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DxOMark-says-the-iPhone-6s-camera-isnt-as-good-as-what-certain-Android-handsets-are-offering.jpg

After testing the Google Nexus 6P and the Xperia Z5 (see here and here), the camera specialists at DxOMark recently also tested Apple's iPhone 6s - more exactly, its rear camera was put through its paces.

As you may know, the iPhone 6s comes with a brand new 12 MP rear camera which, besides being capable of shooting 4K video, also promises better photos in all scenarios. However, the folks over at DxOMark gave the iPhone 6s camera an overall score that's similar to that of the iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus cameras: 82. This puts it slightly behind the cameras of new Android smartphones like the Sony Xperia Z5 (87), Samsung Galaxy S6 edge (86), Google Nexus 6P (84), LG G4 (83), or Motorola X Style (83).

DxOMark notes that the iPhone 6s' rear camera offers a compelling photography performance thanks to its fast auto focus, very good exposure, reliable white balance, accurate color rendering, and good detail preservation in low light. On the negative side: some noise visible in low light conditions, color shading indoors, slightly yellow cast outdoors, and "occasional" ghosting and artifacts. When it comes to video, DxOMark says that noise in low light is, once again, a problem, but videos look good anyway. Overall, though, the iPhone 6s is a solid camera phone.
http://www.phonearena.com/news/DxOM...certain-Android-handsets-are-offering_id74690
 
Disappointing from Apple. The sensor and lens system has had no improvements since the iPhone 5s. They still use the same sensor size as the 5s (now with smaller pixels), still the same f/2.2 aperture, still the same lens... No improvements whatsoever, only noticeably stronger noise reduction. And yeah, worse low light performance than iPhone 6 (Plus)...

totally agree here... apple is all about money makin money money makin super disco disco breakin... and as long as there's not enough pressure to improve, they just won't do it.
 
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Based on their review on the Sony Z5 which quite frankly has an awful camera, DXO mark can do one. The phones on top of their lists are likely from those who have paid them more money.

Still do not understand how the cameras on all Sony phones are terrible relative to the competition. Samsung consistently win in this area. Iphones are also always very good.
 
To me the 6s or 6s Plus camera does not impress at all. It was supposed to have a biggest upgrade or whatever. Turned out it's just OK. It's all about the ingenious marketing team of Apple
 
Disappointing from Apple. The sensor and lens system has had no improvements since the iPhone 5s. They still use the same sensor size as the 5s (now with smaller pixels), still the same f/2.2 aperture, still the same lens... No improvements whatsoever, only noticeably stronger noise reduction. And yeah, worse low light performance than iPhone 6 (Plus)...

You nailed it. I can't figure out why apple increased the pixels but left the same sensor size which caused smaller pixels to be placed on the sensor. To make matters worse Apple kept the aperture at a relatively high 2.2 F stop. At least have the bright idea of making the aperture larger at 1.9 for low light situations. This is so unApple like. It is as if they simply put a lot of effort on 3D touch and mailed it in on the camera.
 
Even this Sony fangirl says the camera noise reduction in low light needs work:


I would take what You Tube reviews say over DXO and forum members, as they are not using laboratory conditions to test the camera but real life everyday situations. And most seem to think the camera is great but needs improving, no one has said it's the best yet like DXO does.
 
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Hello everyone,

Just seen that DXOmark.com posted a test of iphone 6s camera:
http://www.dxomark.com/Mobiles/Apple-iPhone-6s-review-Solid-and-compelling-performance

Results are not impressive as it was rated lower than previous model. Yes, I know it still takes very good photos, it's capable (I owe 6s Plus myself) but it's kind a disappointing when you pay top dollar and not get top performance. Apple used to be a leader in this department for years and now it looks like it's lagging behind others. Well, I guess that what happens when you focus on profits too much. What do you guys think?

My own experience with the 6+ and now 6S+ tell me different. I have not agreed with DXO before and the images I get everyday look better than what I got on my 6+.
 
my problem with cameras on other phones has always been software rather then hardware. haven't used a good android camera since the original galaxy so can't comment there :p, but I did have the lumia 930 which had at least at the time arguably the best camera hardware. I was happier with the results from my iPhone 4S most of the time and now I have the 6S plus it so far has really really impressed me. Apple's software seems great to me. maybe I like like their approach to photos however because I was never happy with lightroom when I switched from aperture in regards to image processing so maybe I just prefer Apple's approach :)
 
DXO mark is a load of rubbish designed for pixel-peepers and nobody else. I don't bother with them for DSLRs and I won't for smartphones either.
 
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Part of a satisfying premium smartphone experience is having a top notch camera which makes you smile after sering the results of the pictures you've taken. The Galaxy S6 provides that perfectly.

With the iPhone 6 I can't count the times where I had a sad face after taking a picture (especially low light) at parties and other memorable events. And knowing the S6 is even cheaper than the 6 and 6S, to me it's unacceptable. As unacceptable as the meager 16GB storage is on their base model, and the smaller screen with that pathetic 750p resolution.
 
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I haven't read this whole thread, just the OP and a few others.

I have owned the the majority of high end android phones over the last year. Recently that included the S6 edge, LG G4, and Note 5. I now have the iPhone 6s Plus

If I had to rate cameras, it would go (from better to worse) iPhone 6s plus = Note 5, S6 edge, and the LG G4 last.

Yes, i consider the iPhone and note to be equal. If I need a phone that take a consistently good, reliable photo, it would be the iPhone. I also think the iPhone does better in low light photos, but the note 5 could take some breathtakingly great daylight photos, best expliefied by landscape and nature pictures. If I had to choose one, I would choose the iPhone. I take more picture of my dogs in the basement (low light), then I do of trees outside.

The LG G4 was the most inconsistent of the group for me, and I have heard mixed reviews on the new Moto X camera, yet they rate both above the iPhone.

I respect this website, but often disagree with their findings.
 
OK, thanks for your replies and feedback guys. To sum up our little discussion here:
You are testing it wrong DXO.

:)

Have a good day everyone!
 
I think it's more important that users find the camera great. Never cared about those tests, because they don't reflect real-life use. Loved the camera on the iPhone 6, but the one in the 6s is better. At least, at daylight. Detail is incredible. Low-light performance seems less, but it's still decent to me.

I can make nice pictures with it. That's all that matters to me. :)
 
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Same here however competition is sailing away in all other aspects.




You must read Ken Rockwell a lot ;)

Most pro-photographers (people that make living of taking snaps) care about those details a lot. Sometimes 1 stop of dynamic range makes a difference between money and no money. And I think your opinion on DXO tests is a bit extreme. What do they say that's wrong? That Nikons have better DR than Canons? Or that Sony produces best sensors? Or that Zeiss produces the best optics?

It's all about drawing right, balanced conclusions.

Also please note that no one in this thread said that iPhone 6s camera is bad. Majority thinks it's very good, it's just not the best anymore.
I think it is harder for some to grasp what they said, as indeed, they didn't say its bad, and we know it isn't but, that it has fallen behind competition (some of it last year's products).

Maybe its a hard pill for some to swallow.
 
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What I feel the test doesn't reflect enough is the shooting experience. The Lumia 930 e.g. was very good and took fantastic images, but also a lot of unusable ones. iPhones tend to have almost no shutter delay and seldom take unusable images. That can't be said for a lot of other phones.
 
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Most other major reviewers have rated the 6s marginally better than the 6--so this assessment is an outlier. If more reviews arrive at the same conclusion then it will have more validity.

Anyway, I'm waiting for the 6s Plus review as they have stated that will be done separately at a later date.
 
I think it is harder for some to grasp what they said, as indeed, they didn't say its bad, and we know it isn't but, that it has fallen behind competition (some of it last year's products).

Maybe its a hard pill for some to swallow.
It's tough to swallow when a lower rated camera takes better pictures in some instances than a higher rated camera.
 
I had a Note 4, then got an iPhone 6. I compared them and I returned the Note 4 because it's low light performance was pretty bad and the iPhone's was pretty good.

For me, the iPhone has a far superior camera.

Take these ratings things with a grain of salt and compare things yourself when you can.
 
This is no surprise. Expected results when a review site doesn't give in to the Apple bias that we all know exist. Even iVerge admitted to being Apple biased and admitted that it exists in the industry. I've pointed this out before. When the iPhone had the best camera, nobody hesitated to say so. Now that the competition has so clearly surpassed the iPhone camera, the discussion from these same websites is something like, "oh they're all great cameras now, too close too call." Pathetic. Good on you DXO.
 
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The headline reads "Iphone 6s camera rated lower than iphone 6 by DXO", yet the iphone 6 only scored 82 measly points next to the iphone 6s's impressive 82 points.
 
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The camera to bring Apple back to the top will be revealed on the iphone 7. Apple knew that they're "tied" for the lead right now and Android hasn't clearly surpassed it. They are willing to take a little bit of heat for a year and say "we're tied for the best." And then go for the win next year with the 7.

DXo, I will say, does not seem to look at the actual pictures at all. I never understood why Sony's cameras are considered good. They're absolutely not top tier cameras. Have you ever looked at the pics produced?

Samsung, if you actually look at the pictures, are the best, right up there with the iphone. Maybe LG G4. That's it. It's a 3 horse race and choosing a smartphone for people whom camera quality is paramount is a rather easy decision.

But I will say that DXo seems to be consistent. When Apple announced just a 12 megapixel sensor upgrade and nothing else, I figured that the camera would perform identically. So receiving the same score seems fine to me. There's no reason to expect the 6s camera to improve from the 6 camera. It's like 1-2% better max, and any benefits are from software processing tweaks that are firmly in the area of personal preference.
 
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