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Former Google Executive Vic Gundotra: 'If You Truly Care About Great Photography, You Own an iPhone'
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I personally think portrait mode and the telephoto lens is amazing but I still prefer the Pixel, S8 and HTC U11 cameras more for point and shoot/Auto mode.
But I agree with what he said. Despite how good Android gets iOS will always be good and have better features when it comes to it's camera than Android. It has the power to widely grant access to new camera features where Android cannot.
So I see what he's saying but just can't see eye to eye 100%
Just because he's someone of "authority" on the subject doesn't make him correct. If you ask me.
But I agree with what he said. Despite how good Android gets iOS will always be good and have better features when it comes to it's camera than Android. It has the power to widely grant access to new camera features where Android cannot.
So I see what he's saying but just can't see eye to eye 100%
Just because he's someone of "authority" on the subject doesn't make him correct. If you ask me.
Digital bokeh would easily match optical bokeh, enabled by depth perception of the dual-lens system (and would probably even better when laser range-finding comes along).
Most people never wanted or owned an SLR.
For the ones who are in the SLR market the iPhone 7 is not noticeably better than an iPhone 4. It's like watching people compare the cargo capacity of an 18 foot to a 48 foot truck when you've got a Triple E Class container ship.
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And for people who think the only advantage of an SLR is bokeh, go enjoy your iPhones and tell yourself it's an SLR. I still get asked quite often how I manage to get my pictures so sharp and "professional looking". Amazing how a half pound $1000+ piece of glass has more resolving power than a 3 cent sliver of glass isn't it? And the iPhone paradox is that the smaller the sensor, the more resolving power you need the lens to have to give you the same image quality, so even giving the iPhone the $1000+ lens, it still wouldn't look as good as on the larger SLR sensor.
And don't even get started on low light performance. A modern SLR can take a gorgeous sharp and clear shot where the iPhone gives you a choice of a totally black frame or a dim abstract blur of color.
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To understand the bitterness towards his former employer, Google, you have to understand that Vic Gundotra was asked to leave which is short of getting fired.
As for how the iPhone 7 stacks up against the competition it's currently 13th on DxOMark. While a lot of things can be post corrected its biggest drawbacks are slow autofocus, shutter stutter, mono sound recording, etc.
https://www.dxomark.com/Mobiles
As for how the iPhone 7 stacks up against the competition it's currently 13th on DxOMark. While a lot of things can be post corrected its biggest drawbacks are slow autofocus, shutter stutter, mono sound recording, etc.
https://www.dxomark.com/Mobiles
Nobody is claiming it was the biggest selling? Nobody claimed its era arrived for the mass market. But units manufactured have fallen by 80% in 6 years. What I'm saying many that had one will realise they never needed it, or can now cover their needs with a smartphone. It's the latter which is important.
DSLRs exploded about 5-6 years ago. My guess is a lot of buyers ended up with something they really didn't need, at a guess I bet most have them on Auto mode and snap away. Waste.
But I reiterate - those that genuinely need them will continue buying and using them. The already small slice will become even smaller (the data shows this has already happened - how much is left to erode? Who knows, but as smartphone camera ability increases you'd think there will be even more edge cases which ditch their big cameras).
I'm not talking about most as in the whole population. Neither is Vic. That's obvious. "Most of the DSLR owning market".
Data shows that the DSLR bubble that appeared over the last decade has popped. Those sales are not coming back. Many will now be satisfied with what's in their pocket and have walked away from owning a large standalone camera. We could discuss whether these people ever really needed the kit in the first place, but the fact is people have left the DSLR market in droves.
Of course the people who really need the capability are not going to ditch their high end cameras - let's not get carried away.
How much was he paid to say this? Or is he just bitter because he no longer works for Alphabet? FYI, just because he worked for Google, doesn't mean he knows what he's talking about here. He worked in the social department, not the photography one. Yes, the portrait mode is something I wish Android had. But, as he says, since the Galaxy S4, the iPhone has been "a few years behind" in almost everything else (waterproofing, NFC, widgets, display quality, screen size, customizability, camera functions other than portrait mode (though technically the HTC M8 tried it first), Google apps compatability, VR, wireless charging etc...) I'll stick with my Android. I'm not switching to iPhone over a depth of field function. Photography is more than portraits, and if you are serious about photography, you don't have to handicap yourself to an iPhone. You can get a camera with a larger sensor. Also, if you check with DXOmark, they rank 12 phones, all Android, above the iPhone 7.
Google's former senior vice president of social, Vic Gundotra, recently made remarks on Facebook about the advantages of Apple's iPhone ecosystem, specifically pertaining to the iOS Camera app and the quality of photos it creates (via Business Insider).
Image via Business Insider
He said that the "end of the DSLR era" has arrived, and shared pics he took of his family recently with an iPhone 7 as an example.
Gundotra's original post received a comment that said Samsung's Galaxy S8 was a better photography tool than the iPhone 7, to which he commented with a detailed response explaining why he believes that's not the case. Specifically, the former Google executive referenced Android's need to be "neutral to all parties" since it's an open source platform, making it difficult for Google to release hardware and software innovations at the same time.
He also mentioned that Google has "fallen back" recently in regards to its development of computational photography software. But where Android-backed smartphone innovation lags, Gundotra said that Apple is far ahead of the competition because it "doesn't have all these constraints," leading to the best smartphone camera system on the market.
The iPhone 8 is expected to see yet another leap forward in the realm of smartphone photography, potentially including a VCSEL (vertical-cavity surface-emitting laser) system for the rear camera, which would enable speedier autofocus when capturing an image. The vertically aligned dual-lens camera system will also help fuel augmented reality experiences on the iPhone 8, which we've already begun to see take shape in ARKit demos.
Article Link: Former Google Executive Vic Gundotra: 'If You Truly Care About Great Photography, You Own an iPhone'
I pre-ordered one. Don't have it yet. Have not physically had hands on yet.
I base my opinion on extensive time I've spent analyzing samples Light has already released. I blogged about it here: https://lightrumors.co/2017/07/03/light-l16-camera-handle-hair/
The term "bokeh" is misused in this context. Bokeh refers to the qualities of the out-of-focus effect, not the out-of-focus region. Bokeh aficionados scorn iPhone's out-of-focus effect, because it doesn't emulate the effects a lens' iris and aberration contribute to the out-of-focus region. Bokeh is, essentially, pleasing (or displeasing) image distortion.
In many regards, it's little different than the debate over black vinyl disks and CDs. As an audio engineer, I knew that everything that makes a black vinyl disk sound "better" is a form of distortion (artifacts not present in the original) - a fatter bottom end thanks to rumble, electromagnetic hum picked up by the phono cartridge, intermodulation distortion, compression added to squeeze the dynamic range of the master into the more limited range of the vinyl disk... but all pleasing to the ears of a public accustomed to the sound of vinyl, no matter how annoying they may be to the person who made the original recording.
In the case of both bokeh and black vinyl, they're debates carried on amongst people who profess to appreciate the finer points that the masses cannot. Smartphone photography, however, is for the masses.
I for one, don't give a hoot about bokeh per se, I care about selective focus. The wide angle lenses that come with smartphones make selective focus difficult. Apple's artificially-created selective focus helps to overcome a significant shortcoming. Now that we have it, there's nothing to prevent software developers from simulating true bokeh in that artificially-created out-of-focus region, but it's not likely that I would pay extra for a bundle of bokeh filters.
Totally depends on your definition of BOKEH - many (including wikipedia) simply mean it the way you said it is not... the out of focus area of a photo. But I get your point.
The Light L16 will indeed give you selective focus you're after. And you can change focus in post.
I'm happy to go with the Wikipedia definition: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bokeh Language being what it is, meanings will shift. It's can be unfortunate when a term coined to describe something quite specific loses that specificity.
The Light L16 looks like a very interesting tool, as is the Lytro camera. I've long been intrigued by the impact a change of camera or lens can have on the way I see and interpret the world. Pretty sure I won't be spending money on a new camera anytime soon, though.
Yes but each product has a specific use case.
I would not shoot a wedding with an iphone still....
DSLR dead? That comment alone makes what he says suspect.
First and foremost the sensor size matters along with the size of the pixels.
APS-C/ Full Frame and Micro-4/3 are all huge in comparison to the size of a smart phone sensor.
that means pixels are larger and not only will low light be better, but higher ISO equivalents and noise performance will be better controlled.
We won't even get into glass and overall speed in FPS.
Also let's talk about shutter lag. We can give the impression that it doesn't exist in a smartphone, but that is done by taking pictures as soon as you touch the shutter button at the sacrifice of battery life.
I will concede that for most things the point and shoot is dead.
A smartphone camera may mean the difference between getting any picture and no picture at all.
As far as iPhone vs Android. Let's be clear, Apple does not make sensors.
The sensors and lenses in the iPhone or Android phone may even be the same so it's the post processing that you either like or not.
I own and have owned multiple Canon DSLRs and a couple of Samsung mirrorless APS-C cameras.
Smartphones don't even come close in action photography.
First and foremost the sensor size matters along with the size of the pixels.
APS-C/ Full Frame and Micro-4/3 are all huge in comparison to the size of a smart phone sensor.
that means pixels are larger and not only will low light be better, but higher ISO equivalents and noise performance will be better controlled.
We won't even get into glass and overall speed in FPS.
Also let's talk about shutter lag. We can give the impression that it doesn't exist in a smartphone, but that is done by taking pictures as soon as you touch the shutter button at the sacrifice of battery life.
I will concede that for most things the point and shoot is dead.
A smartphone camera may mean the difference between getting any picture and no picture at all.
As far as iPhone vs Android. Let's be clear, Apple does not make sensors.
The sensors and lenses in the iPhone or Android phone may even be the same so it's the post processing that you either like or not.
I own and have owned multiple Canon DSLRs and a couple of Samsung mirrorless APS-C cameras.
Smartphones don't even come close in action photography.
Exactly. It was recent bubble, you can't on the one hand pretend it's the traditional SLR market and then on the other hand say it's a recent bubble popping. DSLRs will be fine among people who want sharp detailed pictures and feel like an SLR in the end is comfortable object rather than a dead weight. In other words, their traditional market.
Absolutely. The same type people who were satisfied by 110 cameras and APS cameras and miniature 35mm cameras. They'll be perfectly happy with a phone camera.
The iPhone 7 is good enough, which is today's mantra.
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Okay, not entirely but I get your point. With my 18 to 55 "crappy" lens on my "crappy" camera I can obliterate the background. Given the right shot though the computational photography on the 7+Is pretty darn good.
I have a Canon 40D with a Tamron 18-250mm. I've taken 50,000+ photos on the thing. Photography is a hobby of mine - I have almost 100k on Google Photos. Am I an expert? Nope. I got heavily involved in Flickr in its early years and have always considered my hobby to be something that I enjoy (not something I do to make others happy - so I don't publish or post my work outside of friends/family).
What an interesting topic. First off my iPhone is my primary source of photos and has been for many many years. The last time I used my 40D was to take graduation photos and to take vacation photos in Peru in 2010. I won't do that latter part again. Lugging around a heavy DSLR in a foreign country is not only painful after awhile but gets you a lot of unwanted attention.
Can my Canon 40D take a better photo than my iPhone 6s+? Depends on how I'm using it. If I'm doing wildlife photography, my 18-250mm lens is a must. Landscape, party, portrait, and cloud photography? iPhone is very good.
As others here have posted - I carry my iPhone with me wherever I go. I take thousands of photos a month (I use my phone as a second brain a lot and I love to take pictures of things). I don't like to carry my 40D if I can help it so 99.99% of my photography in the last 6 years has been cellular. A lot of what I capture is because I have my phone with me all the time.
I think this guy got a lot of free press for himself. Back in the Samsung Note 3 days - iPhone cameras were far superior (imo - having owned a Note 3 and using it for years). Now days, Samsung's camera is much better. The Google Pixel camera is great. I still found that I got far more "keepers" on my iPhone 6s+ than I did on the Google Pixel but the Google Pixel seemed to do a little better at indoor shots for whatever reason. Android and iOS are a lot closer than they've ever been. I still prefer an iPhone when taking pictures for now.
What an interesting topic. First off my iPhone is my primary source of photos and has been for many many years. The last time I used my 40D was to take graduation photos and to take vacation photos in Peru in 2010. I won't do that latter part again. Lugging around a heavy DSLR in a foreign country is not only painful after awhile but gets you a lot of unwanted attention.
Can my Canon 40D take a better photo than my iPhone 6s+? Depends on how I'm using it. If I'm doing wildlife photography, my 18-250mm lens is a must. Landscape, party, portrait, and cloud photography? iPhone is very good.
As others here have posted - I carry my iPhone with me wherever I go. I take thousands of photos a month (I use my phone as a second brain a lot and I love to take pictures of things). I don't like to carry my 40D if I can help it so 99.99% of my photography in the last 6 years has been cellular. A lot of what I capture is because I have my phone with me all the time.
I think this guy got a lot of free press for himself. Back in the Samsung Note 3 days - iPhone cameras were far superior (imo - having owned a Note 3 and using it for years). Now days, Samsung's camera is much better. The Google Pixel camera is great. I still found that I got far more "keepers" on my iPhone 6s+ than I did on the Google Pixel but the Google Pixel seemed to do a little better at indoor shots for whatever reason. Android and iOS are a lot closer than they've ever been. I still prefer an iPhone when taking pictures for now.
I have a 64GB Samsung Edge Plus with 5.7" 2560x1440 AMOLED display with fast wireless charging and will wait and see what specs the new iPhone 8 has or maybe wait for the rumored iPhone 9 with 6.4" display. I did have the 6.44" Sony Ultra Z but was too big with the thick bezel.
When I shoot video with my Panasonic GH5 in 4:3 aspect ratio 6K photo mode it plays in 4320p 8K in youtube on my Mac Pro or 1440p on my 512GB 12.9" iPad Pro that also has a 4:3 aspect ratio.
When I shoot video with my Panasonic GH5 in 4:3 aspect ratio 6K photo mode it plays in 4320p 8K in youtube on my Mac Pro or 1440p on my 512GB 12.9" iPad Pro that also has a 4:3 aspect ratio.
Prior to being VP of Social, his title was VP of Engineering.
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Two things:
1. Contextually speaking, you're using that portmanteau incorrectly.
2. He's not necessarily wrong. Neither is he right. He's expressing an opinion not a statement of fact. Being the former VP of Social doesn't make his opinion any more valid than yours or mine. Confirmation bias will determine whether or not people believe him. Those who want him to be right will make him right; regardless of any objective testing stating the contrary.
He doesn't present any facts. He has no photos for comparison. He uses unrelated information as part of his reasoning.
Basically his comment should carry no more weight that an anonymous Facebooker making the same comment.
Vice President of Engineering responsible for developer evangelism and open source programs. Still doesn't change anything I said in my post. Being the VP of Social, VP of developer evangelism, GM of evangelism at Microsoft have nothing to do with expertise in photography. His opinion still carries no more weight than yours or mine.
One thing you are spot on about is confirmation bias is rampant across the internet.