Camera: Exmor RS Beckons

Like with other Sony smartphones it's non surprising to see the inclusion of an Exmor RS sensor in the Xperia Z Ultra'south camera module. Unlike the Xperia Z and Samsung'south Galaxy S4 – both of which use thirteen-megapixel Exmor RS sensors – the Z Ultra features the lower-end IMX134 8 MP sensor. The pixel size (1.12μm) remains the same between the two sensors, and although both can do 1080p video at 30 frames per 2d, the 8MP unit lacks 1080p HDR/60fps video.

Sony has included what I believe to be the IU134F9-Z lens, which is a slim 4.2mm module featuring an f/2.4 aperture and 28mm effective focal length. Interestingly there is no LED flash on the Xperia Z Ultra, so it'southward all upwards to the sensor when it comes to low-light photography. The front of the device also sees a 2-megapixel camera capable of 1080p video recording.

I was pleased to once over again see a Sony smartphone camera with a plethora of settings, shooting modes and features. Most of the time I shot in Superior Auto manner, which automatically selects the all-time shooting mode based on the atmospheric condition information technology detects (and it does a really good job of it), although there's likewise a standard shooting manner. In the Normal mode you have total control over white balance, exposure, ISO, focus fashion, metering and more, which allows you to fine tune your photography where Superior Automobile doesn't get it quite right.

The Z Ultra also features HDR photography, outburst shot mode, film effects, and a panorama style. Like with near high-stop Android phones, the camera preview is a blazing fast sixty frames per second, and the shutter takes a photograph instantly. Unfortunately the phone isn't very useful for underwater photography equally there'southward no physical shutter push, just the Xperia Z1 should address this when it'south released later this yr.

When looking at samples taken direct from the Z Ultra's Exmor RS camera, I was a lilliputian disappointed when comparing them to shots taken on the 13 MP Galaxy S4 or Xperia Z. By default the unit shoots v MP photos at 16:9 (although you can change this to 7 MP 4:three shots). It isn't just in the resolution, photos not only appear less crisp, but also grainier in nearly all situations.

In scenes with strong calorie-free, the Z Ultra tin produce some nice photos, although it's always one step behind the other Exmor RS cameras in 1 way or some other.

Results are reasonably sharp when looking at a 100% crop, but the level of detail is a little bit defective for a high-terminate phone. The bokeh produced from the f/2.4 lens is also extremely weak and occasionally jarring, peculiarly in moderate lighting conditions where out-of-focus areas announced very overprocessed.

One aspect of the Z Ultra's camera that I was very impressed with was the color accurateness, which is near-perfect in substantially all conditions. The Superior Auto mode absolutely nails white balance and exposure across the board, and although color vibrancy isn't as potent every bit I've seen on other devices, I never saw extreme washing out or color tinting. Photos taken indoors are a trivial lackluster compared to those taken outside, but nevertheless they aren't nearly as terrible as those I've seen on devices like the HTC One.

Low-low-cal shots are naturally where the camera struggles the near, as the modest pixels and aperture, lack of optical image stabilization and no flash all work against the Z Ultra. In some of the shots I took at night, information technology was possible to make out the details of the subject I was shooting, merely rarely was the subject field crisp. In extremely dark areas – where the HTC One and Nokia Lumia 925 would succeed – there was basically no point using the Ultra's camera, equally you can't see anything just grain. A flash might have helped in these situations, but similar the choice to go with an 8 MP camera, I assume this was removed for space reasons.

For everyday shooting, you should be happy with the Xperia Z Ultra's 8-megapixel photographic camera, simply it's non an amazing unit like the Lumia 925 or Milky way S4. If you're looking for a large-screened phone that doesn't skimp on the camera, peradventure the Milky way Notation range will be more appealing to your needs.