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IPhone 4S against all other iPhone models (low light shooting)

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Re: IPhone 4S against all other iPhone models (low light shooting)

#31

Post by gcb »

jayfuerstenberg wrote: post #26
bprater wrote: post #4

I think we've finally came to the place where consumer-grade digital cameras will quickly begin to fade out. The images and video coming from the 4S are mind-blowing -- I'm still dumbfounded such a small lens array can produce such clear photos. (Check Vimeo's iPhone video channel.) The only thing my 4S lacks that my point-and-shoot has is an optical zoom. Beyond that, the phone's ecosystem of photo apps plus the abi…

I agree. I am the furthest thing from a pro photographer and always take blurry shots. But with the 4S they're all focused and crystal clear.

learn to leave the dial on 'automatic' on your camera.

and take the 2nd pic with the manual settings.

Re: IPhone 4S against all other iPhone models (low light shooting)

#32

Post by gcb »

codenerdz wrote: post #9
joejohnson wrote: post #7

Can anyone explain (simply) what the Camera+ app does that might be different than the integrated iOS camera app?

Camera+ provides several functions that I would consider super useful: 1) Timer mode -- allows me to minimize the shake in the less-than-ideal light situation. 2) Separate focus/exposure locks It also adds a number of post-processing filters, but these are a dime a dozen in this post-Instagram world

> 2) Separate focus/exposure locks

in hardware? or software post processing?

Re: IPhone 4S against all other iPhone models (low light shooting)

#33

Post by mixmastamyk »

artursapek wrote: post #18
jim_h wrote: post #17

Earlier quoted context omitted.

It is relevant since movement from their hands/body can change the outcome. With a tripod there would be no blur, but the picture quality would still shine through. The amount of noise difference in each phone's photos is very noticeable. In an experiment all the conditions should be the same except for the variable, which in this case is the phone.

Sure this would have made for a more scientific experiment, but I still argue that such a controlled experiment is less relevant to a user's real experience with the phone because the photos wouldn't look anything like the photos one would actually take. I assume the shooter tried to maintain a consistently steady hand throughout. The motion blur is significant because it speaks to the increased aperture/ decreased e…

Actually I'm contemplating replacing my broken camera with a 4s, something that will come up more often. I do take a little tripod with me when I travel, usually to take after sunset shots. I see your point though ... I'd have preferred to see how the quality improved without the blur, but perhaps this new tech is good enough to take shots at night without flash/tripod at all?

Re: IPhone 4S against all other iPhone models (low light shooting)

#34

Post by artursapek »

mixmastamyk wrote: post #33
artursapek wrote: post #18

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Sure this would have made for a more scientific experiment, but I still argue that such a controlled experiment is less relevant to a user's real experience with the phone because the photos wouldn't look anything like the photos one would actually take. I assume the shooter tried to maintain a consistently steady hand throughout. The motion blur is significant because it speaks to the increased aperture/ decreased e…

Actually I'm contemplating replacing my broken camera with a 4s, something that will come up more often. I do take a little tripod with me when I travel, usually to take after sunset shots. I see your point though ... I'd have preferred to see how the quality improved without the blur, but perhaps this new tech is good enough to take shots at night without flash/tripod at all?

Exactly. The disappearance of motion blur is a result of the camera improving, not of the person being inconsistent with how they're holding it.

Re: IPhone 4S against all other iPhone models (low light shooting)

#35

Post by Terretta »

sehugg wrote: post #11
bprater wrote: post #4

I think we've finally came to the place where consumer-grade digital cameras will quickly begin to fade out. The images and video coming from the 4S are mind-blowing -- I'm still dumbfounded such a small lens array can produce such clear photos. (Check Vimeo's iPhone video channel.) The only thing my 4S lacks that my point-and-shoot has is an optical zoom. Beyond that, the phone's ecosystem of photo apps plus the abi…

One thing smartphone cameras still don't do for me is minimize the time between wanting to take a shot and taking a shot. This is one area I think consumer cameras could also be improved. Ideally I'd like one button for pictures, one for video -- mash it down, the camera powers on and figures out what to do as fast as possible.

In iOS 5 you get instant camera access from your lock screen. This lets you quickly pull out your iPhone (or iPad and iPod touch of course) and take pictures without having to unlock the iPhone or clicking on the camera app. Here’s how to do this:

http://osxdaily.com/2011/10/14/camera-lock-screen-ios-5/

And once you are in the camera app, you can use the Volume Up button as a shutter to take pictures.

I've also noticed that the camera records what the action was at the time the shutter button's pressed, perhaps even a moment before the button was pressed, as though it's recording a continuous buffer and reaching back into it a few frames.

There are also a couple video apps that record a continuous buffer, and when you "start" a recording, they start it retroactively, so you can press record after something neat happens and not miss video of the event itself. The one I use has the great "Philip K Dick"-esque name Precorder:

http://www.airshipsoftware.com/precorder

Re: IPhone 4S against all other iPhone models (low light shooting)

#36

Post by alanfalcon »

gcb wrote: post #32
codenerdz wrote: post #9

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Camera+ provides several functions that I would consider super useful: 1) Timer mode -- allows me to minimize the shake in the less-than-ideal light situation. 2) Separate focus/exposure locks It also adds a number of post-processing filters, but these are a dime a dozen in this post-Instagram world

> 2) Separate focus/exposure locks in hardware? or software post processing?

In hardware. It's not post-processing, it's real camera control.

Re: IPhone 4S against all other iPhone models (low light shooting)

#37

Post by Splines »

ericb wrote: post #20
roc wrote: post #5

Earlier quoted context omitted.

As for still shooting, you may want to take an inventory of the places that people use their point-and-shoots. In my surveying, they're almost only used in places where macro, low-light, flash, speed (image stabilization) and zoom performance are very important: birthdays, landmarks, weddings, kids events, zoos. And those are features where the known solutions just do not fit into the physical constraints of smartpho…

You're right on the high end. On the low end, I went into a store 8 months ago and compared time to photo-snap from finger-press as well as blur on non-steady targets and none of the sub 500 dollar digitals stood up well. My iPhone 3g consistently captures better images than our 2 year old Cannon Powershot.

You must be exaggerating. I have a SD960 and it kicked the crap out of my 3G, and I'm no photographer to speak of. I can set a custom white balance, aperture and focus off-center if I want. With my 3G there isn't much control at all.

My 3G was handy if I forgot my P&S at home, but it was just a fallback, nothing more. I don't know if I'll replace my Canon with my 4S, but we'll see.

Re: IPhone 4S against all other iPhone models (low light shooting)

#38

Post by TeeOff »

TheIronYuppie wrote: post #6

This is an outstanding comparison. Roughly speaking, are there configuration settings required? Or is this just click?

No, it's a crap comparison...

Focus varies, exposure varies and I'm shure the stability of the person taking those pictures varies too.

It tells nothing about the quality of the camera (hardware) or the software (in phone post processing).

Meh.

Re: IPhone 4S against all other iPhone models (low light shooting)

#39

Post by nextparadigms »

sehugg wrote: post #11
bprater wrote: post #4

I think we've finally came to the place where consumer-grade digital cameras will quickly begin to fade out. The images and video coming from the 4S are mind-blowing -- I'm still dumbfounded such a small lens array can produce such clear photos. (Check Vimeo's iPhone video channel.) The only thing my 4S lacks that my point-and-shoot has is an optical zoom. Beyond that, the phone's ecosystem of photo apps plus the abi…

One thing smartphone cameras still don't do for me is minimize the time between wanting to take a shot and taking a shot. This is one area I think consumer cameras could also be improved. Ideally I'd like one button for pictures, one for video -- mash it down, the camera powers on and figures out what to do as fast as possible.

The Galaxy Nexus has zero-shutter lag, which means you take pictures instantly once you're in the camera app. You can also reach the camera from the lockscreen, too.
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