Can smartphones with the same camera sensor have different image quality? Announcing the arrival of Valued Associate #679: Cesar Manara Planned maintenance scheduled April 17/18, 2019 at 00:00UTC (8:00pm US/Eastern) Proposal: Rules for *New* Photo Contest on Main SiteHow does taking lower-resolution pictures with a higher-resolution sensor affect image quality?Picture quality of a nice point and shoot with same size sensor and same zoom range as an interchangable lens cameraDoes sensor type affect image quality?Why do different smartphones with the same megapixel camera resolutions have different quality of image?Are there significant image quality differences between similar small sensor cameras?Exmor RS. What value does it add to an 1" sensor?How can I automatically downsize images which have more pixels than needed for the actual resolution?How can cameras have the same number of megapixels even when the sensor size differs?Can the same sensor have different dynamic range and color depth in different camera makes?When comparing camera sensors, what does [x] µm Pixel mean, and what does it say about image quality
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Can smartphones with the same camera sensor have different image quality?
Announcing the arrival of Valued Associate #679: Cesar Manara
Planned maintenance scheduled April 17/18, 2019 at 00:00UTC (8:00pm US/Eastern)
Proposal: Rules for *New* Photo Contest on Main SiteHow does taking lower-resolution pictures with a higher-resolution sensor affect image quality?Picture quality of a nice point and shoot with same size sensor and same zoom range as an interchangable lens cameraDoes sensor type affect image quality?Why do different smartphones with the same megapixel camera resolutions have different quality of image?Are there significant image quality differences between similar small sensor cameras?Exmor RS. What value does it add to an 1" sensor?How can I automatically downsize images which have more pixels than needed for the actual resolution?How can cameras have the same number of megapixels even when the sensor size differs?Can the same sensor have different dynamic range and color depth in different camera makes?When comparing camera sensors, what does [x] µm Pixel mean, and what does it say about image quality
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Xiaomi Mi 9 and Redmi Note 7 Pro have the same camera sensor — Sony IMX586 Exmor RS.
Does this mean both smartphone have same image quality output when pictures are taken?
sensor image-quality cameraphones
edited Apr 13 at 10:56
mattdm
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Xiaomi Mi 9 and Redmi Note 7 Pro have the same camera sensor — Sony IMX586 Exmor RS.
Does this mean both smartphone have same image quality output when pictures are taken?
sensor image-quality cameraphones
edited Apr 13 at 10:56
mattdm
123k40357654
asked Apr 13 at 7:49
user83180user83180
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user83180 is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
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Xiaomi Mi 9 and Redmi Note 7 Pro have the same camera sensor — Sony IMX586 Exmor RS.
Does this mean both smartphone have same image quality output when pictures are taken?
sensor image-quality cameraphones
edited Apr 13 at 10:56
mattdm
123k40357654
asked Apr 13 at 7:49
user83180user83180
613
New contributor
user83180 is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
Xiaomi Mi 9 and Redmi Note 7 Pro have the same camera sensor — Sony IMX586 Exmor RS.
Does this mean both smartphone have same image quality output when pictures are taken?
sensor image-quality cameraphones
sensor image-quality cameraphones
edited Apr 13 at 10:56
mattdm
123k40357654
asked Apr 13 at 7:49
user83180user83180
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user83180 is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
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edited Apr 13 at 10:56
mattdm
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asked Apr 13 at 7:49
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user83180 is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
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edited Apr 13 at 10:56
mattdm
123k40357654
edited Apr 13 at 10:56
mattdm
123k40357654
edited Apr 13 at 10:56
mattdm
123k40357654
123k40357654
asked Apr 13 at 7:49
user83180user83180
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user83180 is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
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asked Apr 13 at 7:49
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asked Apr 13 at 7:49
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4 Answers
4
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oldest
votes
Note: This is a simplified answer. It does not go into detail, and therefore, please do not take it as authoritative answer on specifics about the exact processes that take place inside a digital camera.
The same sensor does not necessarily mean equal pictures. The sensor is one component of the whole process - the others are the analog-to-dicital-conversion (ADC) and the digital signalling processor (DSP) with its algorithms.
The sensor is 'just' a converter - it converts incoming light into electricity. The ADC then takes that electric signal and interprets according to a look-up table (i.e. a curve), as sensors are not perfectly linear, so there are dents and spikes in the signal that need to be corrected in order to get a picture that is close to the expectation of the user. The DSP then does de-noising and certain 'image enhancements'.
If any of these components change, the picture might look different.
Also note that one of the most important factors is the lens: focal length is a very important factor, and image quality can suffer greatly from an (extremely) bad lens.
answered Apr 13 at 8:57
floliloflolilo
5,51811839
8
The lens is also a significant component of the imaging system!
– David Richerby
Apr 13 at 10:28
3
Also, AFAIK the Exmor sensors have the ADC within the sensor, so the DSP does only things that can be done by software anyway, as the signal is already digital. But, it's a valid point that image processing differences can be there between the cameras.
– juhist
Apr 13 at 10:51
@juhist Sure thing....will change to ADC instead of DSP, as it is less ambiguous. Thanks for noticing!
– flolilo
Apr 13 at 11:15
@DavidRicherby True. Will include that, too. Thanks!
– flolilo
Apr 13 at 11:15
1
I think a great example of the power of software in post processing is the Google Pixel phones. If you look at the specs, the cameras they use should be way worse when compared to the flagships of other brands like Samsung and Hauwei. However, if you go over to gsmarena, you can see side by side comparisons of the same photo taken by two different phones. The Pixel photos always look outstanding to my eye, and a huge portion of that is simply due to the software they use to process the images
– bremen_matt
Apr 13 at 18:08
|
show 1 more comment
To take a digital picture you need:
- Optics
- Sensor
- Image processing (CPU and algorithms)
As you see, sensor is just a one link in a chain, and the chain is as weak as it's weakest link. Currently, we are experiencing great technological progress in the third stage. Compared to DSLRs, smartphones have abysmal both optics and sensors - however the extraordinary image processing allows some smartphones to almost close this huge gap under favorable conditions. It is notable that one of the highest photographically ranked phones (namely Pixel) doesn't even have the best optics nor sensor, yet it outdoes it's better-equipped competitors by a large margin. Even using different camera app can drastically alter image quality, as shown by Pixel camera app being hacked into running on non-Pixel phones.
If sensor quality would be the most important to final image quality, then Sony smartphones would be the best - as they make the best sensors, proven by everyone else using Sony sensors. But they're not, Sony smartphones are outdone by competition running Sony sensors.
So, to answer your question:
Does this mean both smartphone have same image quality output when pictures are taken?
No.
But as they come from one manufacturer, it's possible that other components are exactly same.
answered Apr 13 at 16:24
Agent_LAgent_L
1,893516
Nitpicky point: "If sensor quality would be the most important to final image quality, then Sony smartphones would be the best - as they make the best sensors, proven by everyone else using Sony sensors." - there's more to sensors than just their dynamic range and/or their SNR. Granted, Sony does make excellent sensors, but for certain applications, other manufacturers do a better job.
– flolilo
Apr 14 at 17:13
add a comment |
Probably the same image quality, but not necessarily.
It's not only the sensor that takes the picture. It's also the lens. The sensor doesn't have an integral lens, it's the camera manufacturer that selects the lens.
It is for example possible that the field of view on both cameras is slightly different due to slightly different focal lengths (although typically camera phones have normal focal lengths so the difference would be small). The aperture also changes the depth of field, although quite frankly with these small sensors the DoF is nearly infinite.
Additionally, it's possible that one camera uses higher quality optics than the other. If this is the case, the camera with higher quality optics wins.
See if you can find information about the optics: focal length, aperture, manufacturer of the lens. I'd also advise that:
- If the camera feature is important to you, find some reviews of both phones with camera tests
- Phone cameras typically only have digital zoom, so zooming in reduces picture quality
- Remember always that a phone camera with a small sensor is not equivalent to a "real" camera, i.e. DSLR or mirrorless.
answered Apr 13 at 8:51
juhistjuhist
1,048117
add a comment |
They can have hugely different image quality also depending on the post processing. A great example of this is the Google Pixel's "Night Sight" mode, which allows Google's phones to take some pretty impressive photos in very poorly lit areas, without any modifications to their camera's sensor or lenses.
This article has some comparison pictures and some more details about using that mode https://www.droid-life.com/2018/10/23/google-pixel3-night-sight-camera-download/
These two pictures aren't even different phones, they're the same exact phone, the only difference being the post processing of the images.
Source: https://www.theverge.com/2018/10/25/18021944/google-night-sight-pixel-3-camera-samples
answered Apr 14 at 16:41
Brian LeishmanBrian Leishman
1656
add a comment |
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4 Answers
4
active
oldest
votes
4 Answers
4
active
oldest
votes
active
oldest
votes
active
oldest
votes
Note: This is a simplified answer. It does not go into detail, and therefore, please do not take it as authoritative answer on specifics about the exact processes that take place inside a digital camera.
The same sensor does not necessarily mean equal pictures. The sensor is one component of the whole process - the others are the analog-to-dicital-conversion (ADC) and the digital signalling processor (DSP) with its algorithms.
The sensor is 'just' a converter - it converts incoming light into electricity. The ADC then takes that electric signal and interprets according to a look-up table (i.e. a curve), as sensors are not perfectly linear, so there are dents and spikes in the signal that need to be corrected in order to get a picture that is close to the expectation of the user. The DSP then does de-noising and certain 'image enhancements'.
If any of these components change, the picture might look different.
Also note that one of the most important factors is the lens: focal length is a very important factor, and image quality can suffer greatly from an (extremely) bad lens.
answered Apr 13 at 8:57
floliloflolilo
5,51811839
8
The lens is also a significant component of the imaging system!
– David Richerby
Apr 13 at 10:28
3
Also, AFAIK the Exmor sensors have the ADC within the sensor, so the DSP does only things that can be done by software anyway, as the signal is already digital. But, it's a valid point that image processing differences can be there between the cameras.
– juhist
Apr 13 at 10:51
@juhist Sure thing....will change to ADC instead of DSP, as it is less ambiguous. Thanks for noticing!
– flolilo
Apr 13 at 11:15
@DavidRicherby True. Will include that, too. Thanks!
– flolilo
Apr 13 at 11:15
1
I think a great example of the power of software in post processing is the Google Pixel phones. If you look at the specs, the cameras they use should be way worse when compared to the flagships of other brands like Samsung and Hauwei. However, if you go over to gsmarena, you can see side by side comparisons of the same photo taken by two different phones. The Pixel photos always look outstanding to my eye, and a huge portion of that is simply due to the software they use to process the images
– bremen_matt
Apr 13 at 18:08
|
show 1 more comment
Note: This is a simplified answer. It does not go into detail, and therefore, please do not take it as authoritative answer on specifics about the exact processes that take place inside a digital camera.
The same sensor does not necessarily mean equal pictures. The sensor is one component of the whole process - the others are the analog-to-dicital-conversion (ADC) and the digital signalling processor (DSP) with its algorithms.
The sensor is 'just' a converter - it converts incoming light into electricity. The ADC then takes that electric signal and interprets according to a look-up table (i.e. a curve), as sensors are not perfectly linear, so there are dents and spikes in the signal that need to be corrected in order to get a picture that is close to the expectation of the user. The DSP then does de-noising and certain 'image enhancements'.
If any of these components change, the picture might look different.
Also note that one of the most important factors is the lens: focal length is a very important factor, and image quality can suffer greatly from an (extremely) bad lens.
answered Apr 13 at 8:57
floliloflolilo
5,51811839
8
The lens is also a significant component of the imaging system!
– David Richerby
Apr 13 at 10:28
3
Also, AFAIK the Exmor sensors have the ADC within the sensor, so the DSP does only things that can be done by software anyway, as the signal is already digital. But, it's a valid point that image processing differences can be there between the cameras.
– juhist
Apr 13 at 10:51
@juhist Sure thing....will change to ADC instead of DSP, as it is less ambiguous. Thanks for noticing!
– flolilo
Apr 13 at 11:15
@DavidRicherby True. Will include that, too. Thanks!
– flolilo
Apr 13 at 11:15
1
I think a great example of the power of software in post processing is the Google Pixel phones. If you look at the specs, the cameras they use should be way worse when compared to the flagships of other brands like Samsung and Hauwei. However, if you go over to gsmarena, you can see side by side comparisons of the same photo taken by two different phones. The Pixel photos always look outstanding to my eye, and a huge portion of that is simply due to the software they use to process the images
– bremen_matt
Apr 13 at 18:08
|
show 1 more comment
Note: This is a simplified answer. It does not go into detail, and therefore, please do not take it as authoritative answer on specifics about the exact processes that take place inside a digital camera.
The same sensor does not necessarily mean equal pictures. The sensor is one component of the whole process - the others are the analog-to-dicital-conversion (ADC) and the digital signalling processor (DSP) with its algorithms.
The sensor is 'just' a converter - it converts incoming light into electricity. The ADC then takes that electric signal and interprets according to a look-up table (i.e. a curve), as sensors are not perfectly linear, so there are dents and spikes in the signal that need to be corrected in order to get a picture that is close to the expectation of the user. The DSP then does de-noising and certain 'image enhancements'.
If any of these components change, the picture might look different.
Also note that one of the most important factors is the lens: focal length is a very important factor, and image quality can suffer greatly from an (extremely) bad lens.
answered Apr 13 at 8:57
floliloflolilo
5,51811839
Note: This is a simplified answer. It does not go into detail, and therefore, please do not take it as authoritative answer on specifics about the exact processes that take place inside a digital camera.
The same sensor does not necessarily mean equal pictures. The sensor is one component of the whole process - the others are the analog-to-dicital-conversion (ADC) and the digital signalling processor (DSP) with its algorithms.
The sensor is 'just' a converter - it converts incoming light into electricity. The ADC then takes that electric signal and interprets according to a look-up table (i.e. a curve), as sensors are not perfectly linear, so there are dents and spikes in the signal that need to be corrected in order to get a picture that is close to the expectation of the user. The DSP then does de-noising and certain 'image enhancements'.
If any of these components change, the picture might look different.
Also note that one of the most important factors is the lens: focal length is a very important factor, and image quality can suffer greatly from an (extremely) bad lens.
answered Apr 13 at 8:57
floliloflolilo
5,51811839
edited Apr 13 at 11:25
answered Apr 13 at 8:57
floliloflolilo
5,51811839
answered Apr 13 at 8:57
floliloflolilo
5,51811839
answered Apr 13 at 8:57
floliloflolilo
5,51811839
5,51811839
8
The lens is also a significant component of the imaging system!
– David Richerby
Apr 13 at 10:28
3
Also, AFAIK the Exmor sensors have the ADC within the sensor, so the DSP does only things that can be done by software anyway, as the signal is already digital. But, it's a valid point that image processing differences can be there between the cameras.
– juhist
Apr 13 at 10:51
@juhist Sure thing....will change to ADC instead of DSP, as it is less ambiguous. Thanks for noticing!
– flolilo
Apr 13 at 11:15
@DavidRicherby True. Will include that, too. Thanks!
– flolilo
Apr 13 at 11:15
1
I think a great example of the power of software in post processing is the Google Pixel phones. If you look at the specs, the cameras they use should be way worse when compared to the flagships of other brands like Samsung and Hauwei. However, if you go over to gsmarena, you can see side by side comparisons of the same photo taken by two different phones. The Pixel photos always look outstanding to my eye, and a huge portion of that is simply due to the software they use to process the images
– bremen_matt
Apr 13 at 18:08
|
show 1 more comment
8
The lens is also a significant component of the imaging system!
– David Richerby
Apr 13 at 10:28
3
Also, AFAIK the Exmor sensors have the ADC within the sensor, so the DSP does only things that can be done by software anyway, as the signal is already digital. But, it's a valid point that image processing differences can be there between the cameras.
– juhist
Apr 13 at 10:51
@juhist Sure thing....will change to ADC instead of DSP, as it is less ambiguous. Thanks for noticing!
– flolilo
Apr 13 at 11:15
@DavidRicherby True. Will include that, too. Thanks!
– flolilo
Apr 13 at 11:15
1
I think a great example of the power of software in post processing is the Google Pixel phones. If you look at the specs, the cameras they use should be way worse when compared to the flagships of other brands like Samsung and Hauwei. However, if you go over to gsmarena, you can see side by side comparisons of the same photo taken by two different phones. The Pixel photos always look outstanding to my eye, and a huge portion of that is simply due to the software they use to process the images
– bremen_matt
Apr 13 at 18:08
8
8
The lens is also a significant component of the imaging system!
– David Richerby
Apr 13 at 10:28
The lens is also a significant component of the imaging system!
– David Richerby
Apr 13 at 10:28
3
3
Also, AFAIK the Exmor sensors have the ADC within the sensor, so the DSP does only things that can be done by software anyway, as the signal is already digital. But, it's a valid point that image processing differences can be there between the cameras.
– juhist
Apr 13 at 10:51
Also, AFAIK the Exmor sensors have the ADC within the sensor, so the DSP does only things that can be done by software anyway, as the signal is already digital. But, it's a valid point that image processing differences can be there between the cameras.
– juhist
Apr 13 at 10:51
@juhist Sure thing....will change to ADC instead of DSP, as it is less ambiguous. Thanks for noticing!
– flolilo
Apr 13 at 11:15
@juhist Sure thing....will change to ADC instead of DSP, as it is less ambiguous. Thanks for noticing!
– flolilo
Apr 13 at 11:15
@DavidRicherby True. Will include that, too. Thanks!
– flolilo
Apr 13 at 11:15
@DavidRicherby True. Will include that, too. Thanks!
– flolilo
Apr 13 at 11:15
1
1
I think a great example of the power of software in post processing is the Google Pixel phones. If you look at the specs, the cameras they use should be way worse when compared to the flagships of other brands like Samsung and Hauwei. However, if you go over to gsmarena, you can see side by side comparisons of the same photo taken by two different phones. The Pixel photos always look outstanding to my eye, and a huge portion of that is simply due to the software they use to process the images
– bremen_matt
Apr 13 at 18:08
I think a great example of the power of software in post processing is the Google Pixel phones. If you look at the specs, the cameras they use should be way worse when compared to the flagships of other brands like Samsung and Hauwei. However, if you go over to gsmarena, you can see side by side comparisons of the same photo taken by two different phones. The Pixel photos always look outstanding to my eye, and a huge portion of that is simply due to the software they use to process the images
– bremen_matt
Apr 13 at 18:08
|
show 1 more comment
To take a digital picture you need:
- Optics
- Sensor
- Image processing (CPU and algorithms)
As you see, sensor is just a one link in a chain, and the chain is as weak as it's weakest link. Currently, we are experiencing great technological progress in the third stage. Compared to DSLRs, smartphones have abysmal both optics and sensors - however the extraordinary image processing allows some smartphones to almost close this huge gap under favorable conditions. It is notable that one of the highest photographically ranked phones (namely Pixel) doesn't even have the best optics nor sensor, yet it outdoes it's better-equipped competitors by a large margin. Even using different camera app can drastically alter image quality, as shown by Pixel camera app being hacked into running on non-Pixel phones.
If sensor quality would be the most important to final image quality, then Sony smartphones would be the best - as they make the best sensors, proven by everyone else using Sony sensors. But they're not, Sony smartphones are outdone by competition running Sony sensors.
So, to answer your question:
Does this mean both smartphone have same image quality output when pictures are taken?
No.
But as they come from one manufacturer, it's possible that other components are exactly same.
answered Apr 13 at 16:24
Agent_LAgent_L
1,893516
Nitpicky point: "If sensor quality would be the most important to final image quality, then Sony smartphones would be the best - as they make the best sensors, proven by everyone else using Sony sensors." - there's more to sensors than just their dynamic range and/or their SNR. Granted, Sony does make excellent sensors, but for certain applications, other manufacturers do a better job.
– flolilo
Apr 14 at 17:13
add a comment |
To take a digital picture you need:
- Optics
- Sensor
- Image processing (CPU and algorithms)
As you see, sensor is just a one link in a chain, and the chain is as weak as it's weakest link. Currently, we are experiencing great technological progress in the third stage. Compared to DSLRs, smartphones have abysmal both optics and sensors - however the extraordinary image processing allows some smartphones to almost close this huge gap under favorable conditions. It is notable that one of the highest photographically ranked phones (namely Pixel) doesn't even have the best optics nor sensor, yet it outdoes it's better-equipped competitors by a large margin. Even using different camera app can drastically alter image quality, as shown by Pixel camera app being hacked into running on non-Pixel phones.
If sensor quality would be the most important to final image quality, then Sony smartphones would be the best - as they make the best sensors, proven by everyone else using Sony sensors. But they're not, Sony smartphones are outdone by competition running Sony sensors.
So, to answer your question:
Does this mean both smartphone have same image quality output when pictures are taken?
No.
But as they come from one manufacturer, it's possible that other components are exactly same.
answered Apr 13 at 16:24
Agent_LAgent_L
1,893516
Nitpicky point: "If sensor quality would be the most important to final image quality, then Sony smartphones would be the best - as they make the best sensors, proven by everyone else using Sony sensors." - there's more to sensors than just their dynamic range and/or their SNR. Granted, Sony does make excellent sensors, but for certain applications, other manufacturers do a better job.
– flolilo
Apr 14 at 17:13
add a comment |
To take a digital picture you need:
- Optics
- Sensor
- Image processing (CPU and algorithms)
As you see, sensor is just a one link in a chain, and the chain is as weak as it's weakest link. Currently, we are experiencing great technological progress in the third stage. Compared to DSLRs, smartphones have abysmal both optics and sensors - however the extraordinary image processing allows some smartphones to almost close this huge gap under favorable conditions. It is notable that one of the highest photographically ranked phones (namely Pixel) doesn't even have the best optics nor sensor, yet it outdoes it's better-equipped competitors by a large margin. Even using different camera app can drastically alter image quality, as shown by Pixel camera app being hacked into running on non-Pixel phones.
If sensor quality would be the most important to final image quality, then Sony smartphones would be the best - as they make the best sensors, proven by everyone else using Sony sensors. But they're not, Sony smartphones are outdone by competition running Sony sensors.
So, to answer your question:
Does this mean both smartphone have same image quality output when pictures are taken?
No.
But as they come from one manufacturer, it's possible that other components are exactly same.
answered Apr 13 at 16:24
Agent_LAgent_L
1,893516
To take a digital picture you need:
- Optics
- Sensor
- Image processing (CPU and algorithms)
As you see, sensor is just a one link in a chain, and the chain is as weak as it's weakest link. Currently, we are experiencing great technological progress in the third stage. Compared to DSLRs, smartphones have abysmal both optics and sensors - however the extraordinary image processing allows some smartphones to almost close this huge gap under favorable conditions. It is notable that one of the highest photographically ranked phones (namely Pixel) doesn't even have the best optics nor sensor, yet it outdoes it's better-equipped competitors by a large margin. Even using different camera app can drastically alter image quality, as shown by Pixel camera app being hacked into running on non-Pixel phones.
If sensor quality would be the most important to final image quality, then Sony smartphones would be the best - as they make the best sensors, proven by everyone else using Sony sensors. But they're not, Sony smartphones are outdone by competition running Sony sensors.
So, to answer your question:
Does this mean both smartphone have same image quality output when pictures are taken?
No.
But as they come from one manufacturer, it's possible that other components are exactly same.
answered Apr 13 at 16:24
Agent_LAgent_L
1,893516
answered Apr 13 at 16:24
Agent_LAgent_L
1,893516
answered Apr 13 at 16:24
Agent_LAgent_L
1,893516
answered Apr 13 at 16:24
Agent_LAgent_L
1,893516
1,893516
Nitpicky point: "If sensor quality would be the most important to final image quality, then Sony smartphones would be the best - as they make the best sensors, proven by everyone else using Sony sensors." - there's more to sensors than just their dynamic range and/or their SNR. Granted, Sony does make excellent sensors, but for certain applications, other manufacturers do a better job.
– flolilo
Apr 14 at 17:13
add a comment |
Nitpicky point: "If sensor quality would be the most important to final image quality, then Sony smartphones would be the best - as they make the best sensors, proven by everyone else using Sony sensors." - there's more to sensors than just their dynamic range and/or their SNR. Granted, Sony does make excellent sensors, but for certain applications, other manufacturers do a better job.
– flolilo
Apr 14 at 17:13
Nitpicky point: "If sensor quality would be the most important to final image quality, then Sony smartphones would be the best - as they make the best sensors, proven by everyone else using Sony sensors." - there's more to sensors than just their dynamic range and/or their SNR. Granted, Sony does make excellent sensors, but for certain applications, other manufacturers do a better job.
– flolilo
Apr 14 at 17:13
Nitpicky point: "If sensor quality would be the most important to final image quality, then Sony smartphones would be the best - as they make the best sensors, proven by everyone else using Sony sensors." - there's more to sensors than just their dynamic range and/or their SNR. Granted, Sony does make excellent sensors, but for certain applications, other manufacturers do a better job.
– flolilo
Apr 14 at 17:13
add a comment |
Probably the same image quality, but not necessarily.
It's not only the sensor that takes the picture. It's also the lens. The sensor doesn't have an integral lens, it's the camera manufacturer that selects the lens.
It is for example possible that the field of view on both cameras is slightly different due to slightly different focal lengths (although typically camera phones have normal focal lengths so the difference would be small). The aperture also changes the depth of field, although quite frankly with these small sensors the DoF is nearly infinite.
Additionally, it's possible that one camera uses higher quality optics than the other. If this is the case, the camera with higher quality optics wins.
See if you can find information about the optics: focal length, aperture, manufacturer of the lens. I'd also advise that:
- If the camera feature is important to you, find some reviews of both phones with camera tests
- Phone cameras typically only have digital zoom, so zooming in reduces picture quality
- Remember always that a phone camera with a small sensor is not equivalent to a "real" camera, i.e. DSLR or mirrorless.
answered Apr 13 at 8:51
juhistjuhist
1,048117
add a comment |
Probably the same image quality, but not necessarily.
It's not only the sensor that takes the picture. It's also the lens. The sensor doesn't have an integral lens, it's the camera manufacturer that selects the lens.
It is for example possible that the field of view on both cameras is slightly different due to slightly different focal lengths (although typically camera phones have normal focal lengths so the difference would be small). The aperture also changes the depth of field, although quite frankly with these small sensors the DoF is nearly infinite.
Additionally, it's possible that one camera uses higher quality optics than the other. If this is the case, the camera with higher quality optics wins.
See if you can find information about the optics: focal length, aperture, manufacturer of the lens. I'd also advise that:
- If the camera feature is important to you, find some reviews of both phones with camera tests
- Phone cameras typically only have digital zoom, so zooming in reduces picture quality
- Remember always that a phone camera with a small sensor is not equivalent to a "real" camera, i.e. DSLR or mirrorless.
answered Apr 13 at 8:51
juhistjuhist
1,048117
add a comment |
Probably the same image quality, but not necessarily.
It's not only the sensor that takes the picture. It's also the lens. The sensor doesn't have an integral lens, it's the camera manufacturer that selects the lens.
It is for example possible that the field of view on both cameras is slightly different due to slightly different focal lengths (although typically camera phones have normal focal lengths so the difference would be small). The aperture also changes the depth of field, although quite frankly with these small sensors the DoF is nearly infinite.
Additionally, it's possible that one camera uses higher quality optics than the other. If this is the case, the camera with higher quality optics wins.
See if you can find information about the optics: focal length, aperture, manufacturer of the lens. I'd also advise that:
- If the camera feature is important to you, find some reviews of both phones with camera tests
- Phone cameras typically only have digital zoom, so zooming in reduces picture quality
- Remember always that a phone camera with a small sensor is not equivalent to a "real" camera, i.e. DSLR or mirrorless.
answered Apr 13 at 8:51
juhistjuhist
1,048117
Probably the same image quality, but not necessarily.
It's not only the sensor that takes the picture. It's also the lens. The sensor doesn't have an integral lens, it's the camera manufacturer that selects the lens.
It is for example possible that the field of view on both cameras is slightly different due to slightly different focal lengths (although typically camera phones have normal focal lengths so the difference would be small). The aperture also changes the depth of field, although quite frankly with these small sensors the DoF is nearly infinite.
Additionally, it's possible that one camera uses higher quality optics than the other. If this is the case, the camera with higher quality optics wins.
See if you can find information about the optics: focal length, aperture, manufacturer of the lens. I'd also advise that:
- If the camera feature is important to you, find some reviews of both phones with camera tests
- Phone cameras typically only have digital zoom, so zooming in reduces picture quality
- Remember always that a phone camera with a small sensor is not equivalent to a "real" camera, i.e. DSLR or mirrorless.
answered Apr 13 at 8:51
juhistjuhist
1,048117
answered Apr 13 at 8:51
juhistjuhist
1,048117
answered Apr 13 at 8:51
juhistjuhist
1,048117
answered Apr 13 at 8:51
juhistjuhist
1,048117
1,048117
add a comment |
add a comment |
They can have hugely different image quality also depending on the post processing. A great example of this is the Google Pixel's "Night Sight" mode, which allows Google's phones to take some pretty impressive photos in very poorly lit areas, without any modifications to their camera's sensor or lenses.
This article has some comparison pictures and some more details about using that mode https://www.droid-life.com/2018/10/23/google-pixel3-night-sight-camera-download/
These two pictures aren't even different phones, they're the same exact phone, the only difference being the post processing of the images.
Source: https://www.theverge.com/2018/10/25/18021944/google-night-sight-pixel-3-camera-samples
answered Apr 14 at 16:41
Brian LeishmanBrian Leishman
1656
add a comment |
They can have hugely different image quality also depending on the post processing. A great example of this is the Google Pixel's "Night Sight" mode, which allows Google's phones to take some pretty impressive photos in very poorly lit areas, without any modifications to their camera's sensor or lenses.
This article has some comparison pictures and some more details about using that mode https://www.droid-life.com/2018/10/23/google-pixel3-night-sight-camera-download/
These two pictures aren't even different phones, they're the same exact phone, the only difference being the post processing of the images.
Source: https://www.theverge.com/2018/10/25/18021944/google-night-sight-pixel-3-camera-samples
answered Apr 14 at 16:41
Brian LeishmanBrian Leishman
1656
add a comment |
They can have hugely different image quality also depending on the post processing. A great example of this is the Google Pixel's "Night Sight" mode, which allows Google's phones to take some pretty impressive photos in very poorly lit areas, without any modifications to their camera's sensor or lenses.
This article has some comparison pictures and some more details about using that mode https://www.droid-life.com/2018/10/23/google-pixel3-night-sight-camera-download/
These two pictures aren't even different phones, they're the same exact phone, the only difference being the post processing of the images.
Source: https://www.theverge.com/2018/10/25/18021944/google-night-sight-pixel-3-camera-samples
answered Apr 14 at 16:41
Brian LeishmanBrian Leishman
1656
They can have hugely different image quality also depending on the post processing. A great example of this is the Google Pixel's "Night Sight" mode, which allows Google's phones to take some pretty impressive photos in very poorly lit areas, without any modifications to their camera's sensor or lenses.
This article has some comparison pictures and some more details about using that mode https://www.droid-life.com/2018/10/23/google-pixel3-night-sight-camera-download/
These two pictures aren't even different phones, they're the same exact phone, the only difference being the post processing of the images.
Source: https://www.theverge.com/2018/10/25/18021944/google-night-sight-pixel-3-camera-samples
answered Apr 14 at 16:41
Brian LeishmanBrian Leishman
1656
answered Apr 14 at 16:41
Brian LeishmanBrian Leishman
1656
answered Apr 14 at 16:41
Brian LeishmanBrian Leishman
1656
answered Apr 14 at 16:41
Brian LeishmanBrian Leishman
1656
1656
add a comment |
add a comment |
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