Hi Everyone,
I have a 64 gig aluminum Nexus 6p. I'm coming from a note 5 after reading all the reviews about this phone and the improvements in the camera. I was recording video of my daughter today and I've become accustomed to taking pictures while recording video. I dont see that option. It wasn't brought up in any of the reviews that I sawsaw. I thought that it was a basic thing. Is the a Hardware or Software limitation? Can you recommend any apps that I can buy that will allow this if there are any out there?
I'm also wondering about this because it's such a simple, but important feature that my pervious phones had. Anyone?
You will find that it's a software thing built into the samsung camera app.
I just checked and you're right it doesn't allow picture while taking a video. I find this strange since I just checked it with my Nexus 4, 5, 7 and they all allow pictures with video (i knew they did from a long time ago). Even gal nexus does. Strange....
Subbed. Wanna know
Wished it had this feature......nexus 5 had it why can't this one have it. 2 steps forward 1 step back. Could have used it this weekend during a wedding. Also why cant stock google camera app have recording AND picture buttons on 1 screen rather than switching between the 2.
Agreed this is a basic feature. I am amazed it is not there. I also agree that the video and camera were not separate screens but just one screen in the camera app with 2 buttons.
Any third party camera add this?
So I started a youtube channel dedicated to video making and vlogging on the pixel 2 XL. If anyone is interested here is the link. https://www.youtube.com/user/jrharvey592
Ive tried to make really high quality content just using the phone to record everything and plan on doing a lot of tutorials for the Pixel 2 and XL along with any other android phone. If your interested in any topics let me know. The main point of this post is to show how capable this camera is considering its just a smartphone but also to help anyone else that just has their phone but wants to make really high quality content for the web. Again... If this is something you guys are interested in let me know and Ill be happy to take ideas or make tutorials.
TUTORIALS
Studio Setup - https://youtu.be/PHIHQ0vm3P0
Awesome Telephoto Lens - https://youtu.be/7Ky2TAUPFPI
Awesome Telephoto Lens Part 2 - https://youtu.be/2f3h_ZOG6KA
How to make a timelapse - https://youtu.be/hXqCVScYxKk
Boya Microphone - https://youtu.be/sQSCsbxzpK0
Vlogging Setup with External Mic - https://youtu.be/Y-rZ-hkGtAk
Gimbals and Stabilizers - https://youtu.be/BcZOgCLQ4pI
How to film at night NEW - https://youtu.be/YnBjJeMJ6Po
Favorite App Settings - https://youtu.be/EZI86VsGDyY
Get stable video handheld only - https://youtu.be/6ktGPNUUcBY
VLOGS
https://youtu.be/lYmMQRHMiSI
https://youtu.be/OFlP5bWQkYQ
https://youtu.be/SNk1Blop2Sk
https://youtu.be/cI4J9Hs2LLQ
https://youtu.be/_KlfyJ_hSbE
https://youtu.be/uM2pdMKaW2k
Nice! Thanks for sharing, and subscribed to your channel.
Update: Added a new video for filming at night or low light https://youtu.be/YnBjJeMJ6Po
Just added a lot more videos
Hi - great videos. I have a Pixel 2 and have already downloaded cinema 4k based on your recommendation, and am looking to get a zhiyun crane. Would you mind adding notes/links to your youtube descriptions on products you have/recommend?
Love it! I'm glad you link to everything you use and recommend! Quick question.. I have the XL 2 as well, what do you do about storage? I haven't made it through all your videos yet to see if you cover this (but I am subscribed!) and just wondered how you get around the limitations of the built-in storage.. Is it really an issue? I'll be honest, I've not recorded much of anything on my phone since I bought it..
This is really good. I'm trying to mount a portable studio of sorts. My only grip with the Pixel 2 XL is the lack of a headphone jack, and to make things worse... the USB C port is blocked by the Gimbal (I've got a Zhiyun Smooth Q) so I'm not able to plug my mic in that scenario. I've been looking around and it seems some users were able to get a nice setup like the one I'm trying to put together using a USB C to USB C angled connector (wich I lack and I'm not able to find just yet).
On the software side, I'm having some trouble with the camera app OP suggested (it crashes a lot and has some annoying bugs like a stutter when first opened), I'd love to hear what else you recommend guys. I'll give Open Camera a shot this weekend.
Google Pixel 2 XL, Zhiyun Smooth 4, and External Microphone
Would the above configuration work OK, do you know? Or would I have balancing problems?
I already have a Smooth 4 and am currently looking for a new phone. Now that Google supports external microphones on their pixel series, I'm considering buying the Pixel 2 XL.
Any help or advice would be welcome!
What do you guys think? Pixel 2 suffers in low light but other than that, its very good.
Mods can you move this to real life reviews? I cant make a thread there for some reason
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What do you guys think?
The review, as mostly 99% of all camera reviews on YouTube - and specifically the Indian ones, is a mess (to be diplomatic about it!).
There is absolutely no details about the settings that guy used. I presume he only used out-of-the-box / automatic settings on both iPhone X and Pixel 2 XL which is ... lame.
iPhone is very restrictive in terms of what a user is allowed to do with camera settings and the night shots, while improved over the previous generations iPhones, they are still messy. Somehow following the trend, Google has emasculated the camera of some real balls but still has kept to aces in his sleeve: HDR+ and HDR+ Enhanced.
Provided the reviewing guy would have really wanted to squeeze the most of the two smartphone camera he might have gone with the Pixel 2 XL HDR+ for the night and the results would have been really different.
Don't get me wrong. Pixel 2 can be awful for night shots if one's using the defaults in the camera but can also produce wonders with the HDR+ Enhanced mode. Not to mention that there ar community custom versions of Google Camera APK which for the night shots can yield stunning results with way longer exposure times, yet a tripod would be needed to stabilize the beast.
I have attached a sample of nearly dark scene from my Pixel 2 shot, handheld, with Camera_v3.8c_test.apk.
Without looking at it, in the prior comparisons I've seen, I generally prefer the opposite, of iphone X photos for daylight and Pixel 2 for low light. I also tend to prefer the colors of the Pixel photos. And then it is mixed for special situations like close ups and landscape shots.
So it probably is a matter of comparing really good cameras at this point versus the old ones where there would often be a clear winner in most categories. But I'll watch and see how this is done.
Edit: Ok, so I haven't changed my mind after watching the review, except the way he took low light photos did look much worse. But I've seen dim light comparisons where the Pixel 2XL pictures look better.
Definitely a bit of eye of the beholder in the review. It is very hard to compare photos within a video, versus having the actual photos to pull up. His first comparison where he says they look basically the same, I would say the iphone was much clearer. i.e. the sign is clearer and plants in the background have more detail.
I would prefer if he used one of those setups with the phones mounted to something side by side (other than close up shots). Instead he seems to do one, then the other as some have very different angles. Even in the video where he has them somehow mounted, the video does not seem to be locked together. Like it isn't a very solid mounting arrangement. I know there is image stabilization going on, but it just doesn't look like the phones are moving in lock step.
The videos have to be stop framed as he moves around way too much. From that, I think most of the time the Pixel is much better, but at times the iphone video looks better, and usually when it is darker. But he's also combining them in software to make the youtube video, so it would be again nice to have the actual videos rather than and edited together one.
Oddly, the iphone photos look less blue, but video looks more blue and more muted colors in general.
I found this other comparison. Doesn't do low light outside though.
https://www.cnet.com/pictures/iphone-x-vs-pixel-2-photos-are-two-cameras-better-than-one/
Voicebox said:
Without looking at it, in the prior comparisons I've seen, I generally prefer the opposite, of iphone X photos for daylight and Pixel 2 for low light. I also tend to prefer the colors of the Pixel photos. And then it is mixed for special situations like close ups and landscape shots.
So it probably is a matter of comparing really good cameras at this point versus the old ones where there would often be a clear winner in most categories. But I'll watch and see how this is done.
Edit: Ok, so I haven't changed my mind after watching the review, except the way he took low light photos did look much worse. But I've seen dim light comparisons where the Pixel 2XL pictures look better.
Definitely a bit of eye of the beholder in the review. It is very hard to compare photos within a video, versus having the actual photos to pull up. His first comparison where he says they look basically the same, I would say the iphone was much clearer. i.e. the sign is clearer and plants in the background have more detail.
I would prefer if he used one of those setups with the phones mounted to something side by side (other than close up shots). Instead he seems to do one, then the other as some have very different angles. Even in the video where he has them somehow mounted, the video does not seem to be locked together. Like it isn't a very solid mounting arrangement. I know there is image stabilization going on, but it just doesn't look like the phones are moving in lock step.
The videos have to be stop framed as he moves around way too much. From that, I think most of the time the Pixel is much better, but at times the iphone video looks better, and usually when it is darker. But he's also combining them in software to make the youtube video, so it would be again nice to have the actual videos rather than and edited together one.
Oddly, the iphone photos look less blue, but video looks more blue and more muted colors in general.
I found this other comparison. Doesn't do low light outside though.
https://www.cnet.com/pictures/iphone-x-vs-pixel-2-photos-are-two-cameras-better-than-one/
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Click to collapse
Your observations are sharp on. Indeed the review is off by margins from a relevant one.
Here is another night shot, out of the camera, but I can't remember if I used the Google Camera or the modified one... Anyway the images speaks truth about camera's capabilities with Google's magic algorithms.
dehnhaide said:
The review, as mostly 99% of all camera reviews on YouTube - and specifically the Indian ones, is a mess (to be diplomatic about it!).
There is absolutely no details about the settings that guy used. I presume he only used out-of-the-box / automatic settings on both iPhone X and Pixel 2 XL which is ... lame.
iPhone is very restrictive in terms of what a user is allowed to do with camera settings and the night shots, while improved over the previous generations iPhones, they are still messy. Somehow following the trend, Google has emasculated the camera of some real balls but still has kept to aces in his sleeve: HDR+ and HDR+ Enhanced.
Provided the reviewing guy would have really wanted to squeeze the most of the two smartphone camera he might have gone with the Pixel 2 XL HDR+ for the night and the results would have been really different.
Don't get me wrong. Pixel 2 can be awful for night shots if one's using the defaults in the camera but can also produce wonders with the HDR+ Enhanced mode. Not to mention that there ar community custom versions of Google Camera APK which for the night shots can yield stunning results with way longer exposure times, yet a tripod would be needed to stabilize the beast.
I have attached a sample of nearly dark scene from my Pixel 2 shot, handheld, with Camera_v3.8c_test.apk.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You don't know what you're talking about. HDR+ Enhanced does NOT work better at night. The ONLY thing that mode is to be used for is, very rarely, better dynamic range. The difference was more noticeable in the 2016 Pixels. In the 2017 phones, HDR+ On and HDR+ Enhanced make the same result the vast majority of the time. HDR+ On (default mode) is BETTER at night because it captures more frames and reduces noise. The Pixel is noisier than the iPhone in lowlight photography... but has much better dynamic range, and typically better detail. If you don't like the noise, smooth out the noise (and detail as a result) in post processing.
this is a good comparison video
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m70Fuoz2cxw
Since it has the same camera hardware thought its worth posting here. The Pixel 2 still the best only falling short in low light photos. Anyone agree?
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THREAD CLOSED
I'll try to remember tonight, to take one of my long exposures of a room so dark I can't see anything. I've done it before (just to experiment, I deleted them) and the P2 gets pretty good pictures (considering that even OIS isn't that good for a 10 second hand-held exposure). If I remember, I'll post the result. It's overcast now, so bright-light/deep shadow isn't there. (But the dynamic range is pretty good - nothing like what you can do on some films, but better than Kodachrome.)
Rukbat said:
I'll try to remember tonight, to take one of my long exposures of a room so dark I can't see anything. I've done it before (just to experiment, I deleted them) and the P2 gets pretty good pictures (considering that even OIS isn't that good for a 10 second hand-held exposure). If I remember, I'll post the result. It's overcast now, so bright-light/deep shadow isn't there. (But the dynamic range is pretty good - nothing like what you can do on some films, but better than Kodachrome.)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
How did you manage 10-sec exposure? What app are you using?
LenX.
Unfortunately it doesn't seem to be on Play any longer, but you can get it on ApkPure.
Thanks for your video.
I think that the S9 tends to overexpose a bit on photos, leading to burnt highlights.
Weirdly it looks like the opposite is true for videos as the pixel tends to overexpose, but personally I don't care too much about videos, while I want my pictures to be the best possible with the hardware.
Say "cheese", then rate this thread to express how photos taken with the Sony Xperia 5 come out. A higher rating indicates that photos offer rich color (without over-saturating), sharp detail (with all subjects in-focus), and appropriate exposure (with even lighting).
Then, drop a comment if you have anything to add!
Having this phone along with Pixel 4, I can say that X5 photo quality is mixed bag. The most frustrating thing is "ghost imaging" of moving objects, not even a fast ones. Color accuracy is pretty good. Camera app itself still needs some work. It's not convenient to use and it's considerably slower that Pixel 4 one. Focusing system could be better too.
WarVic said:
Having this phone along with Pixel 4, I can say that X5 photo quality is mixed bag. The most frustrating thing is "ghost imaging" of moving objects, not even a fast ones. Color accuracy is pretty good. Camera app itself still needs some work. It's not convenient to use and it's considerably slower that Pixel 4 one. Focusing system could be better too.
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On Manual Mode the phone is unbeatable.
doministry said:
On Manual Mode the phone is unbeatable.
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Unfortunately it's not true. I wish it was true but it's definitely not. I played a lot with manual mode on Xperia 5. I does produce very good, with plenty of details, true to life colours, "Pixel grade" photos in good light condition. Any other conditions different from ideal and Xperia photos start to fall apart. Making pictures of the moving objects in light conditions just a bit different from ideal is a failure as well. I'm getting "ghost", "double" images of my kids nearly all the time. That's not acceptable for flagship camera-phone. The same thing happen when you make photos in the late evening or night. It's pretty much impossible to use Xperia 5 in this conditions without tripod. Sony just unable to compensate even a very minimal hand shake where as it's not a problem for Pixel or flagship Huawei devices. So I took a lot of photos from Pixel 4 and Xperia 5 in the same conditions for comparison to choose the best one to keep. I took a month for me to make the final decision. So I decided to keep Pixel 4 just for much better camera system. I'll give a chance to Xperia 5 Plus this year though.
WarVic said:
Unfortunately it's not true. I wish it was true but it's definitely not. I played a lot with manual mode on Xperia 5. I does produce very good, with plenty of details, true to life colours, "Pixel grade" photos in good light condition. Any other conditions different from ideal and Xperia photos start to fall apart. Making pictures of the moving objects in light conditions just a bit different from ideal is a failure as well. I'm getting "ghost", "double" images of my kids nearly all the time. That's not acceptable for flagship camera-phone. The same thing happen when you make photos in the late evening or night. It's pretty much impossible to use Xperia 5 in this conditions without tripod. Sony just unable to compensate even a very minimal hand shake where as it's not a problem for Pixel or flagship Huawei devices. So I took a lot of photos from Pixel 4 and Xperia 5 in the same conditions for comparison to choose the best one to keep. I took a month for me to make the final decision. So I decided to keep Pixel 4 just for much better camera system. I'll give a chance to Xperia 5 Plus this year though.
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Click to collapse
That means you have no clue about manual mode. I get all I want. You just have to use ISO and shutter speed and all that stuff correctly. That's it. It's obvious for any person knowing anything about photogtaphy....
I don't have any ghosting. Any. Sorry. And the Android 10 update makes things even better. Just yesterday had a chance to make some pics in difficult conditions and it worked great.
https://flic.kr/p/2io5e3E
https://flic.kr/p/2io2KfM
I don't need to have a clue about manual mode. Xperia 5 is not DSLR camera, you know. The main purpose of any flagship smartphone, camera-phone in particular, is ability to make perfect shots at any time as fast as possible without playing with manual mode. Manual mode is just a good addition (for geeks), nothing more. Mediocre auto mode isn't forgivable thing for such expensive device. Kids don't allow to tinker with manual mode - they simply won't wait. And I don't like to miss a moment. I can give you samples with "ghost" images if you like. Certainly Xperia 5 isn't up for competition right now and I have doubts that Sony Alpha team took any part in Xperia 1 / 5 development. They have a beer together, I guess . That's a main contribution.
---------- Post added at 12:59 PM ---------- Previous post was at 12:54 PM ----------
In addition, Xperia 5 app launch speed is ridiculously slow compared to all phones I had for the last 2 years. Focusing system is disappointing as well. Quite often it just misses and too many times I came across the problem of inability to focus on places / objects which was not a problem Pixel 4. That's not good either.
WarVic said:
I don't need to have a clue about manual mode. Xperia 5 is not DSLR camera, you know. The main purpose of any flagship smartphone, camera-phone in particular, is ability to make perfect shots at any time as fast as possible without playing with manual mode. Manual mode is just a good addition (for geeks), nothing more. Mediocre auto mode isn't forgivable thing for such expensive device. Kids don't allow to tinker with manual mode - they simply won't wait. And I don't like to miss a moment. I can give you samples with "ghost" images if you like. Certainly Xperia 5 isn't up for competition right now and I have doubts that Sony Alpha team took any part in Xperia 1 / 5 development. They have a beer together, I guess . That's a main contribution.
---------- Post added at 12:59 PM ---------- Previous post was at 12:54 PM ----------
In addition, Xperia 5 app launch speed is ridiculously slow compared to all phones I had for the last 2 years. Focusing system is disappointing as well. Quite often it just misses and too many times I came across the problem of inability to focus on places / objects which was not a problem Pixel 4. That's not good either.
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Wrong. Manual mode is exactly to be used consciously. If you want effect you think before you do it. That's why it's MANUAL. And than why do you want to make photos if you don't care about basics? I think it's just plain ingnorace. Than why do you even bother writing on forums. Learn something, and than discuss - don't expect your ignorance will be seen as a good thing.
Another silly thing - yes, phone cameras are semi pro, for some years. And if they're not, again - why do you expect any good results from it?
Let's face it, you need an idiot camera, than buy Pixel. Leave the best for those who can actually use it.
doministry said:
Wrong. Manual mode is exactly to be used consciously. If you want effect you think before you do it. That's why it's MANUAL. And than why do you want to make photos if you don't care about basics? I think it's just plain ingnorace. Than why do you even bother writing on forums. Learn something, and than discuss - don't expect your ignorance will be seen as a good thing.
Another silly thing - yes, phone cameras are semi pro, for some years. And if they're not, again - why do you expect any good results from it?
Let's face it, you need an idiot camera, than buy Pixel. Leave the best for those who can actually use it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I think you completely forgot what are you talking about - what really is a tiny camera on a dinky phone (whatever good and powerful it is) and what's the primary purpose of it. And you're calling the best smartphone camera on the market for quite a while by now (not just my personal opinion by the way) - Google Pixel camera - an idiotic one?! That is complete ignorance and nonsense! You certainly never had a Pixel phone. That's explains everything.
Please find attached one of my Xperia 5 photo. It's an epic failure indeed, man. An it's not just a one-off shot. Can't remember that I saw anything like that coming from flagship smartphone camera.
Good luck with your "advanced, for professionals only" Xperia ). Cheers!
WarVic said:
I think you completely forgot what are you talking about - what really is a tiny camera on a dinky phone (whatever good and powerful it is) and what's the primary purpose of it. And you're calling the best smartphone camera on the market for quite a while by now (not just my personal opinion by the way) - Google Pixel camera - an idiotic one?! That is complete ignorance and nonsense! You certainly never had a Pixel phone. That's explains everything.
Please find attached one of my Xperia 5 photo. It's an epic failure indeed, man. An it's not just a one-off shot. Can't remember that I saw anything like that coming from flagship smartphone camera.
Good luck with your "advanced, for professionals only" Xperia ). Cheers!
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Click to collapse
Oh, I forgot to mention Xperia 5 complete inability to handle lens flares which was the issue for me not just once, very limited HDR mode and ... inability to shoot in RAW ("Idiotic" Pixel does have RAW!). Last one Sony's omission is laughable for "professional grade, Sony Alpha team tuned" flagship smartphone camera to say at least! And once again, Xperia focusing system is just horrible (maybe perfect for you though if you're not familiar with others). This is my final 2 cents. Cheers
WarVic said:
I think you completely forgot what are you talking about - what really is a tiny camera on a dinky phone (whatever good and powerful it is) and what's the primary purpose of it. And you're calling the best smartphone camera on the market for quite a while by now (not just my personal opinion by the way) - Google Pixel camera - an idiotic one?! That is complete ignorance and nonsense! You certainly never had a Pixel phone. That's explains everything.
Please find attached one of my Xperia 5 photo. It's an epic failure indeed, man. An it's not just a one-off shot. Can't remember that I saw anything like that coming from flagship smartphone camera.
Good luck with your "advanced, for professionals only" Xperia ). Cheers!
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Click to collapse
Well, it's good to be able to understand things you comment. I didn't say Google is an idiotic camera, I just said you need an idiots camera - camera which does anything for you, you just press the shutter.
Google is known for its Auto Mode. But as compared with any phone with manual controls, it fails. There are tons of real life comparisons on YouTube to prove that. But to know that you have to understand anything about photography, which you don't. Which you prove again with your arguments - first about the tiny camera and than about RAW. It's obvious none of these opinions are yours actually.
Now, about the photo you enclosed - maybe your phone is broken, I don't know. Never seen anything like that, and I was never able to fail like this although I've made thousands of photos.
doministry said:
Well, it's good to be able to understand things you comment. I didn't say Google is an idiotic camera, I just said you need an idiots camera - camera which does anything for you, you just press the shutter.
Google is known for its Auto Mode. But as compared with any phone with manual controls, it fails. There are tons of real life comparisons on YouTube to prove that. But to know that you have to understand anything about photography, which you don't. Which you prove again with your arguments - first about the tiny camera and than about RAW. It's obvious none of these opinions are yours actually.
Now, about the photo you enclosed - maybe your phone is broken, I don't know. Never seen anything like that, and I was never able to fail like this although I've made thousands of photos.
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It's clear that you're just a blind Sony fan pretending to be a really cool professional photographer using highly sophisticated, for clever people only, MANUAL mode and .... "professionally" taking photos by smartphone camera . That pretty muck explains everything. You made me laugh, man. I like you for that . I just say it again, Xperia 5 has subbar camera system suitable for Sony fanboys only. An not only Pixel 1 or 2 but also most modern Chinese phones like Huawei, Xiaomi and Realme do much better job with their camera than glorious Sony Xperia. Unfortunately that's the brutal truth. And you have to suck it up and go on with Xperia 5 - the choice of professional photographers .
WarVic said:
It's clear that you're just a blind Sony fan pretending to be a really cool professional photographer using highly sophisticated, for clever people only, MANUAL mode and .... "professionally" taking photos by smartphone camera . That pretty muck explains everything. You made me laugh, man. I like you for that . I just say it again, Xperia 5 has subbar camera system suitable for Sony fanboys only. An not only Pixel 1 or 2 but also most modern Chinese phones like Huawei, Xiaomi and Realme do much better job with their camera than glorious Sony Xperia. Unfortunately that's the brutal truth. And you have to suck it up and go on with Xperia 5 - the choice of professional photographers .
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Click to collapse
A classic - personal insults instead of any real argument. Typical forum dumb..ss. But the fact you can't even make a proper photo because you're drunk, doesn't mean the discussion with you is in any way better
No insults or rants against the brand. I gave you real arguments of subbar Xperia 5 cameras compared to Google Pixel 2 / 3 / 4, Huawei Mate 10 Pro / 20 Pro / P30. I used all these camera-phones for more than enough time to compare with Xperia 5.
So personally for you I repeat my arguments against "master of mobile photography" Sony Xperia 5:
- inferior focusing system - slower than others, unable to focus properly to damn often on places where rivals smartphones can do easily,
- painfully slow Camera app start up, Camera app itself is not really good & polished as others,
- no dedicated night mode. Automatic one isn't good enough compare to rivals,
- inability to make night shots in Manual mode without tripod (blurry mess is guaranteed),
- struggle to make any decent photos in extreme or not perfect light conditions,
- camera lenses / glass cover flares,
- not good enough dynamic range,
- inferior HDR mode (little to none difference when it's on), inability to use it in Auto mode,
- "ghost" imaging of moving objects.
I saw all above mentioned issues by my own eyes and this is not something I was expected to come across on Alpha team tweaked Sony Xperia flagship smartphone camera!
WarVic said:
...
Please find attached one of my Xperia 5 photo. It's an epic failure indeed, man. An it's not just a one-off shot. Can't remember that I saw anything like that coming from flagship smartphone camera
....
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Click to collapse
Hi there,
Not to argue for or against Xperia 5 camera(s), but I just want to point out that your phone was perhaps defective.
In all the pictures I've done with Xperia 5, I've never seen any ghost image such as in your example, not even at night.
I can however get blurred moving subjects (but no double image) if taken at too slow shutter speed, as is the case with any small sensor camera.
This happens for example at night in auto-mode on Xperia 5 (ex: 1/16): too slow to shoot people, in which case we must set the speed in manual mode to avoid blur (ex: 1/64).
Cheers too!
chgr said:
Hi there,
Not to argue for or against Xperia 5 camera(s), but I just want to point out that your phone was perhaps defective.
In all the pictures I've done with Xperia 5, I've never seen any ghost image such as in your example, not even at night.
I can however get blurred moving subjects (but no double image) if taken at too slow shutter speed, as is the case with any small sensor camera.
This happens for example at night in auto-mode on Xperia 5 (ex: 1/16): too slow to shoot people, in which case we must set the speed in manual mode to avoid blur (ex: 1/64).
Cheers too!
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You could be right but I'm not sure. Can't remember that any of my smartphones had faulty camera in the past. I took photos both in Auto and Manual mode (HDR was enabled, nothing more changed) and that "double images" of moving objects persisted in light conditions a bit different from ideal. Just slight movement of my kids was enough to get unusable photo. Very disappointing. Luckily I sold that phone already and ordered another one. I'll check your suggestion once I get it.
Thanks
WarVic said:
You could be right but I'm not sure. Can't remember that any of my smartphones had faulty camera in the past. I took photos both in Auto and Manual mode (HDR was enabled, nothing more changed) and that "double images" of moving objects persisted in light conditions a bit different from ideal. Just slight movement of my kids was enough to get unusable photo. Very disappointing. Luckily I sold that phone already and ordered another one. I'll check your suggestion once I get it.
Thanks
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Ok. I tried lots of pictures exactly as you explain: HDR ON (both with auto and manual), lots of light in background and a moving subject not well lit. Basically I did a moving person against a bright window.
I did get about 1 in 20 of these back-lit photos displaying a ghost image at the limit between dark and light areas. So I agree the phone still exhibits a little bit of the same issues as was the case in older models.
The algorithm to blend the multiple images in HDR is not yet perfect.
Not sure about the Pixel 4. It's probably better at this. I personally had the pixel 2 and sold it exactly because I was getting consistently blurred pictures of people and animals in HDR mode, much worse than with Xperia XZ2 which I had at the same time. Problem is Pixel 2 could only take nice pictures with HDR enabled, otherwise was terrible quality.
So in my day to day usage, I normally don't get this issue with the X5 which I use mostly in auto mode. Tip: if you absolutely need to avoid HDR in auto mode (besides the obvious advice not to shoot people in backlit conditions), uncheck "Object tracking" in settings, and use your finger to set focus + exposure on your subject before taking the pic. This in effect prevents HDR (Backlit) mode.
So now the only time I use manual mode is for night time shots to avoid blurred faces with 1/32 or 1/64 speed. I just wish Sony would add an option in settings so the user could set a lower speed limit that would apply to Eye/ face detected subjects only.
Thanks for good advises. I'll certainly use them once I get the phone. Regarding Pixel 2, I can't remember getting any blurred / out of focus photos from it. Quite surprised to hear it. Anyway, Pixel 3 seems ironed all the issues of previous models. I still consider it one of the best camera-phones right now. Also it's very cheap now too. Overall it is one of the best phones I've ever had and that's why I decided to keep it as a backup phone. Pixel 4 appeared to be roughly the same thing with worse battery. That was the reason for getting rid of it.
I did enjoy Xperia 5 too though. Hence I gave it one more chance and re-order it. I wish that Sony fix current issues with it or will do it in future. One of them, a very noticeable one, the camera app launch speed and its overall performance. I want it to be on pair with older Pixel 3 one, not any slower. Cheers
WarVic said:
Thanks for good advises. I'll certainly use them once I get the phone. Regarding Pixel 2, I can't remember getting any blurred / out of focus photos from it. Quite surprised to hear it. Anyway, Pixel 3 seems ironed all the issues of previous models. I still consider it one of the best camera-phones right now. Also it's very cheap now too. Overall it is one of the best phones I've ever had and that's why I decided to keep it as a backup phone. Pixel 4 appeared to be roughly the same thing with worse battery. That was the reason for getting rid of it.
I did enjoy Xperia 5 too though. Hence I gave it one more chance and re-order it. I wish that Sony fix current issues with it or will do it in future. One of them, a very noticeable one, the camera app launch speed and its overall performance. I want it to be on pair with older Pixel 3 one, not any slower. Cheers
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I guess now that X5 is getting much cheaper it's still interesting, but I wouldn't expect big software improvements to come except for maybe Photo Pro app if Sony is nice to us.
Personally I think the next version X5 II should bring major improvements in photo and we will soon know if that's true with the X1 II:
Photo Pro app vs current camera app (should bring better speed, stability and features if it lives up to current Cinema Pro app)
Bigger sensors = better low light shots
Faster and better focus (with TOF and dual pixel)
Eye tracking on pets (I have a cat and a dog)
... That's of course if it does indeed come out.
It's good enough.
Overall it's an acceptable camera system. I agree it has some flaws, but I knew that going in. I purchased used on eBay (MUCH more affordable), and of course read and viewed many reviews that outline these flaws. It's good enough for snapshots or Instagram or times when you need a pic of something when your out and about. I take a digital camera with me when I know I am going somewhere that I am going to photograph stuff. One reviewer summed up nicely what the big issue is here; Sony makes camera sensors for a lot of other phone companies and makes some of the absolute best digital cameras in the world, so how did they let this slide?
WarVic said:
I think you completely forgot what are you talking about - what really is a tiny camera on a dinky phone (whatever good and powerful it is) and what's the primary purpose of it. And you're calling the best smartphone camera on the market for quite a while by now (not just my personal opinion by the way) - Google Pixel camera - an idiotic one?! That is complete ignorance and nonsense! You certainly never had a Pixel phone. That's explains everything.
Please find attached one of my Xperia 5 photo. It's an epic failure indeed, man. An it's not just a one-off shot. Can't remember that I saw anything like that coming from flagship smartphone camera.
Good luck with your "advanced, for professionals only" Xperia ). Cheers!
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Looking at your pictures, i assume you received a faulty phone