One of the most common decisions when choosing a smartphone is its camera quality. By always carrying it with you, it is the equipment with which We capture planned and spontaneous moments, and that is why it is worth looking beyond megapixels and understand how they perform in different scenarios, as explained why cameras stand out of most smartphones.
Three great devices are currently dominating the market for large smartphones. And it is that, oddly enough, the HTC One X enters the list of the big three, despite coming out much earlier than these. The iPhone 5 and the Galaxy S3 They are the two that dominate, as expected, the world of mobile devices. Many comparisons We've covered these phones, but the truth is that now we're going to focus on something different: their cameras. Do you think the camera could make you decide on one of these smartphones? The answer is very clear: no. For one simple reason: the cameras are very similar in all three devices. To begin with, it's worth noting that in all three cases we're talking about an eight-megapixel, BSI CMOS sensor, that is, backlit. BSI CMOS sensors are constructed in such a way that they allow more light to enter the photodiodes. This is especially important, since it allows for a lower amount of light needed for a good photo, and therefore, we can take better photos in a greater number of environments and with a wider range of light levels.
Regarding the lenses of each of them, we know that the iPhone 5 features an f2.4 of 33mm, while the Galaxy S3 wears a 2.6 mm f27, closing the circle with that of the HTC One X, which is a 2mm f28. These lenses are brighter because they take in a greater amount of light. The benefit of this is that to take good photos it is not necessary to use a higher ISO, which adds noise to the image.
At Cnet they have compared the cameras of these three smartphones, with a very clear conclusion, and that is that the three are extremely equal. On the one hand, the camera iPhone 5 It is more basic and has fewer options than the other two, since it does not give us access to the ISO options or the white balance. However, it does have HDR and panorama mode.
On the other hand, the cameras of the HTC One X and the Samsung Galaxy S3 they seem to be more designed to aim and shoot quickly. It is interesting that these do allow modifying parameters such as ISO sensitivity and other technical factors. However, what should be asked is how many people make use of these details on a mobile device. In addition, they also include HDR and a panorama mode.
In the comparison, subjective data has also been taken on the firing speed, and the time it takes from taking the photo until a new one can be taken with the camera. All three cameras are so fast that there doesn't seem to be any human appreciation. In the end, what we've concluded is that if someone says one of these three cameras is vastly better than the other, or is the best in the world, they're lying, because the similarities are extremely strong. However, it is emphasized that the tie is greater in small-sized photographs.
Apparently, as the size of the photo increases, the iPhone 5 stands out from the rest. In any case, you can judge for yourself the difference between them in the photographs that we show you throughout the entire post, taken by the Cnet team.
What you should value beyond megapixels
The three models share 8 MP BSI sensors, but the final quality also depends on the image processing, pixel size, and optics. It's worth remembering that higher resolution doesn't always mean better results: there are 8MP sensors that outperform higher resolution sensors in dynamic range and noise. In additional comparisons with other mobile phones of its time (such as some Xperia or even Chinese proposals like Xiaomi M2), it can be seen that the combination of sensor, lens and software can weigh more than adding megapixels, and it is also interesting to know emerging technologies such as invisible cameras under the screen.
Daylight, HDR and panorama
In good light, the differences are subtle but they do exist. iPhone 5 usually offers very balanced and consistent colors, something that is noticeable when activating HDR, where he balances skies and shadows with naturalness. The Galaxy S3 performs very well, although in certain scenes it can show a cooler tone and panoramas with reexposure between shots. The HTC One X It is fast and reliable, but its HDR can be a bit difficult something processed in high-contrast scenes. If you like to shoot landscapes, the iPhone tends to have better control over the sky, and the S3/One X are appreciated for fine-tuning a scene or using HDR sparingly.
Low light and use of flash
In low light, BSI sensors help, but each mobile phone resolves the problem differently. noise and sharpness. The HTC One X, with its f/2.0 aperture, excels in dark environments by maintaining more detail with less grain. The Galaxy S3 It is close, with clean, if somewhat cold, results. iPhone 5 It can introduce more noise when light is scarce, but with flash offers a more representation natural and warm of skin tone compared to their rivals, who tend to blue the scene.
Interface, controls and experience
If you like manual control, HTC One X y Samsung Galaxy S3 allow you to modify ISO, white balance and use scene modes and effects. The iPhone 5 Go for simplicity: shoot in automatic mode and add HDR and native panorama Well-resolved. For most, speed and ease outweigh tweaking parameters; those looking to fine-tune will find more scope on the S3 and One X without the need for external apps.
Detail when enlarged and actual use
When the photos are enlarged, differences in size become apparent. microcontrast and textures. Generally speaking, the iPhone 5 preserves a most usable definition in large size. The Galaxy S3 produces very good images for screen and small prints, but loses some finesse when enlarged further. HTC One X It remains competitive, especially if the photo was taken in good light or with its advantage in low light. In any case, we're talking about subtle differences: for social media and personal albums, all three pass the test.
Speed ​​and consistency
All three offer a quick shot, with very little lag and quick recovery between shots. This is key for capturing spontaneous moments without missing a shot. Plus, its autofocus is agile and consistent, and the transition to video mode is immediate, making them solid options as pocket camera for the day to day.
As a general recommendation, it is advisable to evaluate real samples and not be carried away by promotional images that do not reflect everyday use. There are even comparisons against professional cameras such as a Full-frame DSLR, useful for understanding limits and advantages, although they are not comparable. Since each user has a different level of demands, consider whether you value more balanced HDR and large-scale detail (iPhone 5), versatile settings and good overall color (Galaxy S3), or low-light performance and fast shooting (HTC One X). With any of the three, casual photography is well covered.
