yashsingh1/xdaforums huggingface dataset:
[Xperia Z3 General] Chefproll:
This is what I wrote:

Sorry, guys...

The Z3 camera is subzero. Obviously, Sony did not adapt the software to the newer Z3 hardware. Just have a look at the picture's edges, far left and far right. Totally out of focus.

I compared the Z3s photos with the same pictures taken using my old S4: Z3 can't even cope with a 13 MP camera.

It's not the hardware; it's the software Sony totally spoiled. If taking indoor photos under lower light conditions, Z3 dominates the field.

But if taken outside under the bright sun, Z3 loses big, big, time. I guess it's the software not adapted to the Z3 hardware, plus a REAL BAD compression algorithm, combined with a REAL BAD antaliasing code.

Try for yourself. Shoot some photos, view them in 1:1 (!!!) resolution on your PC monitor. Do NOT try to evaluate the picture quality by looking at your Z3's display or by checking the photos at your reduced monitor resolution. This way, every picture looks great, even the HTC One rubbish. Make sure the pictures are displayed 1:1.

(If you use the excellent free "FastStone Image Viewer": Display the photo in fullscreen, hit the "/" key on your number pad.)

Then you'll go pale, mates...

Enjoy the horror.

Now for your question: In medieval times, they used to behead those people delivering bad news. Don't try the same. :)

Just check your Z3 camera's picture quality as I suggested, you'll get the same results.

Get hold of a Samsung S4 (they're that widespread, it should be no problem finding a friend using one), compare. Note that the Z3 offers a greater field of view, so make sure to get a little closer with your Z3 until the picture shown on screen is exactly the same. Shoot, compare the photos at FULL resolution (1:1) at your monitor screen.

Shoot at 8 MP and 20,7 MP (Manual Mode) resolutions, lower your Z3's EV value (exposure value) to -1, select "Sunny" White Balance to avoid overexposure and wrong color rendition.

And just witness how a 20,7 MP monster gets shattered by a 13 MP dwarf.

Do the same with macro pictures, compare the front cameras as well (deactivate "Soft Skin" in the Z3's settings). And prepare for a shock.

Comparing photos on small device's screens or at reduced monitor resolution does NOT reveal differences. This way, even HTC One pictures look great.

Our Z3 camera has extreme problems with oversharpening, horrible compression and antialiasing algorithms, and blurred focus at the picture's edges - especially with photos taken under bright sunlight.

I'll open a separate thread with comparison pictures as soon as the weather allows (rain for days in Germany).

In the meantime: Try for yourself, don't get fooled by the great picture's appearance on the tiny display. - Almost any "comparison" pictures reduced to a smaller resolution than it's original resolution cannot be used for a real comparison as it's details which counts.
[Xperia Z3 General] sanakin:
Half shot hdr standard cam z3

[IMG="Pic"]http://amoripazzi.altervista.org/DSC_0005.JPG[/IMG]

[IMG="Infopic"]http://amoripazzi.altervista.org/dscshot.jpg[/IMG]

[IMG="Pic Sun"]http://amoripazzi.altervista.org/DSC_0009.JPG[/IMG]

[IMG="ModePic"]http://amoripazzi.altervista.org/Mod1412762744050.jpg[/IMG]
[Xperia Z3 General] zodiac100:
No mate, the Sony cameras have very slow shutter speed and so a very steady hand is required especially at full res. Sony phones also have hopelessly poor auto modes which fail consistently with WB,exposure and ISO settings.

Sony phones need manual operation of their cameras and by that I mean full manual controls for everything.

They're not so good at point and shooting. You need an iPhone for that.

You've got to learn to know and use the camera to love it. It's capable of great things but only when set up correctly.

It's interesting to see a few htc fans now with the z3. I suppose that's not surprising considering the rounded metal frame and stereo speakers . Just right up the htc fanboys street lol!

Personally, I'd like to see Sony facing Samsung head on and not pandering to htc. Not that many users to gain there since htc don't have that many fans themselves. Samsung has them all and that's who Sony should be looking at.

If they had been looking at Samsung, we would have got a z3 which could have stood toe to toe with the note 4 and not this rounded off dual speakered joker.

My advice to Sony is, stop looking at htc for inspiration. They're not exactly in good health themselves.

What most Sony fans wanted was something that could match the Samsung devices spec for spec and a camera that rivaled the Nokias.

They came closest with the z2 but with the note 4,Samsung has opened up the gap again. A gap I hope Sony closes again with the z4.

The z3? A missed opportunity in my view!
[Xperia Z3 General] jonmorris:
Given Samsung's big drop in profits, I am not sure Sony wants to copy Samsung any more than HTC. It needs to be all Sony.

What Sony now needs to do is improve its camera software (something I think I've said on and off since the Xperia S or even as Sony Ericsson) and also stop releasing a new phone every six months.

It's mostly there with the camera software, with auto mode pretty much usable for anything if the lighting is good - but once that light dips (even outdoors as dusk sets in) then auto can destroy all attempts to get a nice photo, even of non-moving landscape shots and close-ups.

I've seen what the camera can do when you get the settings right, so there's no issue with the sensor itself. Usually you expect a crappy sensor letting down the software, so it's always annoying when it's the other way around. And Sony needs to learn that when the automatic mode, which most people will use, isn't great - it impacts on the reviews, which then helps spread the false impression that the cameras aren't good.
[Xperia Z3 General] GoyoNeuff:
That is great... ! Could you take a few pictures with the settings you are recommending, and then just in "auto" mode to see the real difference?

You are not alone, sure there are many folks out there wondering the same thing. For what I have read, the LG G3 is better taking moving objects, like the kiddos. Now, in poor light conditions, you need to go to a Nokia 808, 1020, or something similar with a decent flash.

Point taken. Cheers. I was not sure if you were serious or not, apologies for that.

Yes, it would be great if you can compare the Z3 to the S4 to show the differences. I honestly do not care for the brand or release date of the phone. Prove in case: I still have a Nokia 808 "The King" of mobile photography. All I care is for a good device. If you can prove that the S4 takes better pictures than the Z3, then I will probably buy the S4 used. I was hoping for the iPhone 6 but not convinced for various reasons. The LG G3 and their buttons is awkward for my taste, and it is getting too big. I can go and on... my point is that I will go with any brand and/or phone, as long as it takes the best pictures out there.

Anyways, sorry if I said something that offended you !

Cheers.

I am not sure about that. The Note 4 has the same sensor as the S5, and for what I have read, the pictures are not better than the S5, which it turns, comparisons show that is not that always better than the Z3. Is there anything missing here ? I also considered the Note 4 even though it is way bigger for my taste, but the taking notes/small tablet concept really intrigues me... however, when I saw pictures taken with it, the results did not convince me. Maybe you can get comparison shots to show that it is in fact better than the Z3?

Totally agree with you, and also have said this many times in different forums. I am far from being an Apple fanboy, but one thing they do great is the integration of hardware with software, just look at the success iPhones have had in mobile photography/smartphone category. There is one reason why I have very high hopes with the Sony Z3 (and other Android new phones): Android L. If we get RAW capabilities, I am sure that sooner or later there will be a nice App for photo processing in our phones and then we might get the best out of the hardware in really nice phones like the Z3.

Cheers.

G.
[Xperia Z3 General] zodiac100:
When I say gap, I mean the gap between both devices in general and not just in camera performance. The Samsungs aren't well regarded for lowlight performance and that's true of the note 4. OIS has never proved itself on smartphones so don't think it'll make much difference to the note 4 either.

In general though, with its 805cpu, qhd screen, fingerprint scanner and heat rate monitor, it's technically superior to the z3. Considerably so in my view and much more future proof.

Is the z3 better built? Certainly but the note is premium enough for most I think. It's not the same plastic joker as before that's for sure!

Sony need to close this gap with the z4.
[Xperia Z3 General] Chefproll:
Horrible color noise everywhere (worse with the second photo), even with that high degree of brightness, left hand area of the pictures out of focus, awkward color rendition.

---------- Post added at 06:01 PM ---------- Previous post was at 05:54 PM ----------

I am VERY serious about that. ;)

Give it a little while. The Z3's camera hardware seems to be very capable - it's the fu... Sony software spoiling everything.

Let's hope Japan wakes up; eventually.

No offense caused. :) - I am just a bit tired about reading everywhere the camera is "soooooooo great" - all that Amazon buyers behaving like Apple customers: If their device has a serious flaw, they just don't WANT to see it. :)
[Xperia Z3 General] ziuta24:
Auto settings ;)
[Xperia Z3 General] subhani:
[MENTION=2850170]Solidswede[/MENTION] you took some awesome pics mate. SUPERB fidelity and detail!
[Xperia Z3 General] KurtHoyle:
Berry...

https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B5ZHKC50yEhGOVZwM25OM09ydGc/view?usp=sharing
[Xperia Z3 General] tamilplaya98:
Cant you see it that the tree leaves and grasses are very unclear?
[Xperia Z3 General] SweDunda:
Does the Z3 have macro mode function? How do I turn it on?
[Xperia Z3 General] psychok9:
Someone have tried Z3 20mpx mode with ProCapture in reduce noise mode (2 shots combined for reducing noise)?
[Xperia Z3 General] carljoe:
Just took this yesterday. Did just use the superior auto mode, and no filter or editing is used.
[Xperia Z3 General] subhani:
I have tried this but not a noticeable improvement. Plus VERY slow to produce the final image.

Regarding your last question, just use manual mode, set resolution to 8mp and then choose 'night mode' for 'manually' slowing down the shutter speed.

Hit THANKS if I helped, cheers! Sent using a Z3 via Tapatalk.
[Xperia Z3 General] psychok9:
With my old S3, I've noticed a reduction of chroma noise. The slowness it's normal because it makes two shots :)

Do you think it is necessary for internal use in low light/flash? Classic pubs, bars, etc (my main usage).

Thank you very much, you've been very kind.
[Xperia Z3 General] jhnvlz:
Tampa

VSCO + Snapseed
[Xperia Z3 General] Silverdace:
20mp manual with "drama" effect applied from photo editor.
[Xperia Z3 General] subhani:
Oh wow [MENTION=2822635]Silverdace[/MENTION] and [MENTION=6212795]jhnvlz[/MENTION]

Hit THANKS if I helped, cheers! Sent using a Z3 via Tapatalk.
[Xperia Z3 General] jhun80:
No edit
[Xperia Z3 General] vegetaleb:
Looks like next HTC M9 will have the same Sensor as the Z3 :D

The Z3 takes beautiful photos though I noticed that noise removal is pretty high and/or Jpeg compression is very high (like all the SE phones I had before).

IS there any mod for the camera to at least decrease the Jpeg compression? And if yes can you show the difference in photos with and without it?
[Xperia Z3 General] Hustlervanz:
Post some pictures during the new year especially the fireworks! :D
[Xperia Z3 General] radicans:
There are no settings for noise removal unfortunately. The jpeg compression level can be changed in some custom apps, but not the stock camera app where it is fixed at 85%. However, there is no discernible difference between 85% and 100% jpeg compression quality in this case, so I wouldn't bother.

On the other hand, you can safely set the compression level lower than 85% (maybe 70%) to save some space, without affecting the image quality. This works because what looks like jpeg compression in the photo, is in fact not. It is a result of built in Sony image processing. I tried saving an uncompressed Z3 photo as jpeg, and you can begin to notice small differences at ~50% jpeg quality, if you zoom in to full pixel view.
[Xperia Z3 General] Venacephalica:
Happy new year from Germany :D
[Xperia Z3 General] isaali93:
Taken using the Fireworks Scene Mode
[Xperia Z3 General] Andrew Prem:
My shots

My shots
[Xperia Z3 General] texaslittleangel:
This might be a bit much to ask but can someone summarize some of the best settings discussed throughout the 101 pages on this thread?

TIA =)
[Xperia Z3 General] Drzfr3shboialex:
So I just found out auto uses 8mp and not 20mp. Lol
[Xperia Z3 General] Nplus1:
Cool shot! Did you use a tripod?

*slow_clap*
[Xperia Z3 General] dadoohan:
Manual VS Auto

Backlit pictures, nearly the same view

- 4:3 -> 20Mpx Manual

- 16:9 -> 8Mpx Auto
[Xperia Z3 General] isaali93:
It was handheld actually ?.

Here are some other pics I took
[Xperia Z3 General] cadboncopyvw:
A couple of auto shots

Lyme Regis

A pool on Dartmoor
[Xperia Z3 General] CandyAndy:
I never use auto anymore. It made me sell my first z3 and get Note 4. However I am back to z3 and I have learnt to use the camera a bit better now
[Xperia Z3 General] Nplus1:
Wow, great! You must have really steady hands :D

Excellent shots! I'd like to see the iPhone 6 do better in the same situation!

Since the last update, I'm under the impression that SA is improved. At least in daylight shots, there's simply no comparison (noise, sharpness, color balance, etc).

As a general rule (at least before the update) for good lighting and almost no lighting the SA was better. For everything in between and for night shots of lights (skyscrapers or scenes like yours) manual with low ISO was the only way to go.

Still have to test the results after the update though, I have a feeling auto works better in more situations.
[Xperia Z3 General] cadboncopyvw:
I try not to but in both of the shots above it was so cold I could barely hold the camera let alone faff with settings :D
[Xperia Z3 General] Knakharses:
These are some pictures I took recently at a light festival in Utrecht, Netherlands. I'm still learning to use the Sony camera app. At first I hated it, but now I've gotten a bit more proficient with it I'm actually growing to like it, I hope there's some way I can keep it when I inevitably flash CM12 when it becomes more stable. Anyway, most of them are taken using the manual settings I thought were best. The first image shows what happened when I let 'Auto' make the decisions.

http://imgur.com/a/5EyYl#1

All of these pictures were taken with a rooted phone, i.e. no low-light enhancing algorithms. Hope you like them :)
[Xperia Z3 General] undercover:
Google Camera HDR,20mp, 4:3

I'm using Google Cam nowadays. Simply because of image naming believe it or not, as stupid dsc naming messes up my cloud backup. Google naming is a lot more convenient as it's dated.
[Xperia Z3 General] Stixxbixby:
Very impressive night pics! Lol about the 1st pic too.

Care to share any more details regarding the manual settings that u chose? Thanks.

Sent from my Xperia Z3
[Xperia Z3 General] kibbster:
I have a Z2 and in my experience the weak point with the Xperia camera is focus using the stock app.

It's shocking!

The google app actually focuses properly and makes the Z camera a viable camera in my opinion.

Also never use SA unless you have no choice - it's dreadful compared to manual!

I still miss the HTC M8 though, 4 megapixels or not.

It was a better camera than my Z2 (Pixel count aside)

The M8 focused faster and sharper with a faster shutter speed and made me want to go out and take photos for fun.

Exposure was the M8 weakpoint not lack of megapixels.
[Xperia Z3 General] Knakharses:
I used ISO 50, multi autofocus and I believe also night scene. The rest of the magic is having a steady hand, because image stabilization doesn't work at that low iso value.
[Xperia Z3 General] Memnoch30:
Since it's software stabilization, it just doesn't work when you specify any ISO other than automatic. The software disables it. It's not because it's a low ISO. If you choose a scene mode they also get disabled.

Just thought I'd clarify for others. Go into manual, turn off scene modes and pick the lowest ISO you can hand hold.
[Xperia Z3 General] Knakharses:
Ah, thanks for clarifying. I assumed it was because of the low ISO because I didn't change much else.
[Xperia Z3 General] monte666:
Ben Lomand auto setting
[Xperia Z3 General] Venacephalica:
Manual mode; scene firework at iso 50 :D
[Xperia Z3 General] skit777:
Camera sucks on xperia z3!its just the worst among the flagship camera models.

Wysłane z mojego D6603 przy użyciu Tapatalka
[Xperia Z3 General] jonmorris:
It isn't that bad. In good light, it's fantastic. In next to no light with the right settings, it's fantastic. In low light in auto it's crap.

Once you understand it, you can usually get good shots from almost any situation.
[Xperia Z3 General] radicans:
This camera must be unique in the way it divides peoples opinions! It seems you either love it or you hate it :)

I've gotten over my initial frustration with it now, and I know fairly well what settings to use and not for best result, but would still rate it as mediocre when comparing to other flagship phone cameras, bar some impressive low light functionality.

...if you scale the result down to 2MP and do some color correction to do away with the ever present pink reds ;)
[Xperia Z3 General] charlatan01:
If I may ask, for those of you that have worked out how to get good low light shots, what are your preferred settings? I am wondering if you can shortcut the settings for when you need them. Sometimes I don't have a minute to setup manual mode for dark shots.

Also, if you have preferred settings for daytime shots etc... if you can share those that'd be awesome!
[Xperia Z3 General] psychok9:
I like to know if with "Better Camera" app, you can take 20 megapixels pictures at night mode (Better Camera app has is own night mode), avoiding 8mpx limitation.

Can you try it and post the picture here? I don't have any friends with Z3... :D
[Xperia Z3 General] One Twelve:
Since you've been clamouring for RAW for some time i was curious to see just what you could do with it.

So here are some raw

samples

from the nexus 5 using fv5, let's see how much you can improve them with post processing of the RAW image compared to the jpeg. I am assuming given your numerous statements that you actually know what to do.

This is going to be an eye opener and level set for when RAW actually does become possible later on.
[Xperia Z3 General] CandyAndy:
That's exactly what I thought first. However give it some time and learn to use it and you will find out that it's fantastic.

Only problem is the shutter speed. I can't capture moving objects.
[Xperia Z3 General] Knakharses:
I agree.. Customizing the shutter speed would be nice, but the camera certainly isn't bad.
[Xperia Z3 General] Silverdace:
I'm really thinking the camera hardware isn't bad. It's just Sony's auto mode and their weird processing. I'm sure with good software we would have a much better experience. Maybe Sony should ask Apple how they got the Sony sensor in the i6 to perform so well :P
[Xperia Z3 General] subhani:
Yes it does take it in 20mp using better camera app. The final result can be blurred due to 'ghosting' but a steady hand can do it right, under the correct low light situations. It takes 8 snaps slowly and that's why I don't use it. Sony camera is MUCH faster and often result is better.

Just use SA as it auto detects really low light situations, otherwise it will use night scene and slow the shutter down, potential for blur without steady hands again. Or just use manual and leave the 'high ISO sensitivity' option on. Done. (See below for more)

Jonmorris has nailed it. I can only compare with my wife's iPhone 6 plus, which has OIS and we all know iPhone's take damn good pictures. In my comparisons, the Z3 beats it in detail dept in VERY well lit scenarios, extremely low light scenarios and in anti motion blur mode. Everywhere else in between, the iPhone wipes the floor with the z3, in both detail and dynamic range. See the comparison below of my bedroom at night. Light source is outside the room and lights OFF in the room. SPOILER: The black non discernable ones are the iPhone LOL. Problem is that, this kind of scenario isn't a common environment for taking pictures.

Sorry I don't know why two of the portrait snaps appear in landscape. Final note is that the visibility in the room really WAS the way the Sony captured it. The iPhone does NOT depict the scene at all accurately.

Hit THANKS if I helped, cheers! Sent using a Z3 via Tapatalk.
[Xperia Z3 General] psychok9:
[MENTION=3292308]subhani[/MENTION] Last 2 were in 20mpx/manual high iso mode?
[Xperia Z3 General] subhani:
They were using Superior Auto mode. There is no such thing as a 20mp high iso mode. It's 8mp high iso only. But I didn't use that setting since SA does this anyway.

I have my manual settings set at 15mp wide 16:9 for the bright light situations. Otherwise I fire the camera using hardware button into auto mode. The latest update to .77 has made SA mode much better, unless it's a placebo effect I'm experiencing.

Hit THANKS if I helped, cheers! Sent using a Z3 via Tapatalk.
[Xperia Z3 General] psychok9:
:good:

What's the max ISO in manual mode? Can u use it in low-mid light situations? :highfive:
[Xperia Z3 General] One Twelve:
Do you know how to work with RAW files ?

Check my earlier post for sample RAW's produced with the N5.

The purpose of this exercise is to see how well people can do with it over the default jpg.

RAW does not do any noise correction at all. So the picture looks like it was made on sand paper. You have to use your own judgement how much noise to pull out over retention of detail. There is a tradeoff, reduce noise, loose detail. Then you need to sharpen it.

Sony is in the dock over their processing and RAW will remove it. Well, how much can one expect is the question.
[Xperia Z3 General] doministry:
It isn't perfect solution, but Sport and Party modes in 8mpx

work quite well with moving objects.
[Xperia Z3 General] radicans:
Thanks for the link. My main reason however for wanting RAW is simply to circumvent the Sony processing, and here is a Nexus device. But still interesting nevertheless, will give it my best shot.

I will get onto it when I can, just about to head off on a skiing trip. Probably a good time to try the 120fps video.
[Xperia Z3 General] Silverdace:
I've had a quick play and tried to emulate what Sony does by applying heavy sharpening balanced with some noise reduction. Possibly not aggressive enough noise reduction though as the pic comes out not bad :).

I might have another play when I have some time free. However, until we get Sony's raw files we can't make a proper comparison.

Links

Original JPEG

https://www.flickr.com/gp/127371734@N05/E3o4iW

Processed

https://www.flickr.com/gp/127371734@N05/5a6t6u