Blind Smartphone camera test MDKHD

[buzzy3970]

All I know is that everytime I take a photo of someone they always say wow that is a nice picture. Constantly complimented on quality. Could be the screen as well, but who knows.

 

[goji26]

The face smoothing can be turned off.

The button might say it's off, but it's not off. There's also no way to stop the motion blur that happens in all conditions when taking a picture if pets or kids.

 

[neil74]

Here is an example of my S10 vs my 4XL and P30 pro, taken a few seconds apart and this is typical of what I get on a Samsung. It’s not as if the cat is moving a lot either. Pixel and P30 are pretty close, the Samsung is way behind!

Order is Pixel, P30 pro , Samsung

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[Morty2264]

I do like how they included various different smartphones from different markets (high-end, mid-range) and manufacturers. Kind of weird how they skipped the Pixel 3 and the Samsung Galaxy S10/+. I suppose they got some representation with the S10e and Pixel 3a.

 

[Wingerr]

Considering that pretty much all phones and most point and shoot cameras have small sensors, I'm not surprised at all that people don't like short depth of field images. The majority of smart phone users have only known small sensor cameras, and therefore don't understand the artistic affect of bokeh.

Might have been interesting to throw in a high end DSLR and see what people pick.

 

[Flytetymex]

I'm really having a difficult time enjoying the camera of the Note 10+. I'm coming from a Pixel 3 XL and I have never been a fan of taking pictures....at all. But that Pixel made me constantly want to take pics on my trip. Night shots were absolutely stunning. So much so that I would normally use it during the daytime to give my images more pop.

And now, the Note. I love the phone itself (first Samsung) and the battery life is just phenomenal (especially compared to the Pixel). But wow... I don't mean to sound extreme but I just hate the camera. It is so difficult to take a good shot. If it's at night, forget it. Blurs everywhere. Night mode sucks. With the Pixel it seemed that every shot was almost perfect. With the Note, I practically have to go into the "motion photos" and pick out a better looking photo than what was actually taken. Video, on the other hand, is rather impressive. And yes I've tinkered with all the various modes and resolutions and I am really disappointed. Had I never had the Pixel, I'm sure I'd be in love with the camera but this is just not a fun phone to take pictures with (at least for me).

 

[anon(7901790)]

I'm really having a difficult time enjoying the camera of the Note 10+. I'm coming from a Pixel 3 XL and I have never been a fan of taking pictures....at all. But that Pixel made me constantly want to take pics on my trip. Night shots were absolutely stunning. So much so that I would normally use it during the daytime to give my images more pop.

And now, the Note. I love the phone itself (first Samsung) and the battery life is just phenomenal (especially compared to the Pixel). But wow... I don't mean to sound extreme but I just hate the camera. It is so difficult to take a good shot. If it's at night, forget it. Blurs everywhere. Night mode sucks. With the Pixel it seemed that every shot was almost perfect. With the Note, I practically have to go into the "motion photos" and pick out a better looking photo than what was actually taken. Video, on the other hand, is rather impressive. And yes I've tinkered with all the various modes and resolutions and I am really disappointed. Had I never had the Pixel, I'm sure I'd be in love with the camera but this is just not a fun phone to take pictures with (at least for me).

You're correct about Night Mode. I've rarely gotten any good shots with it. The only decent shots I got was using a tripod. Other than Night Mode, I've not had a problem. I use Pro, Photo, or Live Focus, even for the night shots and I have gotten some really good shots. Now, for the critique. No matter how good the gear is, technique is ALWAYS more important. I've gotten excellent shots with a $10 point and shoot pre-loaded film cameras. Before blaming the gear, check your technique. Good gear will not overcome bad technique. Here are some tips you could try and see what improvements you can make.

https://blog.hubspot.com/marketing/good-pictures-phone-tips

 

[Flytetymex]

I can see your point. However, one of the main points I was trying to make is that the way the Pixel was set up, it seemed that every shot came out fantastic. I'm not a photographer in any sort of way but the same shots (with the same methods) I took with my Pixel took a lot more work with the Note before having something decent. Thanks for the link. I'll check it out

 

[srgonu]

Night pictures might not be as good as pixel 3xl but in my experience with my note 10+, it is very decent. Not exaggerating but my friend with iPhone 11 pro asked me to take his family pics with my phone as he is not happy with how dim his pictures were (peoples faces) when there are lights in the background. I am pretty happy with this camera.

 

[anon(7901790)]

I can see your point. However, one of the main points I was trying to make is that the way the Pixel was set up, it seemed that every shot came out fantastic. I'm not a photographer in any sort of way but the same shots (with the same methods) I took with my Pixel took a lot more work with the Note before having something decent. Thanks for the link. I'll check it out

No worries. Like I said, Night Shot sucks butt. That was the FIRST thing I tried when I got my Note 10+. It hasn't improved much with the Android 10 update. All it does is crank up the ISO and slow down the shutter speed. The former creates a crap ton noise, which requires heavy noise reduction, the latter causes blurring. BOTH lower over all image sharpness. Ain't no amount of good technique will overcome that. Only a tripod will help, and even then you're still stuck with a lot of noise.

These were taken from a moving bus in Honolulu using Photo mode and handheld:





Understanding the limitations of your gear will go along way to getting better photos.

Oh! Don't be afraid to use burst mode. That is what I was using to get the second image.

 

[Flytetymex]

Ah true. I always forget about Burst Mode. I always just go back to the "motion" photos but burst is probably better. Which now got me thinking. I know you can assign different functions to the power button and volume buttons (inside the camera app and otherwise) but I miss the days of my Lumia 1520. I could take out the phone out of my pocket and I could hold the power button down and the camera app launches right away. If I kept holding the button, it would begin recording video right away. Is there anything like that that could be used on these phones? I do have the camera icon on the lockscreen but face recognition catches on too quickly or if it does go into the camera app, then I have to put it in video mode and then shoot. I hope there is something similar that would let me launch it right away.

Also read the link you posted. Enjoyed it. Thanks.

 

[rikken]

You can quick launc the camera by a double press on the side key (power-button). Go to Settings-advanced features-side key.

In the camera settings you set the volum key to take a picture or start recording a video.

I also find it handy to use the S-Pen as a shutter key.

 

[Laura Knotek]

Here is an example of my S10 vs my 4XL and P30 pro, taken a few seconds apart and this is typical of what I get on a Samsung. It’s not as if the cat is moving a lot either. Pixel and P30 are pretty close, the Samsung is way behind!

Order is Pixel, P30 pro , Samsung

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What a beautiful cat!

 

[neil74]

What a beautiful cat!

Thanks, he has his moments!