How does the Samsung Note 8 rear wide-angle camera resolution compare to the Note 5?

[Android Central Question]

The Note 8's rear wide-angle camera features a 12 MP sensor (1.25") and a pixel size of 1.4 nanometers (I believe it's nanometer; please correct me if I'm wrong). Images measure 4032x1960.

The Note 5's rear camera features a 16 MP sensor (1.26") and a pixel size of 1.12 nanometers. Images measure 5312x2988.

With the Note 8, has Samsung taken a step back in terms of image resolution? Even with the Note 8's larger individual pixel size it seems to me the company has. I've made 9-x-17-inch prints from Note 5 photos and these are amazingly detailed and sharp, especially considering the sensor. How will Note 8 images perform?

 

[anon(7901790)]

It'll perform better. Camera resolution is only one factor. The size of the photo sites (pixels) are bigger on the N8, and therefore have better light gathering capability. Couple that with a newer processor and you have better all around performance.

You can easily get a 9x17 print from it.

 

[mjerodriguez]

Thanks for your response. Yes, the more advanced Note 8 processor will also contribute to image quality; I didn't take that into account. I am finding that the Note 8 camera works well in low-light. I'm looking forward to seeing how a Note 8 image prints at around 9-x-17 inches.

 

[Nakrohtap]

The Note 8's rear wide-angle camera features a 12 MP sensor (1.25") and a pixel size of 1.4 nanometers (I believe it's nanometer; please correct me if I'm wrong). Images measure 4032x1960.

The Note 5's rear camera features a 16 MP sensor (1.26") and a pixel size of 1.12 nanometers. Images measure 5312x2988.

With the Note 8, has Samsung taken a step back in terms of image resolution? Even with the Note 8's larger individual pixel size it seems to me the company has. I've made 9-x-17-inch prints from Note 5 photos and these are amazingly detailed and sharp, especially considering the sensor. How will Note 8 images perform?

Your sensor sizes are off. Without looking them up online, your 1.25" should be 1/2.5". That's a big difference. No smartphone camera sensor is over 1/2" AFAIK. So, the 1/2.5" is actually slightly bigger than the 1/2.6" sensor.

 

[mjerodriguez]

Yes, you're correct. I have 1/2.5", etc., in my initial notes and simply missed the "/" when I wrote the post. A 1.25" sensor in a phone camera would be amazing, approaching a full-frame DSLR, but impossible

 

[Fred98TJ]

Actually there are cell phone cams (old but way way ahead of their time) with 1/1.2 and 1/1.5 sensors in them.

 

[amyf27]

I have a dumb question. I don't see anyway to access the rear aide angle camera unless via live photo mode.