Pixel 2 camera: massive disappointment

[sixty_four]

I don't have any bias and judged the pictures without looking at the description. I would agree that the second picture has more saturated color, however it's definitely not as sharp to my eye.

I don't have a great eye for photos or know much about all the photography jargon that gets thrown around but the top one looks overexposed and oversharpened when compared to the bottom one.

For eyes like mine, it's all relative. Show me that top one alone and I'd tell you it's awesome. Same for the bottom.

 

[sixty_four]

I don't have any bias and judged the pictures without looking at the description. I would agree that the second picture has more saturated color, however it's definitely not as sharp to my eye.

Oh, and I wasn't singling out anyone for biased responses. It's just that's what tends to happen in these device-specific forums.

 

[Mike Dee]

I don't have a great eye for photos or know much about all the photography jargon that gets thrown around but the top one looks overexposed and oversharpened when compared to the bottom one.

For eyes like mine, it's all relative. Show me that top one alone and I'd tell you it's awesome. Same for the bottom.

Regardless of knowledge we all know what looks and sounds best to us. Back to the topic at hand...I the OP could post more samples we could better help to determine if he has a bad unit.

 

[Maljunulo]

"Oversharpened" means higher resolution.

 

[cbreze]

I guess it's to each their own but to me the oversaturated 2nd picture is just not a natural looking reproduction. I fully get it tho that alot of people like the oversaturated effect. My iPhone 7 does not oversaturate tho so maybe both cams need tweaking. I dunno, still think the top shot is the more natural picture. I always use auto mode tho, so that would certainly make a difference in my pictures.

 

[sixty_four]

"Oversharpened" means higher resolution.

I don't think this is an accurate statement.

 

[Fred98TJ]

"Oversharpened" means higher resolution.

Ah, no. Oversharpened means just that and has nothing to do with resolution. It results in artifacts such as halos and ringing.
And,of course, a “sharp” photo is not necessarily a good photo.
As the late Ansel Adams once said “there is nothing worse that a sharp photo of a fuzzy concept”.

 

[chriskwarren]

I was surrounded by a pile of iPhone users (some had iPhone 7s, a 7 plus, some 6s, etc) and I was designated as the Christmas picture guy the entire holiday season because my 2XL was consistently outperforming other phones. Most of the photos I took were indoors, in dimly-lit pubs, etc.

 

[DesertTwang]

Regardless of knowledge we all know what looks and sounds best to us. Back to the topic at hand...I the OP could post more samples we could better help to determine if he has a bad unit.

Thank you all so much for weighing in. I really appreciate all your opinions. I'll post more photos as soon as I have a chance.

 

[Mike Dee]

I don't think this is an accurate statement.

A good explanation of sharpening

https://photography.tutsplus.com/tutorials/what-is-image-sharpening--cms-26627

 

[Forest Dane]

My iPhone owning partner always makes me take photos because my camera is better. She doesn't even know what phone I have.

 

[ImTurningViolet]

Here's a pic of my x mas a party. You could really blame lighting not knowing the circumstances of the picture. I'm telling you this is a crap picture though. I can't side by side it w a good one because it's the only one I have, but this pic is terrible and it's definitely the camera not the user or lighting or focus. It was actually warm light in there, not harsh florescent light.

 

[ImTurningViolet]

hey op, there's a stickied thread of pixel 2 photos. You should see if your p2 can take a photo as good as any of those instead of asking people to judge photos of yours when we can't tell the lighting etc.... even though, I'll say one last time I think you got a bad one.

 

[Mike Dee]

Here's a pic of my x mas a party. You could really blame lighting not knowing the circumstances of the picture. I'm telling you this is a crap picture though. I can't side by side it w a good one because it's the only one I have, but this pic is terrible and it's definitely the camera not the user or lighting or focus. It was actually warm light in there, not harsh florescent light.

Do you recall if your white balance was on auto or manual?

 

[ImTurningViolet]

Do you recall if your white balance was on auto or manual?

Not sure. I didn't change any settings and noticed the poor picture quality right away. I can tell you every pic I took with it was bad though. It made me feel like I was crazy. The pictures were all passable but not good.

I can tell you the Google people didn't make me send examples or anything. Just sent me a new phone straight away.

 

[Mike Dee]

Not sure. I didn't change any settings and noticed the poor picture quality right away. I can tell you every pic I took with it was bad though. It made me feel like I was crazy. The pictures were all passable but not good.

I can tell you the Google people didn't make me send examples or anything. Just sent me a new phone straight away.

I find auto white balance doesn't always get it right.
Here's a sample in auto

 

[Mike Dee]

Here's manual and accurate colors

 

[marcb11]

Here's manual and accurate colors

Off topic, that's a metro North train isn't it? Lol sit on one every day.

On topic, the iPhone looks too warm and oversaturated. It's what people like. Also you cannot judge a picture based on an internet post as everyone has a different screen, phone, calibration setting etc.

You may have a bad camera but only way to know is a true apples to apples comparison. Sam le pic, same time, same lighting viewed on the same screen.

 

[LeoRex]

Yeah... The hallmark of the Pixel cameras is their ability to take detailed, well exposed shots regardless of whether or not you actually put any effort into setting up the shot. If that isn't happening, there's a problem.

As for white balance, that's a crap shoot in every phone... Especially in indoor lighting. My living room confuses every digital camera I've ever owned... The lighting and soft yellow paint on the walls usually results in a horribly yellowed picture... Requiring me to either manually set the WB or fix in post.

 

[Mike Dee]

Yeah... The hallmark of the Pixel cameras is their ability to take detailed, well exposed shots regardless of whether or not you actually put any effort into setting up the shot. If that isn't happening, there's a problem.

As for white balance, that's a crap shoot in every phone... Especially in indoor lighting. My living room confuses every digital camera I've ever owned... The lighting and soft yellow paint on the walls usually results in a horribly yellowed picture... Requiring me to either manually set the WB or fix in post.

Agreed...especially doors auto white balance sucks on most cameras.
I usually forget but when I can remember I prefer manual white balance.