Disappointed with the camera

[Shanghaichica]

I haven't tried it outdoors yet but indoors it's (7 plus) better than my 6S plus for taking pictures of my son which is what I wanted. The telephoto lens should be better for taking macros outside. I like taking pictures of flowers.

Also something to note is that the telephoto zoom only works when there is enough light if you are using the stock app and this is all software determined. So if the software determine that there isn't enough light it will use the wide angle lens and use digital zoom even at 2X. This why some of the 2X shoots look grainy.

Serenity from imore wrote a nice article about this


http://www.imore.com/iphone-7-plus-telephoto-wont-shoot-low-light-situations

You can check which lens was used by going into the raw data for your pics and looking at the aperture. If it says 1.8 that means the wide angle lens took the photo using digital zoom and if it says 2.8 then the telephoto lens was used.

 

[x34]

Hey gang,
So I currently have a 6s Plus and after waiting in line on launch eve at the Apple store, and finding out there were no plus to be had, I finally made it over to the Apple store and compared phones and cameras. Here are my thoughts...

-iPhone 7 and 7 Plus even in the bright store settings with full brightness didn't have a huge difference in pics at all compared to my 6s Plus, in some cases as others have said, the 6s looked better.


- I tried out the 2x zoom and it was cool and smooth but as the keynote showed where they did 10x zoom and the guy on top showed completely clear, that was complete crap. I did this test in the Apple store where they have perfect lighting. It was very very grainy and full of pixilation. This brings me to the point that I wonder how much of this is software controlled and if its just bad marketing, in terms of why they won't fix it? If the only difference the second camera does is a real clear 2x zoom, is that worth a whole upgrade? Because the digital zoom still sucks. I can't figure out why Samsung cameras on their phones look so much more crisp and clear and iPhone cameras do not, even though I have heard that Samsung supplies the iPhone camera, not sure if this is true.


- I was in Atlanta this past week visiting my sister and had the chance to play with my nephews 2 year old iPod touch and my nieces iPhone 5s, we shot some pics with both and I was very shocked to see both colors and pics looked more clear on their devices then any of the 5 different iPhone 6s or 6s Plus I had within the family, why is this?


- I have a 7Plus on pre order because I generally upgrade all my devices yearly because gadgets are one of my passion. Not sure how I feel being that based on real life tests this evening that keynote was way off in terms of examples it showed and the existing pics in the demo phones I am completely confident are like computer generated or touched up.

What are your thoughts people?

my thoughts are shot in RAW and i would never use digital zoom EVER and FOREVER.

 

[Aibocyrus]

I took my 7 to six flags today and got some shots I did end up feeling happy with.

So for those wondering... here you go..

https://imgur.com/a/me96f

 

[Shanghaichica]

my thoughts are shot in RAW and i would never use digital zoom EVER and FOREVER.

That's the problem with the telephoto lens if you're using the stock camera app, it decides if there is enough light to use the optical zoom and if there isn't it will just use the digital zoom on the wide angle lens at 2X. I also wouldn't bother using digital zoom but now if I'm using the stock camera app I don't know what it's using.

 

[mjjferreira]

The updated camera was one of the main reasons I got the 7 (upgrading from 6S) but I have to say thus far I'm underwhelmed. Took some shots in full daylight today and couldn't tell much of a a difference, slight edge in brightness/sharpness actually to the 6S. I thought fine, the 7 really shines in low light so that's where I will see the big difference. Nope, in all my sample shots in low light the 6S was actually better. The 6S shots were brighter and sharper. For those of you that upgraded from the 6S to the 7 I would love to get your feedback. If you still have both phones try taking pics of something in low light and let me know what you think.

So do you think you have a DSLR?

The galaxy S7 is probably the most photo advanced phone right now and the iphone7 is right behind. Current technology doesn't allow more.
So, you either use a DSLR or buy a galaxy S7.

 

[x34]

That's the problem with the telephoto lens if you're using the stock camera app, it decides if there is enough light to use the optical zoom and if there isn't it will just use the digital zoom on the wide angle lens at 2X. I also wouldn't bother using digital zoom but now if I'm using the stock camera app I don't know what it's using.

ok i see. then dont zoom in bad light conditions i guess!?
i use pro camera app anyway so it should be fine, which has the option to shoot only in "wide", "dual" or "tele".

 

[Shanghaichica]

ok i see. then dont zoom in bad light conditions i guess!?
i use pro camera app anyway so it should be fine.

The camera seems to randomly switch between the lenses when in the same lighting. In doors with light coming in through the windows the camera randomly switches between the two lenses and I could take pictures seconds apart on 2X. Some shots were taken with the telephoto lens and some with the wide angle. I haven't tried it outside yet where I would expect to get more constant results.

 

[x34]

The camera seems to randomly switch between the lenses when in the same lighting. In doors with light coming in through the windows the camera randomly switches between the two lenses and I could take pictures seconds apart on 2X. Some shots were taken with the telephoto lens and some with the wide angle. I haven't tried it outside yet where I would expect to get more constant results.

see my edit, i hope to control this with pro camera app.

 

[Shanghaichica]

So do you think you have a DSLR?

The galaxy S7 is probably the most photo advanced phone right now and the iphone7 is right behind. Current technology doesn't allow more.
So, you either use a DSLR or buy a galaxy S7.

Yeah I was hopping to be able to only use one phone but so far the camera on the 7 plus whilst better than my 6S plus doesn't come close to the S7 edge I owned. I wanted to note 7 anyway so I'm not bothered that I've sold my S7 edge. I'll wait until Samsung sorts out their issues with the note and then pick up a note 7 alongside my 7 plus.

 

[Wallabe]

If you're buying the phone for improved camera, you'll be disappointed. I currently have the 6s and S7 Edge, but I have to say Samsung kicks Apple's ass on photo, video, and audio quality. The S7, S7 Edge, and Note 7's camera is better. Note 7 has battery problems but they're getting that fixed. If you plan to vlog with your phone, you can certainly tell the iPhone 7 sounds muffled. Both are waterproof to some degree if that's the excuse, but Samsung does much better with video and audio quality.

I don't know why Apple can't include OIS on the telephoto, which is more needed than just the 28mm one. Maybe to have something to upgrade on the 7S? I also don't understand Apple's fascination for their bokeh explanation in their presentation. Samsung has a F1.7 Aperture, which can do very beautiful bokeh, not to mention they allow more camera controls.

I also don't even know why Apple need to remove the headphone jack. The phone has the same thickness as the previous version. There's only one speaker on the bottom, and the microphone doesn't take up that much space. Just more BS excuses to sell their wireless junk headphones. And by junk, I mean Beats.

 

[Neebee]

I must be behind in the times. People upgrade their phones primarily so they can take better pictures?

 

[freepomme]

The updated camera was one of the main reasons I got the 7 (upgrading from 6S) but I have to say thus far I'm underwhelmed. Took some shots in full daylight today and couldn't tell much of a a difference, slight edge in brightness/sharpness actually to the 6S. I thought fine, the 7 really shines in low light so that's where I will see the big difference. Nope, in all my sample shots in low light the 6S was actually better. The 6S shots were brighter and sharper. For those of you that upgraded from the 6S to the 7 I would love to get your feedback. If you still have both phones try taking pics of something in low light and let me know what you think.

What did you really expect. I told y'all in many of my posts. This is just a clone phone.

 

[duction]

My DSLR takes way better photos.

 

[Neebee]

My DSLR takes way better photos.

I sure hope it does. As far as I am concerned, everyone should stop comparing a phone's camera with a DSLR.

 

[Cakefish]

Me too. I was expecting my new iPhone 7 camera would at least be on par with what my Galaxy S7 I'm coming from offers. It's disappointing to see I'm actually downgrading in camera quality.

I don't think it's going to be a deal breaker, still plan on moving to iOS from Android but I'm still very disappointed in Apple nonetheless.

 

[Shanghaichica]

Me too. I was expecting my new iPhone 7 camera would at least be on par with what my Galaxy S7 I'm coming from offers. It's disappointing to see I'm actually downgrading in camera quality.

I don't think it's going to be a deal breaker, still plan on moving to iOS from Android but I'm still very disappointed in Apple nonetheless.

Yes the camera is disappointing. The pictures so far have been just ok to not very good. I used to get good pictures 9/10 on my S7 edge.

 

[duction]

Apple have to cut back on costs some how and pass that on to the consumer, removing the headphone jack must of cost a fortune.

 

[The Game 161]

I think from sounds the bigger improvements are on the plus models. Shame that you aren't happy with the 7 camera. Thought i would be a good improvement on the 6s

 

[bbates123]

So do you think you have a DSLR?

The galaxy S7 is probably the most photo advanced phone right now and the iphone7 is right behind. Current technology doesn't allow more.
So, you either use a DSLR or buy a galaxy S7.

I think you missed my point. I wasn't expecting DSLR quality...what I was expecting were better shots than my 6S, especially in low light. What I'm finding in reality (comparing shots of the same thing with both phones) is that my 6S takes better shots most of the time including low light situations. I'm not sure how that's even possible since the 7 has a faster lens and image stabilization but there it is.
[doublepost=1474192483][/doublepost]

I must be behind in the times. People upgrade their phones primarily so they can take better pictures?

Yes. I think for a lot of people, myself included, that's a big selling point.

 

[Wallabe]

I must be behind in the times. People upgrade their phones primarily so they can take better pictures?

You should stop being one of those Apple apologists, like those who say "Well, I never use the headphone jack anyway."

Next thing you'll hear, someone is going to say "People upgrade their phones so they can play better games? Isn't that what PC's and Consoles are for?"

Why bother upgrading at all? The first gen iPhone is more than enough.

 

[anomie]

there is that cnet article with comparisons
there may be some more "technically correct" photos by the 7, but honestly i find myself preferring certain photos from each phone depending on the scenario. judging from that article, it doesn't seem to be the reason to upgrade the phone over a 6s by any means

http://www.cnet.com/special-reports...vs-galaxy-s7-vs-iphone-6s-plus/#7-vs-galaxyS7

Really? I'm no default Apple fanboy, but I can't find a single pic where the iPhone 7 does not outperform the s7.
Thanks for the link though!
[doublepost=1474196449][/doublepost]

I must be behind in the times. People upgrade their phones primarily so they can take better pictures?

Since smartphones are close to perfect since a couple of generations, I couldn't imagine any more important reason to upgrade.
Especially when you got kids, pictures can't be good enough.

 

[fitshaced]

Really? I'm no default Apple fanboy, but I can't find a single pic where the iPhone 7 does not outperform the s7.
Thanks for the link though!

I think there is quite a lot of comparison done using the screens of the devices. The S7 I believe has a sharper screen but it also over saturates. The only real way to test both cameras properly is to use manual control for both, same lighting conditions, same focus point, same mount. Then, export both images in RAW and compare at full size for sharpness, dynamic range, true colour and lens distortion (amongst other tests). No doubt each would fair better in some areas over the other.

 

[Wallabe]

I think there is quite a lot of comparison done using the screens of the devices. The S7 I believe has a sharper screen but it also over saturates. The only real way to test both cameras properly is to use manual control for both, same lighting conditions, same focus point, same mount. Then, export both images in RAW and compare at full size for sharpness, dynamic range, true colour and lens distortion (amongst other tests). No doubt each would fair better in some areas over the other.

That's all a possibility, but we're seeing the real world results. Good luck getting Apple to give you more control of the camera like Samsung does. Extra controls or not, when these images are displayed on a website for everyone to see, it is clear from that CNet article (and youtube videos) that the S7/Note 7 cameras do much better with color and low-light shots.

With Apple, you get what you get, that's it. With Android and Samsung, you can change it to Pro mode and have more manual controls. Samsung easily wins when it comes to camera. Unless Apple does some miracle, update the OS, and somehow upgrade their software to improve the images and videos that comes out of the iPhone 7, Samsung is clearly winning.

I don't have the iPhone 7, but this is one of the factor that is making me decide if I should keep my pre-order.

 

[Benito]

Noticed something very strange on the 7plus, the 2x optical zoom does not seem to use the second lens, i put my finger over the tele lens and then hit the 2x zoom and it worked even when my finger was still covering the other lens....very, very strange!!!!!

If you were trying to take a low light photo you're right, it won't use the 2x lens, it will use digital zoom on the wide angle lens that has the f/1.8 aperture that lets in more light.

 

[bbates123]

Took some sample photos this morning before the sun came up. While you can't really tell from the photos, it was quite dark in the room when I took these. Totally unscientific test, I'm just trying to give you an idea of what I'm seeing consistently.

First sample image so you can see what I'm cropping...these were all handheld

Now here's the crop...6S on the left and 7 on the right.

You can't tell much of a difference, right? I give a slight edge in clarity to the 6S.

2nd shot closer up sample...

Now the crop, again with the 6S on the left and 7 on the right...

Again not much of a difference but I still give an edge to the 6S.
[doublepost=1474200448][/doublepost]And again, I'm not saying the 7 doesn't have a great camera, I'm just saying I'm not seeing an improvement over the 6S. By the way, I have 2 iPhone 7's (mine and my wife's) and they're both delivering similar results.
[doublepost=1474200545][/doublepost]I would encourage any of you that still have their 6 or 6S to do a similar side by side comparison to see if you can tell a difference.