Which smartphone has the best camera?
Cameras have become expected features on the latest smartphones, with quality and capabilities rivalling even some dedicated digital cameras.
Megapixel-ratings are merely one-factor to picture quality, therefore, if you’re looking for the best snapper on your smartphone, there are some things to consider.
Apple’s iPhone 4S, Samsung’s Galaxy S III, HTC’s One X, and Nokia’s 808 PureView are considered the top-of-the-range phones in the photography department.
Comparisons can be made between the phones’ sensors, megapixel capabilities, resolution, lenses and features.
The four devices are compared below:
| Apple iPhone 4S | Samsung Galaxy S III | HTC One X | Nokia 808 PureView | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sensor Type | 1/3.2-inch | 1/3.2-inch | 1/3.2-inch | 1/1.2-inch |
| Sensor Size | 4.54×3.42 mm | 4.54×3.42 mm | 4.54×3.42 mm | 10.67×8.00 mm |
| Total Effective Pixels | 8MP | 8MP | 8MP | 38MP |
| Max. Image Reslution | 3264×2448 pixels | 3264×2448 pixels | 3264×2448 | 7728×5368 pixels |
| Crop Factor | 7.6× | 7.6× | 7.6× | 3.2× |
| Lens | 4.28mm (33mm) f/2.4 | 28mm f//2.6 | 28mm f/2 | Carl Zeiss Tessar lens 8.02mm (26mm) f/2.4 |
| Video | 1080p30 Full HD | 1080p30 Full HD | 1080p30 Full HD | 1080p30 Full HD |
| Camera Key Features | 8-megapixel iSight camera Autofocus Tap to focus Face detection in still images Video stabilization Photo and video geotagging |
Simultaneous HD video and image recording geo-tagging touch focus face and smile detection image stabilization |
Capture photo while filming Video stabilization High quality slow motion video capture and playback |
Touch focus Landscape orientation Exposure compensation Sequence mode Geo-tagging Auto and manual white balance Still image editor Face recognition Full screen viewfinder Self timer Center weighted auto exposure Auto Exposure |
| Flash | LED flash | LED flash | LED flash | Xenon Flash (4m) |
One of the standout differences between the four devices is the Nokia 808 PureView’s megapixel count. At standard resolutions (2 or 3, 5 and 8 megapixels), Nokia’s oversampling technology will let the 808 PureView zoom without loss of clarity. It captures up to seven pixels of information which it then condenses into one pixel in the final image.
A photo comparison of the iPhone 4S, HTC’s One X, Nokia’s 808 PureView, and Samsung’s Galaxy S III respectively:
Photo quality comparison between iPhone 4S, HTC’s One X, Nokia’s 808 PureView and Samsung’s Galaxy S III
Photo source: Recombu
Related articles
What to expect from Windows Phone 8
Top gadgets expected at IFA 2012
Samsung Galaxy S3 “garnet red” in SA
Loading ...