Would like to ask, what are the current smartphones (or future 2016 models) which have the best cameras. Currently I have the Nokia Pureview 808 which has the largest sensor in its kind (1/1.2") which somehow contributed to the thick protrusion on the phone in order to house that large sensor. When compared to tiny sensors in most smartphones, the Nokia has outstanding low-light capabilities producing clean shots with very little grain in dim lighting conditions. However, the browsing capabilities of the Nokia with the Symbian platform are lacking.

Are there any smartphones, whether it is Android, Windows etc. with a comparably good camera? Preferably one with a larger sensor to capture cleaner shots in low-lighting conditions. No particular capping in the budget for the smartphone with the quality of the camera being the top priority.

Thanks.

S6

S6 is the current winner but iPhone 6S might beat it. For me, it has to be the G4.

Note 5 or s6...if u want removable battery and micro sd..take lg g4 or note 4..

Xperia z5 soon

No phone can beat LG G4 camera yet.

Just checked on the LG G4 phone. The size of the sensor is 1/2.6" which is quite small, smaller than the Nokia Lumia 1520's 1/2.5" sensor.

Is there a smartphone, a current model with a sensor that is 1/1.7" or larger?

I have no qualms that the LG G4 or comparable smartphones with good cameras will produce good quality photos in good light, but in low light the sensor has to be larger to produce cleaner shots with lower noise.

FWIW the obsolete Nokia N8's sensor is 1/1.8" while the Pureview 808's sensor is 1/1.2". However, the Symbian platform rendered the internet browsing capabilities of these phones to be below par. Internet browsing speed is slow and the operation is not smooth or quick.

I am looking for a smartphone with a smoother operation and quick internet browsing, but one that does not compromise on the quality of the camera.

Look at the image below to have an idea on the size of sensors of some smartphones. Most smartphones have a sensor size that is smaller than 1/2.5" which is smaller than the Samsung Galaxy camera (1/2.3").



This post has been edited by ryder_78: Sep 26 2015, 10:51 AM

You might want to check out the current Oppo N3. My daughter bought one recently. I believe the sensor on this is larger than most smartphones at 1/2.3". They used Schneider Kreuznach lens on the N3 and the sensor is larger than the iPhone 6 and Samsung Galaxy S5.

You can check this link out. http://www.gsmarena.com/oppo_n3_sports_16m...s-news-9914.php

It is good for selfie too as the 16MP back camera can rotate to become a front camera for selfie shots which my daughter loves.

It also depends on how much you want to spend.

Currently the Samsung Galaxy S6 / Note 5 looks great, LG G4 is next.

I've tested the Huawei Honor 7 and it's superb too, Sony sensor and it feels pretty close to that of the S6.

You can check out Panasonic CM1 phone. Its got a 1" sensor - currently the biggest in the mobile world. And takes raw photos.

Android phone compare by taiwan web
http://www.mobile01.com/newsdetail.php?id=17068

http://www.panasonic.com/uk/consumer/camer...as/dmc-cm1.html

This post has been edited by chokia: Sep 27 2015, 01:45 PM

Is the Panasonic Lumix CM1 being sold in Malaysia? If yes, how much does it cost? I cannot find this phone on the Panasonic Malaysia website.

Thanks.

The Panasonic Lumia CM1 looks more like a compact camera than a phone with the round protrusion at the back of the phone which is comprehensible considering the phone has to house the large 1" sensor.

Is this thing available for sale locally? A quick check revealed that the retail is USD1,000 which is more RM3500+/-. Pretty hefty price for a phone but if the quality of the camera live up to the hype, then it might a great choice for enthusiasts who fret carrying two devices every time.

Personally I feel that the direction of most ordinary folks (excluding serious photographers) is to have a relatively good smartphone that takes great (though not exceptional) images. Even for functions, holidays and parties, my wife now uses her cellphone to take photos instead of her Samsung APS-C camera which now sits in the closet most of the time. The last time she used the Samsung was during a wedding dinner of a relative (although there is a professional photographer for the job). The evolution of smartphones now is not only limited to the back camera but the front camera for taking selfies, which I think is a huge advantage for youngsters or young couples these days. It is amazing that most smartphones nowadays have 5MP to 8MP front cameras for crystal clear selfies.

singapore officially has, retail SGD1399.
btw, i also still keep my nokia 808...but its showing its age.
even the LG G4 now takes way better pics
regardless of its sensor size of 1/2.6, it seems to have better processing...
i witnessed it first hand at the recent bon jovi concert...while my 808 did better at video and also sound due to its high quality mic...
the low light shots suffered greatly compared to the G4.


This post has been edited by Everdying: Sep 29 2015, 07:23 PM

Hi, when you mentioned the Nokia 808 is showing its age, do you mean the performance of the camera is deteriorating, or the speed of the phone and internet browsing capabilities are lacking when compared to the current crop of smartphones running on Android and Windows? In my case, I find the Symbian OS to be lacking in terms of internet browsing and overall operation of the phone which is rather slow. There is a lag when swiping between screens and we have to wait for 1-2 seconds, sometimes longer to open an application, either the camera application or Calender etc. Also, the phone sometimes freezes and will not respond to taps, and we have to restart the phone by switching it off and switching it on again. Sometimes the phone will not switch off by itself and I have to dismantle the phone cover and take out the battery to restart the phone. These are some of the shortcomings which have given me more cause to upgrade the 808 to a better smartphone. The only reason I am hanging on to the 808 is the quality of the camera.

It is intriguing when you mention the LG G4 takes (way better) photos than the 808. I presume it is in good light. In low light, I guess the 808 will beat the G4 due to the larger sensor, producing cleaner shots with less noise.

I have received feedback from dpreview in that the the Panasonic Lumix CM1 is confirmed to be superior than the Nokia Lumia 1020. A guy owns both Lumia 1020 and CM1. He has many advanced cameras as well and he mentioned the CM1 compares very favourably to the larger and costlier cameras. I have forgotten which model of large camera that he said is inferior to the CM1.

I feel the CM1 will have the best camera for a smartphone and an equally good Android system (it is reported to be quick and rather slick in operation for a smartphone). The only disadvantage is the high pricing at the moment. SGD 1399, that would turn out to be around RM4k+-. Quite a rich phone.

my 808 is only used for my 2nd number...i dont even use the web on it cos its so irritating...mostly for calls/sms/whatsapp...
even then, the symbian whatsapp has lag and sometimes takes awhile to receive messages.

and well, when i said concert...it was obviously after 8pm...so yea low light.

speaking about the 1020, it has a slightly smaller sensor than 808, yet the 1020 takes better low light shots.
so not everything is really about sensor size.

anyway, some reading here - http://allaboutwindowsphone.com/features/i..._Lumia_9301.php

as for the CM1.
i consider it a novelty device at the price of rm4k.
if it was rm2k+, i may consider getting one...cos as a phone its really nothing great...and i still read issues on its camera algorithms and also its lens quality.
anyway, if got rm4k to burn...better just get sony rx100 mk4...
and some more reading
http://www.gizmodo.com.au/2015/08/panasoni...e-a-smartphone/


This post has been edited by Everdying: Sep 29 2015, 10:46 PM

Thanks for the link. Interesting results when they compared the Nokia Lumia 1020 to the LG G4, surprising actually that the 1020 can do quite badly in most of the comparison producing images with less clarity and more noise next to the sharper and clearer images of the LG G4. Not too sure if the reviewer deliberately rigged the results or something. I cannot imagine the downsampled images to be blurry and lack in clarity when compared to the G4 with smaller sensor, especially in low to very low light conditions. Having said that the LG G4 does have very respectable and good image quality in all shooting conditions, even in low light.

Similarly, I would buy the Lumix CM1 if it was RM2000. Max maybe RM2500. I cannot imagine spending more than that for a phone, although it may come with an outstanding camera which rivals top compacts such as the Sony RX100 III. At a price of close to RM4k may be a bit rich, though I think some die-hard fans won't have problems forking out the money for a piece of novelty, a capable Android smartphone with a camera that is very close to the Sony RX100 III's performance (it beats all other small compacts such as Fuji X20 and Lumix LX7 in clarity and sharpness).

nah, definitely not rigged as like i mentioned i already seen something similar with 808 vs G4.
again, sensor size is just one part.
the G4 wins by a combination of better processing, better focusing, faster lens hence lower iso (tho not by much i guess), and better algorithm also in selecting shutter speeds.
the 808 also of cos has no real OIS.

Interesting that the Gizmodo review pitted the CM1 with the Sony RX100 Mark IV and the remark that the CM1 is "slightly inferior than the RX100 Mk IV. Perhaps the CM1's quality is closer to the RX100 MkIII than one can imagine.

I have to disagree with the author's remark in the last paragraph though in that the specs of the iPhone6 will last longer than the CM1, and that the CM1 will be considered as a shitty phone in 1 year's time. As long as the speed of the phone can keep up, it will easily last 3 to 4 years unless the evolution of smartphones can offer a significant improvement in the processing speed. The camera in the CM1 would have reached a plateau (in a smartphone). Having closed the gap with the best compacts such as the RX100 Mk3/4, there isn't any need to further improve on the camera's capabilities, for a smartphone.

Different camera processing. Lumia 1020 and Pureview 808 both compresses images down to 8MP with some pixels binninb/combination processing. Both are also notoriously softer than Android counterpart which sharpen their images too much (yeah, yeah, I do prefer the over sharpened S6E for certain situation). However, I dare say if you took the picture the right way, 1020 and 808 will most definitely retain better details. Seen too much comparison at pureviewclub which also suggest the same Seem like the updated recent comparison showed G4 is slightly better even though it overblown the sky etc. 808 more natural colors, 1020 more saturated. Admittedly, these two phone really not for everyone. I only had few which Im really satisfied when taking people shot. It look like a bit out of focus (it is actually soft) when you were used to the over sharpen pictures from your average android phone.

This post has been edited by andrekua2: Sep 30 2015, 11:53 PM

Yes, the images from the Nokia Pureview 808 always seem a little soft with more natural (less vivid and rich colours) though that can be tweaked with the settings if the "Saturation" is bumped up few levels higher.

When on important occasions, I have take several shots of the same pose (like 4 or 5 shots), and out of the 5 shots, 3 will be blurry/out of focus, and the remaining 2 will be sharp and clear/ in-focus. I have not tried any other smartphones but reading some reviews, it appears that some smartphones have superior auto-focus and will take sharp clear images without much effort. Maybe the Panasonic CM1 is one of them.

Yes, I can agree that sensor size is not everything as the other factors are equally important such as the quality of the lens, the speed of the lens and the performance of the auto-focus as I said about the Nokia Pureview 808 above. Your hands have to be really steady and the angle of the camera and the light have to be right when the shot is taken. Otherwise the image will be blurry and out of focus.

From the reviews I believe the auto-focus of the Panasonic CM1 (or the latest Android smartphones such as LG G4) will be better than the Nokia equivalents.

Quite true. Even a standalone camera will become obsolete in time when newer models with more advanced spec or features are introduced. The only pertinent factor is the rate of obsolescence whereby the OS of a smartphone will become obsolete quicker when compared to be camera. In the end, both will become obsolete in time anyway, so the argument that the CM1 is not a good buy as it will become obsolete quicker than an iPhone6 (or a standalone camera) is a moot point.

http://www.dpreview.com/articles/148275628...mobile-rankings



This post has been edited by Lego Warfare: Oct 2 2015, 02:10 AM

Sony Xperia phones are not well-known for good photo quality when compared to the premium ones. Will need to see the sample photos and the comparison with the really top of the crop models such as the Panasonic CM1.

That depends how you define premium. Premium phones are typically iPhones, Samsung S/Note series, etc.
Panasonic CM1 is not really a premium phone, more like a niche product in a very small targeted segment of the market

I was referring to premium smartphones with premium cameras. Not premium smartphones with crappy cameras.

I want CM1 to be the best smartphone camera too but it has more cons and it scores lower than z5 premium.

Not to mention that CM1 is less premium too.

http://connect.dpreview.com/post/675899477...-review?page=10

Samsung S6 has very crisp pics... but i prefer the more rustic&muted colors from the iphone... more hipster...

Not sure how the CM1 is inferior to the Sony Xperia X5, but I usually don't judge the quality based on points but objective evaluation based on results. In the link that you have provided above, have you looked at page 8 and 9, Studio Image Quality Comparison in Bright Light and Low Light. I have just taken a look at the Low Light results, and the CM1 pretty much trumps the competition at low ISO, producing clearer and sharper images than even the Nokia Pureview 808.

It is only at higher ISO the CM1 looks grainy, but then the images are taken at ISO3200 (DPReview only have ISO125 and ISO3200 for the CM1). They do not test the other cameras at high ISO as they will do badly once above ISO800. They only test the Nokia Pureview 808 up to ISO640, Nokia Lumia 1020 up to ISO800.

Personally I think the biggest disadvantage of the CM1 is the price, not the quality of the camera.

http://www.dxomark.com/Mobiles/Sony-Xperia...-scores-to-date

There are pages of review link on the top page in case of you miss it

I've had a look at the link. I don't know how reliable DXomark is but based on the points, I highly doubt the quality of the review which is point-based. The points are not entirely focused on image quality but other features such as autofocus speed which the Sony Xperia Z5 does better than most phones, scoring a high point.

But when it comes to overall image quality of photos, the Nokia Pureview 808 and Lumia 1020 should sit at the top of the pack, not at the bottom. The fact that the smartphones with smaller sensors, especially the iPhone6 doing better than the Nokia Pureview 808 already showed the lack of quality or credibility of the Dxomark objective evaluation of the photographic performance of these smartphones, in my view.

This post has been edited by ryder_78: Oct 10 2015, 09:55 AM

In which link the Sony Z5 scores higher than CM1? The link above did not show that as it only shows the review of the CM1. There is no comparison to the Z5.

Don't know how well you understood the DXO's review but they are a photo centric website first and foremost dealing with real cameras and not a mobile phone centric website that deals with common mobile phone functions. If you look at the graphs in the detailed report, they measure exposure and contrast, colour, texture, noise and artifacts for both photo and video. So in my opinion, they are credible. Size of image sensor is not everything. Image processor also plays a lot of role nowadays.

Pardon my ignorance. I didn't know that DXOMark is a credible site. They can measure exposure, contrast, colour, texture, noise and artifacts. But it is the end result that counts. I don't know about others, but a good quality image is usually dependent on these 3 primary factors as follows:-

1. Clarity and sharpness
2. Colours
3. Noise

Assuming the images are properly exposed (not under or over-exposed). In bright sunny conditions, there difference in image quality between the better smartphones may not be significant. There are difference though they may be minor. However, in low light, it is almost certain that the camera with the largest sensor will outperform one with a smaller sensor when it comes to low light shots ie. indoor shots or places with dim lighting. Not only the noise will be significantly lower but the clarity and sharpness will usually be better.

The size of the sensor may not be everything, but it is in low light conditions cameras with large sensors will outperform those with smaller sensors. There is a reason why there are APS-C or DSLRs with large sensors.

best is Panasonic CM1

and DXO's ranking

Z5
S6 Edge
Nexus 6P
LG G4
Note 4
Moto X Style
Z3+
iPhone6 Plus
iPhone6

Note that some phones are not tested by DXO yet, such as Note 5

they do a lot of testing based on sharpness at corners, banding, distortion bla bla bla

The upcoming Microsoft Lumia 950 is looking very promising. Daylight performance is stunning. Low-light performance is still limited by the smallish sensor but not too bad. CHeck out the link below.

http://blogs.windows.com/devices/2015/10/1...d-lumia-950-xl/

On this image viewed in 100% resolution, the details on the face are remarkable. Clarity, colour and sharpness are also very good.



This post has been edited by ryder_78: Nov 17 2015, 04:00 PM

Looking real sharp. Looks like there is some DSLR quality to the image.

I like this one better. Outstanding clarity and sharpness on this one, with great bokeh as well.

Nothing beats Nokia Lumia actually. Their sensor is quite big for a phone (Iphone user here)

Panasonic CM1 sensor size is bigger I think. At 1" similar to compacts while Nokia Lumia 950 is 1/2.4.
Furthermore CM1 has changeable aperture from 2.8 to 11 while Nokia is only fixed at 1.8.

Btw, quite a big 50% sale going on at amazon for the CM1
http://www.amazon.com/Panasonic-DMC-CM1-Ca...uct_top?ie=UTF8

Looking real cheap. Has anyone bought handphones from Amazon before? Issues would be customs tax and warranty if devices are shipped from overseas.

That video only compares the Sony Xperia Z5 to the Apple iPhone 6S. For me, the Z5 is not the phone with the best camera.

I think it will be good....if current users say iphone6, S6, Honor7, nokia 1020...I think there is no user of Z5 yet, right?.....these users agrees to a theme, and then post their best pictures let the audience here decide....on the grade?

This post has been edited by VeeJay: Nov 23 2015, 06:49 PM

The primary factor that contributes to superior image quality, in the case of a camera phone, would be the size of the sensor other than factors such as lens quality and image processing. The best camera phone would be one that is versatile, not only having the capability of producing good images in good light on a bright sunny day but in low lighting conditions such as dimly-lit or dark scenes. The camera phone has to be able to produce a relatively clean shot with good clarity and sharpness that shows the least amount of noise. In order to achieve good results in low light, the size of the sensor is of paramount importance. Generally and most usually, the larger the sensor the better the low light performance.

From the images I have seen on the other sites, the Panasonic Lumix CM1 is the best camera phone. Next up, in my opinion would be the Microsoft Lumia 950 judging from the results I have seen so far.

I have never liked the Sony Xperia Z series of camera phones despite the latest flagship Z5 which boasts a sensor size of 1/2.3". The Sony Xperia phones tend to over-do the processing producing artifacts especially on clear blue skies.

My opinion, Lumia, Sony and Iphone 6 and above gave the best smart phone camera. However, of course they cant beat in terms of camera compare to the Nokia Pureview808 but because of the symbian, it turns out into a junk camera phone , ain't smart phone

It would be interesting to compare the quality of the phones and posting the results for everyone to see. I am sure there will be reviews comparing the top cameraphones when some of these phones are available in the market.

It would be interesting to compare some of the top phones such as LG G4, Samsung S6, latest iPhone 6 with the upcoming Sony Z5 and Lumia 950. Personally, I believe all these phones are capable of good picture quality with little difference between them in good light. In low light, maybe the Z5 and 950 will pull further away from the other phones.

Totally agree...first we need to gather those users to come here.

My Nokia 1020...kaput...could only post from Honor7. If we could agree to a theme...it will be interesting.

Post a general theme picture like a green plant closeup...then the others can follow to compare

I've found a website comparing the Microsoft Lumia 950 to the iPhone 6s and Samsung Galaxy Note 5. Surprisingly the photos from the iPhone 6s looked better than the Lumia 950. Not sure if the reviewer deliberately rigged the results by producing poor quality photos with the Lumia 950.

Any comments? I was expecting the Lumia 950 to show considerably better results than the iPhone 6s, tangible and marked improvements over the iPhone 6s. But the photos below do not show that.

Link : http://www.techradar.com/reviews/phones/mo...306004/review/5

* Photo from the Samsung Galaxy Note 5 is left out as the latest Galaxy S6 is the appropriate phone to be compared to the Lumia 950 and iPhone 6s. The Note 5 is included together in the review because the reviewer happens to carry one with him.

Microsoft Lumia 950:-


iPhone 6s plus


Microsoft Lumia 950 :-


iPhone 6s plus :-


Microsoft Lumia 950 (low light, out of focus):-


iPhone 6s plus :-

To be frank, the 2nd and 3rd sample photo (car park shot and dancing shot) looked terrible. The Nokia Pureview 808 will be able to produce better results than these any time.

Any thoughts if it is more to the camera or the photographer? I suspect it's more to the latter.

Aiseh all this compare compare, here are my photos with the.........

Honor 7.

http://www.dreamstime.com/stock-photo-asia...s-image60233691

Galaxy S6

http://www.dreamstime.com/stock-photo-gril...e-image53232773

Capable camera? Yes.
Able to produce image quality that is passable for stock photo? You bet.

Apa lagi mau?

It is only by comparing that we can know the differences or deficiencies that exist between quality of the camera in various smartphones. Otherwise, there is no benchmark and ANY image that is taken by a decent smartphone can be considered as good. Or as you have pointed out in your post above, a capable camera. Only when comparison is made, a "capable camera" in a smartphone will turn out to be an inferior camera when it is pitted against a smartphone with a better camera.

By the way, the images in your link cannot be viewed in large or full resolution.

HTC M9

IMAG1443 by vmwt, on Flickr

IMAG1438 by vmwt, on Flickr

Correct. I am not against comparison. It's just that I have seen many comparisons poorly done, in some cases you even see the inferior camera being praised.

Inferior, not as in slightly behind but those that are far behind.

As for my images, sorry la I give full resolution put on Internet I cannot make money already. Hehe. The point is to show that the image is good enough to be approved by stock photo site, meaning the capture of detail is sufficient even for commercial purpose.

The images from the Lumia 950 looked considerably poorer than the Apple iPhone 6S. Looks like the camera in the Lumia 950 isn't that good after all.

In case somebody missed it, here's another comparison review of some of the Android smart phones.

http://www.androidauthority.com/best-of-an...-camera-660810/

Since it's only Android, no iPhone or Lumia.

I think it should be taken with a pinch of salt. Strange that they did not compare the video function.

It has been quite a while. Any thoughts on the current best camera phones year 2017?

From the review it looks like the Samsung Galaxy S7 and iPhone 7 are at the top, and perhaps the upcoming Huawei P10 Plus.

dude, why u bring back this dead thread LOL
btw, this should be in the mobile phones thread la. ngeh3

As long as a device is capable of taking photos, it can be in photography, and this includes any phones not only smartphones. It's just that a smartphone is all-in-one that can function as a phone, connect to the internet, surfing websites, watching videos etc. AND taking photos, when compared to dedicated cameras which only take photos alone.

This post has been edited by ryder_78: Mar 13 2017, 05:40 PM

I don't think Oppo phones have good image quality when compared to the likes of Samsung Galaxy S7, iPhone 7 or the better Huawei and Honor phones.

It takes picture so it still counts. And as long question is legitimate and not simply accidentally digging up corpses who you think still alive.

This post has been edited by DaddyO: Mar 13 2017, 06:11 PM

1.55um rules all

This thread become zombie that just revive.

https://www.facebook.com/kedaz.photography/...?type=3&theater

Still takes better pics than most people.

For photography, Google Pixel is number one. Slightly ahead of LG V20. For videography, the manual controls on the V20 cannot be beat.

Well, my personal is Huawei P9.... camera software maybe so-so... but that name and lens, it's really good

Was reading the first page then wonder why people recommend s6 instead of s7. Then only saw the date.