Pixel 2 Camera is phenomenal

[D13H4RD2L1V3]

Well, if you've known how Google does things, it's more of a software showcase than a hardware showcase.

Yes, the hardware is most definitely top-notch, but where the Pixel shines is with its software. Not the app, but its method of computational photography.

Google's arguably ahead of the game right now in terms of how they're utilizing machine learning to enhance photo processing.

 

[jamezr]

Re: Pixel 2 Camera is phenominal

Well ... Perhaps. If so, that has been the case for exactly 1 year, where before that they we very far behind.

My concern goes the other way. Since they have had exactly 1 (one) camera that was better than the competition, it is assumed now that they will be great going forward. I hope this to be true, I even feel this will be true, but we should at least wait to see some real photos and get the Pixel 2 in our hands before we take any bows for Google, just yet .. I don't love the initial pics I see on Youtube so far TBH ..

I kinda disagree with you. The Pixel was the highest rated smartphone camera for a while....the Pixel 2 is now the highest rated smartphone camera. That is not an accident. They focused on the overall use experience and doubled down on the camera for 2 years in a row now.


Here is a link to actual Pixel 2 camera samples

https://photos.app.goo.gl/jdcvpsQtnE5iBALt2

 

[jamezr]

Well, if you've known how Google does things, it's more of a software showcase than a hardware showcase.

Yes, the hardware is most definitely top-notch, but where the Pixel shines is with its software. Not the app, but its method of computational photography.

Google's arguably ahead of the game right now in terms of how they're utilizing machine learning to enhance photo processing.

That is exactly what the do best. Right now the Pixel is a great blend of hardware and software to produce a great user experience.

 

[dsignori]

Re: Pixel 2 Camera is phenominal

I kinda disagree with you. The Pixel was the highest rated smartphone camera for a while....the Pixel 2 is now the highest rated smartphone camera. That is not an accident. They focused on the overall use experience and doubled down on the camera for 2 years in a row now.


Here is a link to actual Pixel 2 camera samples

https://photos.app.goo.gl/jdcvpsQtnE5iBALt2

I have seen these google-released photos. They look great (like all OEM released examples)

I have the Pixel XL, I love the camera. I've also seen Pixel 2 photos posted by non-professional, non-Googlers. So far those look a bit lacking IMO, but I will wait to see more. My point was I will not go by what DxO mark says, I'll trust my own eyes, eyes that see a few under-saturated, low contrast photos from normal users ..

Hopefully the camera will be great. I'm just not going to anoint the camera just yet .

 

[e30ernest]

Re: Pixel 2 Camera is phenominal

I have seen these google-released photos. They look great (like all OEM released examples)

I have the Pixel XL, I love the camera. I've also seen Pixel 2 photos posted by non-professional, non-Googlers. So far those look a bit lacking IMO, but I will wait to see more. My point was I will not go by what DxO mark says, I'll trust my own eyes, eyes that see a few under-saturated, low contrast photos from normal users ..

Hopefully the camera will be great. I'm just not going to anoint the camera just yet .

When I see the photos that some people find under-saturated or lacking in contrast from the Pixels, I wonder if the photos are actually the more accurate ones. Kinda like how most people will tend to like bigger bass and louder treble on their phones while audiophile would go for a flatter or mid-centric sound.

These photos for example from DXOMark:

To me the iPhone image pops out more but the Pixel's image is closer to what I would expect how things would look in the real world.

For me, I would prefer a more accurate color representation rather than an over-saturated one. Should I find the need to make a photo pop, I can always do it later with some very basic editing. Making a photo pop more is easier than correcting inaccurate color reproduction.

 

[dsignori]

Re: Pixel 2 Camera is phenominal

When I see the photos that some people find under-saturated or lacking in contrast from the Pixels, I wonder if the photos are actually the more accurate ones. Kinda like how most people will tend to like bigger bass and louder treble on their phones while audiophile would go for a flatter or mid-centric sound.

These photos for example from DXOMark:

https://cdn.dxomark.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/ref1_Bokeh-Indoor_GooglePixel2-e1506967768712.jpg https://cdn.dxomark.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/ref1_Bokeh-Indoor_ip8Plus.jpg

To me the iPhone image pops out more but the Pixel's image is closer to what I would expect how things would look in the real world.

For me, I would prefer a more accurate color representation rather than an over-saturated one. Should I find the need to make a photo pop, I can always do it later with some very basic editing. Making a photo pop more is easier than correcting inaccurate color reproduction.

Accurate or not the iPhone one is far more pleasing. that is what I care about. Which looks better? We're not submitting photos to a scientific lab here. We want pleasing photos. Which of the above you you want in a picture frame? I want the iPhone one.

 

[e30ernest]

Re: Pixel 2 Camera is phenominal

Accurate or not the iPhone one is far more pleasing. that is what I care about. Which looks better? We're not submitting photos to a scientific lab here. We want pleasing photos. Which of the above you you want in a picture frame? I want the iPhone one.

I said what I want above... I want the more accurate one. The more I see the two photos above, the more I prefer the less saturated one. I even run my Nexus 6P's AMOLED screen on sRGB to lower the saturation because it makes photos and videos look more color-correct when viewed on my phone.

 

[dsignori]

Re: Pixel 2 Camera is phenominal

I said what I want above... I want the more accurate one. The more I see the two photos above, the more I prefer the less saturated one. I even run my Nexus 6P's AMOLED screen on sRGB to lower the saturation because it makes photos and videos look more color-correct when viewed on my phone.

We can agree to disagree then I guess.

 

[nelamvr6]

Re: Pixel 2 Camera is phenominal

Accurate or not the iPhone one is far more pleasing. that is what I care about. Which looks better? We're not submitting photos to a scientific lab here. We want pleasing photos. Which of the above you you want in a picture frame? I want the iPhone one.

So you're saying that you want a camera that isn't accurate. That's fine, there are many products for you to choose from.

 

[dejanh]

Re: Pixel 2 Camera is phenominal

yes.

Color me unimpressed then.

 

[dsignori]

Re: Pixel 2 Camera is phenominal

So you're saying that you want a camera that isn't accurate. That's fine, there are many products for you to choose from.

Oh please. Re-read. I'm saying that just because a photo may be more accurate, that doesn't necessarily mean it is more pleasing.

 

[jamezr]

Re: Pixel 2 Camera is phenominal

Accurate or not the iPhone one is far more pleasing. that is what I care about. Which looks better? We're not submitting photos to a scientific lab here. We want pleasing photos. Which of the above you you want in a picture frame? I want the iPhone one.

It funny...I have been on a lot of forums and I always have heard Samsung among others get blasted for over saturating photos. That photos should be as accurate to the subject as possible. Apple was tired of having Android OEMs get better camera reviews so they started to over saturate photos as well. Now they get praised for it......

You might prefer the over saturated photos and that is great. But That is not how most of us would like to view them.

I am excited for the Pixel 2 and the camera.

 

[e30ernest]

Re: Pixel 2 Camera is phenominal

We can agree to disagree then I guess.

Yeah at this point I really think it'll boil down to preference. Right now (pending actual reviews), the Pixel 2 seems to be the choice for those who want more accurate color reproduction. For those that want more saturated photos, there are better choices for them.

 

[dsignori]

Re: Pixel 2 Camera is phenominal

You might prefer the over saturated photos and that is great. But That is not how most of us would like to view them.

Maybe that is true in these forums. I doubt if this is true for "normal" users ...

 

[Aquila]

Generally photographers want the camera to get the most accurate photo possible and then edit from there. If you want more saturation or pop, etc. that's typically afterwards with snapspeed, lightroom, etc.

 

[jamezr]

Re: Pixel 2 Camera is phenominal

Maybe that is true in these forums. I doubt if this is true for "normal" users ...

I disagree.... I can show people a picture from my iphone....Note 8 and Pixel and they like the Pixel pictures more. They like the accuracy and detail from the Pixel more than the over saturation over the other 2

 

[dsignori]

Re: Pixel 2 Camera is phenominal

I disagree.... I can show people a picture from my iphone....Note 8 and Pixel and they like the Pixel pictures more. They like the accuracy and detail from the Pixel more than the over saturation over the other 2

My friends consistently have the opposite reaction.

 

[dsignori]

Generally photographers want the camera to get the most accurate photo possible and then edit from there. If you want more saturation or pop, etc. that's typically afterwards with snapspeed, lightroom, etc.

I want pleasing photos. I don't want to have to edit them to make them pleasing. Perhaps I won't have to with the Pixel 2. There's not enough samples yet to know. I'll still have my Pixel XL as well, so I'll be able to compare and see, that should be telling as well.

 

[nelamvr6]

Re: Pixel 2 Camera is phenominal

Oh please. Re-read. I'm saying that just because a photo may be more accurate, that doesn't necessarily mean it is more pleasing.

No, I understand exactly what you said, I'm not certain that you understand what you're saying.

 

[dsignori]

I'm not gonna get into any more pedantic arguments here. I'll wait for more samples and hope they look a bit better to me. I ordered the 2 XL and am very excited for it overall.