Single-Lens Google Pixel 2 Camera Takes Top Spot From iPhone 8 Plus in DxO Labs Tests

[Octavius8]

It is sad, but every year is more and more evident that Apple is doing less than the competition in several categories, like AI, photography, and even their famous ecosystem is getting challenged. All the money in the worl, controlling the hardware and the software, the highest prices for a "phone" and can't make the camera "the best" for even 2 months?, even HTC camera is better!, wow, is the premium of Apple loosing its meaning?. Top dollar for an IPhone 8 will not give the "best" camera now, shame on Tim!

 

[pat500000]

View attachment 723664


I don't see the uproar. Suddenly, all the "we need a headphone jack" critics disappeared.

It is personal preference thing. Some makes a big deal about, some don't. If it's a problem, don't buy it.

 

[glindon]

The aperture is a little better on the iPhone X at f/2.4 how that will translate into usage we don't know yet.
Also the iPhone X had Dual optical image stabilisation vs the 8 Plus having optical image stabilisation.

you’re getting 1/2 stop between 2.8 to 2.4 on the X plus OIS which probably translates to another 1/2 stop. At a full stop twice as much light is making it to the sensor. It will be considerably better at taking portrait photos indoors and the zoom will be usable indoors.

 

[MacPDiddy]

I for one am very happy that Google has suddenly become a full-time hardware player. We all benefit from increased competition, and there are very few companies that can compete with Apple. What Google demonstrated yesterday has a lot of potential, and the AI developments are very exciting.

The original Pixel XL almost had me switch to Android. It was a close call, but I ended up returning it for 7 Plus. Unless Pixel 2 XL turns out to have issues, this might be the phone. The way Google Assistant works across the devices, and how good it is (and how fast it is getting better) is probably just as important long-term as what hardware was released. Bold move Google, welcome to prime time.

Your move Apple, and no, Face ID is not it.

lol. Enjoy your Pixel spyware handset. Hard to believe intelligent people valuing privacy would sign up for a Google device that data mines your personal information. Android users aren't customers, they're the product (some would say suckers).
[doublepost=1507216775][/doublepost]

It is sad, but every year is more and more evident that Apple is doing less than the competition in several categories, like AI, photography, and even their famous ecosystem is getting challenged. All the money in the worl, controlling the hardware and the software, the highest prices for a "phone" and can't make the camera "the best" for even 2 months?, even HTC camera is better!, wow, is the premium of Apple loosing its meaning?. Top dollar for an IPhone 8 will not give the "best" camera now, shame on Tim!

Uh huh, sure. Apple is resting on its laurels and it's sheer coincidence that its silicon is destroying the competition. Amazing how many trolls camp on an Apple-centric site.

 

[mi7chy]

Look at the detail around this lady’s head.

Neither identifies her hair or what should and shouldn’t be in focus perfectly, but I know which I prefer.

Neither are perfect with regards to fake bokeh. One looks like heat plume coming from top of her head while the other has blur spots on the sides but I know I wouldn't prefer the overly hepatitis yellow tone.

Not a fan of fake bokeh in general but it's good to see different companies competing with different approaches. Google with AI processing, Samsung with best hardware technology and Apple with marketing.

 

[Col4bin]

The final camera output between the iPhone 8 and Pixel 2 are slightly negligible, so big deal. As technology continues to progress, photo quality and user's preference becomes more subjective, anyway.

 

[melendezest]

Exactly how Sammy was the saviour with removable batteries. And made fun of apple. And then next year? Don’t be too heartbroken if Sammy removes the jack with the 9 series

Hopefully Sammy will continue to listen to their customers. I still am upset about the loss of removable batteries, as well as the IR blaster.

The Note4 was the single best smartphone ever; a Swiss army knife that really could do it all. It only lacked waterproofing, I believe.

Sadly Sammy followed Apple for the Note5 and sealed it up and removed the microSD slot, but they brought the latter back for the (ill-fated) Note7 and 8 and kept the headphone jack, which shows (somewhat) they're still listening.

We'll see, but I hope that they realize that by doing what Apple doesn't they can carve their own profitable niche.

 

[coolbreeze]

The nuances that earn the "top spot" are irrelevant to 99.9999% of people.

You can dismiss it all you like, but the machine learning and processing that the Pixel does is absolutely innovative. Nobody uses actual cameras now, save for some "DSLR WARRIORS." People use their phone camera to document their entire life, children, vacations, all of it. In 40 years, you'll appreciate the nuances that earn the "top spot" since the images/video from your phone are all you have to remember life. Oh, and full-size images/videos are stored via the Pixel in Google Photos for free. You are using Google Photos, aren't you? If not, you need to start right now. Amazeballs (I know, NSA spying!!!11 etc).

The portrait mode, for example, is basically perfect. There are no artifacts/blurring around the hair/head since the algorithm is based on millions of portrait photos.

I understand people hate Google and drink the Tim Kool-Aid around here, but it's pretty easy to recognize the superiority of Google's Pixel photo/OIS/EIS. Had Apple done this, it would be smugly considered revolutionary and aggressively defended by everyone that is partial to Apple.

Let me remind ya'll that competition is good. Keeps pushing all manufacturers to do their best and consumers always win.

There is no need to have one telephone be the "winner."

And it has to be said...I know dxo is "lol fake" but there isn't currently any other widely used testing protocol. Until then, just know the Pixel 2 camera is really freaking good. Saying otherwise or dismissing it is a bit silly IMO. Yes Virginia, it's possible that there is another device out there that produces better results than what Apple makes. This is it.

 

[Defthand]

I’m interested to know how these flagship phones compare to compact point-and-shoots. Is the scoring in any way cross-compatible?

Such comparisons have been made, mostly when smartphones were a newcomer and their pics were comparatively terrible. A more current comparison would be interesting, but not in the context of a contest. A standalone camera has too many advantages over a smartphone camera that would make the contest pointless.

The fact is this, any camera can take a perfect picture if the exposure conditions are perfect for the camera’s abilities. Therefore, some smartphone photos could equal a standalone camera’s photos. However, the standalone camera has the ability to work with a greater range of exposure conditions.

I use my smartphone’s camera for casual snapshots, but I carry a compact point-n-shoot in my glove box for picture-worthy occasions that I don’t want to compromise, or spend a lot of time manually adjusting an app’s exposure settings.

 

[christo747]

You're seeing what you want to see.

I am a photographer and I see more than a usual untrained person. And I let my eyes judge not some data.

 

[melendezest]

View attachment 723664


I don't see the uproar. Suddenly, all the "we need a headphone jack" critics disappeared.

I voted with my walllet and chose a Note 8.

My device's battery life thanks me for not having Bluetooth on all the time, my ears thank me for having better sound quality, my watch thanks me for not having to wait to charge 2 devices instead of one, my pockets thank me for having to carry only one charger at best (and zero dongles) when traveling, my car thanks me by allowing charging and playing music at the same time, and my wallet thanks me for not having to pay more than $10 for when I inevitably break or lose my headphones.

I thank Sammy for listening to their customers.

 

[remydlc]

I could honestly care less who is in the top spot, but I care a LOT more about the quality of the media they are all producing.

Google is optimizing hardware and software, and they are way ahead on it, but it is going to be so long until the others catch up.... Imagine Google's AI with dual lenses? Well, thats what Apple and Samsung are going to do in order to claim the first spot, again. Eventually, Google will be forced to spent the money and add a second camera to their Pixels. How can you all miss this?

This is not a war between OEMs or Mobile OSes. Be happy with what you have, you cant go wrong with either phone. I love Android, but use iOS every day at will, more like every hour, I just love it. I have 3 phones and an iPad pro, pre-ordered the Pixel, but if you asked me I am almost preordering the X for my wife and myself. They are freaking marvelous pieces of hardware. The pictures will NOT disappoint, they improved a lot over last year phones.

PS: I am addicted to smartphones.

 

[marco114]

none of these phone cameras can even compare to my Nikon D610 with the 70-200mm f2.8 VR II lens

 

[v0lume4]

I honestly have to say -- Google's HDR+ mode is a game changer. That's what makes their cameras so great -- the software. It takes between 4-10 photos and merges them all together. The low-light capabilities are insane, and in some cases can trade blows with my DSLR. Yes, really.

Once you've tried it, it's hard to consider any other phone camera. And that's not to say the iPhone cameras are bad! Not at all.

 

[WatchFromAfar]

I am a photographer and I see more than a usual untrained person.

Blimey, you don't sound pretentious at all.

 

[coolbreeze]

This is not a war between OEMs or Mobile OSes. Be happy with what you have, you cant go wrong with either phone. I love Android, but use iOS every day at will, more like every hour, I just love it.

I agree. The "war" that has raged on over the years is pretty funny to be honest. Humans are interesting beings in that they feel their decision/choice is so correct that they must convince everyone else to fall in line behind them. No.

I have a Note 8. I love it. I also have an SE and 2017 iPad Pro 12.9". I love it. I also have a 2016 MBP. I love it. I also have a Lenovo X1 Carbon. I love it.

T-Mo is my carrier and I have (free grandfathered) DIGITS (cloned SIM setup). I use my Note 8 on my primary line because I greatly prefer Android and the Note 8 as a daily driver OS/hardware. My cloned DIGITS SIM is in my SE. I get calls/texts on both devices. I run every day and take my SE with me for music/calls and use my Apple AirPods. It's the perfect setup.

Choices are great and I lol at the aggressive fanboys when it comes to telephones.

Be together, not the same, right folks?

 

[mi7chy]

I can’t wait until the dual camera garbage is over (personally). Hoping we start to see actual zoom lenses within phones coming up soon.

Personally, I'd like to see a 3rd camera for wide angle since that's much more useful than a limited 2x zoom. Or, maybe Google can come up with some clever way to do all three with a single sensor.

 

[Tinmania]

What if you added a travel camera (under $200) like a Sony W350 into the mix. How would that compare. Miles different or fairly close and better for zoom? Just how good are phone cameras (and their associated premiums) compared to standalone travel cameras (I'm not talking about $200+ cameras - just basic low form factor travel ones).

Is there a need to perspective now that the prices of phones are over $1000. Back to two devices?

I think it is pointless to compare today's smartphone cameras to P&S cameras that no one buys or uses anymore. We are not going back to carrying a separate inexpensive P&S... those days are over.

As for more expensive digital cameras, prosumer or SLR, I think anyone who cared enough already knows you can get better results with them.

But in my opinion the quality of smartphone cameras has already surpassed the needs of most buyers, who will use them to post Instagram and Facebook photos, at a fraction of the quality the phone can produce.



Mike

 

[TonnyM]

View attachment 723664


I don't see the uproar. Suddenly, all the "we need a headphone jack" critics disappeared.

Many things are ok now, like huge bezels, protruded camera, audio jack dongle, no wireless charging.

 

[remydlc]

I agree. The "war" that has raged on over the years is pretty funny to be honest. Humans are interesting beings in that they feel their decision/choice is so correct that they must convince everyone else to fall in line behind them. No.

I have a Note 8. I love it. I also have an SE and 2017 iPad Pro 12.9". I love it. I also have a 2016 MBP. I love it. I also have a Lenovo X1 Carbon. I love it.

T-Mo is my carrier and I have (free grandfathered) DIGITS (cloned SIM setup). I use my Note 8 on my primary line because I greatly prefer Android and the Note 8 as a daily driver OS/hardware. My cloned DIGITS SIM is in my SE. I get calls/texts on both devices. I run every day and take my SE with me for music/calls and use my Apple AirPods. It's the perfect setup.

Choices are great and I lol at the aggressive fanboys when it comes to telephones.

Be together, not the same, right folks?

It is usually people that havent tried the newer devices/OS, or tried the other platforms 5 years ago, or are looking for specific features in the other platform that start wars and/or stay blind as to what the other platform offers.

See, when i use iOS i dont look to theme it, although doesnt mean i wouldnt like it, or use another launcher, or expect my google experience to be the same. When i use android i dont expect Messages or Hangouts to be the same as iMessage or expect some apps to give me the same feats as the have in iOS or to be running the latest and greatest if im not using the Pixel, etc. Once i know what to expect, they work awesome. Some people are heavily invested in on OS, and people cannot expect them to change just because a Camera works slightly better in a phone. Accept their option and move on.

 

[dwaltwhit]

I love competition! It drives innovation.

 

[mazz0]

Why would the X beat it? Isn't its camera the same as the 8+?

Edit: Apparently is has a bigger aperture. I assume that's good. And obviously the OIS on the zoom lens, but that presumably will just make zoomed shots sharper, and it wasn't sharpness where the 8+'s zoomed shots suffered.

 

[tooltalk]

"The new Google Pixel 2 has bumped the iPhone 8 Plus and Galaxy Note 8 off the number one spot to become the top-performing smartphone camera in DxO Labs' mobile photography tests. "

Dxomark score has two sub-categories: photo and video

Pixel2 (photo) 99 (video) 96
iPhone 8 (photo) 96 (video) 89
Note 8 (photo) 100 (video) 84

Now, I'm guessing these phones are using more or less the same Sony camera's. wonder what the difference is here.

 

[coolbreeze]

Now, I'm guessing these phones are using more or less the same Sony camera's. wonder what the difference is here.

Google's machine learning and algorithms. That's the difference. It's pretty nuts what they are capable of doing with mathematics. AI is their forte and they are damn good at it (see Siri vs Google Assistant).

 

[AppLearnStay]

Good to see the Apple champions here on the other hand clearly rise above such silly and unsubstantiated claims.






Edit:
Now getting seriously salty on here when just a mere two weeks ago, people were celebrating DxO.
https://www.macrumors.com/2017/09/22/dxomark-iphone-8-plus-best-smartphone-camera/

lol true story. people just dont appreciate competition