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Hello,
what do you mean, the screen has the following resulution:
Wildlife 240 x 320 (8,1cm)
Diamond 480 x 640 (7,1cm)
If this resolution looks way worse or it looks okay?
you can see the pixels if you look closely, but the its fine really!
Maybe I'm just really picky, but I almost crapped myself when I saw "3.2" QVGA" on Edgadget >.< Pictures is probably fine but text will be a nightmare.
I had a play with one yesterday, texting is fine on it!
yes same with me. i am surprised about display quality. its really good.
its okay i think
depends on which you compare it
so compared to nexus one, htc desire / evo 4g / incredible etc the screen looks not as good as you hope but standalone its okay i think... not the best bot not the worth
^^ i thought, that it is clear, that you can not compare it to the amoled displays.
of the models which are sold for nearly double the prize.
beside this, it is a really good conventional display.
i agree. I lost my HTC magic, and afther a couple of days i agreed with buying this beautiful device. You cant compare it with the desire or legend, but i think for budget phones it is the best on the market! much better then the x10 mini!
the resolution is not really bad comparing with the desire.
yeah its okay i think
if you don't hold it 10cm near your eyes
im wondering...if wildfire just only got 240x320 resolution on 3.2 inches screen, so whats the advantages to have android 2.1 on it at all? i mean in terms of web browsing, gaming and photo shooting....i dont have any clue bout that
the apps which are compiled on android 2.1 source runs
thats the biggest benefit
@albert emmer: sorry i dont get your point. this means i should use windows 3.1 on my netbook instead of win7 because of its small 10.1 screen ???
1.5 (Cupcake)
Based on Linux Kernel 2.6.27 On 30 April 2009, the official 1.5 (Cupcake) update for Android was released.[35][36] There were several new features and UI updates included in the 1.5 update:[37]
Ability to record and watch videos through camcorder mode
Uploading videos to YouTube and pictures to Picasa directly from the phone
A new soft-keyboard with text-prediction
Bluetooth A2DP and AVRCP support
Ability to automatically connect to a Bluetooth headset within a certain distance
New widgets and folders that can populate the Home screens
Animated screen transitions
1.6 (Donut)
Based on Linux Kernel 2.6.29[38] On 15 September 2009, the 1.6 (Donut) SDK was released.[39][40] Included in the update were:[38]
An improved Android Market experience
An integrated camera, camcorder, and gallery interface
Gallery now enables users to select multiple photos for deletion
Updated Voice Search, with faster response and deeper integration with native applications, including the ability to dial contacts
Updated search experience to allow searching bookmarks, history, contacts, and the web from the home screen
Updated technology support for CDMA/EVDO, 802.1x, VPNs, and a text-to-speech engine
Support for WVGA screen resolutions
Speed improvements in searching and camera applications
Gesture framework and GestureBuilder development tool
2.0/2.1 (Eclair)
Based on Linux Kernel 2.6.29[41] On 26 October 2009 the 2.0 (Eclair) SDK was released.[42] Among the changes were:[43]
Optimized hardware speed
Support for more screen sizes and resolutions
Revamped UI
New Browser UI and HTML5 support
New contact lists
Better white-black ratio for backgrounds
Improved Google Maps 3.1.2
Microsoft Exchange support
Built in flash support for Camera
Digital Zoom
MotionEvent class enhanced to track multi-touch events[44]
Improved virtual keyboard
Bluetooth 2.1
Live Wallpapers
The 2.0.1 SDK was released on 3 December 2009.[45]
The 2.1 SDK was released on 12 January 2010.[46]
bro, its not bout screen size but the screen resolution. for example, you use 320x240 pixel picture as wallpaper on your 640x480 pixel screen. so how bout the display? it will stretched out the picture to fit with the screen. then u will find out the blocky effect on your screen. haha...
of course the resolution does matters. some games or apps require high resolution to run on that phone.
honestly, i love all the features that wildfire have but the screen resolution get me a lil bit upset=)
^^ no question about this. just wonder about your question about the benefits of 2.1 on this device, thats all bro ;-)
display quality is **** , but I am comparing it to my nexus one.
All other spec's I think are ok for a phone of this level but resolution could be a lot better.
Small resolution but it is a cheap device.
I am quite satisfied however.
HTC's marketing managers must be discharged: 320x240 for 3.2'' display????
Even good colors is not the solution.
Can see the pixels from 1m, browsing - f..d & stupid game.
Screen MUST be VGA.
I'm very angry: they break my dream (present it to my wife).
I've installed Mattc's great Android version on my HD2, and the first thing I notice is that both the camera and the camcorder work WAY (WAY) better under Droid than under WinMO. The bad white balance issues seem to be gone under Droid. Isn't that a proof that the camera problems were only a software bug, and not a hardware issue?
Please share your experience about this issue here - maybe it's just observer error from me.
Thanks.
Does the video recording also improved to do 720p like the Evo?
I don't know what was wrong with your windows install, but the camera/video on my HD2 is incredible under windows mobile. It's actually better than my $300 point and shoot camera, which is really a sad statement for my camera, but the HD2 is great.
KevlarTheGreat said:
I don't know what was wrong with your windows install, but the camera/video on my HD2 is incredible under windows mobile. It's actually better than my $300 point and shoot camera, which is really a sad statement for my camera, but the HD2 is great.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No offense meant, man, but I seriously doubt this. I have two other camera devices, a LG Renoir phone and a reflex Sony digital camera, both take way better pictures than the HD2. It's not even a resolution problem, the colors are just totally ****ed up.
Sorry if I'm not the usual HD2 blind fanatic and know to recognize the phone's weaknesses - even though I like my phone a lot otherwise.
I'm an EE. I don't get excited about things just because I think it's "cool". The camera is actually very good on my HD2. Should I post some example pics? Maybe you have the first revision of HD2? I have the TMobile one with the yellow reset button (revision 2).
Obviously, when I need to take a picture of something far away, my point-and-shoot does a lot better because it has optical zoom, but the HD2 does really well at medium range. My wife, who doesn't get excited at all about technology even mentioned that she was impressed with its pictures.
Proof by the example:
Both camera software have exactly the same settings and auto white balance, and Windows Mobile has a very recent ROM with the latest versions of all software (Artemis).
Windows Mobile:
Android:
The difference is obvious. The Android photo has natural colors, while the Windows Mobile one has ugly shades of purple/pink and is generally ugly.
The Windows Mobile camera software is clearly still bugged at least on some versions of the HD2. It's definitely not the hardware, since if it was, Android wouldn't be able to take good shots either.
EDIT: And yes, I have an older model of HD2.
Wildcopper said:
Proof by the example:
Both camera software have exactly the same settings and auto white balance, and Windows Mobile has a very recent ROM with the latest versions of all software (Artemis).
Windows Mobile:
Android:
The difference is obvious. The Android photo has natural colors, while the Windows Mobile one has ugly shades of purple/pink and is generally ugly.
The Windows Mobile camera software is clearly still bugged at least on some versions of the HD2. It's definitely not the hardware, since if it was, Android wouldn't be able to take good shots either.
EDIT: And yes, I have an older model of HD2.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
wow man, youre garden looks like mess
i have canon 500d other than hd2, so, its taking better pictures in every resolution option. i know, i just cant compare this two devices photographing performance, but like said before in the first posts, hd2's colors looks like mess, wb is awful. the only good thing is macro performance i think.
but its still better than wm 6.5. wm just, i dunno
Yeah, I also take way better shots with my Sony Alpha (and even with my LG Renoir), but at least in Android, the HD2 photos look "decent" for a mobile phone. The windows one just look... well... VERY bad.
Oh, and that's not my garden... well, that's only like 5% of it. The rest is behind the door at the back, this is only the "Tomato + a few flowers" part
hmm... in Camcorder mode, doesn't the auto-focus no longer work when recording? It just stucked at the focus point when the record button is tapped no matter where and what you're trying to aim at. Any fix for that?
Wildcopper said:
I've installed Mattc's great Android version on my HD2, and the first thing I notice is that both the camera and the camcorder work WAY (WAY) better under Droid than under WinMO. The bad white balance issues seem to be gone under Droid. Isn't that a proof that the camera problems were only a software bug, and not a hardware issue?
Please share your experience about this issue here - maybe it's just observer error from me.
Thanks.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
So your camera in Android (that is capped to 3 MP) performs better then the camera in WinMO?(That has 5 MP)
How did you manage to do that?
KrewsialNL said:
So your camera in Android (that is capped to 3 MP) performs better then the camera in WinMO?(That has 5 MP)
How did you manage to do that?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Don't believe everything that is written in the still experimental Android UI. The camera also does 5MP in Android.
And it's not a resolution problem - it's a color problem.
Wildcopper,
You stated that the video recorder is also better.
Does it record 720p like the Evo?
So you are saying the Android picture in the example looks better than the WinMobile one? Personally, I think the white walls and the roof look better in the Android picture, but most of the other stuff, especially the brown, looks a little better in the WinMobile picture. I don't know, they are so close, I can barely tell the difference. This is really what you are complaining about?
Maybe just don't have any ability to judge colors.... I don't know the difference between purple and fuchsia.
Seriously, the image taken with Android is much better for natural colour balance. Get your eyes tested! A lot of the picture taken under WinMo has a purple tint.
I think it will be better if you follow this steps
hxxp://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=584765
Mine doesn't recognize MMC
It keeps saying "Please insert an SD card before using the camera".
Obviously MMC is in, there is whole Android system.
Has anybody experienced that?
Thanks guys
Major_Sarcasm said:
Seriously, the image taken with Android is much better for natural colour balance. Get your eyes tested! A lot of the picture taken under WinMo has a purple tint.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
yes it has purple tint.. especially at low light environment. the picture is crap . unusable. when flash on the light bounce back from any nearest object
Um....to the guy asking about 720p recording....like the EVO 4G? Not yet.....maybe in the future
Wildcopper said:
I've installed Mattc's great Android version on my HD2, and the first thing I notice is that both the camera and the camcorder work WAY (WAY) better under Droid than under WinMO. The bad white balance issues seem to be gone under Droid. Isn't that a proof that the camera problems were only a software bug, and not a hardware issue?
Please share your experience about this issue here - maybe it's just observer error from me.
Thanks.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
not sure bout the quality, but the interface in fact i like android better, the interface feel more home to a real digital camera.
precsmo said:
not sure bout the quality, but the interface in fact i like android better, the interface feel more home to a real digital camera.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I totally agree with you on that point, I even think that the autofocusing part/algorithm is better on Android than on WM. Used to get a lot of "blurry" pictures just from pushing the "shoot"-button even though WM had everything into focus. This problem is gone with Android, dunno if it's only related to a different button layout, but it's clearly better.
I have the white GT-I9100M with LP6.
1. First of all the camera seems to be the old camera. The shutter speed hasn't improved, and the panorama feature hardly compares to how it works on the Nexus.
2. The launcher and widgets don't compare to the Nexus ones.
3. Where the hell is NFC??
Overall this feels more like a ICS-themed rom rather than a real ICS comparable to the Galaxy Nexus.
montrealguy said:
1. First of all the camera seems to be the old camera. The shutter speed hasn't improved, and the panorama feature hardly compares to how it works on the Nexus.
2. The launcher and widgets don't compare to the Nexus ones.
3. Where the hell is NFC??
Overall this feels more like a ICS-themed rom rather than a real ICS comparable to the Galaxy Nexus.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You're going to be waiting for a LONG time for a firmware update to bring NFC to come to this phone.
1. It's still beta.
2. It's still beta.
3. NFC will enable when it's your birthday. So for the sake of everyone who has a GSII, when's your birthday?
There is also weird differences between the S2 and the GN. For example, the GN only has a 1.3mp front camera and supports 720p videochat. While the S2 has a 2mp front camera and doesn't support 720p videochat.
The LP6 beta is buggy and slow and drains battery. If it is this bad right now, we'll probably be waiting for months for ICS to be released!
Yay, another ICS thread. We haven't got enough of these in this forum.
montrealguy said:
There is also weird differences between the S2 and the GN. For example, the GN only has a 1.3mp front camera and supports 720p videochat. While the S2 has a 2mp front camera and doesn't support 720p videochat.
The LP6 beta is buggy and slow and drains battery. If it is this bad right now, we'll probably be waiting for months for ICS to be released!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Does anyone know if 720p videochat support is something that can be activated in the future with a firmware upgrade, or is it something that is hardware restricted?
montrealguy said:
Does anyone know if 720p videochat support is something that can be activated in the future with a firmware upgrade, or is it something that is hardware restricted?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
1) The GN isn't beta. LP6 is.
2) The camera firmware doesn't change with LP6. So it's obvious it hasn't changed.
3) AOSP vs Samsung ROM is never representative
4) Final samsung release is slated for end of march anyway, so yeah... we'll be waiting months for final features.
5) ????
6) Profit!
If you like the GN so much, buy it and give me your sgs2.
Oh and NFC isn't a software upgrade. It's a non existant hardware inside our phones.
Sent from my GT-I9100
karendar said:
1) The GN isn't beta. LP6 is.
2) The camera firmware doesn't change with LP6. So it's obvious it hasn't changed.
3) AOSP vs Samsung ROM is never representative
4) Final samsung release is slated for end of march anyway, so yeah... we'll be waiting months for final features.
5) ????
6) Profit!
If you like the GN so much, buy it and give me your sgs2.
Oh and NFC isn't a software upgrade. It's a non existant hardware inside our phones.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Your numbers don't correspond with the questions. What does your #5 and #6 answer?
And you didn't respond to the 720p videochat support question you referenced in your response.
montrealguy said:
Your numbers don't correspond with the questions. What does your #5 and #6 answer?
And you didn't respond to the 720p videochat support question you referenced in your response.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Your second question was answered by point #4. Read between the lines...
Your first question though, I had 5 and 6 to illustrate that humor is a nice passtime for someone watching the Canadiens losing 2 to 1. Also that there's obviously a few things missing in your research/reasoning to get the bigger picture on these two phones...
Sent from my GT-I9100
NFC? Really? You must be kidding!
I want my next software update to add an extra 2 cores and 1GB of ram as well as another 3 battery's to my phone, pretty plz.
slightly srs answer:
Camera shutter speed = Hardware
NFC = hardware issue
Samsung builds will always be samsung themed, they are not going to totally change the look of the rom, so yes, it will always look like a samsung/touchwizz themed rom.
Also beta is beta!
Derp derp.
montrealguy said:
Does anyone know if 720p videochat support is something that can be activated in the future with a firmware upgrade, or is it something that is hardware restricted?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Can anyone answer this question? I'm guessing that if the S2 doesn't support 720p videochat now, then it is incapable of this. It is sad though- that a 1.3mp cam on the GN will support it while a 2mp cam on the S2 doesn't!
montrealguy said:
Can anyone answer this question? I'm guessing that if the S2 doesn't support 720p videochat now, then it is incapable of this. It is sad though- that a 1.3mp cam on the GN will support it while a 2mp cam on the S2 doesn't!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It WAS answered.
Ok let me clarify if it's still not clear: It's a feature that probably wasn't added yet. If a camera at 1.3 supports it, most likely a camera at 2mp will support it if the proper software goes with it. Most likely the hardware codec support wasn't added and that's needed. But anyway, why would you even want 720p video chat?? Sounds like too much bandwidth to me.
Sent from my GT-I9100
Complain after the end of march.. they said a stable one will be released at the end of march..
Sent from my GT-I9100 using xda premium
karendar said:
It WAS answered.
Ok let me clarify if it's still not clear: It's a feature that probably wasn't added yet. If a camera at 1.3 supports it, most likely a camera at 2mp will support it if the proper software goes with it. Most likely the hardware codec support wasn't added and that's needed. But anyway, why would you even want 720p video chat?? Sounds like too much bandwidth to me.
Sent from my GT-I9100
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
There are many Logitech cams which are 2mp and 5mp, yet don't support 720p videochat or Skype HD. In such cases it is obviously a hardware restriction.
The Droid Razr is advertised as supporting 720p videochat, and so is the GN. However the Droid Razr is still on Gingerbread. If the S2 was capable or upgradeable for 720p videochat, wouldn't it have been advertised already?
montrealguy said:
There are many Logitech cams which are 2mp and 5mp, yet don't support 720p videochat or Skype HD. In such cases it is obviously a hardware restriction.
The Droid Razr is advertised as supporting 720p videochat, and so is the GN. However the Droid Razr is still on Gingerbread. If the S2 was capable or upgradeable for 720p videochat, wouldn't it have been advertised already?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That's what's marvelous about a dev community in open source... If samsung doesn't do it, someone could.
I've seen cams that had no 720p support suddenly get it by dev work. So no, hardware limitations is NOT always the case.
But seriously, if you love the nexus so much, sell your sgs2 and go buy it. Coming on a cell phone's forum to say it sucks compared to another phone is never well received.
Sent from my GT-I9100
i missed the part where this was beginning to be a GN thread...i beg you bro read their answers...its all there!
I don't really know what android 4 feels like and what I can do is with whatever roms are available right now, I try to pick the 'best' one. Yep they are all betas pretty much but some are better than others. Got to be happy with what we've got mate.
There are some differences, but on things like camera/nfc there'll be hw differences too.
Some of samsungs apps are different, but that doesn't mean they're always less good. For example they're by default black, oled friendly themed. Contacts as links which I don't think AOSP has.
The LP6 rom can work well - fast, good battery life, pretty stable for a leaked version. You can run apps that need ICS. The new task manager, notification features are there. I actally like touchwiz (except for no alpha sort), but can install a different launcher (like nova) if I want to.
Sure there are some differences from stck android - and one could have a huge debate on the whole issue of manufacturer theming but samsung aren't imo doing a bad job at all here.
karendar said:
5) ????
6) Profit
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This made me laugh epicly hard. Thank you for that.
Fwiw, its from southpark. The underpants gnomes episode
Step 1: steal underpants
Step2: ?
Step3: profit!
Anyways, back on topic. Megapixels don't have anything to do with camera quality. That is determined by lens quality. Megapixels refer to what SIZE image is produce I.e. HxW or something like 1920x1080. So if you want a higher quality picture you need a higher quality lens. Look into dslr and other cameras and you will see what I mean. Image color, clarity and focus is determined more by the overall quality of lens versus how many megapixels it has.
Sent from my HTC Sensation 4G using xda premium
It sooo important to me. My sgs2 does great videos, but all 100% of them look jumpy no matter how hard I try to move it smoothly. Big fail on the SGS3, but what about de nexus 4?
For me it's a deal breaker.
I hate smarthphones in general, but it's a moving camera.
orate.cl said:
I hate smarthphones in general
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Sounds like a personal issue.
ingenious247 said:
Sounds like a personal issue.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I just use them for the camera. I love tablets thought, I'll buy the nexus 10 as soon as it goes out and I already got the Nexus 7.
orate.cl said:
It sooo important to me. My sgs2 does great videos, but all 100% of them look jumpy no matter how hard I try to move it smoothly. Big fail on the SGS3, but what about de nexus 4?
For me it's a deal breaker.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If it does, none of the sample video I've seen so far has been taken with it turned on (kind of makes me seasick to watch it ). It's not a deal breaker for me, but it would be very nice if it were possible.
wmm said:
If it does, none of the sample video I've seen so far has been taken with it turned on (kind of makes me seasick to watch it ). It's not a deal breaker for me, but it would be very nice if it were possible.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes me too, thanks for the reponse, I wish it will come with.
Doubt it, think only the iphone 4s/5 have video stabilization, and of course the new lumia 920.
Digital image stabilization is a gimmick and rarely works well. From seeing video comparisons, it basically crops the image in order to be able to compensate for the excessive movement, so the quality suffers.
Even if the stock app doesn't have digital image stabilization I'm sure it won't be long before the market app ICS+ Camera works on 4.2 (if it doesn't already already). You can just toggle stabilization in the settings.
Sent from my Nexus 7 using xda premium
geoff5093 said:
Digital image stabilization is a gimmick and rarely works well. From seeing video comparisons, it basically crops the image in order to be able to compensate for the excessive movement, so the quality suffers.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Do you know an other way to do it
But I wish I will have this choice w Google software.
I know this a technique far from being perfect yet. But last year I went travelling with my SGS2, recorded more than 200Gb in videos, recorded a LOT, but in the end, most of the videos where useless, the vibration of the walking or of my inexpert turning ruined great moments. I gotta say thought I'm pretty happy with the record quality it's a good phone, but I think it's time with all this processing power that the video get's smoothed on the fly.
Anything Android phone with this feature it's gonna be my next phone.
orate.cl said:
I just use them for the camera.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
What.
Why not use a dedicated digital camera then?
They do still exist ya know...
Perhaps not in this version of android, but being a Nexus phone, you may see it in Android 4.3/5.0 (Wherever they decide to go next) and you'll get it the day it comes out!
kcls said:
Perhaps not in this version of android, but being a Nexus phone, you may see it in Android 4.3/5.0 (Wherever they decide to go next) and you'll get it the day it comes out!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
ICS and Jellybean (4.12) has image stabilization so I don't see why they would remove the feature. So I'm going to say "yes" it will have it.
Someone asked if there was a better way of doing image stabilization and the answer is yes. The new Nokia 920 (Windows 8 phone) has optical image stabilization (the lens itself moves to compensate for any shaking). Apparently it's fantastic.
It's the same tech that's been in camcorders and camera for years. Just coming to phones now. According to the Engadget Mobile guys LG is working on their own optical image stabilization system but it's not ready yet.
Sent from my Nexus 7 using xda premium
orate.cl said:
I know this a technique far from being perfect yet. But last year I went travelling with my SGS2, recorded more than 200Gb in videos, recorded a LOT, but in the end, most of the videos where useless, the vibration of the walking or of my inexpert turning ruined great moments. I gotta say thought I'm pretty happy with the record quality it's a good phone, but I think it's time with all this processing power that the video get's smoothed on the fly.
Anything Android phone with this feature it's gonna be my next phone.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Wow 200gb? If you were going to record that excessively, you should have used a dedicated camcorder, especially since you were traveling.
If you hate smartphones in general, and only want to use it for videos, you should get the Nokia 808.
Reopening now that people got the telephone, please let me know!
In case anyone is still looking for an answer it does not appear to support image stabilization. It is not in the options for the camera app, but I decided to go one step further and check the API.
Camera.Parameter.isVideoStabilizationSupported() on my Nexus 4 returns false. So I believe this is a definitive no.
zielin said:
In case anyone is still looking for an answer it does not appear to support image stabilization. It is not in the options for the camera app, but I decided to go one step further and check the API.
Camera.Parameter.isVideoStabilizationSupported() on my Nexus 4 returns false. So I believe this is a definitive no.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
How about isImageStabilizationSupported(), if this function exists at all? IS doesn't seem working on my Nexus 4.
I live in the US and have no access to the Z3C to compare to the Alpha in person but spent some time debating between the two. I currently have a Moto X (2013) which I love and would keep, if the camera weren't so awful. I was disappointed when the new Moto X came out as I was hoping it keep the same dimensions and dramatically improve the camera. Unfortunately, the camera, while improved, doesn't go as far as I'd like and the size completely misses the mark IMO. Thus, I was left with getting the Alpha or getting the Z3C if I wanted a better camera.
DXOmark ranked the Z3 as a tie with the Galaxy S5 and Z2 camera. They haven't tested the Alpha yet, but I've heard it's not as good as the GS5. Thus, the Z3C must have a better camera than the Alpha, but I've read several reports and reviews saying that the Z3C camera is only ok, not great. So far I can't find any head to head camera comparisons between the Alpha and Z3C. Surely either is better than the Moto X (2013), but that's not saying much.
Having previously owned a GS2 and GS4 I've found that Samsung phones work pretty well for about 12 months, then become very buggy and laggy. I blame Touchwiz. Another reason I really like the Moto X and it's nearly stock implementation of Android. I know nothing about Xperia phone though, I've heard that it's better than Touchwiz, but I've also heard that the QC of the hardware isn't as high as it could be. For those who are familiar with Xperia phones, can I expect to get 3 years of frustration free use out of the Z3C (I think the Moto X is capable of that, though I haven't gotten there yet) or is going to be a similar experience to Samsung?
I've already ordered the Z3C, but some of camera reports I've read and QC issues I've read about since then have me wondering if I should have picked something else, most likely the Galaxy Alpha.
I would imagine others are interested in this comparison as well. I will post my thoughts when my Z3C arrives, and compare it head to head for the benefit of others. If anyone else has access to both or experience to lend I would be interested in hearing those thoughts as well.
rv1458 said:
I live in the US and have no access to the Z3C to compare to the Alpha in person but spent some time debating between the two. I currently have a Moto X (2013) which I love and would keep, if the camera weren't so awful. I was disappointed when the new Moto X came out as I was hoping it keep the same dimensions and dramatically improve the camera. Unfortunately, the camera, while improved, doesn't go as far as I'd like and the size completely misses the mark IMO. Thus, I was left with getting the Alpha or getting the Z3C if I wanted a better camera.
DXOmark ranked the Z3 as a tie with the Galaxy S5 and Z2 camera. They haven't tested the Alpha yet, but I've heard it's not as good as the GS5. Thus, the Z3C must have a better camera than the Alpha, but I've read several reports and reviews saying that the Z3C camera is only ok, not great. So far I can't find any head to head camera comparisons between the Alpha and Z3C. Surely either is better than the Moto X (2013), but that's not saying much.
Having previously owned a GS2 and GS4 I've found that Samsung phones work pretty well for about 12 months, then become very buggy and laggy. I blame Touchwiz. Another reason I really like the Moto X and it's nearly stock implementation of Android. I know nothing about Xperia phone though, I've heard that it's better than Touchwiz, but I've also heard that the QC of the hardware isn't as high as it could be. For those who are familiar with Xperia phones, can I expect to get 3 years of frustration free use out of the Z3C (I think the Moto X is capable of that, though I haven't gotten there yet) or is going to be a similar experience to Samsung?
I've already ordered the Z3C, but some of camera reports I've read and QC issues I've read about since then have me wondering if I should have picked something else, most likely the Galaxy Alpha.
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Dont buy a samsung device ever. I own a galaxy s5 and it sucks. May be a galaxy with unlocked bootloader would be good, But with touchwiz its crap. I got it through ATT and the bootloader is locked. So do some research before buying samsung devices. And dont buy from a us carrier if possible
There's a bunch of "raw" sample pictures on the net. I believe they're all legit and they come from big review sites anyways.
You can get an idea by looking at them (if you don't know any, look at the gsmarena reviews for example).
Generally the Z3C pictures have more details and look more natural, the Alpha pictures are more processed and have warmer colors. You can fix that in the Z3C manually if you like warmer colors (most people do and thus most people may go for the alpha because of that) for example by setting the white balance higher.
Other than that the camera is in the Z3, Z3C, Z2, Z1, Z1C is very similar and produces very similar results.
rv1458 said:
I've read several reports and reviews saying that the Z3C camera is only ok, not great. .
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the auto function is apparently terrible. you have to use the manual settings to take good pictures.
i also think its camera is not much good as i read in other reviews.
I saw a Galaxy Alpha in the AT&T store today and it felt nice, but I like the Z3c better. Feels better in the hand IMO.
Z3C http://cdn.gsmarena.com/vv/reviewsimg/sony-xperia-z3-compact/camera/gsmarena_011.jpg
S5 http://cdn.gsmarena.com/vv/reviewsimg/samsung-galaxy-s5/review/camera/gsmarena_007.jpg
Zoomed:
I'll let you guess which one is the z3c here
Keep in mind the Galaxy Alpha has a tiny battery, and also it's physically bigger. Plus touchwiz. I would pay extra NOT to have touchwiz (source: have owned 6 Samsung Android devices)
bilboa1 said:
Z3C http://cdn.gsmarena.com/vv/reviewsimg/sony-xperia-z3-compact/camera/gsmarena_011.jpg
S5 http://cdn.gsmarena.com/vv/reviewsimg/samsung-galaxy-s5/review/camera/gsmarena_007.jpg
I'll let you guess which one is the z3c here
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Wow! Big difference. The Z3 is like HDR here. Did you use Superior Auto or the Manual Mode?
The shadows and highlights are clear. Nice balanced shot.
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unlockcodes said:
i also think its camera is not much good as i read in other reviews.
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Because they used auto mode. Against auto mode of iPhone, there is no comparison. iPhone wins. Manual mode is a different story. It unlocks the power of this camera.
LastQuark said:
Wow! Big difference. The Z3 is like HDR here. Did you use Superior Auto or the Manual Mode?
The shadows and highlights are clear. Nice balanced shot.
---------- Post added at 09:44 PM ---------- Previous post was at 09:42 PM ----------
Because they used auto mode. Against auto mode of iPhone, there is no comparison. iPhone wins. Manual mode is a different story. It unlocks the power of this camera.
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its gsmarena's review shots
its manual mode in 20mp i believe
bilboa1 said:
its gsmarena's review shots
its manual mode in 20mp i believe
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That's the problem with a lot of reviews. They just use the auto mode which makes good pictures but doesn't unlock the full potential of the cam. I strolled around town yesterday making some pictures, comparing auto and manual modes and I'm really happy with the camera. Changing the white balance in manual mode makes a lot of difference!
I'm not an expert but for me ease of use is the most important thing with smartphone cameras. And the software and of course the dedicated button make taking pictures extremely smooth. You just hit that button while taking it out of your pocket and the important settings aren't buried deep in menus. You're ready to go instantly and it's never awkward to try and hit that soft button.
bilboa1 said:
Z3C http://cdn.gsmarena.com/vv/reviewsimg/sony-xperia-z3-compact/camera/gsmarena_011.jpg
S5 http://cdn.gsmarena.com/vv/reviewsimg/samsung-galaxy-s5/review/camera/gsmarena_007.jpg
Zoomed:
I'll let you guess which one is the z3c here
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There's something fishy about this. The first one has no shadows, the second one does. It looks like the lighting when the photos were actually taken was drastically different....
phositadc said:
There's something fishy about this. The first one has no shadows, the second one does. It looks like the lighting when the photos were actually taken was drastically different....
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You're correct, if you look at the full picture, the Alpha photo was taken on a much cloudier day. That said, several comments here and further reading of reviews have mostly laid to rest my concern about the photo quality.
I would still like to know if Xperia devices have historically held up well and continued to operate well. As I mentioned in my original post, Samsung devices tend to get very buggy after about year, in my experience. My wife and I both had GS2's and in addition software bugginess our gps effectively stopped working after about a year.
rv1458 said:
As I mentioned in my original post, Samsung devices tend to get very buggy after about year, in my experience. My wife and I both had GS2's and in addition software bugginess our gps effectively stopped working after about a year.
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Because Touchwiz. Lol.
degraaff said:
Because Touchwiz. Lol.
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And Sony's UI is better? Or do you have to get a Nexus to get a bug-free UI?
rv1458 said:
And Sony's UI is better? Or do you have to get a Nexus to get a bug-free UI?
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I've not been able to find any bugs or stutters in Sony's UI, on my Xperia z2 tablet, which has almost the same UI as Z3C.
rv1458 said:
And Sony's UI is better? Or do you have to get a Nexus to get a bug-free UI?
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I've used a number of Android phones, from the Galaxy Nexus to the HTC One (M7) to the Z2 and now the Z3 Compact and I've spent plenty of time playing on a friend's Samsung Galaxy S5 and Nexus 5.
Based on that experience, I say yes. Sony's UI is better than Samsung's, by far. In fact, honestly, given the choice between Sony's UI and stock Android, I actually rather prefer Sony's aside from that stupid "What's New" button, but that can easily be disabled through ADB without root. You see, Sony's UI is nothing more than a very minor tweak of stock Android, and some of those tweaks actually make a lot of sense.
Unlike Samsung's Touchwiz garbage and HTC's Sense (to a much lesser extent), Sony's UI isn't filled with all kinds of useless garbage. They do include some goofy apps, mostly related to the camera (AR Fun? Really?), but those can easily be disabled without root. The UI itself is slim, sleek, and fast.
About the only utility feature they added on top of stock Android was "small apps", which is actually kind of a nice feature to have, since it allows a certain degree of multiwindow multitasking, which isn't generally something Android offers.
Yes the GSMarena pics are on different days, but the lighting difference isnt the only factor. they have pictures with controlled lighting as well - but they're not as nice for comparison as outdoor pictures IMO because they only talk to specialists.
you can see the issues with the GS5 algorithms and the lesser sensor in the outdoor pic, and you can see the Z3's own limitations as well.
Samsung's drivers always have nicer-to-the-eye sharpness correction and color correction than the Z3. The superior auto (default mode) of the Z3 does a bad job or doing that as well, which is a con really.
But you can go manual and even without touching any setting in manual mode it takes better pictures most of the time than superior auto (yea good job on that one sony lol).
If you edit the image in anything decent you can fix the color balance, white balance, sharpness correction and its actually looking very good. Only the lumias seem to take better pictures (albeit i didnt look too much at the iphone6)
of course, again, its unfortunate that you've to go through manual mode and/or external software to get better shots while other phones can do that by default. I think sony should call manual mode smth like "protune" (this is what GoPro does) and have the default over saturated, sharpened, etc (which they should just call the default mode instead of superior auto .
Would please everyone.
rv1458 said:
I would imagine others are interested in this comparison as well. I will post my thoughts when my Z3C arrives, and compare it head to head for the benefit of others. If anyone else has access to both or experience to lend I would be interested in hearing those thoughts as well.
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look forward to hearing your views on this. i'm interested in both phones, primarily how their cameras perform