200MP vs 1-inch - testing the best Android phones for photography

17 March 2023


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Tech Jesus Gattuso, 25 Mar 2023even if it was xenon. No one would still use it today. There would be a niche audience that would use it. I would definitely try it out.

    SuuperBaka, 20 Mar 2023Nobody because smartphones nowadays don't have Xenon f... moreeven if it was xenon. No one would still use it today.

      Chrestos SV1GAP, 23 Mar 2023What gives better results, the best of the 4 smartphones or... moreDo note that shooting at the maximum aperture settings on both cameras will cause a fairly substantial loss in sharpness towards the edge, so to get a decent result you will probably have to stop down the lenses for 1 or 2 EV, which will nullify any sensor size or aperture size advantages that these cameras have in low light. LX15's lens starts from F1.4, but in reality, you wouldn't want to use that aperture for any sort of landscape shot. Also, they won't be as good as modern smartphone cameras at adjusting the exposure for complex lightings automatically, so if you want to shoot in backlight, you'll probably need to resort to RAW editing software at home instead.

      If you start zooming in optically, of course, then the compact cameras will win fair and square.

        • ?
        • Anonymous
        • nem
        • 24 Mar 2023

        Chrestos SV1GAP, 23 Mar 2023What gives better results, the best of the 4 smartphones or... moreLiterally doesn't matter, you carry your phone around with you at all times, not so with a proper camera.

          AnonD-454049, 24 Mar 2023computation needs data and data comes from how much light y... moreOkay. But that doesn't disprove my point. I wrote that if you're looking for a decent photo who's not a professional photographer, smartphones handles decent photos with that computing power. Because of the censor hardware of smartphones, there's that need of computational power. Why? Because you can't capture that well like photography machines does. So a minus handled by the computational power which makes it decent for certain level. Simple as that.

          However, your main comment stating that 100$ can easily beat is simply not correct. There are already available side by side comparisons done by YouTubers. The machines they used are not even cheap as you mentioned 100$ and still there's hope for the future of smartphone photography...

            AnonD-454049, 24 Mar 2023computation needs data and data comes from how much light y... moreOkay. But that doesn't disprove my point. I wrote that if you're looking for a decent photo who's not a professional photographer, smartphones handles decent photos with that computing power. Because of censor hardware is not up to the level of real photog

              phonelobby, 22 Mar 2023None of the above have real 1 inch; they are cropped sensor... moreSony pro-I does with premium paid purchase extra features you get too use the whole sensor

                • ?
                • Anonymous
                • PGc
                • 24 Mar 2023

                Anonymous, 21 Mar 2023This test is flawed and usless as a hardware comparison as ... moreThey all use software to enhance their photo, why just mention Samsung? It just shows people like you should never make comparisons because your conclusion will never be fair.

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                  • AnonD-454049
                  • 2WB
                  • 24 Mar 2023

                  brsdrgn, 23 Mar 2023Not really. At least not that low level anymore. The amount... morecomputation needs data and data comes from how much light you can capture

                    x3merrr, 23 Mar 2023the only thing thats still stopping me from switching to gl... moreCan't stop looking at pictures of yourself?

                      the only thing thats still stopping me from switching to glagship chinese phones are their mid range front cameras.

                        swaraj, 23 Mar 2023A 100 dollar sony cybershot will bury these in the mariana ... moreNot really. At least not that low level anymore. The amount of computation going behind on those smartphones made them get really close. If you're not a professional photographer and simply want to capture decent photos(that's the audience they target), smartphones are much more than enough nowadays. Go check there are some analysis done on Youtube I believe it was done by Vivo x90 Pro plus and the youtuber was simply impressed by the results...

                          phonelobby, 22 Mar 2023None of the above have real 1 inch; they are cropped sensor... moreGo check MKBHD's video. They're not real 1 inch but they fit correctly to the measurement terminologies in the camera world and that's simply not an accuse to anything as they're capturing really good photos on any smartphone right one. Much better than trying to squeeze more pixels into a smaller area which later struggles to get more light...

                            • B
                            • Bdn
                            • pmH
                            • 23 Mar 2023

                            Anonymous , 21 Mar 2023"The out-of-focus area on the main camera photos looks... moreYou funny trash talker!

                            https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/reviews/23/the-big-camera-shootout-q1-2023/camera/gsmarena_001.jpg
                            https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/reviews/23/the-big-camera-shootout-q1-2023/camera/gsmarena_002.jpg

                            In the first photo you mentioned: Vivo has much better performance. Better texture in the dark areas. Your eyes probably mixes what is over sharpened. As you claim Vivo is blurry, actually Samsung's shot is over sharpened.

                            i see much better details in Vivo's shot. Let's take the left side of the building. Tree branches are more distinguishable. The building covers have more texture. Meanwhile with Samsung the there's issue that it got soft in the edges and it tries to save it by applying extra sharpening. Look at the end of the street, Samsung's shot literally blurry, didn't manage to capture any detail look at the fan of the AC. You fanboy!


                            https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/reviews/23/the-big-camera-shootout-q1-2023/camera/gsmarena_009.jpg
                            https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/reviews/23/the-big-camera-shootout-q1-2023/camera/gsmarena_010.jpg

                            Look at the tree on the right side. There's much more detail available in Vivo's shot. Vivo keeps the exposure higher that leads to brighter photos but the the extra V2 chip manages with the noise reductions so well. Samsung's shot simply the branches black, dark. Where's the distinguishable detail there? Look under the dark areas of the roof. There's much more detail captures by vivo and noise reduction handled very well. You fanboy!

                            For the third you pasted the same links! :) And you're so biased that you still trash out the Vivo saying chinese phones are not consistent. Wow. What a analysis that one! From that comment should we assume there's some other factors included in your analysis which are completely unrelated to the photography performance. Do you also know that X90 Pro is not the flagship device of Vivo vs Samsung's S23 Ultra Flagship? Do you know there's another model x90 Pro Plus which has much better processor and camera modules? Meanwhile you compare X90 pro, it still beats your Samsung product? What a comment really!

                            Commenting on the other guy's vision problem. You better check your eyes and see psychologist additionally. I'm concerned about your self delusion. Provide info rather than attacking!

                            About the portrait photo:
                            https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/reviews/23/the-big-camera-shootout-q1-2023//camera/gsmarena_300.jpg

                            https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/reviews/23/the-big-camera-shootout-q1-2023//camera/gsmarena_301.jpg

                            You wrote"Everything was grainy and out of white balanced in vivo. The color and detail of the t-shirt were so bad. The sky was blown out. And about edge detection, any chinese toys weren't even a competitor of s23u. "

                            Are you retarded? I'm seriously wondering. Let me tell you that this is portrait shot which should highlight person with edge detection, blur out the background. It's about the face here especially. do you see how his skin tone is closer to the real? How much detail it captured on his face? Just to trash talk and mention again "Chinese Phones' you focus on the blurred background which is in fact done on purpose to point out the subject! Who's this guy really? The color of the T-shirt/ detail of it is much better captured on Vivo which is again on the bright side. Vivo does that to take more detail and you can simply play with the exposure while editing...


                            Another one and I see you mix the orders of the photos:

                            https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/reviews/23/the-big-camera-shootout-q1-2023/camera/gsmarena_110.jpg
                            https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/reviews/23/the-big-camera-shootout-q1-2023/camera/gsmarena_109.jpg

                            The only thing you talk about here is about the text of the board. Can it be sharpened on Samsung because of a text detection which over sharpened it? Is this photo taken for the that board so that people can come close by and read the text or it's sculpture of the lion and that beautiful building? Do you see the water signs cause by the corosion leaking down on lion due to rain? On Vivo, it's visible clearly. On Samsung, none! :) It's warmer on Vivo, that could be criticized but that could be fixed so easily. Look at the trees, light on the right bottom side, do you see any detail on Samsung? Your mindset simply works like this each time you compare. Where I can boost about Samsung and where I can criticize about Vivo. So, you find the details you think it's better on Samsung and straight mention that. But you missed the whole point!

                            And the last photos you mentioned:
                            https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/reviews/23/the-big-camera-shootout-q1-2023/camera/gsmarena_117.jpg
                            https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/reviews/23/the-big-camera-shootout-q1-2023/camera/gsmarena_118.jpg

                            Ofc you couldn't admit the amount of detail and only found the the image is reddish. Yes it's and it can be fixed as I mentioned above! What about the color of the car closest to you? On Samsung, it's not clear if it's silver or not. When you check on Vivo, you clearly understand that's a white colored car. Look at the details on the far location on the left side. Samsung simply killed that area, no details captured and Vivo again provides you the details. What about the street lights for example? They're too shiny on Samsung making it unfortunate to capture details around. On Vivo, they're nicelly dimmed. Look at the corner of the building slightly visible on the top right corner. Vivo captured the color and some details. What about Samsung? Simply dark and lacks details.

                            Having the freedom to comment, hiding behind the profiles, made it much easier on the internet that people can attack another by simply being absolutely wrong. I wish it'd require some credibility and expertise to do such thing. I tried explaining one by one. I hope that's enough for a person like you who doesn't know his place. The amount of ignorance and the bravery comes along with it is beyond my understanding...

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                              • swaraj
                              • Hkt
                              • 23 Mar 2023

                              Chrestos SV1GAP, 23 Mar 2023What gives better results, the best of the 4 smartphones or... moreA 100 dollar sony cybershot will bury these in the mariana trench 😏

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                                • swaraj
                                • Hkt
                                • 23 Mar 2023

                                So It's basically about how big you have vs how long you last ? 🤔

                                  What gives better results, the best of the 4 smartphones or the Sony RX100 III 20.1MP 2.9x 600€ or the Panasonic Lumix DMC-LX15 20.1MP 3x 550€?

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                                    • phonelobby
                                    • srs
                                    • 22 Mar 2023

                                    None of the above have real 1 inch; they are cropped sensors to 12Mb

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                                      • Haplok
                                      • MIn
                                      • 22 Mar 2023

                                      uk7866, 21 Mar 2023Please do a follow up including the Pixel 7 Pro and latest ... more...and Honor Magic 5 Pro!

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                                        • Anonymous
                                        • tZ0
                                        • 22 Mar 2023

                                        Very good review. Very detailed and useful. Please do more review comparison like this. Honor Magic 5 Pro is coming.