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rich32gb5s

macrumors 6502
Original poster
Oct 16, 2013
267
41
Berkshire
B01CF890-A736-4ABB-96BA-6EB4C4CBAAC3.jpeg
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Hi. It’s annoying and I’ve done many tests but 8/10 my iPhone X takes sharper , less noisy photos than my new 11. This includes poor light such as these taken this eve in my lounge. Although its very slight between them , surely it should be the other way around !?
Everyone hypes about how much better the 11 is but even if you can’t see a difference between the photos then why not basically ? Yes the 11 brings out the shadows and better overexposure control but I’m disappointed .
Have I got a particularly good calibrated iPhone X or just a poorly calibrated 11 ?
Please see photos attached comparing both cameras using standard x1 focal distance .
Thanks.
 
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now i see it

macrumors G4
Jan 2, 2002
11,242
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One of those photos has stronger post capture sharpening applied to it (via software). Some people like the fake sharper look, some purists don't. Maybe apple toned it down a bit.
 
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konqerror

macrumors 68020
Dec 31, 2013
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Everyone hypes about how much better the 11 is but even if you can’t see a difference between the photos then why not basically ?

I see a huge difference. The light is blown out on the X. The photo from the 11 is using HDR (see Smart HDR setting) and that tends to degrade sharpness because it's difficult to match pixels exactly between frames.

Make sure you're comparing like to like.
 

rich32gb5s

macrumors 6502
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Oct 16, 2013
267
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Berkshire
I see a huge difference. The light is blown out on the X. The 11 is using HDR (see Smart HDR setting) and that tends to degrade sharpness because it's difficult to match pixels exactly between frames.
Just checked without HDR and still no better. Somehow I need to get hold of another 11 to try.
 

rich32gb5s

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Oct 16, 2013
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26242A45-B12D-4AD5-B727-B9D1BEB237C5.jpeg
What's the 11 picture without HDR? You did turn off Smart HDR then set HDR to slash mode?
I see what you mean now..... HDR off with slash mode on camera app
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Noticed that the X is worse without HDR ? 11 is similar the original X with HDR off ? Very strange
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konqerror

macrumors 68020
Dec 31, 2013
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Looks to me that the 11 HDR off is doing more artificial sharpening than the X HDR off. It's noticeable on "Ultimate Everyday Protection" and the logo below it, and also how it brings up the noise. Maybe Apple thought that the people who turn off HDR want sharpness, so they cranked it up.
 

Eugr

macrumors regular
Dec 3, 2018
178
137
I’ve noticed that my 11 pro autofocus doesn’t always focus on the object in the center of the frame unless I tap on it - you could experience the same issue.

What’s funny, different units behaved differently when I tested. I started to notice it after 13.2 update - could be related to Deep Fusion maybe? 13.2.2 seems to improve it a little bit though.
 

rich32gb5s

macrumors 6502
Original poster
Oct 16, 2013
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Ive kept going with comparing both phones today (daylight) and bottom line is the X comes out best with more of the image in focus and sharper (not artificial) . Luckily I bought the 11 mostly for night shooting capability and front facing 4k , better microphone for vlogging. Rather disappointed though. In my opinion the 11 camera is all media hype and with a lesser quality in hardware/optics but greater support with algorithm software to make up the shortfall. If thats not the case then ive just got a bad camera that isnt convincing enough to get swapped out, unfortunately.
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I’ve noticed that my 11 pro autofocus doesn’t always focus on the object in the center of the frame unless I tap on it - you could experience the same issue.

What’s funny, different units behaved differently when I tested. I started to notice it after 13.2 update - could be related to Deep Fusion maybe? 13.2.2 seems to improve it a little bit though.

Yes I get the focus issue. I just think there have been some cut backs to keep pricing competitive and profit on the up. Seems harsh, but I feel ive been misled with all the hype with the camera being sooo much better. Its not! What I find frustrating are users saying how amazing the camera is. whether this is based on brighteness/depth of field, rather than image quality I dont know. Could be just a software glitch. Who knows.
 
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rich32gb5s

macrumors 6502
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Oct 16, 2013
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Looks to me that the 11 HDR off is doing more artificial sharpening than the X HDR off. It's noticeable on "Ultimate Everyday Protection" and the logo below it, and also how it brings up the noise. Maybe Apple thought that the people who turn off HDR want sharpness, so they cranked it up.

Again sounds like a lot of software support to counteract poor optics. Not good.
 

rich32gb5s

macrumors 6502
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Oct 16, 2013
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Possibly so and probably because 90% of users just want 'good pictures' and don't have the eye to know the difference and don't care.
Are they good? This is what caught my attention in the first place, to then start comparing. Indeed im one of the minority comparing to previous phones unlike 90% of the unsuspecting happy public just getting dazzled by the bright and new tech night shots etc. Probably some kind of compromise going on. Cant have everything i guess,.. well for this year anyway, unless next ios versions sort it out.

What I do know, is another year soon comes around with a brand new handset and the previous is all forgotten and "old tech".
 
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mantan

macrumors 68000
Nov 2, 2009
1,747
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Are they good? This is what caught my attention in the first place, to then start comparing. Indeed im one of the minority comparing to previous phones unlike 90% of the unsuspecting happy public just getting dazzled by the bright and new tech night shots etc. Probably some kind of compromise going on. Cant have everything i guess,.. well for this year anyway, unless next ios versions sort it out.

What I do know, is another year soon comes around with a brand new handset and the previous is all forgotten and "old tech".

I'm in my 40s. When I was in HS and college, quality speakers in your car and dorm room was a huge deal. Now 90% of people are happy with whatever comes out of their earbuds/airpods.

I suspect pictures are the same. While there is a group that cares about the true quality of cell phone pics. I imagine a large percentage are just shooting pics of friends and family and if they come out 'fairly decent', they are totally happy. The 11 is their mainstream entry level phone. They could spend a lot appealing to the small percentage wanting high-end quality pics, or potentially cut a few corners that the overwhelming majority won't' even notice.
 

rich32gb5s

macrumors 6502
Original poster
Oct 16, 2013
267
41
Berkshire
I'm in my 40s. When I was in HS and college, quality speakers in your car and dorm room was a huge deal. Now 90% of people are happy with whatever comes out of their earbuds/airpods.

I suspect pictures are the same. While there is a group that cares about the true quality of cell phone pics. I imagine a large percentage are just shooting pics of friends and family and if they come out 'fairly decent', they are totally happy. The 11 is their mainstream entry level phone. They could spend a lot appealing to the small percentage wanting high-end quality pics, or potentially cut a few corners that the overwhelming majority won't' even notice.
I understand that most photos published are only viewed briefly within seconds and indeed detail isnt important. I guess I just like to have more than what I need so im covered.
More to the point I think its a realisation we are still in development , more so with the recent hike in camera "capabilities" (being careful here ;) ) and so will probably see my expectation come to fruition possibly in the next model. Just need to take hype with a pinch of salt as its different for different persons expectation indeed.

Im 47 btw :)
 
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MrAperture

macrumors 6502a
Sep 16, 2017
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SF, CA
Your X shot may work better for you in lower lighting settings because the 11 is bigger/heavier thus you’re not able to keep the phone as steady.
 
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Aljon

macrumors member
Aug 1, 2019
55
7
same on xs max the iphone x is sharper than my xs max. specially when ur zooming the image its very blurry on the xs max
 
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PBG4 Dude

macrumors 601
Jul 6, 2007
4,361
4,644
I'm in my 40s. When I was in HS and college, quality speakers in your car and dorm room was a huge deal. Now 90% of people are happy with whatever comes out of their earbuds/airpods.

I suspect pictures are the same. While there is a group that cares about the true quality of cell phone pics. I imagine a large percentage are just shooting pics of friends and family and if they come out 'fairly decent', they are totally happy. The 11 is their mainstream entry level phone. They could spend a lot appealing to the small percentage wanting high-end quality pics, or potentially cut a few corners that the overwhelming majority won't' even notice.
I still have my 4 foot Technics tower floor speakers. Those things kick ***. I also used to have one of those 9 volt transistor radios with the single crystal earphone and telescopic antenna so sometimes I listen to music on iPhone speakers to remember the bad old days of crappy mono radio LOL. iPhone still smokes the old transistor radio by a long shot, even if I can’t stretch out the coil to get airplane communications instead of FM radio.

On topic, I’ve noticed it seems to do more work to the picture after it has been taken than my 7 does. I’m guessing this is due to the low light and other computations that only happen on the 11 series.
 
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rich32gb5s

macrumors 6502
Original poster
Oct 16, 2013
267
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Berkshire
Used procam to enable manual adjustment. Both images ISO 500 1/50 . Iphone 11 brought out more detail but the X still does a very good job. Both cropped quite heavily.

Iphone X top photo , then 11
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