Anybody else agree w/ what the Verge is saying about LG's camera?

[Rumblee1]

"As to that all-important camera on the V30, I find it good, sometimes great, but never exceptional. LG billed the V30 as a major leap forward in imaging, what with its f/1.6 aperture and real glass lens for enhanced image clarity (on the main camera), however the actual results don’t distinguish this phone from a class of very high performers near the V30’s lofty price point."

Link to source w/ full article.
Tinyurl.com/y92c5tyl

They are in bed with apple. That's why I never read any of their reviews.

 

[theragtopman]

Sadly, I have to agree with the Verge reviewer (and some others finding less than stellar photos). I'm coming from a Pixel XL and it simply takes amazing pictures front and back. I've been taking some pics on each camera side by side and every photo out of the Pixel just looks better when seeing them on a computer monitor, especially in low light. The one saving grace of the V30 is the wide angle and I have been having a lot of fun getting some pictures of landscape scenes that the Pixel and most other cameras simply can't do. But the low level light performance and the FFC selfie camera are so bad I'm actually having second thoughts about keeping the V30, darn it. I use both front and back cameras fairly frequently indoors and there have been some situations where the V30 can't capture enough light to even produce a useable photo, where the Pixel XL does just fine. I have to admit, I've only been using 'auto' mode in each camera and I know I can get better results by adjusting the manual settings in the V30, but sometimes I just don't have time and want to take the phone out and grab a quick snapshot before the moment is gone. The Pixel has absolutely no problem doing so every time. I really love everything else about the V30 though - the thinner lighter body, the wireless charging, the way it feels in the hand, the themes, etc. I've still got about 10 days before my return window expires and I'll keep experimenting, but I've been sadly disappointed by the camera. Which is frustrating as they advertise the 1.6 aperture and how good it's supposed to be!

 

[LeoRex]

Snap judgement... V30 is a huge improvement over the G6. They've dialed back the heavy handed noise reduction and over-sharpening and pictures are no longer riddled with distracting halos. It's still a little behind the first generation Pixel, and I will go into more detail once I get a case and SP in it and DD it for a week or so.

Btw, the wide angle is even better with the reduced barrel effect, but still complete junk in lower light.

I'll start a new thread once I get some more goodies.

 

[RaRa85]

I have to admit, I've only been using 'auto' mode in each camera and I know I can get better results by adjusting the manual settings in the V30

You need to really consider if this is the phone for you. I'm a natural at manual mode so I can dial the settings in quick to get the shot I want. LG just doesn't have great auto software processing. It does suck that you will probably have to use manual mode for better shots especially in low light but that's the responsibility you inherit with an LG phone. I had the V10 and now V20 and I will be getting the V30 by Christmas. It's really a photographer's/videographer's phone. And honestly if you shot with the Pixel phones outside of Google's magical HDR + modes you'll find its results just as "normal" as many other phones.

 

[RaRa85]

Snap judgement... V30 is a huge improvement over the G6. They've dialed back the heavy handed noise reduction and over-sharpening and pictures are no longer riddled with distracting halos. It's still a little behind the first generation Pixel, and I will go into more detail once I get a case and SP in it and DD it for a week or so.

Btw, the wide angle is even better with the reduced barrel effect, but still complete junk in lower light.

I'll start a new thread once I get some more goodies.

I would beg to differ about low light shots being junk on the second sensor as many reviews I've seen showed absolutely beautiful low light shots at dusk and at night. You may have to go manual but it will produce beautiful shots just the same.

 

[md308]

I would beg to differ about low light shots being junk on the second sensor as many reviews I've seen showed absolutely beautiful low light shots at dusk and at night. You may have to go manual but it will produce beautiful shots just the same.

I'm no where near an expert on the manual settings, and the below was done in full auto, but yeah, complete junk, right?





My son has the first generation Pixel, and my old V20 was neck in neck with it. It was a toss up in every pic we ever did side by side which would get the better shot, so no, the V30 is NOT "a little behind" that...

We get it, you guys don't like LG's processing or having to use the manual settings for the best shot, but if you claim it can't handle low light shots, or compete with the Pixels or other flagships, well - you're entitled to your own opinion, but not your own facts. Just look at some of the examples on the pic thread please.

 

[LeoRex]

Again.. stationary objects, landscapes, you can manage to get some good stuff even in lower light. I accidentally toggled the wide angle via the slide zoom thing on the shutter and took a few pictures of my kids... every single one was blurry, smudged, etc. Yes, I could go into manual mode, get a tripod and ask people to hold still like its a Ken Burns documentary, but life doesn't work that way. I can yank my XL out of my pocket and rip off a pic in those situations that the V30 couldn't hope to get even if i spent a hour getting it prepped... that sort of thing, to me, is important. Sometimes even having a slow autofocus and you can lose a moment.

Now... that's a very specific use case here... For the vast majority of situations, the V30 does a crazy good job. But the situation it doesn't happens to pose a massive issue for my usage. So when someone out there with a similar use case asks, I am going to make sure he's well aware of what he is getting into.

 

[md308]

Again.. stationary objects, landscapes, you can manage to get some good stuff even in lower light. I accidentally toggled the wide angle via the slide zoom thing on the shutter and took a few pictures of my kids... every single one was blurry, smudged, etc. Yes, I could go into manual mode, get a tripod and ask people to hold still like its a Ken Burns documentary, but life doesn't work that way. I can yank my XL out of my pocket and rip off a pic in those situations that the V30 couldn't hope to get even if i spent a hour getting it prepped... that sort of thing, to me, is important. Sometimes even having a slow autofocus and you can lose a moment.

Now... that's a very specific use case here... For the vast majority of situations, the V30 does a crazy good job. But the situation it doesn't happens to pose a massive issue for my usage. So when someone out there with a similar use case asks, I am going to make sure he's well aware of what he is getting into.

Fair enough. I'll concede motion shots were a weakness on my V20, so probably the same on the V30 as well. I don't do a lot of those types, so not as much of an issue for me as you.

I fully believe I could get just as good or better shots with a Sammy or Pixel, but don't think any difference outweighs the other advantages I think the V30 has, and have every confidence there I shots I will get with the V30 that will be better than I would have got if I had the others. Again, your mileage may vary.

 

[Mike Dee]

I would beg to differ about low light shots being junk on the second sensor as many reviews I've seen showed absolutely beautiful low light shots at dusk and at night. You may have to go manual but it will produce beautiful shots just the same.

Yeah.. you're right.. manual is always great on the V series but I've seen what some of these less featured cameras can do with technology and its really hard to compare to their automode. It may sound lazy but you no longer have to think. The AI does it for you.

 

[LeoRex]

Sometimes you don't have time to think. Sometimes you just gotta get er done because the shot ain't waiting for you to take it. And I don't know about you, but it's those one in a million, candid, spur of the moments that really stand out.

 

[RaRa85]

Sometimes you don't have time to think. Sometimes you just gotta get er done because the shot ain't waiting for you to take it. And I don't know about you, but it's those one in a million, candid, spur of the moments that really stand out.

But take the same Pixel 2 to a concert versus the V30 though. That same one in a million moment you might be thinking I wish it recorded better audio. Both have strengths and weaknesses.

 

[xxaarraa1983]

I have the Note 8 and V30 - I posted comparison shots of both on the Note 8 picture thread. I now also have the Pixel XL 2 and posted comparison shots in the Pixel picture thread.

I am no photography expert, and know the basics of manual controls. Pixel and Google's post processing is the best in the business, no one holds a candle to them. But LG's manual controls are AWESOME.

What really surprises me about all 3 phones is how good the Note 8 is at splitting the difference. I hated the S7/S8 sensor but they seem to have done something to the Note 8 that makes the post processing and sensor calibration way way better. Note 8 photos are consistently right up there with the Pixel even in full auto.

Ultimately, I am not sure I can live with how bad the rest of the Pixel 2 XL is. God google, why can't you make a decent overall phone. The V30 has the best in hand feel of all, and best overall package.