Camera comparison: HTC One X vs Nokia N8 vs SGS II vs Samsung Galaxy Nexus

We recently read from AAS’ Steve Litchfield that the One X was still comfortably beaten by the 2010 camera in the Nokia N8. Now that wasn’t a win on the basis of it being a Symbian site, if you had read Myriams review of the One X, you’ll have read that Myriam is still very impressed with the N8 “ Sure, it’s not in the same league as the N8 (which rivals the S95 in some cases)”

Now don’t shoot me here, but there’s a lot of impressive things HTC are doing too. Their camera UI in the One X, like that in the 808/N9 is pretty darn good, with a fast starting camera, quick take time in a relatively slim body producing quite good pictures (surprisingly very nice in low light no flash). I think praise acknowledgement is deserved where due and from once taking photos that look like it was captured by a potato to attempting to rival what Nokia produces at their best, it’s quite something. Well, best from 2 years ago. All camera phones will be demolished by Nokia’s best (5 years in the making) this May. (BTW, apparently HTC’s own Amaze was better than the One X  quality wise). Where we have to worry is when Nokia’s new devices, like the N9 and 800 which don’t have the hefty camera lump get beaten in the camera department by said potato camera.

Anyway, I digress. What I wanted to share with you is a camera comparison between the Nokia N8 and that One X again, as well as the usual iPhone 4S, Samsung Galaxy SII and Nexus. This was done by phone arena.

http://www.phonearena.com/reviews/Camera-comparison-One-X-vs-Galaxy-S-II-vs-Nexus-vs-N8-vs-iPhone-4S_id3006

In most camera tests, the Nokia N8 stills wins. Colour reproduction, indoor, macro and exposure. Where I was surprised it was beaten was supposedly in detail, and night pics. For video, N8 still beats the 1080p HTC One X, apparently on par with SGS II with number 1 being the iPhone. In usability, N8 comes 3rd. That’s behind iPhone (2), HTC OneX at the top.

These phones aren’t just cameras. For many people, they need to be usable in many different areas too, and that’s where the age in the N8 shows – even with the current Belle as the hardware is lacking. You can tell this because Belle FP1 with much stronger CPU/GPU, 512mb RAM flies. I have never used it but I can guess it looking quite pleasant from the videos. The only issue I found mentioned by the MWC folks was some annoying software bugs every now and again (they were prototypes) the major ones we hope to be gone by May.

Thanks Thatsme, Sonny and Remco for the tip!

Category: Nokia, Symbian