Database Users

Sony Arc vs HTC

Hi,
I am considering the Arc to be my next phone but I would like to know about its video capabilities. In nearly all HTC phones, when recording in low light conditions/at night, the camera tries to compensate the lack of light and this tends to make the video lose frames and to be really choppy. Does the Arc perform better and does it skips frames in bad lighting conditions?
Thanks!!

Videos are great on the Arc, I'd say better than on HTC.
Didn't test it on my Arc yet but in youtube are smooth videos from the Arc.
Sent from my LT15i using XDA App

Final5k said:
Hi,
I am considering the Arc to be my next phone but I would like to know about its video capabilities. In nearly all HTC phones, when recording in low light conditions/at night, the camera tries to compensate the lack of light and this tends to make the video lose frames and to be really choppy. Does the Arc perform better and does it skips frames in bad lighting conditions?
Thanks!!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Most of HTC phones have really ****ty cameras, actually the worse on the market.
Don't even wonder. Arc is another planet.

best cam of HTC is at Sensation, and is one of the best on the market now... i think

HTC Sensation is a class lower compared to Xperia Arc - not only with regard to the camera.
Dualcore is not everything.

shtreber said:
best cam of HTC is at Sensation, and is one of the best on the market now... i think
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Even mobile-review proves different.

GSMArena has a comparison of the LG Optimus 2X, HTC Sensation and Samsung Galaxy S2 which also features various other handsets at different junctures.
When comparing still image and video capture, they also throw in the Arc for good measure.
Draw your own conclusions.

If u own 1 HTC, then you own all off em because they all look the same. That's why I bought the ARC.

I agree, HTC phones are one class lower than SonyEricsson in terms of build quality, design and phone technology.
By just comparing the phone battery technology, all their phones are still using Lithium Ion Battery while SonyEricsson's phone are using Lithium Polymer and everyone should know that there are more benefits for Lithium Polymer over Lithium Ion Batteries.

Hey thanks for all your replies. I think I'll have to try one at the shop to get a better idea on the device itself before deciding. Still, the camera seems to be the only thing that appeals to me - the screen is a bit small (I've own 4.3 hd2/desire hd and now a 5 inch dell streak). Will definitely have to play with it - still the Arc seems to be a very sexy phone!
Thanks all!

Some of these replies look quite fanboyish.. there's a reason HTC sells so many phones..more than SE atleast
Anyway, add me to the SE fanboy list Until I get bored of Timescape I will stick to SE

There are 2 simple reasons why htc have and still do sell more phones than SE....
1. They've been in the android business since the start..
2. Until now SE's android phones have been relatively poor, and therefore SE had a bad rep.
Sent from The arc using XDA premium..

I have a last question : If the zoom function is used while recording a video, does the camera automatically auto-focuses the video to make it clearer/sharper, or is the video blurry when zoom is used like in every phone model? Thanks!!

Final5k said:
I have a last question : If the zoom function is used while recording a video, does the camera automatically auto-focuses the video to make it clearer/sharper, or is the video blurry when zoom is used like in every phone model? Thanks!!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
When you're capturing videos, you can't zoom in

Hope this helps you

007Arc said:
When you're capturing videos, you can't zoom in
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Oh now i realised why all videos on youtube don't have any zoom on them. Thank you very much for the infos.

I've currently got an Xperia Arc and a HTC Desire S. The camera on the Arc is superior to that on the HTC as is video recording. I've actually been a bit shocked by how poor the HTC Desire S camera is for pictures although a friend with the new Sensation says that it has a great camera, he does however qualify that by going on to say it is great "for a HTC camera" which to me, says it all.

Maybe these thread can help you to decide.
Post Pictures Taken With The Xperia Arc - LT15i/a
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1035589
Post Pictures Taken With Your Sensation
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1131274
Sent from my LT15i using XDA Premium App

ucubz said:
Maybe these thread can help you to decide.
Post Pictures Taken With The Xperia Arc - LT15i/a
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1035589
Post Pictures Taken With Your Sensation
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1131274
Sent from my LT15i using XDA Premium App
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
wow.. there's no comparison! Sensation's camera is quite average...

Hi,
I have the HTC Desire Z and I would like to get a 2nd phone.
There are only 2 options for me: The Arc or the Desire S. I think both HTC and SE are top manufactures in terms of design and build quality, the rest are just iS**t clones
I like the Desire S because of the uni-body aluminum design, but I think The Arc is nicer. I am a little bit concerned about the quality of the plastic on the Arc's back, an also i don't like the size ( 3,7 seams ideal for me).
I don't care about the camera, but I'm sure SE's is much better.

4K Video capability?

With the announcement of the Z2 and 4K video I was wondering, Can the Z1 shoot in 4K? The sensors are exactly the same however there is a difference in the chip and 3Gb of RAM as opposed to 2Gb. Does this therefore limit it to shooting 1080?

WGFeeney said:
With the announcement of the Z2 and 4K video I was wondering, Can the Z1 shoot in 4K? The sensors are exactly the same however there is a difference in the chip and 3Gb of RAM as opposed to 2Gb. Does this therefore limit it to shooting 1080?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I really hope Sony won't say that..
That could be their reason to "trick us" to buy Z2.
Apparently, S801 has 45% more power in camera operating and in total it's 15-20% faster.
Z2 has 3Gb so that could be the main two reasons for Sony to say that famous line: for the users sake, we won't add...bla ..bla.
We all know that's not true and Z1 is more than capable to record and play 4K video without any problems...
We already saw few devices with a same hardware like Z1 recording and playing 4K.
Sent from my C6903 using Tapatalk

The moment they restrict us features I dump my locked bootloader state and instantly load up a rom that supports the features I want.
And also if they do that it's honestly the last time I pay this much for a phone that is abandoned within a few months. (Feature-wise...)

funky0308 said:
I really hope Sony won't say that..
That could be their reason to "trick us" to buy Z2.
Apparently, S801 has 45% more power in camera operating and in total it's 15-20% faster.
Z2 has 3Gb so that could be the main two reasons for Sony to say that famous line: for the users sake, we won't add...bla ..bla.
We all know that's not true and Z1 is more than capable to record and play 4K video without any problems...
We already saw few devices with a same hardware like Z1 recording and playing 4K.
Sent from my C6903 using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Im sure someone will port it over if Sony doesn't bring it out for Z2. Like the Z1s exclusive defocus app. Whether it can handle remain to be seen, as The Acer liquid S2 with S800 and only 2 GB ram can also shoot 4k video. Unless Acer has customized and added some hardware for 4k encoding.

Let's hope it is just a software limitation which gets changed. I really want to start shooting in 4K and am not going to drop another £500+ on a Z2 or Note 3.
Sent from my C6903 using xda app-developers app

4K video would be very nice.
Then I can resize it down to 1080p to make a very sharp high quality 1080p video.

Both Note3 and Acer S2 who used S800 is capable to record 4k video. But I beat it's not just the camera.apk easy porting, you'll also need to port things from kernel. The Z1/Z1c kernel missed the driver of 4k recording, ended up it won't be an easy task because difficult to get Z2 kernel sources in the near future.

Please use the existing thread HERE...
Thread Closed.

Maybe Cyanogen 11 for LB in our Z1?

Just read this In XDA news:
http://www.xda-developers.com/android/cyanogenmod-11-and-slimkat-for-the-locked-xperia-sp/
Maybe some of the greatest developers in this forum could port it for our Z1 LB. who knows...

That would be amazing!
Sent from my C6903 using Tapatalk

They did the same with CM10 on Xperia S, I was running it on my XS and it worked really well so it is possible
Sent from my C6903 using XDA Premium 4 mobile app

Without kexec, it is impossible.
Tapatalk を使用して私の Xperia Z1 から送信

And, one day, we get this in CM build for Z1
Paranoid Android's Hover - Hands On: http://youtu.be/u_3Ik7m3z50
Sent from my C6903 using Tapatalk

I Hope so !!! :laugh:

Somone know if a dev will take the project ? )

jordane1993 said:
Somone know if a dev will take the project ? )
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Probably not.
I'm sad to say this but the z1 is the first and last sony device I bought. Why? Lack of development, locked bootloader and unable to unlock it. The fact it has a 21 mp sensor and I'm obligated to use 8 mp to take better photos than If took it with 21mp, video recording full HD only at 30 when the hardware can do 60 fps. And so on.
It's a shame. This device has a lot of potencial but it's wasted.
Sent from my C6903 using Tapatalk

albertobom said:
Probably not.
I'm sad to say this but the z1 is the first and last sony device I bought. Why? Lack of development, locked bootloader and unable to unlock it. The fact it has a 21 mp sensor and I'm obligated to use 8 mp to take better photos than If took it with 21mp, video recording full HD only at 30 when the hardware can do 60 fps. And so on.
It's a shame. This device has a lot of potencial but it's wasted.
Sent from my C6903 using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Totally agree with you, first and last device from Sony ...
It's like a powerfull phone, but he used only 50% of this power .... I'm really sad ...
Pictures are good in auto but only 8 Mpx, yes why put 21 mpx then ? .... :-/

You can do it with 20mp mod (xposed).
Enviado desde mi C6903 usando Tapatalk 4

jordane1993 said:
Totally agree with you, first and last device from Sony ...
It's like a powerfull phone, but he used only 50% of this power .... I'm really sad ...
Pictures are good in auto but only 8 Mpx, yes why put 21 mpx then ? .... :-/
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Because you get better images that way. Unlike older cameras that simply subsampled the image, the Z1 uses information from multiple pixels to reduce random noise. This is exactly what Nokia does with the 808 and some crappier Windows Phone models (1020, 1520).
With a high pixel count camera, you get very dense information. You most likely don't need such a dense information: you can print an 8MP image on A4 and still be over 300 dpi. When you look at the image on your screen, the PC/phone will blindly reduce the resolution to match your screen (which is 1920x1080, about 2 megapixels).
In other words, unless for specific corner cases, 20 megapixels is overkill. So, you're better off using that dense information to get a better, lower density image. The methods Nokia/Sony use for that are derived from seismic image processing, which is one of the cornerstones of the oil industry. Very complex, very well tested, and very accurate. For 99.99% of the pictures you take, they will be better than the raw 20MP image (and you do have the option to get the raw 20MP image when you shoot manual, although those corner cases are when a real camera would be the best choice).

Steve_max said:
Because you get better images th......bla, bla, bla
...bla,bla, bla.. ot manual, although those corner cases are when a real camera would be the best choice).
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Great story but mine pictures, no matter which pixel density, still with a lot of noise. Unacceptable for a kind of high-tech device and camera.

Steve_max said:
Because you get better images that way. Unlike older cameras that simply subsampled the image, the Z1 uses information from multiple pixels to reduce random noise. This is exactly what Nokia does with the 808 and some crappier Windows Phone models (1020, 1520).
With a high pixel count camera, you get very dense information. You most likely don't need such a dense information: you can print an 8MP image on A4 and still be over 300 dpi. When you look at the image on your screen, the PC/phone will blindly reduce the resolution to match your screen (which is 1920x1080, about 2 megapixels).
In other words, unless for specific corner cases, 20 megapixels is overkill. So, you're better off using that dense information to get a better, lower density image. The methods Nokia/Sony use for that are derived from seismic image processing, which is one of the cornerstones of the oil industry. Very complex, very well tested, and very accurate. For 99.99% of the pictures you take, they will be better than the raw 20MP image (and you do have the option to get the raw 20MP image when you shoot manual, although those corner cases are when a real camera would be the best choice).
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thaks for information Then i used only 8 mpx for better quality
I don't know before how the pictures was token, now i can know how, and that good to say ! Thanks !

That hover looks good, is it a standalone mod? Or is pa a prerequisite? I'm thinking that this is my last Sony too. The fact that were tied to flash tool and using a computer is just a pain in the backside. Not to Menton the fact that my first z1 was unlockable. HTC and the one plus one for me. Maybe even the note 4.
Sent from my Xperia Z1 using XDA Premium 4 mobile app

General consensus on the 'x-reality' engine

Just wondering what peoples general thoughts are now the phone's been out for a while in terms of the display with x-reality enabled.
I've found it hard to notice TOO much of a difference, and I'm aware it doesn't 'work' with 3rd party movie apps etc etc. But what intrigues me is reviews for the xperia z1 compact (and z1, z2) are EXTREMELY polarising concerning it.
Some have said it's helps and adds 'pop' and sharpness to colours whereas other reviewers have de-cried it and said it should be the first thing you switch off.
Opinions?

X-reality engine just adds more sharpness and contrast.. But sometimes it also increase noise in video.. Sometimes it makes unreal color too
Sent from my Xperia Z1 Compact (D5503)

To make things short... It makes your screen samsungesque

Riyal said:
To make things short... It makes your screen samsungesque
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Whats that?
Sent from my Xperia Z1 Compact (D5503)

More contrast, vivid colors - I like it when I'm showing photos from my holidays and trips to someone else, but that's good we can easily disable this function

I find it only helps when you are watching something where the original media's resolution or quality is not up to 2014 standards.
So using it on the more recently compressed files have minimal effect. In another words, your full HD downloaded video won't be helped with this on.
But heavily compressed files can look better with it on. I pick and choose my moments when to use it, because resource wise it is not free, at the expense of battery usage.
Usually I prefer MX player, since it covers wider range of codecs...

jewelkobayashi said:
I find it only helps when you are watching something where the original media's resolution or quality is not up to 2014 standards.
So using it on the more recently compressed files have minimal effect. In another words, your full HD downloaded video won't be helped with this on.
But heavily compressed files can look better with it on. I pick and choose my moments when to use it, because resource wise it is not free, at the expense of battery usage.
Usually I prefer MX player, since it covers wider range of codecs...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
U can get x-reality engine working with mx playet too.. Just turn on x reality engine and select H/W or H/W+ codec as default codec...
Sent from my Xperia Z1 Compact (D5503)

Thanks ! didn't know.

Another bad camera comparison

Poor Sony, they just can't get it right. They place dead last on nearly every shot.
https://youtu.be/Xsvxz2XBXSc
Sent from the only flagship device that can fit in my hand... Sony Experia Z3 Compact

Well my Z5 performs completely differently in such conditions.
This comparison doesn't mean much.

doministry said:
Well my Z5 performs completely differently in such conditions.
This comparison doesn't mean much.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well, yes, you are correct, a different phone does perform differently... but that's not the point and your Z5 has nothing to do with the topic. We're comparing current flagship camera performance.
Here's some daytime and video comparisons as well:
Day Time Comparsions
Video (huge fail when phone overheats and shuts down)
I'm a big fan of the Z series sony phones. It's a shame the X series can't seem to live up to their reputation.

PuffDaddy_d said:
Well, yes, you are correct, a different phone does perform differently... but that's not the point and your Z5 has nothing to do with the topic. We're comparing current flagship camera performance.
Here's some daytime and video comparisons as well:
Day Time Comparsions
Video (huge fail when phone overheats and shuts down)
I'm a big fan of the Z series sony phones. It's a shame the X series can't seem to live up to their reputation.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well my post has alot to do with the topic.
Since X/X Performance performs better than Z5.
I mean the settings were strange or the mode, I don't know.
The Sony in lowlight can do as good as S7.

http://www.dxomark.com/Mobiles/Sony-Xperia-X-Performance-Mobile-review-Impressive-results
Top rated mobile camera again. Enough said.
Sent from my F8132 using Tapatalk

MGSBigBoss said:
http://www.dxomark.com/Mobiles/Sony-Xperia-X-Performance-Mobile-review-Impressive-results
Top rated mobile camera again. Enough said.
Sent from my F8132 using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Slam dunk
[emoji336] [emoji328] [emoji471] [emoji122]
Sent from my F8131 using XDA-Developers mobile app

And similarly last year the z5 was also rated best camera in a smartphone
Sent from my F8132 using Tapatalk

MGSBigBoss said:
http://www.dxomark.com/Mobiles/Sony-Xperia-X-Performance-Mobile-review-Impressive-results
Top rated mobile camera again. Enough said.
Sent from my F8132 using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes, we all know that DXO manages to be the only source that gives Sony phones high scores. They are able to set up each shot in a manner that allows for objective analysis of each scene. However, their results are rarely representative of what people get on point and shoot situations. Check any YouTube comparison and you'll see that Sony photos just don't look as good when placed next to the leading competition. It's not a trick, it's not just a single review, it's a trend.
But why do I need to convince you. You saw the videos, right? The evidence is all there. The Sony simply underperformed and the overheating issue is consistent with other reviewers well. It's a shame though because we need Sony to succeed. They make great phones and I want another compact flagship some day.
Sent from the only flagship device that can fit in my hand... Sony Experia Z3 Compact

PuffDaddy_d said:
Yes, we all know that DXO manages to be the only source that gives Sony phones high scores. They are able to set up each shot in a manner that allows for objective analysis of each scene. However, their results are rarely representative of what people get on point and shoot situations. Check any YouTube comparison and you'll see that Sony photos just don't look as good when placed next to the leading competition. It's not a trick, it's not just a single review, it's a trend.
But why do I need to convince you. You saw the videos, right? The evidence is all there. The Sony simply underperformed and the overheating issue is consistent with other reviewers well. It's a shame though because we need Sony to succeed. They make great phones and I want another compact flagship some day.
Sent from the only flagship device that can fit in my hand... Sony Experia Z3 Compact
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well now you are heavily exaggerating that it's the only review. As others have posted positive reviews as well. And dxo also specializes in camera reviews. I'd trust their review more so than others for camera.
I have yet to experience overheating in any regular use.
Sent from my F8132 using Tapatalk

MGSBigBoss said:
Well now you are heavily exaggerating that it's the only review. As others have posted positive reviews as well. And dxo also specializes in camera reviews. I'd trust their review more so than others for camera.
I have yet to experience overheating in any regular use.
Sent from my F8132 using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I trust DXO to know more about what makes a photo technically accurate, but the average person only cares about what looks good to them. A shot that scores well technically may look dull and lifeless to the average person. So many people prefer to compare cameras against each other rather than against some checklists. Regardless of how well it scores technically, ask yourself, does the Sony phone look better than the competition in any of the videos above? The answer should be a clear, "no".
On another note, I should clarify that the overheating isn't a result of daily usage, but of recording video. For some reason, the X performance shuts down when recording video. I might forgive it if it was recording 4k resolution (as it did with my z3c), but there's no excuse for a brand new flagship to be shutting down on 1080p. And it didn't just happen in the link above, there's an entire YouTube video dedicated to timing how long each Sony phone takes to overheat and shut down.
https://youtu.be/TG6oin7x8Rs
Sent from the only flagship device that can fit in my hand... Sony Experia Z3 Compact

If we are talking average person then they won't see differences in clarity. If the experts of cameras say it's the best camera I believe them. Sonys phone boots the camera faster than the others at <.6 seconds. Higher resolution. And easier to use with superior auto and I don't have to change settings. Have you yourself experienced over heating?
Here's another review that showed at top of Google results
http://www.manilashaker.com/sony-xp...e-6s-vs-galaxy-s7-vs-oneplus-3-camera-review/
Sent from my F8132 using Tapatalk

The XP camera is fantastic, no other words to describe it. It's night and day compared to my z5c. The reviews I've read sometimes claim a photo that to me is clearly worse is the "winner", so without a clear methodology the reviews are subjective.
Sent from my F8132 using Tapatalk

If you watch videos and take there showcase as Bible then your always losing.
Living in comparisons (grass is always greener) will always give you a negative result.
For me the camera is absolutely fandabydosey.
https://drive.google.com/folderview?id=0B6e46LKf3A75bm9Gd1VxMU13NVU
Sent from my F8131 using XDA-Developers mobile app

dillalade said:
If you watch videos and take there showcase as Bible then your always losing.
Living in comparisons (grass is always greener) will always give you a negative result.
For me the camera is absolutely fandabydosey.
https://drive.google.com/folderview?id=0B6e46LKf3A75bm9Gd1VxMU13NVU
Sent from my F8131 using XDA-Developers mobile app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm not sure I understand what you're saying. If you mean that we'll always be disappointed by comparing to other phones because the grass always seems greener on the other side, then I have to disagree. We're disappointed because the grass really is greener. Its not as subjective as you make it seem.
If the XP looks worse in a side by side comparison, then that means it looks worse. The other phones looked better in most shots. What's the argument? Are you saying the XP somehow looked better from your perspective? This thread isn't about our personal experiences with the phone. It's about how the comparison shows the XP to under-perform when compared directly to other phones taking the same shots at the same time.
Once again, where is the argument here?

I'm saying make your own judgement rather then take those comparisons as Bible.
I didn't hear anywhere in video where he states what setting he used for the Sony. It's not a full blown conclusion in that specific video in my opinion.
Regardless, I'm stating the camera is very good. But in your eyes it's never going to be. 2nd hand tests/judgements don't really cut it in my opinion.
Above all I take your point, there perhaps is some validity in your video link, however I would ask you perform a full blown side by side and see if the XP really falls drastically short when comparing with other devices.
Didn't come here to lay down an argument. Just chime in with my opinion.
Sent from my F8131 using XDA-Developers mobile app

http://www.slashgear.com/sony-xperia-x-performance-review-01450018/
Another great and fair review. To say there's only one source is ridiculous when I've shown time and time again the device is well worth the money.
Sent from my F8132 using Tapatalk

MGSBigBoss said:
http://www.slashgear.com/sony-xperia-x-performance-review-01450018/
Another great and fair review. To say there's only one source is ridiculous when I've shown time and time again the device is well worth the money.
Sent from my F8132 using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Sigh... Yes, another camera review that takes a few photos and says they look good. No one here doubts that a flagship phone can take good pictures. The site you link does not do a side by side comparison which is what this thread is about. Side by side, Sony doesn't seem to keep up with the competition.
It's funny, in the Z3 and Z5 sections, most members actually reached that same conclusion on there own regarding those respective devices. Why is this section so sensitive?
Instead of arguing about this, I was hoping people would actually comment on the comparison.
Sent from the only flagship device that can fit in my hand... Sony Xperia Z3 Compact

The Xperia Perfomance X camera pretty much destroys the competition. Great colors, well outlined detail without resorting to abuse of post-processing like the generally bad S7 photos and great exposure. The XXP at ISO 3200 beats the S7 at ISO 1250 like a champ. Z1+ line already outperformed S7 in most areas but XXP takes it to a new level. Pretty much a generational leap. Very impressed!

EQ2000 said:
The Xperia Perfomance X camera pretty much destroys the competition. Great colors, well outlined detail without resorting to abuse of post-processing like the generally bad S7 photos and great exposure. The XXP at ISO 3200 beats the S7 at ISO 1250 like a champ. Z1+ line already outperformed S7 in most areas but XXP takes it to a new level. Pretty much a generational leap. Very impressed!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Is that the results you saw in this comparison video?
Sent from the only flagship device that can fit in my hand... Sony Xperia Z3 Compact

PuffDaddy_d said:
Is that the results you saw in this comparison video?
Sent from the only flagship device that can fit in my hand... Sony Xperia Z3 Compact
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That is the real life results I saw. Beats a 1080p 8Mbit/s encoded Youtube video of medium encoding quality by miles.