iPhone 12 Pro Max iPhone 12 Pro Max destroys s21 ultra and pixel 5 in camera and video shootout.

[Madtiger27]

I think we can all agree that iPhone hardware is great but they definitely need to work on the software side of things. The camera app is pretty limited. I know some of the android stuff is gimmick but they are nice to have once you experienced them yourself. I got an android device from work (on top of using both iPhone 12 PM and iPhone 11 daily) and it is cool how you can just wave at the camera for a group selfie for example and it automatically takes the photo without having to fiddle around with the camera buttons

Unlike Android, 3rd party camera apps on iOS are native...so, they can be just as good quality wise as Apple’s own camera app. So, if you need more features, then just download a 3rd party app. There are plenty.

This was why Google had to have “Pixel Vision Core” in their earlier Pixels...to process image for 3rd party app.

 

[Madtiger27]

It won’t be useful until Apple get it.

I think it is very useful. But it compromises on it’s portraits...apparently Samsung could not use the telephoto lenses to do portrait...so they have to rely on the main camera to do all portraits which makes everyone long and thin. Or if all that zoom power somewhat causes overheating via processor working too hard or not enough space for proper cooling, then that’s kinda bad.

 

[The Game 161]

what I don't get is why samsung is using the main lens for portrait mode it really makes no sense. why not just use the telephoto like the iPhone does. granted iPhone's portrait will always be better due to the LIDAR sensor but still.

the S21 ultra camera is much improved over the S20 ultra but not from the note 20 ultra. The differences are very small and some areas not as good.

No doubt the s21 ultra is an amazing phone and a top end camera but I don't think the improvements are as good as I hoped not from note 20 ultra anyway. 10x optical is great to have though.

I just expected better with portrait mode and video but in terms of android phone it's the best you can get right now.

 

[lordhamster]

I can confidently say that the Pixel 4XL (I used most of last year till November) took "better" portrait shots than my 12 Pro Max under certain circumstances. For example, the iPhone 12 Pro Max absolutely struggles getting portraits of my labradoodle... they are always out of focus. Possibly her long snout and bushy fur confuses the lidar? Who knows. That said... in 99% of situations the photo quality is comparable, and the video quality on the 12 Pro Max is hands down better.

Where the Pixel's portrait mode fell down was when I was trying to rapidly take many portrait photos in a row. My 2 kids + labradoodle in one photo makes it near impossible to get all 3 looking at the camera at a time. I often need to take 5-10 portrait photos in rapid succession. The Pixel would bog down and just kindof freeze for a while after about 4 photos in a row. The 12 Pro Max simply doesn't bog down.

As for these S21 comparisons. To be honest, I can't see much of a difference myself... but I'm no photographer. I definitely get that people have preferences as to how "processed" their photos look. Much of this is cultural difference. I think Apple has always strived for a more "realistic" photo, where Samsung aims for more vivid. Likewise with selfies, Korean and Chinese phone makers love to smooth the heck out of faces. On Apple selfies, I can see every zit, scratch, and blemish I've had since 1984.

All things being equal, I suppose I prefer the phone to capture more realism and let me tweak the photos using apps.



First photo, is Smokey the labradoodle on the 12 Pro Max.

Second Photo is Smokey the labradoodle on Pixel 4XL (taken in summer)

 

[Shanghaichica]

I think it is very useful. But it compromises on it’s portraits...apparently Samsung could not use the telephoto lenses to do portrait...so they have to rely on the main camera to do all portraits which makes everyone long and thin. Or if all that zoom power somewhat causes overheating via processor working too hard or not enough space for proper cooling, then that’s kinda bad.

Yes that part will suck for me. I really like taking portrait shots of my kids. But not with the main lens. I prefer the close up look on the iPhone for portrait shots. However the camera does have a lot of other great features that might compensate for that. Regarding the over heating, a few generations ago Samsung started including a cooling system in their phones. I don’t know how effective it was or if it is still present in the S21 line up.

 

[Shanghaichica]

I can confidently say that the Pixel 4XL (I used most of last year till November) took "better" portrait shots than my 12 Pro Max under certain circumstances. For example, the iPhone 12 Pro Max absolutely struggles getting portraits of my labradoodle... they are always out of focus. Possibly her long snout and bushy fur confuses the lidar? Who knows. That said... in 99% of situations the photo quality is comparable, and the video quality on the 12 Pro Max is hands down better.

Where the Pixel's portrait mode fell down was when I was trying to rapidly take many portrait photos in a row. My 2 kids + labradoodle in one photo makes it near impossible to get all 3 looking at the camera at a time. I often need to take 5-10 portrait photos in rapid succession. The Pixel would bog down and just kindof freeze for a while after about 4 photos in a row. The 12 Pro Max simply doesn't bog down.

As for these S21 comparisons. To be honest, I can't see much of a difference myself... but I'm no photographer. I definitely get that people have preferences as to how "processed" their photos look. Much of this is cultural difference. I think Apple has always strived for a more "realistic" photo, where Samsung aims for more vivid. Likewise with selfies, Korean and Chinese phone makers love to smooth the heck out of faces. On Apple selfies, I can see every zit, scratch, and blemish I've had since 1984.

All things being equal, I suppose I prefer the phone to capture more realism and let me tweak the photos using apps.



First photo, is Smokey the labradoodle on the 12 Pro Max.
View attachment 1719102



Second Photo is Smokey the labradoodle on Pixel 4XL (taken in summer)
View attachment 1719103

The lighting, angles and shots are completely different in those pictures. The iPhone is taken in doors. The pixel outdoors in perfect lighting.

 

[LFC2020]

Looks like the Exynos ultra is a flop.

 

[The Game 161]

Looks like the Exynos ultra is a flop.

View attachment 1719645
View attachment 1719646

who was saying that?

 

[The Game 161]

Yes that part will suck for me. I really like taking portrait shots of my kids. But not with the main lens. I prefer the close up look on the iPhone for portrait shots. However the camera does have a lot of other great features that might compensate for that. Regarding the over heating, a few generations ago Samsung started including a cooling system in their phones. I don’t know how effective it was or if it is still present in the S21 line up.

portait mode is certainly even better with the new phones mainly due to the LIDAR. Portrait mode is my most used shot lately to be honest

 

[LFC2020]

who was saying that?

A lot of people have already received their phones in Australia, all exynos models, overheating, rebooting, lag, messages popping up saying let the phone cool down before using it again, using the camera seems to make the phone heat up very easily.

some have even mentioned pretty average battery life.

 

[lordhamster]

The lighting, angles and shots are completely different in those pictures. The iPhone is taken in doors. The pixel outdoors in perfect lighting.

Yeah, I get that. Was just the most expedient example I could find highlighting the differences. Results are similar outdoors with the iPhone having more trouble with the dog. Works great with human subjects. Again my experience only Your Mileage may vary.

Here is an outdoor shot taken with 12 Pro Max at the same location probably better for comparison:

 

[Taz Mangus]

Yeah, I get that. Was just the most expedient example I could find highlighting the differences. Results are similar outdoors with the iPhone having more trouble with the dog. Works great with human subjects. Again my experience only Your Mileage may vary.

Here is an outdoor shot taken with 12 Pro Max at the same location probably better for comparison:
View attachment 1719700

You only seem to be taking head shots with the iPhone and full body shots with the Pixel. And the lighting looks completely different between the head shot and the full body shot.

 

[Jordan921]

They both take some awesome photos and videos.

 

[Homme]

Android has been terrible when it comes to video, still no match for iOS when it comes to video recording. Apple raised the bar again with HDR video recording.

especially the pixel line with your post. The Pixel 4a 5G/5 were the first Google phones to have 4k@60fps which is something Google should of have given the Pixel 3, can’t believe it took them this long though