Category Archives: Tech News

Sony Xperia Z1 – Roxfit Desert Tan Book Case review

Android, Reviews, Tech News, ,

The other day I received a Roxfit Desert Tan Book case for my Sony Xperia Z1. Roxfit are the official case makers for Sony Xperia phones.

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The finish is lovely, the Z1 fits snugly into the case. Fully closed, you can still see the notification light and speak on the phone too with the case closed.

Opening the case up, reveals a credit card slot, access to all the ports too. The rear has a cutout for the camera.
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The magnetic charging area on the Z1 is accessible with the case open, but it wont work inside the DK31 dock. When closed you can open the micro sd flap and charge the phone.

I am very pleased with this case and just wish Apple made this finish for its 5S.

Final Thoughts on the cameras of the Sony Xperia Z1 vs iPhone 5S

Android, Apple, Reviews, Tech News, , ,

Over the last few days, and maybe a few days before that I have uploaded camera samples from both the above phones. They are totally different animals, but here are my thoughts. The good news with both of these phones is that they can both be used with the quirky Sony QX10 hub lens.

Sony Xperia Z1 –

This is a newly released phone for Sony. It has software bugs. The phone has rebooted for no apparent reason about once a day and the camera frozen once too. The photos are focused in the centre of a shot, but out of focus around the edges. Bright days, the photos seems over processed. Low light can be dreadful. It just depends on the type of low light. However, the camera options are extensive. 61 shots in a second and 20.7mp photos too. I am keeping the Z1 because I really like it and I reckon after at least 2 software updates from Sony will be once amazing phone and camera. That probably will take 3 months at a guess. Panoramic photos seem to be low resolution affairs. I don’t understand why that it. I also believe if Sony had included Optical Image Stabilisation, this phone would be unbeatable in the camera department. The photos I have taken show incredible depth as well.

iPhone 5S –

Less is more is the moto here. High quality shots every time practically with no effort. It is just auto mode. Apple offer a square box option and very high quality panoramic photos. The photos show more natural colours too. I have taken some amazing photos of my dogs. There are other options, but not that many. I would call the 5S camera gimmick free just fast quality photos. Currently, in terms of quality I would pip the 5S ahead of the Z1. But I am keeping both phones, so will revisit the camera test as Sony updates the firmware.

In summary, don’t buy the Z1 for its camera

Mega Camera shootout – iPhone 5S vs Sony Xperia Z1 – share you view on the better phone!

Android, Apple, Reviews, Tech News,

Apple has just released the iPhone 5S with its improved A7 processor and updated camera 8mp. Meanwhile Sony has also recently released its bad boy Sony Xperia Z1, with a huge 20.7mp camera.

They do say size isn’t everything, but how will this pan out in real life tests. Below are 3 sample shots from both cameras. To view the full resolution versions along with all the exif data, additional photos for comparison, go to my special Flickr set http://www.flickr.com/photos/gavinfabl100/sets/72157635718285964/ .

First up you will notice that the iPhone 5S does not shoot in widescreen 16:9, rather 4:3. The Z1 in superior auto mode shoots in 16:9 and in manual 20.7mp settings is also 4:3. Again, study the photos here and on my Flickr set. And decide which is best. Tomorrow, I will give you my opinions on the 2 phones.

First up inside Costa Coffee with the Z1.
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Now with the 5S.
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Inside the Apple Store Plymouth with the Z1.
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Now using the 5S.
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Ok, lets go outside. It is a grim day with overcast skies. Z1 goes first again.
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And once again same shot but with the iPhone 5S.
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And outdoors again on Dartmoor. It is a foggy day. First up the Z1.
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And lastly, the 5S.
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To see more photo examples including 20mp shots from the Z1, go to my Flickr set http://www.flickr.com/photos/gavinfabl100/sets/72157635718285964/ .

And leave you views in the comments. They all count. Tomorrow I will conclude with my thoughts on the cameras.

So the new iPhones – my views

Apple, Tech News,

I am just back from the Apple Store Plymouth iPhone 5S/5C event. I am tired but pleased I was able to pick up a new 5S with a green leather case. Well it was green in the Apple store, but it now looks yellow. I must be very tired.

The 5S looks identical to the 5. I have not had time to use it properly, but it does look good with iOS 7 and the finger print scanner works as advertised.

For me the highlight of the event was the iPhone 5C. I really wanted to have the 5S spec but in the C body. My favourite colour was green, with blue a close second. The 5C looks much nicer in real life and exudes quality. But it really should cost less IMO. But this is Apple we are talking about.

The gold 5S looked good, very good, but silver or space grey are equally as good. In fact, space grey is probably the best colour. It looks really smart.

Anyway, once I have used my 5S for a while, I will give you some first impressions. But I have tried the camera indoors in lowish light. It is marvellous.