Feature Articles

Camera Comparison: Five 8-megapixel Smartphones

By Ng Chong Seng & Sidney Wong - 3 Nov 2011

Close-up Test

Close-up Test

The close-up shots below were taken under fluorescent lighting. The camera to subject distance was kept at about 20cm.

Apple iPhone 4 - 1/25s, f/2.8, ISO 80, Pattern metering
Apple iPhone 4S - 1/25s, f/2.4, ISO 80, Pattern metering
HTC Sensation XE - ISO 158
Nokia N9 - 1/30s, f/2.2, ISO 151, Average metering
Samsung Galaxy S II - 1/33s, f/2.7, ISO 50, Centerweighted-average metering
Sony Ericsson Xperia Arc S - 1/32s, f/2.4, ISO 160, Centerweighted-average metering

 

Observations

In general, all the cameras performed well at close-ups. Our iPhone 4 test unit seemed to suffer from the infamous green-tint-at-the-center issue. However, we only noticed this under fluorescent lighting. And as you can see, none of the cameras handled the white balance particularly well: the iPhone 4S came close, while the Sensation XE and Galaxy S II gave a warmer (albeit pleasing) rendition. The other issue lies with the Xperia Arc S: there were several times when the subject was clearly not in focus but the camera still beeped to signal a focus lock.

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