots and I'm still very lukewarm on iPhone photo quality.

Light was failing, so the iPhone chose f/2.2 and 1/30 s exposure at ISO50. The image metadata notes it was shot at 4.13 mm (51 mm equivlanent; 1.7X digital). Perhaps the marginal sharpness is a result of pushing into darkness too much or unkowningly using digital zooming too much. Whatever, the image just doesn't do justice to the subject.


Don

Hey Don, it's hard to tell but it could be a combo of slow shutter speed and the digital zoom. Digital zoom is just an fancy way of letting the camera crop for you so your image is probably around 4-5 megapixels total. I certainly don't think it's a bad shot, I quite like it, but we have to be realistic too, I mean with only 4-5 megapixels at work and a slow shutter speed you're not going to capture a ton of fine foliage detail or have a lot of edge acuity. In comparison I wouldn't say your second shot is that much better than the first. It's side lit which will highlight edges and give you greater areas of sharp contrast which our brains perceive as sharpness. If you look in the shadows where contrast is low though the bushes and grasses don't appear all that sharp.

Here is about as good as it gets, at least with my old iPhone 5, not the 5s or 6..lol This is full resolution. Shot at ISO 50 f2.4, which never changes, 1/753 of a second shutter. Not mind blowing but colour and contrast are good and there is still more than enough detail for small prints and web sharing. I think if people are realistic about what to expect you can take very good, usable photos with almost any camera phone nowadays.

 

[photo_i]

Cell phones take images as good as compacts 4-5 years ago, some better, and most offer full control over every parameter of image making, from shot control to post processing.

With that I agree. But to compare my DSLR Canon with iPhone… No way!

 

[4xdog]

That's a very good image, Trevor -- I wouldn't have guessed an iPhone coulda taken it. But then, I'm on the crappy side of iPhone photographers from everything I've seen. As of a couple of weeks ago I have two of 'em (my personal and business phones are both 5S), and I can run some side-by-side experiments. Mebbe it's worth a separate thread on maximizing iPhone shooting -- I'd sure like to learn how to get the most from the tool.

This one was an accident with the work phone -- a single-frame pano at Bryce Canyon in early September. F/2.2, 1/1026 s, 30mm equiv. It's an interesting effect and seems better on this iPhone than the other. My goal isn't to replicate what I can get with my 5Dmkii, but just to get photos I like and would be willing to show somebody.

 

[dms1]

It will be interesting to see how the Note 4 stacks up when it comes out this month.

 

[kojackJKU]

the iphone has an app that simulates looking into space. The Nokia 1020 with is superior camera has an attachment telescope that lets you take REAL pictures of space! and report them.

Much cooler IMO!

http://www.wpcentral.com/lumia-1020-brains-behind-new-3d-printed-telescope

 

[kojackJKU]

Oh, Since we are comparing photos from the phones. check this site out.

best looking photos I have seen from a phone yet. and all from NOKIA. WHY? because they have the best cameras attached to them. Most popular, NO, but the best never is.


http://www.pureviewphotography.com/

 

[Boost Creep]

the iphone has an app that simulates looking into space. The Nokia 1020 with is superior camera has an attachment telescope that lets you take REAL pictures of space! and report them.

Much cooler IMO!

http://www.wpcentral.com/lumia-1020-brains-behind-new-3d-printed-telescope

theres tons of telescope adapters for iphones. :Astrologist:

 

[kojackJKU]

those are little things magnifing 2x. Not a real telescope. they are toys.

 

[Boost Creep]

uh...yeah... not real...