Dreaming of a better camera for the Moto X2

[Eli_C]

Most would agree that the X2 needs a better camera then the X. I wanted to start my comparing the arguable best 2 cell phone camera's on the market.

Lumia 1020
1.12 µm pixels
8.8 mm x 6.6 mm sensor size
7712 x 5360 pixels
41.3 MP
10.4mm Phone Thickness

Apple iPhone 5s
1.5 µm pixels
4.89mm x 3.67 mm sensor size
3264 x 2448 pixels
8 MP
7.6mm Phone Thickness

The Moto X has 1.4 µm pixels and a total 10.5 MP. The Moto X has the same thickness as the Lumia 1020 (10.4mm). Since a larger sensor size leads to a thicker camera and correspondingly thicker phone, the Moto X2 could sport a sensor as large and similar optics to the 1020 and not get any thicker.


Possible Moto X2 camera sensors:
Focus on larger sensor: 8.8 mm x 6.6 mm sensor size (58.08mm^2)

2µm pixels
4400 x 3300
14.5 MP

2.2µm pixels
4000 x 3000
12MP

1.5 µm pixels
5867 x 4400
25.8 MP

1.35 µm pixels
6528 x 4889
32 MP


Personally I think the 2µm 14.5 MP approach would be the best.

I don't know if Samsung's ISOCELL technology will pan out to be as great as they say it is. Also I don't know if it would be helpful with larger pixels. It may be great if Samsung could produce one of these sensors with ISOCELL.

Of course these numbers are just simple calculations based on a large sensor. A great camera relies on just more then a good sensor.

 

[Premium1]

Re: Dreaming of a better camera for the X2

Camera held me back from the original moto x and like it did with the htc one, if the x2 camera is sub par once again, moto will lose out on me as a customer. A poor camera should not be acceptable in this day and age, and not sure why moto and htc seem to struggle in this department. Heres to hoping for a much improved camera, with similar size and a little bumped up internals this time around.

 

[Eli_C]

Re: Dreaming of a better camera for the X2

Well any of the sensors above would pretty much blow anything else on the market out of the water. Going with 2+?m pixels and a sensor as large as the 1020 would reduce the computational overhead the 1020 faces. With 12+ MP there is no problem with spacial resolution as in the HTC One. The benefits of the RBGC did not seem to pan out with the original X. Going back to a proven approach may be the way to go.

One of these sensors and a reasonable spec bump and the Moto X2 could be a major player. I think there are a LOT of people clamoring for a GREAT cell phone camera.

 

[Eli_C]

Re: Dreaming of a better camera for the X2

And of course I overlooked the Sony Z2, which has shown you can have an even larger sensor with a slimmer form factor:

Z2
6.17 x 4.55mm
1.176?m pixels
5248 x 3936
20.7 MP

Just hoping for a very large sensor with large pixels.

 

[sharkita]

Re: Dreaming of a better camera for the X2

I've had a lot of Motorola phones through the years and they all had excellent radios in them, but they all had subpar cameras. Sadly, the Moto X is no exception. I don't understand how Motorola can excel so consistently in one area but fall by the wayside in another. The only thing I will say is the camera in the Moto X is much better than the one in the Atrix, but the Atrix had an incredibly awful camera in it so that's not saying much. I know too many people who crossed the Moto X off their list because of the camera. More and more people rely on the phone in their pocket to take pictures on the fly, and like it or not it's a factor in sales. It's the only thing about the current Moto X that disappoints me, and a great camera in the X2 could make it a serious best seller.

 

[Eli_C]

Re: Dreaming of a better camera for the X2

What do others think of multiple sensors, such as the One M8? Is it just a gimmick?

What about additional sensors that had infra-red or uv capabilities?

What about sensors with different f-stops to allow for better pictures in BOTH low light and bright conditions?

 

[thegrants82]

Moto does not do cameras......

Most would agree that the X2 needs a better camera then the X. I wanted to start my comparing the arguable best 2 cell phone camera's on the market.

Lumia 1020
1.12 ?m pixels
8.8 mm ? 6.6 mm sensor size
7712 ? 5360 pixels
41.3 MP
10.4mm Phone Thickness

Apple iPhone 5s
1.5 ?m pixels
4.89mm x 3.67 mm sensor size
3264 x 2448 pixels
8 MP
7.6mm Phone Thickness

The Moto X has 1.4 ?m pixels and a total 10.5 MP. The Moto X has the same thickness as the Lumia 1020 (10.4mm). Since a larger sensor size leads to a thicker camera and correspondingly thicker phone, the Moto X2 could sport a sensor as large and similar optics to the 1020 and not get any thicker.


Possible Moto X2 camera sensors:
Focus on larger sensor: 8.8 mm ? 6.6 mm sensor size

2?m pixels
4400 x 3300
14.5 MP

2.2?m pixels
4000 x 3000
12MP

1.5 ?m pixels
5867 x 4400
25.8 MP

1.35 ?m pixels
6528 x 4889
32 MP


Personally I think the 2?m 14.5 MP approach would be the best.

I don't know if Samsung's ISOCELL technology will pan out to be as great as they say it is. Also I don't know if it would be helpful with larger pixels. It may be great if Samsung could produce one of these sensors with ISOCELL.

Of course these numbers are just simple calculations based on a large sensor. A great camera relies on just more then a good sensor.

 

[Eli_C]

Moto does not do cameras......

No, they don't make cameras or sensors, just like Apple, Nokia, HTC, etc., don't make cameras or sensors. However they do have to select one for the X2 as well as the optics, etc...

Hopefully they use a great large sensor with large pixels and pair it with the best possible optics, flash, etc...

Maybe they will also have multiple sensors... who knows.

 

[Eli_C]

More of a google project:
Project Ara teardown: specs and features explain how phone works | BGR

They are using this as one of the sensors:
OmniVision

4MP with 2um pixels with IR capabilities, would make an interesting second sensor to go with a primary large sensor

 

[Eli_C]

Disappointed to see them putting the flash right next to the lens, ideally it should be on the other end of the phone.

Would be nice to see one or more laser focus points like the G3 and/or a second camera, like the M8 (though it should be further away from the primary camera).

 

[thegrants82]

Disappointed to see them putting the flash right next to the lens, ideally it should be on the other end of the phone.

Would be nice to see one or more laser focus points like the G3 and/or a second camera, like the M8 (though it should be further away from the primary camera).

I have been using moto for years and they drop the ball on the camera very single time.........it's never good.

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[livetoride4666]

The Moto x has been my all time favorite phone, but I sold it quickly solely due to the camera. I have two little kids so the camera is important to me.

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[thegrants82]

I love the moto x but won't touch it again until I read camera reviews.

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[mookiekillsit]

I love the moto x but won't touch it again until I read camera reviews.

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These are exactly my thoughts. Right now, the X+1 will be my next phone unless the camera isn't very good. If that's the case, I'll look elsewhere.