iPhone 4s camera comparable Galaxy S II

[Tarzanman]

I work in the business, I know quality from crap. The reviews posted thus far are from amateurs. My impression thus far is that the 4S has extremely high quality from a camera phone and the competitors cannot compete. If you want a real review of image quality, wait for dpreview to do a comparison, not some guy who reviews downscaled videos re-compressed for youtube.

If anyone wants to send me a full-res video from the "Samsung Galaxy S2 touch pro slide" or whatever they are calling that abomination of a phone these days, I'll take a look at it.

Selling cameras or phones definitely doesn't make you an expert. Years of photography with a variety of gear will give you enough knowledge and perspective to have an informed opinion.

As an amateur photographer, let me say that arguing about which cell phone camera is like arguing about whether a Nissan Sentra or Honda Civic has better suspension. $80 ultracompact point and shoot cameras will take better pictures than all of them

 

[lilo777]

You should quit while you are behind. Citing "PC World", known in the industry as a "fluff" rag, for a camera review, means you couldn't be less serious about this. If it says "ziff davis" or "idg" in publisher detail, know that all you are reading is glorified advertising.

Do you prefer Engadget? I would not look for a real camera review on PC World but then smart phone cameras are toys which real photo publications do not take seriously anyways.

 

[pdqgp]

Ability to have shallow DOF is good. The problem is that with iPhone 4S camera you don't really have any control over it and the sample photos and videos show that DOF is often too shallow which will create a problem for many people snapping pictures of groups of people - most faces will be out of focus.

?? The sensor size on the 4s is way to small to cause OOF issues when taking group photos. There won't be any OOF shots unless the user and phone focus on the wrong area.

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Here you go- dynamic range and decent bokeh, from my 4s, and of course I spent no time and composition.

Based on two days of shooting I am comfortable you don't really know what the 4S imager is capable of.

I disagree. The DR is poor and the camera's metering blows highlights in most all shots where strong lighting is present. It's bokeh is not great. It's actually quite poor. Just look at it in this crop from Apple's own sample image. ISO 64 and it has noise artifacts everywhere not just the shadows. It clear they pushed the envelop with tonal contrast on the sensor to get the "punchy" images that mimic typical low end point and shoot cameras.

Bokeh should be round and smooth, not jaggy/oblong and it should be smooth radiating outward not looking like donut holes.

 

[shadrap]

Haters, hate so bad they waste their time and ours coming to an iPhone forum. GS2, Nexus Prime, Droid RAZR, are all second rate phones. No matter how you slice it. This is not fanboyism. It is the truth I have had enough Android pieces of crap to know this. While the GS2 has made strides the Android OS is still threw together, doesn't matter if the camera was the greatest in history. I have played with GS2 and it's camera is still slower and pics are often hit or miss. The iPhone is quick and picture quality is reliable.

 

[tigress666]

If you're a girl, put it in your purse. It's not really a waste, it's a tablet and a phone with a stylus.

Uh, no thank you. I'm not buying a bigger purse just to fit a phone and my purse has no extra space as is. I hate those huge bags some females carry around, might as well have a backpack (it's better for your back at least).

 

[linkgx1]

Haters, hate so bad they waste their time and ours coming to an iPhone forum. GS2, Nexus Prime, Droid RAZR, are all second rate phones. No matter how you slice it. This is not fanboyism. It is the truth I have had enough Android pieces of crap to know this. While the GS2 has made strides the Android OS is still threw together, doesn't matter if the camera was the greatest in history. I have played with GS2 and it's camera is still slower and pics are often hit or miss. The iPhone is quick and picture quality is reliable.

You're the dumb one here. Exactly how is it the truth? You don't even own a Galaxy S2....you only played with it. How can you say they are second rate phones when even the Android community has yet to see it? I'm sorry, but the iPhone 4S doesn't have a Super AMOLED HD scree, a screen over 3.5'', nfc, captacative buttons, sd card slot.....the list can go on.

 

[yodaxl7]

This is exactly what I have been saying. Wait for an actually shoot out. I was saying right from the start that the 4S had nothing special in terms of camera and video compared to what's already been on the market for a while. You just had to take of the Apple goggles. But the video is where Samsung really separates itself. Quite amazing for a phone that's been on the market for over 6 months. What's gonna happen when the SGS3 comes out? Yikes!

UPDATE: WOW! I just realized your post has over 300 views and not one of the 301 views had anything to say about these tests. Shocker!

It seems both phones are great at photos/videos. However, iPhone 4s is a better smartphone in terms of cpu/gpu. Plus ios software is better than gingerbread. Plus, ios ecosystem is the best. Better apps!

 

[linkgx1]

It seems both phones are great at photos/videos. However, iPhone 4s is a better smartphone in terms of cpu/gpu. Plus ios software is better than gingerbread. Plus, ios ecosystem is the best. Better apps!

With what evidence do you present? How is iOS better than Gingerbread? GB had notificatons before it. Seriously, back up your crap before you say something stupid.

 

[yodaxl7]

You're the dumb one here. Exactly how is it the truth? You don't even own a Galaxy S2....you only played with it. How can you say they are second rate phones when even the Android community has yet to see it? I'm sorry, but the iPhone 4S doesn't have a Super AMOLED HD scree, a screen over 3.5'', nfc, captacative buttons, sd card slot.....the list can go on.

iPS with retina is far superior than Amoled HD, nfc is too new, capacitive buttons are just waste of space, sd card slot is waste of space (not practical). SG2 is half the gpu of 4s!! 4s is faster too!!

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With what evidence do you present? How is iOS better than Gingerbread? GB had notificatons before it. Seriously, back up your crap before you say something stupid.

Guess, you don't read macrumors daily!! There was posting showing the benchmarks for both gs2 and 4s. gingerbread is a minor update as oppose to froyo. Notifications alone is not the summation of an os.

Here is the link to the benchmarks comparison.

http://www.anandtech.com/Show/Index...rks-800mhz-a5-slightly-slower-gpu-than-ipad-2

 

[shadrap]

With what evidence do you present? How is iOS better than Gingerbread? GB had notificatons before it. Seriously, back up your crap before you say something stupid.

Me: It works.
U: GB does too.
Me: Then y r u here trying to convince us.

 

[Qramohn]

This is pretty amazing quality.
http://www.cultofmac.com/124476/stunning-footage-shot-on-the-iphone-4s-video/

 

[LIVEFRMNYC]

I have played with GS2 and it's camera is still slower and pics are often hit or miss. The iPhone is quick and picture quality is reliable.

That's actually a good point you made that I haven't heard many talk about.

With the iPhone I just point n shoot. Photos always come in focused and never blurred or distorted.

 

[linkgx1]

iPS with retina is far superior than Amoled HD, nfc is too new, capacitive buttons are just waste of space, sd card slot is waste of space (not practical). SG2 is half the gpu of 4s!! 4s is faster too!!

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Guess, you don't read macrumors daily!! There was posting showing the benchmarks for both gs2 and 4s. gingerbread is a minor update as oppose to froyo. Notifications alone is not the summation of an os.

Yeah, you would say that. The iPhone home button is a waste of space. Again, you can't PROVE that. How is retina superior when you haven't even seen SUPER AMOLED HD. NFC too new? At least it's not in beta like Siri.

What the hel is half the gpu of 4s? You talk like a little preschooler.

What the hell is your last paragraph? You absolutely said nothing? Define minor upgrade? And what the he is 'notifcations aloen is not the summation of an os.?"

Again, come up with more logical statements with proven facts.

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me: It works.
U: Gb does too.
Me: Then y r u here trying to convince us.

what?

 

[yodaxl7]

Yeah, you would say that. The iPhone home button is a waste of space. Again, you can't PROVE that. How is retina superior when you haven't even seen SUPER AMOLED HD. NFC too new? At least it's not in beta like Siri.

What the hel is half the gpu of 4s? You talk like a little preschooler.

What the hell is your last paragraph? You absolutely said nothing? Define minor upgrade? And what the he is 'notifcations aloen is not the summation of an os.?"

Again, come up with more logical statements with proven facts.

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what?

NFC is sooooo beta, okay alpha!! Everything Google does is in BETA!!

 

[thenerdal]

iPS with retina is far superior than Amoled HD, nfc is too new, capacitive buttons are just waste of space, sd card slot is waste of space (not practical). SG2 is half the gpu of 4s!! 4s is faster too!!

Can't believe I'm reading this. Retina is nothing special. Apple just calls it that because they want you to believe it's special. While SuperAMOLED is way better then Retina. There are comparisons of the two. See here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zn3oN040L1Y

Capacitive buttons don't waste space.... They're just buttons that aren't physical, don't see how they waste space. sd card slot isn't a waste of space...... it's practical if you want more storage...

 

[linkgx1]

NFC is sooooo beta, okay alpha!! Everything Google does is in BETA!!

Again, proven with what? By your logic, every single consumer electronic item IS IN BETA.

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Can't believe I'm reading this. Retina is nothing special. Apple just calls it that because they want you to believe it's special. While SuperAMOLED is way better then Retina. There are comparisons of the two. See here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zn3oN040L1Y

Capacitive buttons don't waste space.... They're just buttons that aren't physical, don't see how they waste space. sd card slot isn't a waste of space...... it's practical if you want more storage...

Great response.

 

[yodaxl7]

Again, proven with what? By your logic, every single consumer electronic item IS IN BETA.

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Well, I am not interested in proving anything to you. If you are such a Google fanboy, you can google it for yourself.

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Can't believe I'm reading this. Retina is nothing special. Apple just calls it that because they want you to believe it's special. While SuperAMOLED is way better then Retina. There are comparisons of the two. See here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zn3oN040L1Y

Capacitive buttons don't waste space.... They're just buttons that aren't physical, don't see how they waste space. sd card slot isn't a waste of space...... it's practical if you want more storage...

That is no proof! For all you know, SD version was played on the iphone 4 and HD version was played on the other phone~!

 

[linkgx1]

Again, proven with what? By your logic, every single consumer electronic item IS IN BETA.

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Well, I am not interested in proving anything to you. If you are such a Google fanboy, you can google it for yourself.

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That is no proof! For all you know, SD version was played on the iphone 4 and HD version was played on the other phone~!

1. I never said I was a google fanboy.
2. That's a scapegoat, because you can't prove anything you said.

 

[thenerdal]

Again, proven with what? By your logic, every single consumer electronic item IS IN BETA.

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Well, I am not interested in proving anything to you. If you are such a Google fanboy, you can google it for yourself.

Okay then, I'll prove this to you. NFC has been out since 2004, with Charles Walton patenting it in 1983. ( http://www.google.com/patents?vid=4384288 _

NFC is not software, so I have no idea how it can be "beta"

Now, you're talking about Google Wallet. No where have I heard that Google Wallet is Beta.

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That is no proof! For all you know, SD version was played on the iphone 4 and HD version was played on the other phone~!

Check out this video if you don't believe me then: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HJ4zrtZg5e0

 

[yodaxl7]

1. I never said I was a google fanboy.
2. That's a scapegoat, because you can't prove anything you said.

Neither can you!

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Okay then, I'll prove this to you. NFC has been out since 2004, with Charles Walton patenting it in 1983. ( http://www.google.com/patents?vid=4384288 _

NFC is not software, so I have no idea how it can be "beta"

Now, you're talking about Google Wallet. No where have I heard that Google Wallet is Beta.

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Check out this video if you don't believe me then: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HJ4zrtZg5e0

Google wallet service (using NFC) is beta!

Not sure what they did with the settings on the iphone, but I was looking at my iphone in comparison. Mine look better!

 

[LIVEFRMNYC]

Can't believe I'm reading this. Retina is nothing special. Apple just calls it that because they want you to believe it's special. While SuperAMOLED is way better then Retina. There are comparisons of the two. See here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zn3oN040L1Y

Capacitive buttons don't waste space.... They're just buttons that aren't physical, don't see how they waste space. sd card slot isn't a waste of space...... it's practical if you want more storage...

Yea, Youtube is really a deciding factor.

I seen Retina vs SuperAMOLED in person. And Retina outshines any phone screen when it comes to detail and clarity. Something you can't judge watching youtube. Sure some of the SuperAMOLED phones I've seen have more vibrant and deeper color contrast, but the detail and clarity of retina outshine that. Sometimes the color on the SuperAMOLED doesn't even look natural.

BTW .... Why is there a billion biased vids of the lastest Android phones vs iPhone, and not the other way around? Just be happy with what you got. I swear you Android fanboys have a Napoleon complex.

 

[thenerdal]

Neither can you!

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Not sure what they did with the settings on the iphone, but I was looking at my iphone in comparison. Mine look better!

*facepalm*

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Yea, Youtube is really a deciding factor.

I seen Retina vs SuperAMOLED in person. And Retina outshines any phone screen when it comes to detail and clarity. Something you can't judge watching youtube. Sure some of the SuperAMOLED phones I've seen have more vibrant and deeper color contrast, but the detail and clarity of retina outshine that. Sometimes the color on the SuperAMOLED doesn't even look natural.

Depends what phone you're comparing to the iPhone 4 or 4S. Compare the Galaxy S2 screen with the 4S. Then come back to me.

 

[yodaxl7]

Okay then, I'll prove this to you. NFC has been out since 2004, with Charles Walton patenting it in 1983. ( http://www.google.com/patents?vid=4384288 _

NFC is not software, so I have no idea how it can be "beta"

Now, you're talking about Google Wallet. No where have I heard that Google Wallet is Beta.

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Check out this video if you don't believe me then: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HJ4zrtZg5e0

Looks like the brightness on the iphone is dimmed. Looked at my iphone 4s. It is way better than amoled hd!

 

[thenerdal]

Looks like the brightness on the iphone is dimmed. Looked at my iphone 4s. It is way better than amoled hd!

You haven't watched the video.......He shows the brightness at halfway for both.

 

[yodaxl7]

OH MY GODDDDDDDDDDD. HAVE YOU NOT WATCHED THE VIDEO? THE BRIGHTNESS IS HALFWAY ON BOTH. HE EVEN SHOWED IT.

amoled has better color saturation! That's it!