PhotoGraphy Blog Review on Nexus 5 w/4.4.2 Review

[Shilohcane]

PhotoGraphy Blog Review gave the Nexus 5 w/4.4.2 a Recommend Rating with 4 out of 5 stars and gave it a image quality of 4.5 stars. This is the Rating & Conclusion page but you can read the whole story from the link in the story.

PhotoGraphy Blog Review on Nexus 5 w/4.4.2 Review Rating & Conclusion page

Ratings (out of 5)
Design 4
Features 4
Ease-of-use 3.5
Image quality 4.5 ( Same as Lumia 1020 )
Value for money 5

 

[Shilohcane]

This is the Rating & Conclusion page for the Nokia Lumia 1020 That got 4 Stars

Ratings (out of 5)
Design 4.5
Features 4
Ease-of-use 3.5
Image quality 4.5
Value for money 3.5

 

[Shilohcane]

This is the Rating & Conclusion page for the Samsung Galaxy S4 that got 4 Stars

Ratings (out of 5)
Design 4
Features 4
Ease-of-use 4
Image quality 4
Value for money 3.5

 

[Shilohcane]

This is the Rating & Conclusion page for the Sony Xperia Z1 that got 4 Stars

Ratings (out of 5)
Design 4.5
Features 4.5
Ease-of-use 4
Image quality 3.5
Value for money 4

 

[Shilohcane]

This is the Rating & Conclusion page for The HTC One that got 4 Stars

Ratings (out of 5)
Design 4.5
Features 4.5
Ease-of-use 4
Image quality 4
Value for money 3.5

 

[flick0416]

I agree, the Nexus 5 image quality is good...but the same as the Lumia 1020? I don't think so. They say in their conclusion of the 1020 that in terms of image quality, it's the best in the business. Just seems like an odd scale.

 

[Jeremy8000]

I agree, the Nexus 5 image quality is good...but the same as the Lumia 1020? I don't think so. They say in their conclusion of the 1020 that in terms of image quality, it's the best in the business. Just seems like an odd scale.

I can't speak to relative performance as I have no experience with the Lumia 1020, but it's worth noting that when they said "The Nokia Lumia 1020 is a very capable photo-taking device that delivers the best image quality of any smartphone," it was in a review dated 10/21/13, before the Nexus 5 was even released, and can only be taken as their definitive opinion of its performance versus other smartphones available at that time. The Nexus 5 review is dated 12/11/13 and considers the impact of the 4.4.2 patch.

A pertinent question is whether the reviewer (Mark Goldstein) maintains a static scale of performance or one that is adjusted to the relative landscape of smartphone camera performance that is contemporaneous to the review (e.g., a phone he might have rated as 4 stars two years ago might only earn 2 stars today). Being less than two months apart, though, it's fairly likely that his opinion is that they are very similar in overall picture quality performance, taking the varied elements into performance.

 

[xchange]

A pretty fair review IMO. For those looking for another source Digital Photography Review is the oldest and most recognized photography website on the internet today, here's their scores:

Rating & Conclusion page for the Google Nexus 5
7.1

Rating & Conclusion page for the Nokia Lumia 1020
8.8

Rating & Conclusion page for the Sony Xperia Z1
7.8

Rating & Conclusion page for the LGG2
7.4

Rating & Conclusion page for the Samsung Galaxy S4
8.0

Rating & Conclusion page for the HTC One
7.5

All pretty close. We're only looking at less than a full point difference between them all which is negligible IMO, with the exception of the Lumia. I think the Samsung reviewer may have been a little too generous as well. I'm still waiting for a proper Note 3 review from them.

 

[Shilohcane]

I agree, the Nexus 5 image quality is good...but the same as the Lumia 1020? I don't think so. They say in their conclusion of the 1020 that in terms of image quality, it's the best in the business. Just seems like an odd scale.

That site I posted in this thread primarily test and reviews real cameras and it looks like they only started reviewing camera phones in 2013. I went back all the way to their camera reviews to 2011 and didn't see more than one minor Window phone I skipped. I really wish they had the Apple 5s or 5c reviewed but that site is mainly into real camera reviews that aren't cell phones.

I read the whole review and technically it is way over my head so I like the conclusion that put their finding into English that I could understand. I have never seen a Lumia 1020 pictures first hand but I think a lot of people have just bought into their marketing campaign they have the best photos since they have a 41 Mpix camera.

 

[Shilohcane]

A pretty fair review IMO. For those looking for another source Digital Photography Review is the oldest and most recognized photography website on the internet today, here's their scores:

Rating & Conclusion page for the Google Nexus 5
7.1

.

The only problem with that review was it was on Published: Nov 29, 2013. So that review was tested under 4.4.0 Kit Kat before the 4.4.2 update. We have different software that fixed a lot of the problems with the Nexus 5's camera.

This is the updated review from your site with 4.4.1 still not 4.4.2 that is current but a little closer than the first review http://connect.dpreview.com/post/0940178406/android-update-google-nexus-nexus5-smartphone

 

[JeffDenver]

PhotoGraphy Blog Review on Nexus 5 w/4.4.2 Review

Image quality 4.5 ( Same as Lumia 1020 )

Hmm...imagine that. Reviewers who have actually used the Nexus with the 4.4.2 update appear to be impressed with it now.

So I guess people who use reviewers to define their opinions can be better informed now. They won't have to rely on reviews based on older versions of the software.

 

[xchange]

The only problem with that review was it was on Published: Nov 29, 2013. So that review was tested under 4.4.0 Kit Kat before the 4.4.2 update and isn't any good since we have different software that fixed a lot of the problems with the Nexus 5's camera.

This is the updated review from your site with 4.4.1 not 4.4.2 that is a little closer Android 4.4.1 software update changes: What the Android 4.4.1 update means for Google's Nexus 5 shooters: Connect

That review was updated with all of the Nexus 5 camera changes in effect. All of the camera changes in both 4.4.1 and 4.4.2 are identical. There's been some misleading wording by a few websites about that so I see why there's some confusion.

Hmm...imagine that. Reviewers who have actually used the Nexus with the 4.4.2 update appear to be impressed with it now.

So I guess people who use reviewers to define their opinions can be better informed now. They won't have to rely on reviews based on older versions of the software

I already told you about the above in the other thread, did you miss it?

 

[JeffDenver]

For the record, I in no way believe that the nexus equals the Lumia 1020 in image quality. Based on samples I have seen, the Lumia ROFLStomps everything on the market right now that is inside a phone.

The Nexus does produce excellent images for a phone camera IMO, especially since 4.4.2, but I have yet to see anything that touches the Lumia. Especially in low light. It's not that the Nexus sucks, it's that the Lumia camera is just THAT good.

 

[flick0416]

For the record, I in no way believe that the nexus equals the Lumia 1020 in image quality. Based on samples I have seen, the Lumia ROFLStomps everything on the market right now that is inside a phone.

The Nexus does produce excellent images for a phone camera IMO, especially since 4.4.2, but I have yet to see anything that touches the Lumia. Especially in low light. It's not that the Nexus sucks, it's that the Lumia camera is just THAT good.

Agreed. I'm absolutely satisfied and happy with the quality of pics I get with my N5, but it just seems a bit of a stretch to put it on the same level, in terms of image quality, as the 1020.

 

[Shilohcane]

That review was updated with all of the Nexus 5 camera changes in effect. All of the camera changes in both 4.4.1 and 4.4.2 are identical. There's been some misleading wording by a few websites about that so I see why there's some confusion.

I already told you about the above in the other thread, did you miss it?

I sure haven't read that all the camera changes are identical between 4.4.1 and 4.4.2

Do you own a Nexus 5? Since everything I have seen from you on this site you is getting into confrontations with people with your opinion is that the Nexus 5 has a average camera that is " middle of the road ". The fact is in your post you claimed your opinions on the Nexus 5 were based primarily on the Digital Photography Review of the Nexus 5.

Even your own Digital Photography Review you posted disputed your statements about the Nexus 5 being " Average and Middle of the Road". Where Digital Photography Review said;

Apart from the operational issues, the Nexus 5 has a lot to offer to the mobile photographer. The phone produces images that are fully competitive: they don’t challenge the best of the market, but neither are they dramatically inferior to phones in its class (the same couldn’t be said of the Nexus 4).

 

[xchange]

I sure haven't read that all the camera changes are identical between 4.4.1 and 4.4.2

Do you own a Nexus 5? Since everything I have seen from you on this site you is getting into confrontations with people with your opinion is that the Nexus 5 has a average camera. The fact is in your post you claimed all your opinions on the Nexus 5 were based primarily on the Digital Photography Review of the Nexus 5.

Even your own Digital Photography Review you posted disputed your statements about the Nexus 5 being Average. Where Digital Photography Review said;

I'm 100% sure about the 4.4.2 update, it's been mentioned on techradar and elsewhere as well that people are confusing what was in the 4.4.2 update released within a week of 4.4.1. It was basically a hotfix for a few issues. You'll see once the official changelog gets posted. Sprint also mentioned it.

As for your last comment don't take it personal. There's a difference between fervent brand loyalty and being able to admit certain faults, and I'm not one of those who fall into the former category. Some people can't handle criticism, even if it comes from a fellow owner: Yes I do own Nexus 5. And a Nexus 4 and 7. I also owned the very first Nexus phone. Be cool man, don't be one of those guys who gets angry every time some shortcomings get mentioned. Is that really where we're going to go? And I'd love to see these confrontations you're mentioning. I'm 100% positive that I've been debating not "confronting", never once stepping out of line, and have even thanked every single one of those debating against me for their opinions. I read quite a LOT of posts by a Nexus 4 owner that made a ton of people angry and upset because he had some criticisms, but now that same person is championing the Nexus 5, that's ok now? But not for me? That's interesting. C'mon.

 

[Shilohcane]

I'm 100% sure about the 4.4.2 update, it's been mentioned on techradar and elsewhere as well that people are confusing what was in the 4.4.2 update released within a week of 4.4.1. It was basically a hotfix for a few issues. You'll see once the official changelog gets posted. Sprint also mentioned it.

As for your last comment don't take it personal. There's a difference between fervent brand loyalty and being able to admit certain faults, and I'm not one of those who fall into the former category. Some people can't handle criticism, even if it comes from a fellow owner: Yes I do own Nexus 5. And a Nexus 4 and 7. I also owned the very first Nexus phone. Be cool man, don't be one of those guys who gets angry every time some shortcomings get mentioned. Is that really where we're going to go? And I'd love to see these confrontations you're mentioning. I'm 100% positive that I've been debating not "confronting", never once stepping out of line, and have even thanked every single one of those debating against me for their opinions. I read quite a LOT of posts by a Nexus 4 owner that made a ton of people angry and upset because he had some criticisms, but now that same person is championing the Nexus 5, that's ok now? But not for me? That's interesting. C'mon.

So tell me how you can claim the Nexus 5 was just "Average and only a Middle of the Road" camera even after the updates when you tell us not to trust other forum people since you based your opinions off of Digital Photography Review? The same Digital Photography Review that disputed your statements about the Nexus 5 being " Average and Middle of the Road" with this statement?;

"Apart from the operational issues, the Nexus 5 has a lot to offer to the mobile photographer. The phone produces images that are fully competitive: they don’t challenge the best of the market, but neither are they dramatically inferior to phones in its class (the same couldn’t be said of the Nexus 4).

Colors are usually pleasant, if not as natural as on the highest-profile 8MP shooter in the field, the iPhone 5s."

This is your statement and opinion of the Nexus 5 where you cited Digital Photography Review for coming up with your opinion of "Just Average and Middle of the Road".

Both phones have "average" cameras so I wouldn't buy either based on Camera. The recent camera update to the N5 made an average camera slightly better but that's it, it's still just an average contender. I'm not just basing that on personal observation but an 8 page in depth (and updated) digital photography review that I happen to agree with. Please note that I'm not saying it's a bad camera, I'm just saying it's middle of the road as far as smartphone cams go. If you're looking for a better than average camera I'd probably go with a G2 right now. And please don't base camera quality off of shots taken by forum members. They aren't pros, and they don't use a professional photograph taken with a high end camera for you to see as a baseline for the other images compared. http://forums.androidcentral.com/moto-x/344634-decision-time-mx-vs-n5.html#post3325260

 

[xchange]

That's your take on it, I can't help you with how you interpret my posts. I also own a Moto X, Note 3 and a G2, and recently sold my HTC One among other devices so I'm not just invested in this one.

I don't see the conflict between what I said and what they said anyway. They just used different words to say average.

You appear to be hot for a forum fight but I'm not interested in that. Thanks for your input anyway.