Tag Archives: Camera samples

Asus Zenfone Zoom – FULL Specs and its downside – Editorial

January 5, 2016Android, Tech Newsasus zenfone zoom, camera issues, Camera samples, full specifications, whats missingGavin Fabiani-Laymond

The Asus Zenfone Zoom has been a long time coming and finally Asus have overcome whatever manufacturing issues it had and is releasing the phone for $399 in the US. However, this amazing feat of engineering has some superb specifications but when it comes to the camera it is also let down by a couple of aspects.

The Asus Zenfone Zoom has a Panasonic 13-megapixel SmartFSI sensor and a HOYA 10-element lens. The magic is that this camera is able to provide 3x optical zoom without any parts protruding. Optical image stabilization, laser auto-focus and a dual-tone flash are also present.

And the negative – the aperture ranges from f/2.7 to f/4.8. This is somewhat disappointing as the LG G4 for example managed with a f/1.8.

The Asus ZenFone Zoom comprises of an aluminium body with a removable leather back cover for accessing the micro SD and Micro SIM slots.

The other specifications –

– Display – 5.5-inch 1080p Full HD, 403ppi, IPS LCD
– Corning Gorilla Glass 4
– Processor – 64-bit 2.5GHz Quad-core Intel Atom Z3590 CPU
– Graphics – PowerVR G6430 GPU
– RAM – 4GB LPDDR3
– Internal Storage – 64GB eMCC Flash or 128GB eMCP Flash
– External Storage – microSD (up to 128GB)
– Cameras – 13MP rear-facing camera, 10-element Hoya 3x zoom lens
– 5MP front-facing camera
– Software – Android 5.1 with ASUS ZenUI
– Connectivity Wi-Fi 802.11a/b/g/b/ac
– Bluetooth 4.0+ EDR
– NFC
– micro-USB
– Battery – 3000mAh non-removable Li-Polymer – comes with a rapid charger
– Dimensions – 158.9 x 78.84 x 11.95mm
– Weight – 185g

I really hope this comes to the UK and Europe really quickly as this is one phone I really would love to to test. 3 times optical zoom sounds brilliant and the rest of the specifications are strong too. I just hope the f/2.7 isn’t a show stopper.

Sources – Asus, Engadget, Talk Android, Android Central

Nexus 6P – Just how good is the camera? – Camera Samples

November 10, 2015Android, Reviews, Tech NewsCamera samples, Nexus 6PGavin Fabiani-Laymond

The Nexus 6P is the first Nexus phone to have a decent camera. The camera has large pixels, 1.55 microns but does omit optical image stabilisation. Google commented that OIS was not required with such large pixels.

Whilst in my testing, the lack of optical image stabilisation has not been an issue for many of the shots, I do believe it would make a difference still especially in low light. I also believe the software could be further enhanced over time to make the camera a fair bit better all round.

Anyway, some random shots from the Nexus 6P.

Photo 1 – Plenty of fog, but a good shot despite the conditions.

Photo 2 – The Famous Church Shot – A very good shot

Photo 3 – Olives and More – Good detail

Photo 4 – Tesco Tavistock – A really grim day but good definition on the sign

Photo 5 – Leaves – a reasonable amount of bokeh

Photo 6 – Cheese – Again lots of detail

Photo 7 – Tesco – Zooming in on the Tesco sign reveals good detail again

Just some background when taking these photos. I took these all hand held and as fast as possible. Overall, I like the quality of the Nexus 6P photos. However, HDR+ takes too long to save photos and the battery life gets zapped when taking photos.

Sony Xperia Z5 Compact – Camera shots from the 23mp sensor

November 2, 2015Android, Reviews, Tech NewsCamera samples, Sony Xperia Z5 CompactGavin Fabiani-Laymond

Everybody seems obsessed nowadays with the camera quality from a smartphone. With the Sony Z5 Compact this is even more the case as DxOmark gave it the number 1 rating out of every smartphone. So is the camera really that good?

Well, these are some random shots I have taken over the weekend. These were just quick snaps. Some low light shots as well at the end. If you want to see full size, click on the photo. So are these amazing quality photos?

Finally just a quick thanks to Clove Technology who sent the phone. Currently comes with a free pair of headphones.

The above shot is at night of the visitors centre in Princetown.

Even more challenging is the local church as their is no lights to help focus.

Above a portrait of one of my dogs Tiggy.

Below are 3 of the photos using Timeshift Burst.

Above just some random close up of a plant.

Below are random shots of my local church.

So what do you think? For some extra background behinds these photos, these are the very first shots I took from the camera so I have not even looked at the manual options yet.

Below are shots from my second attempt at using the camera.

If you want to see all 25 shots taken with the Sony Xperia Z5 Compact, click HERE.

My thanks again to Clove Technology.

Sony Xperia Z5 Compact – Just how good is the new 23mp camera – See for yourself!

October 8, 2015Android, Reviews, Tech NewsCamera samples, camera test, Sony Xperia Z5Gavin Fabiani-Laymond

Sony smartphone sensors appear on all the best flagship phones from Apple and Samsung and then appear on a whole load of other phones.

With the new Sony Xperia Z5 range, Sony has used a new 23mp sensor. So just how good is the sensor? Reader “Whitehartmart” kindly sent in some sample Z5 Compact photos from his phone. So have a look at the photos below and decide for yourself. I have uploaded the full res shots in to the post. If necessary click on photo, then select full size in the options.

So what do you think of the camera samples from the Sony Xperia Z5 Compact?

Thanks again to Whitehartmart for the photos.

More Photos from the iPhone 6S Plus – plus opinions on the camera quality vs LG G4 and Samsung Galaxy S6

September 28, 2015Apple, Reviews, Tech Newscamera review, Camera samples, iPhone 6S PlusGavin Fabiani-Laymond

Well I have used the iPhone 6S Plus over the weekend and taken a number of photos now. Bit by bit I am beginning to see the strengths and weaknesses.

First the photos. Remember, clicking on each photo will bring you to my Flickr account. There you can view the full size.

These all look amazing, except there are some limitations that I spotted. Despite near perfect weather, unless I got closer to my dogs, which in these shots I was unable, they are not as crystal clear, and cropping in closer does not help matters. The LG G4 would have nailed a shot like this and allowed me to crop in too without losing too much picture quality. However, the overall balance and picture reproduction is stunning. The panoramic shots are really impressive. The shutter speed of the 6S is super fast and even allows a burst of 999 shots. 4K video is better IMO than the LG G4 and just ahead of the S6. Lower light goes to the G4 and S6. The front selfie screen flash works very well. Live photos are superb. Just love the extra motion as I browse through the shots. Brings the moment back to life. The other aspect of the iPhone is reliability. It is so great at getting the shot correct first time every time.

Before I got this phone, IMO, the LG G4 had the best camera for stills. And I still believe it does with all the built in manual controls, RAW and its overall ability to find the light with its f/1.8 vs the iPhone 6S Plus f/2.2. However, the G4 loses out to video quality and other some other shots like panoramic. Of course, a phone is not always just about the camera!

Honor 7 – Just how good is the 20mp Sony Sensor? – Read on

September 24, 2015Android, Reviews, Tech NewsCamera samples, Honor 7, ReviewGavin Fabiani-Laymond

So I have only just got the Honor 7, so snapped a few random shots in auto with the 20mp Sony Sensor.

See sample shots below –

Above, fog had arrived on Dartmoor. A difficult shot in terms of focusing, but the Honor 7 did an okay job.

This turned out better, with the orange colour popping.

Not so impressed here. A bit over exposed and looking washed out.

And now a macro of the flower.

Again, over exposed slightly, but a fair amount of detail. The Honor 7 does have optical image stabilisation which might have assisted here.

Reasonable shot this time.

Huawei Mate S – Camera showdown plus time lapse

September 4, 2015Android, Reviews, Tech NewsCamera, Camera samples, Huawei Mate S, Review, time lapse, touchthemomentGavin Fabiani-Laymond

I now have been using the Huawei Mate S camera for several days.

I have posted several photos but also now uploaded the original shots plus a whole load more to a dedicated Flickr album. Click here https://flic.kr/s/aHskj289sE

None of the photos have been post processed.

Here a few posted before and some new ones. Don’t forget to click on the Flickr link to see all the photos.

Supernightmode is a treat to use. As is the light painting modes eg silky water. These special modes on the camera app make taking fancy shots a breeze. The quality is equally good too.

The time lapse mode is fantastic too. The below video took 20 mins.

Vodafone Smart Ultra 6 – Camera Samples with my views

August 9, 2015Android, Reviews, Tech NewsCamera samples, Review, Vodafone Smart Ultra 6Gavin Fabiani-Laymond

Over the weekend I have been putting the £125 Vodafone Smart Ultra 6 through its paces. My review will be live on Monday.

In the meantime, below are some camera samples with my views on each photo.

Low Light Shot

The VSU6 really does not like low light from the rear camera. Loads of noise. On the plus side, the Expendable Burger was magnificent. Auto mode used for this shot.

Close Up

The lighting was good for this shot, but the result was just passable. Auto mode.

Landscape Shot

Good daylight, and a reasonable photo. I would be happy to share this. Snapped in auto mode.

The Famous Church Shot

I always take a photo of my local church with nearly every phone. That way it is easier to compare phone from phone. This is a much better result, although the sky is blown out by the sun. Taken in auto mode.

The Famous Church Shot – HDR

The resolution drops in HDR, and personally I have not liked any of the other HDR shots snapped on this phone. Avoid using HDR on this phone.

Again, remember this is a £125 phone. The camera does have a wealth of extra modes which I will cover off in the main review.

LG G4 – More Camera Samples

May 21, 2015Android, Reviews, Tech NewsCamera samples, LG G4Gavin Fabiani-Laymond

The weather on Dartmoor has been a mixed bag over the last few days, making it difficult to take photographs.

Anyway below are a selection of camera shots snapped so far by the LG G4.

Below is a view from the summit of Hartland Tor, Dartmoor.

This is also from Hartland Tor summit, but from the East side.

Below is a crop from a dandelion. Lots of detail here.

Happy Families – Life on Dartmoor is one of my most popular photos I have ever uploaded to Flickr.

Merivale, Dartmoor. The original Tower Bridge in London was built using the granite from Merivale quarry, now abandoned.

Example of a Panoramic shot.

One of my favourite shots of my 3 dogs. Apart from George smiling, Fury’s (black dog) name tag is floating in the air. Amazing detail. And look at all the water droplets frozen mid air around the dogs.

Lets not forget Tiggy. She is a bionic dog. Maybe she ate my breakfast below to give herself bionic powers.

And I hope this is what you are all eating for breakfast 🙂

Oneplus One Camera Samples

May 3, 2015Android, Reviews, Tech NewsCamera samples, OnePlus One, ReviewGavin Fabiani-Laymond

My main review of the Oneplus One should be live at some point tomorrow. In the meantime, have a look at some of the camera shots taken using the default camera app.

There is another camera app available (plus a few others) that helps improve the quality. But just to get you started take a look at the below. The weather was poor for taking these shots as well.