Sony Xperia Z5 camera compared to Galaxy's S6... - General Questions and Answers

Hi there,
I'd like to know the difference in terms of the camera's image quality in low light situations between these two phones, especially for video recording.
There are different opinions all over the web, some saying the Z5 does not deliver well in low light compared to the S6, most of them not specifying if the use automatic or manual mode.
Can somebody using both phones confirm that the Z5 has inferior image quality at low light, even with adjusted settings in manual mode?
Help would be much appreciated.

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[Q] Photography Tips?

One of the reasons I got the Zperia Z3 was because I was under the impression that it had a great camera. Now all I have read on this forum is about the poor camera quality, especially in low light.
Do you have any tips or tricks on how to take better pictures with the Z3? Special Manuel settings? Use a different Camera app like the Google Camera? What works best for taking low light pictures? Etc?
Ask some of the guys on-set the next movie you're in!
se1000 said:
Ask some of the guys on-set the next movie you're in!
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Unfortunately they are all apple fanboys.
ChristianBale said:
Unfortunately they are all apple fanboys.
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:good: hilarious!
Generally speaking, the Z3 isn't terribly different than other smartphones, but it is a lot more configurable.
In super low light, I actually find that the mode superior auto chooses will work pretty well.
In good light, I find the key is to remember that the Z3 will have a "shallower" range of focus (depth of focus) than other smartphones, so making sure you tap the area you want the picture to be focused on is important.
Finally, the dedicated camera button is dual-stage, the first is to lock focus, this is a great feature. The more you use this, the more you'll find that you'll get the pictures you want.
Pick manual mode, 20mp, touch to focus, and use the on screen camera button. Using the physical button introduces a lot of camera shake which really shows up on 20mp shots.
I find the 20mp shots come out brilliant.
Waiting on an update to improve Superior auto.
I have found that :
>for general photos default mode is ok
> for panorama shots google camera
> for macros Camera - FV-5 manual settings 15.5 MP 16:9, really good
Have a Z3 D6603 , no Pink spots
ChristianBale said:
One of the reasons I got the Zperia Z3 was because I was under the impression that it had a great camera. Now all I have read on this forum is about the poor camera quality, especially in low light.
Do you have any tips or tricks on how to take better pictures with the Z3? Special Manuel settings? Use a different Camera app like the Google Camera? What works best for taking low light pictures? Etc?
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I am not sure why people go on about poor low light, it is not the best out there but it is hardly poor. It's better than most point and shoot cameras. Each iteration of the Z series cameras improves slightly on the quality.
Here is a shot, handheld low light ISO2000, superior auto with a Sony Z1
https://www.flickr.com/photos/dan-wilson/15543990377/
Here is an early firmware Z1 low light ISO800
https://www.flickr.com/photos/dan-wilson/10819208553/
Manual mode will give you the best results, plus allow you to get 20MP shots.
Here is a macro'ish shot manual mode, at full size you can see the pollen details, depth of field shallow due to the F2 aperture (again old Sony Z1)
https://www.flickr.com/photos/dan-wilson/10819208553/
Will get out and take some shots with the Z3 today or tomorrow.
https://www.flickr.com/photos/dan-wilson/15750020141/
https://www.flickr.com/photos/dan-wilson/15566477008/
https://www.flickr.com/photos/dan-wilson/15566041399/
https://www.flickr.com/photos/dan-wilson/15727931396/

Xperia XZ Camera vs iPhone 7

I've been a long time Xperia user. Currently have the Z3 and plan to move up to XZ. The Z3 camera is a so so. Beaten by Samsung and iPhone easily. The Z3 is flare galore and I have 2 of them purchased at different times so it is not a sampling issue.
The Xperia XZ is now advertised as "Our camera know-how, in a smartphone". With all those fancy laser focus, high megapixels, and quick focus; yet, from the following review, iPhone 7 beats the XZ in terms of IQ and resolution. Resolution, at least, in the blue colors.
Please tell me the review above is incorrect and the XZ camera is at least comparable to iPhone 7.
From my experience with my XP vs iPhone 6 the iPhone almost always adheres true to the experience detailed in this video.
I would anticipate that the video comparison is true to past form which seemingly continues through to the XZ/iPhone7 stand off.
Unfortunate yes. Somehow iphone are always sh!tting on Sony's camera advances.
You'd be forgiven to think Sony would have the upper hand in atleast the camera department. But it's just not the case. Sure the XZ is going to have a great camera, but I would assume the conclusion from the video would remain true.
Albeit first hand comparisons are required to judge for self. Even then, unfortunately I foresee I'd probably end up concurring with the btekt guys conclusion (based on historical trends with what Sony and indeed iPhone bring to the table with each respective iteration.)
Sent from my F8131 using XDA-Developers mobile app
Watching above video, I noticed that his xperia xz camera was in manual mode and not in default values because settings icon turned blue.
Pictures of low light seem over exposure with xperia. I don't think it was on default setting.
I doubt the video is unbiased. Just my cents.
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Sony just developed these new sensors.. and as always they need a lot of time to tweak the software in order for everything to work correctly and as it should. Basically it is happening with every sony device. So let's be patiend and see how the XZ is going to.. ''evolve''.
effective said:
Sony just developed these new sensors.. and as always they need a lot of time to tweak the software in order for everything to work correctly and as it should. Basically it is happening with every sony device. So let's be patiend and see how the XZ is going to.. ''evolve''.
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Exactly, it really does not seem to be "default" setting for Sony.
But will need to test low light pictures on my own to get the clue.
I know how it was with Z5, I really hope this time they are doing proper testing before putting it into the boxes...
I had never seen a sony phone that in it's first or second release rom the camera or overall experience is good. a couple or rom updates, and then it could give more fight.
Anyway, it's a shame that sony develop the iphone camera's sensors, but for own usage, they use (IHMO) the less good. OR, the camera software by sony is a crap.
In my experiences with Xperia videography (from Z2 onwards) it's best to deactivate Scene Autodetection because it stops camera software over-compensating when perhaps you don't want/need it to ...
Whilst I think the iPhone records superb video, so does my XP (and so did my Z2, Z3+, Z5C) ... I'd be hard pressed to tell you which is which in blind testing.
The XZ I have on order should only improve the Sony videography.
Also, have you tried recording stereo sound with your video on the iPhone? It's a hassle and can't be done without addons (I'm pretty sure the iPhone 7(+) still records monaural unless someone can correct me?)
Smartphone Photography belongs to Apple.
Smartphone Videography, the motion picture, *could* belong to Sony if they get their marketing right (and their thermals lol)
Can you change white balance settings (not just the tint) in video mode? There is a video on YouTube comparing it to the iPhone 6 Plus and the WB control on the XZ is terrible - it shifts whenever the camera moves to the tables while the iPhone is fairly stable.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QNFsnQg3cG8
It is a personal point of view but Sony is way better than 6s... At least for me and from this comparison.
Sent from my HTC 10 using XDA-Developers mobile app
Camera review
A few things that occur to me with any cam comparison is what the photographers knowledge/skill is and, as mentioned above, what settings were used. Those things affect the final output of the camera. I try to determine if their knowledge/skill is similar to mine. Then I can determine if I could have possibly gotten a better picture or not in a similar situation.
Try to find comparison photos on the web from the cameras you want to compare. Make sure they're not altered and that you know what settings were used. Each phone has it's own signature on the picture and you may prefer a certain phone's "photo look" over another. Some phones are good in some conditions, some are better in others. Some are good overall, but not great in any one area. Determine what matters to you most.
Beyond the actual photo quality, there's the user experience that must also be considered. Focus speed, shutter responsiveness, app ease-of-use...that all makes a difference.
Iphone has better cameras. I'm ashamed of my 23megapixel camera
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Manual Camera

Hello guys. I have Xperia X model right now, thinking of upgrading to XZ. For the current owners, i have a question about the manual camera. It goes full manual on all resolutions or only on 8Mp mode? Is manual focus better than auto focus in macro photography? My Xperia X has a big macro focus distance in photo mode, but it can focus closer and much faster in video, so my guess is that with manual focus, i can reach the sensor limitations. And how is photo quality in general? I used all modes possible, but i am still not impressed by xperia X quality, it's about 2015 top tier cameras, but nowhere near s7, g5, nexus 6p. Not even huawei p9 level. Is xz better in this aspect? i am not talking about fast focus, or good image stabilisation in videos. I am talking about pure quality photos, low noise, good processing and colours. Thanks in advance and sorry for my poor english, i am from Europe.
Being from Europe is absolutely no excuse for not knowing English =P But u did pretty well IMHO.
XZ manual mode is enabled on full 23MP and pretty much everything expect scene recognition is available at max resolution. About manual focus - its not better or beyond normal AF, only different, i guess, is that you can set minimal macro focus and then adjust phone distans until you catch it. Thats not much improvent in my opinion...
If I were you, i would wait until next year for next flagship, unless you have buyer for your Xperia X with good price
EDIT: I have checked macro manual focus distans and my XZ is capable of focusing on object about 11cm far from lenses.
I would get the new 5 inch pixel, but it's butt ugly. There's no other phone in 2016 that i would get...
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cornel.atomei said:
I would get the new 5 inch pixel, but it's butt ugly. There's no other phone in 2016 that i would get...
Sent from my F5121 using Tapatalk
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With this I highly agree. I had so much hope with XZ but it went down when they announced it.
Not because of the design or manual camera. It's just the battery life. I think Sony should go back to 3000+ mAh.
Don't you think?
I get pretty decent battery life despite the average battery size. The XZ consistently performs better than its specs would have you believe (everywhere except camera lol).

Camera

I'm considering the XZ, however there are very conflicting reviews of the camera. Some show really nasty photos, some show good photos. I'm assuming some of this has to do with SW versions and I know the XZ recently updated to 7.0.
I can't tell anything from a tethered store display unit.
Anyone have any comments regarding photo quality?
Manual mode is fine for me to shoot in. I almost always use manual mode on my cell phones and also my digital cameras.
Thanks in advance.
I find it pretty good, the manual shutter speed goes right down to 1/4000, manual focus ISO etc.
In MM I did realise the camera quality was worse than in 7.0 - so they did improve it.
Photos I have taken have great colours, and can usually be edited quite well in lightroom.
Big downside is the no RAW support (Yet, hopefully they release it)
nzzane said:
I find it pretty good, the manual shutter speed goes right down to 1/4000, manual focus ISO etc.
In MM I did realise the camera quality was worse than in 7.0 - so they did improve it.
Photos I have taken have great colours, and can usually be edited quite well in lightroom.
Big downside is the no RAW support (Yet, hopefully they release it)
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Thanks.
Colors have pretty much always been good in reports. The main thing that some of the "bad" reviews have mentioned is the artifacts especially in lower light. The better reviews and pictures that I've seen online don't really show a huge artifact problem and some of the youtube videos show what appears to be very good lowlight performance using manual mode.
I knew about the lack of raw support and I've used LR for a long time.
Fred98TJ said:
Thanks.
Colors have pretty much always been good in reports. The main thing that some of the "bad" reviews have mentioned is the artifacts especially in lower light. The better reviews and pictures that I've seen online don't really show a huge artifact problem and some of the youtube videos show what appears to be very good lowlight performance using manual mode.
I knew about the lack of raw support and I've used LR for a long time.
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Sony has always been a bit dodgy with low light, but I have found the XZ really improves on that (Compared to ther Z3, and Z5) Manual mode really helps with some of that though (same as a DSLR though)
Another thing to note, the device unlocks super quickly, and same with the camera, good for those un prepared shots
nzzane said:
Sony has always been a bit dodgy with low light, but I have found the XZ really improves on that (Compared to ther Z3, and Z5) Manual mode really helps with some of that though (same as a DSLR though)
Another thing to note, the device unlocks super quickly, and same with the camera, good for those un prepared shots
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Thanks again for the response.
I suppose that there isn't really any infor on their nrw 19mp camera used in thr XZs, nor have I found any pricing on it. At any rate it seems only a small upgrade from the XZ, with mostly the new camera and another 1 of ram
Pictures are generally very noisy and blurry when its not in extremely good light (inside with the sun shining through the windows with the lights on as well) Video however is very very good. I dont use manual mode since I don't know what to do, but as a point and shoot I can think of several phones that do better and probably cost less. If you want to buy it for the camera, just dont.
omarfarrah said:
Pictures are generally very noisy and blurry when its not in extremely good light (inside with the sun shining through the windows with the lights on as well) Video however is very very good. I dont use manual mode since I don't know what to do, but as a point and shoot I can think of several phones that do better and probably cost less. If you want to buy it for the camera, just dont.
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Noisy and blurry? Do you have a xz? In my xz i don't have those problems...
djgigi94 said:
Noisy and blurry? Do you have a xz? In my xz i don't have those problems...
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Thats strange, I hope I dont have a faulty hardware , however did you try to take indoor pictures and zoom in, you'll really notice the noise atleast, and if I'm not still as a building then it will also blur.
Sometimes the SW can overboard with the sharpening, I wish there was an option to disable it. Most phones probably have this issue too though.
I dont know if this can be counted as an issue but the lens on XZ has kind of a fish eye effect, So If you are taking a picture of an object and put it i the corners, it stretches and looks a bit... uh, unnatural? Because of this I try to make sure to center people as much as I can.
Some also say that taking pics in 8 mp mode introduces some artifacts because of the conversion algorithm (23mp to 8mp downsizing). So I use 23MP to avoid any unwanted processing.
I find the colors of the photos, taken with the XZ, to be very dull and way too cold to my liking, and XZ's Camera UI and Camera API have very limited manual controls set, unlike the rest of the flagships out there. I made a few photos with my old Xperia Pro and my new Xperia XZ for comparison, you can check them here - https://www.dropbox.com/sh/0u28226fxm9z27d/AADrU08TmvfIUtSbprgharT-a?dl=0 . I was very unhappy with the XZ's camera so I sold it one week after I bought it.
EDIT: you check this thread for more information about the limitations, related to the manual controls of XZ's camera - https://forum.xda-developers.com/xperia-xz/help/enable-manual-controls-camera-t3580654
My experience, XZ pictures have a lot of noise (you can see that when you zoom in) when the light is not enough (and the phone is the one that decides what it means by enough )
I am coming from Galaxy s6 edge + to XZ Dual, and the S6 is the winner in my comparison.
If you want it for the camera, I wouldnt recommend you to go for the XZ.
---------- Post added at 04:10 PM ---------- Previous post was at 04:09 PM ----------
check this for your reference
https://forum.xda-developers.com/xperia-xz/help/xperia-xz-dual-sim-camera-noise-t3582899
Fred98TJ said:
Thanks again for the response.
I suppose that there isn't really any infor on their nrw 19mp camera used in thr XZs, nor have I found any pricing on it. At any rate it seems only a small upgrade from the XZ, with mostly the new camera and another 1 of ram
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This review has sample photos in full res from XZS if you wanna know about picture quality. I own the XZ and i do see a difference in quality to the better in XZs compared to XZ..
https://www.lowyat.net/2017/128842/sony-xperia-xzs-review-one-trick-pony/
After I started using 4:3 full resolution instead od cropped 16:9 and disabled object tracking I very rarely see edge bluring and the photos in general are a lot better.
The "noise" people talk about in most cases is not really noise, it's a result of the image processing algorithm being too aggressive trying to eliminate noise even when there isn't any. First it sharpens the hell out of the photo to bring out as much detail as possible and then it tries to remove the resulting noise by applying heavy noise reduction. It's basically shooting itself in the foot. But, it really isn't as dramatic as some would say, you can't really see that effect until you zoom in really close. If Sony could find a middle ground, balance it out a bit, it would be perfect.
Sony's image processing has always been an issue for some unexplainable reason, they mastered sensors and image processing in photography a long time ago, but when it comes to phones it fails in software department, the sensor are the best on the market still.
It really is mind boggling, and they are aware of that, it's basically a software issue, it just needs some adjusting, why apply a noise reduction filter when there isn't any noise? HDR usually sucks as well. Then again, their DIS is top notch, the autofocus since the XZ is superb, the colors to me look great all around, low light photos are very good, specially in manual mode with adjustable shutter speed...there are great things about Sony's cameras, but usually things average user doesn't really see or cares about.
To be fair, the only time I see those artefacts is when I zoom in, not even when watching fullscreen on a PC, so I'm really pleased with the camera on Xperia since the Z3, but all things considered, Sony should have the best smartphone cameras in the world or at least be the top 3.
All that being said, shooting in manual mode is a different story, once you get a hang of it and learn how to use it, it can stand besides the best of them, easy. But that's not really a fair measurement, only auto modes, because that's what most people will use, and that's where Sony usually doesn't do that great.
The phone takes great photos, and I have yet to see a review that says it's a bad camera. It really isn't, it just isn't at the top few as it could be.
As for the XZs, currently it often produces lower quality photos than the XZ, depending on the scenario, it isn't a better camera, it's just different and has different strenghts in different scenarios. Plus, the slowmo gadget, if you care about that stuff. Other than that, there is no reason why it should be a better camera in average scenarios, maybe in low light because the pixels are bigger, but that's pretty much it.
If the quality of photos is your only concern about buying an XZ (or XZs, for that matter), you shouldn't be worried.

does the XZ2 have the same camera? how is it better then?

ive seen camera specs both are 19 MP (f/2.0, 25mm, 1/2.3") so how come XZ2 has better quality?
ive seen a video comparison in low light, its not that the XZP is a lot worse or bad at all, but xz2 does seem to have a brighter video, more realistic with the light it captures through, plus when the guy zoomed in to the max the xz2 could maintain a lil more details, which is weird because both phones have the same camera...
Is sony planning on releasing a similar camera algorithms in the next update?
if not, is it possible to make our XZP camera look just as good as the XZ2? Since they both have the same camera.
madshark2009 said:
ive seen camera specs both are 19 MP (f/2.0, 25mm, 1/2.3") so how come XZ2 has better quality?
ive seen a video comparison in low light, its not that the XZP is a lot worse or bad at all, but xz2 does seem to have a brighter video, more realistic with the light it captures through, plus when the guy zoomed in to the max the xz2 could maintain a lil more details, which is weird because both phones have the same camera...
Is sony planning on releasing a similar camera algorithms in the next update?
if not, is it possible to make our XZP camera look just as good as the XZ2? Since they both have the same camera.
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The camera hardware is identical, the software isn't. Sony tuned the processing and algorythms a lot, the image quality difference in general is noticable, and in low light it's massive. Both still and video.
You can have the XZ2 camera app on the XZP, but you have to root it.
https://forum.xda-developers.com/xz-premium/themes/camera-app-xz2-2-1-0-31-t3770138
I doubt Sony will update the XZ lineup with the new camera software, at least not soon, because they need to sell the XZ2 lineup, and the camera is a great selling point, if not the only one, compared to now a lot cheaper and still brilliant XZ1/XZP. Maybe we see some improvements in 8.1 or Android P, but I highly doubt it.
I was always amazed how rarily a company such as Sony updates the actual camera app on their phones, you'd think it would be a major focus feature.
I understand that it's not only the actual .apk that's different, probably some drivers as well and what not, but if the main hardware (and most of the surrounding hardware) is the same or similar, it shouldn't be a difficult thing to upgrade older devices.
I've asked Sony about this,still no answer. In the same mail I also asked them how come there is no option to lower the framerate of the slowmo video down from the 960FPS so that you could take longer slowmo videos. 960FPS is really cool, but almost unusable, let's face it, unless you plan the shot for half a day and everything is just perfect and still you won't get it the first time arround.
Not only has the same camera, but I'm pretty sure that the idiots from qualcomm just renamed the CPU flag as snapdragon 845 and enabled 4k60fps in drivers, which Sd835 is very capabile of. Also has 400 MHz more speed, bleah!

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