iPhone resolution
Jul 1, 2019 15:54:24 #
No one has yet to explain how the lens of a iPhone that is smaller than a dime can take hi-res photos that are close to a 50mm Nikor or similar lens.
Jul 1, 2019 16:28:14 #
morgancbjr wrote:
No one has yet to explain how the lens of a iPhone that is smaller than a dime can take hi-res photos that are close to a 50mm Nikor or similar lens.
You can evaluate such photos visually in conjunction with numerous videos readily available on YouTube.
Go to YouTube and search on a topic such as “50mm Nikon image compared Apple iPhoneX image”. You may have to change the title of the topic, but the ultimate result should be responsive to your question. Smartphone images are currently used as a benchmark by artists, architects, decorators, commercial photographers, etc. Compare an image captured with an Olympus OM-D E-M1ii micro 4/3 sensor vs one from a Nikon D750 full frame DSLR. The Oly sensor is much smaller, but the two images are definitely comparable.
Jul 1, 2019 16:36:24 #
morgancbjr wrote:
No one has yet to explain how the lens of a iPhone that is smaller than a dime can take hi-res photos that are close to a 50mm Nikor or similar lens.
Read this article and you will understand (or not) when the smartphone cameras and DSLR cameras can produce equivalent photographs. See Andy's paper at https://www.spiedigitallibrary.org/journals/optical-engineering/volume-57/issue-11/110801/Equivalence-theory-for-cross-format-photographic-image-quality-comparisons/10.1117/1.OE.57.11.110801.full
The comparison with smartphones is towards the end. A beer or two also helps the understanding improve I have found.
Jul 2, 2019 08:57:25 #
That could be read 2 ways: image quality, or apparent perspective. Apparent perspective would be that the small cell phone lens is in front of a small sensor, the Nikon 50mm lens would be in front of a larger sensor. Image quality would look much the same if it was a small blow-up, like 4x6 or 5x7. The larger the blow-up, the more of a difference you would see. Has "someone" explained it yet?
Jul 2, 2019 09:18:38 #
gvarner
Loc: Central Oregon Coast
morgancbjr wrote:
No one has yet to explain how the lens of a iPhone that is smaller than a dime can take hi-res photos that are close to a 50mm Nikor or similar lens.
The resolution for my iPhone XR photos is 72ppi. I don’t call this hi resolution but it is good enough to display on a screen and to print up to 16x24 if you’re careful and know what you’re doing. Cameras in pnones are designed primarily to display on a screen, not for printing.
Jul 2, 2019 09:19:00 #
ELNikkor wrote:
That could be read 2 ways: image quality, or apparent perspective. Apparent perspective would be that the small cell phone lens is in front of a small sensor, the Nikon 50mm lens would be in front of a larger sensor. Image quality would look much the same if it was a small blow-up, like 4x6 or 5x7. The larger the blow-up, the more of a difference you would see. Has "someone" explained it yet?
Yes, read https://www.spiedigitallibrary.org/journals/optical-engineering/volume-57/issue-11/110801/Equivalence-theory-for-cross-format-photographic-image-quality-comparisons/10.1117/1.OE.57.11.110801.full.
Jul 2, 2019 09:26:09 #
Here's a little spin on the analysis. Filmmaker Steven Soderbergh shot both "Unsane" and "High Flying Bird" using only iPhones. See these films on the big screen and wonder at how such a little camera lens and sensor can produce such quality. And, at 12mp for the iPhone 8 through X, it's a camera that produces beautiful images that can be dramatically enlarged. More critical is how the shooter uses the camera; it's really just a black (gold, rose gold, space gray, silver and for the Xr, lots of other colors) box with a hole in it, like any other camera. How long the hole is open and where it's aimed are the principal determinants of image quality.
Please don't flame me. I've been a published Nikon Professional and ASMP member for many years which gives me an even greater appreciation for what Apple hath wrought.
Please don't flame me. I've been a published Nikon Professional and ASMP member for many years which gives me an even greater appreciation for what Apple hath wrought.
Jul 2, 2019 09:26:58 #
The pixels in the cell phone are much smaller, but they work in the same way.
Generally speaking, if you have good light, and a slow moving subject, and no need to blur the background, a cell phone will take a picture that looks similar to, if not better, than a large-sensor camera. The cell phone has an advantage of a huge processor that can balance color to improve skin tones, enhance lighting, slim people down, or whatever. The dedicated camera will produce a more accurate picture, but people don't always want "accurate".
The big sensor will also start to pass the cell phones when it comes to low-light, fast-moving subjects, and blurring out the background. Cell phones can do a bit of this with computations, but it usually just looks like a half-finished mess.
An easy experiment: Take some pictures of buildings and sunsets outside in good light with a cell phone and a real camera. (Take the same subject from the same angle so you can compare the pictures.) Then go inside and take some pictures of dogs and kids in average indoor light.
For the outdoor pictures, it might be hard to tell the two cameras apart. For the indoor pictures, literally anyone will be able to tell the difference.
Generally speaking, if you have good light, and a slow moving subject, and no need to blur the background, a cell phone will take a picture that looks similar to, if not better, than a large-sensor camera. The cell phone has an advantage of a huge processor that can balance color to improve skin tones, enhance lighting, slim people down, or whatever. The dedicated camera will produce a more accurate picture, but people don't always want "accurate".
The big sensor will also start to pass the cell phones when it comes to low-light, fast-moving subjects, and blurring out the background. Cell phones can do a bit of this with computations, but it usually just looks like a half-finished mess.
An easy experiment: Take some pictures of buildings and sunsets outside in good light with a cell phone and a real camera. (Take the same subject from the same angle so you can compare the pictures.) Then go inside and take some pictures of dogs and kids in average indoor light.
For the outdoor pictures, it might be hard to tell the two cameras apart. For the indoor pictures, literally anyone will be able to tell the difference.
Jul 2, 2019 14:18:48 #
gvarner wrote:
The resolution for my iPhone XR photos is 72ppi. I don’t call this hi resolution but it is good enough to display on a screen and to print up to 16x24 if you’re careful and know what you’re doing. Cameras in pnones are designed primarily to display on a screen, not for printing.
72ppi is a computer label that is completely meaningless! My PC has that label on my 8MB photos from my oldest DSLR as well as for the 24MP photos from my newest.
"ppi" is pixels per inch. A photo has no real physical size until you print it, so inches has no significance when describing a photo file.
Jul 2, 2019 16:11:32 #
AirWalter
Loc: Tipp City, Ohio
rjaywallace wrote:
You can evaluate such photos visually in conjuncti... (show quote)
Compare Samsung videos to iPhone. Samsung doesn't give iPhone a chance! I have an IPhone,but only pick it up to charge the battery, install updates, and in case of an emergency. Gift from Daughter.
Jul 2, 2019 21:41:03 #
It will be interesting to see the comments about the MotoZ4. How does it stack up to a photo taken by Nikon D850 with a 50mm 1.4? I am guessing this phone could replace my 4 year old iPhone.
https://www.motorola.com/us/products/moto-z-gen-4-unlocked
https://www.motorola.com/us/products/moto-z-gen-4-unlocked
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