My 5T arrives tomorrow.. Is the camera that bad?

[NightOrchid]

Hi folks

Ive just upgraded from an HTC U Ultra to a 128GB 5T which arrives tomorrow.. (I think HTC have abandoned the U Ultra.. last update was July 17 (os 7.0) and the battery life is awful)

Been reading these forums and all im reading is... Camera is not as good as the Pixel 2 XL or the V30 or the XZ Premium or the U11..etc..

As Im a Media lover.. and look for a good camera and audio, I bought the 5T, instead of the 5.. but now Im a bit worried that ive made the wrong choice.. as it seems that no one likes the 5T camera..

I went for the 5T because I love the stock experience, but refuse to be ripped off for a Pixel 2 XL and I also like the Command Centre of an iPhone (which 1+ calls the "shelf").

Ive just read that the latest Os build 474 on the 5T has camera improvements... So, I wanted to ask.. is the camera awful..?

Thanks

 

[Aquila]

It isn't bad at all, it's just not as good as the best ones. You can be less than the best and still be really, really good. The cameras you listed are great, being behind them doesn't mean bad unless you're WAY behind them. I'm unclear on why you think the Pixel 2 XL is a ripoff, but doesn't matter much. If camera is your top priority, the Pixel 2 or 2 XL are the only phones worth buying, because they're simply head and shoulders above their peers right now. If camera is important, but not the most important, then you're probably going to be fine with the OP5T.

 

[NightOrchid]

It isn't bad at all, it's just not as good as the best ones. You can be less than the best and still be really, really good. The cameras you listed are great, being behind them doesn't mean bad unless you're WAY behind them. I'm unclear on why you think the Pixel 2 XL is a ripoff, but doesn't matter much. If camera is your top priority, the Pixel 2 or 2 XL are the only phones worth buying, because they're simply head and shoulders above their peers right now. If camera is important, but not the most important, then you're probably going to be fine with the OP5T.

Thanks for the quick reply...

"Rip off" is probably a bit of a strong word... what I meant to say was.. with the amount of Screen issues Iam reading about, the lack of headphones in the box,, then here in the UK.. alot of stores are charging high p/month prices for the 64gb 2 xl..

I also found this camera review based on the latest 474 update.. thought ide share..

https://youtu.be/0J8zq4n5tmg

But im still not sure about the 5T now... If anyone has any good points to say about the camera?

 

[Eggmundo]

Thanks for the quick reply...

"Rip off" is probably a bit of a strong word... what I meant to say was.. with the amount of Screen issues Iam reading about, the lack of headphones in the box,, then here in the UK.. alot of stores are charging high p/month prices for the 64gb 2 xl..

I also found this camera review based on the latest 474 update.. thought ide share..

https://youtu.be/0J8zq4n5tmg

But im still not sure about the 5T now... If anyone has any good points to say about the camera?

We are absolutely shafted in the UK. Prices are sickening. We never seem to get crazy discounts on top phones like our friends in the US do either.

 

[barondebxl]

No the camera isn't awful at all. In fact it takes pretty damn good shots I would say. Outdoors, indoors, Portrait is also pretty good. Where it falls behind is in low lighting because of the lack of OIS as well as software. 4.7.4 did improve the camera but it can use more work. It's not fair to compare it to the $900+ phones such as the pixel, note or IPhone but it's a good point and shoot. Just don't expect it to be the best cause it isn't.

 

[NightOrchid]

No the camera isn't awful at all. In fact it takes pretty damn good shots I would say. Outdoors, indoors, Portrait is also pretty good. Where it falls behind is in low lighting because of the lack of OIS as well as software. 4.7.4 did improve the camera but it can use more work. It's not fair to compare it to the $900+ phones such as the pixel, note or IPhone but it's a good point and shoot. Just don't expect it to be the best cause it isn't.

So my 5T arrived first thing this morning and .. its awesome, I love it .. the screen is amazingly bright, in fact, indoors I have it set at 30%... the battery is incredible (so far.. but this is a test over time).. I set up my phone, installed the 474 update, set up google play apps and google assistant, took 40 pics, surfed out my News for the day and played about 1 hrs worth of flac music, so I totalled about 3hrs SoT... and Im still at 60%.. Now thats good .

Audio through the Speaker is Very Loud and surprisingly good for a single speaker, but the headphone jack is excellent... nice and punchy with tight bass but not OTT treble, sounds smooth and music hangs together well.. I tested it with a set of LG QuadBeat 2s, Sennheiser 455s and the AKGs from an S8... the AKGs take some driving.. but all sounded fantastic. One thing though,, I was getting a little interference and crackling in my headphones when I touched or moved the headphones plug, although it didnt cut out. Anyone else?

Now to my main question.. the camera.. I am actually a street (candid) Photographer and I own a Canon 1300D and a Nikpn DSLRs, so i like to think i have a reasonable eye ... but Thankfully, under OS 474... I can say that IMO.. the 5T camera is good, in fact its very good.. even in low light.

I would be happy to take it as a quick point and shoot on a day out, and even though, 1+ removed the Telephoto 2x lens.. the 2x software mode is great.. with no real loss of detail that I can see, Dynamic range is fantastic... I took a statue with the blue sky in the background and it captured staggering amount of detail in the statue itself.. images are detailed, but distance objects can look a bit "mushy" rather than just out of focus.

Theres no barrel or image distortion on the outer edges of the images (ala xperia z5), but like all wide angle phone cameras you will lose detail at the edges, but as long as your subject is in the centre, that isnt a problem., however.....

In portrait mode, the Bokeh background looks a little "mushy" and rarely in some cases the whole image looks as if it has camera shake, your better off just "Tap to focus" and let the camera EIS do the work. also there is minor light streaming and star-burst effects from street lights, which i think has had some attension in the update, but still needs work.

On the whole, to my eye, the images remind me a little of the Huawei P10+ and can look a little flat and lifeless and the camera needs a warmer White Balance (which can be added in Pro mode).. but this is only to my eye..

But its this "mushy" look on distant objects (its like looking out of a rain soaked window) when the object is out of focus instead of that out of focus Bokeh. If 1+ could look at that, that be great.

But on the whole.. a fantastic device with a great camera and ill be keeping it for a year or so because as "barondebxl" said above.. these issues i have can all be fixed with software updates, ao im happy to wait and see....

Unfortunately, YouTube and reviews have alot of people neurotic about their phone cameras.. constantly comparing images of their pictures zoomed in 500 times and because the Pixel 2 xl has a millionth of a clearer image than the S8 or U11 then its the best/worst camera going.. which is silly and pointless as megapixels means nothing in a great image.

IMO, The truth is.. its the subject in the foreground that counts, all else is just waste..

I love my 5T and its worth every penny

 

[barondebxl]

So my 5T arrived first thing this morning and .. its awesome, I love it .. the screen is amazingly bright, in fact, indoors I have it set at 30%... the battery is incredible (so far.. but this is a test over time).. I set up my phone, installed the 474 update, set up google play apps and google assistant, took 40 pics, surfed out my News for the day and played about 1 hrs worth of flac music, so I totalled about 3hrs SoT... and Im still at 60%.. Now thats good .

Audio through the Speaker is Very Loud and surprisingly good for a single speaker, but the headphone jack is excellent... nice and punchy with tight bass but not OTT treble, sounds smooth and music hangs together well.. I tested it with a set of LG QuadBeat 2s, Sennheiser 455s and the AKGs from an S8... the AKGs take some driving.. but all sounded fantastic. One thing though,, I was getting a little interference and crackling in my headphones when I touched or moved the headphones plug, although it didnt cut out. Anyone else?

Now to my main question.. the camera.. I am actually a street (candid) Photographer and I own a Canon 1300D and a Nikpn DSLRs, so i like to think i have a reasonable eye ... but Thankfully, under OS 474... I can say that IMO.. the 5T camera is good, in fact its very good.. even in low light.

I would be happy to take it as a quick point and shoot on a day out, and even though, 1+ removed the Telephoto 2x lens.. the 2x software mode is great.. with no real loss of detail that I can see, Dynamic range is fantastic... I took a statue with the blue sky in the background and it captured staggering amount of detail in the statue itself.. images are detailed, but distance objects can look a bit "mushy" rather than just out of focus.

Theres no barrel or image distortion on the outer edges of the images (ala xperia z5), but like all wide angle phone cameras you will lose detail at the edges, but as long as your subject is in the centre, that isnt a problem., however.....

In portrait mode, the Bokeh background looks a little "mushy" and rarely in some cases the whole image looks as if it has camera shake, your better off just "Tap to focus" and let the camera EIS do the work. also there is minor light streaming and star-burst effects from street lights, which i think has had some attension in the update, but still needs work.

On the whole, to my eye, the images remind me a little of the Huawei P10+ and can look a little flat and lifeless and the camera needs a warmer White Balance (which can be added in Pro mode).. but this is only to my eye..

But its this "mushy" look on distant objects (its like looking out of a rain soaked window) when the object is out of focus instead of that out of focus Bokeh. If 1+ could look at that, that be great.

But on the whole.. a fantastic device with a great camera and ill be keeping it for a year or so because as "barondebxl" said above.. these issues i have can all be fixed with software updates, ao im happy to wait and see....

Unfortunately, YouTube and reviews have alot of people neurotic about their phone cameras.. constantly comparing images of their pictures zoomed in 500 times and because the Pixel 2 xl has a millionth of a clearer image than the S8 or U11 then its the best/worst camera going.. which is silly and pointless as megapixels means nothing in a great image.

IMO, The truth is.. its the subject in the foreground that counts, all else is just waste..

I love my 5T and its worth every penny

I'm glad you like it, it's a great phone without a doubt. For $499 You just can't be at it.