Which Chinese smartphones have the best camera. Lead camera engineer for Sony Xperia on the development of mobile photography, Sony technologies and the future

Sony has a lot of matrices for smartphone cameras in its arsenal, and the range is constantly being updated. Along with radically new solutions (like the IMX400, which supports video shooting at 960 FPS), matrices are also being produced that are modified (improved or cheaper) versions of previous models. One of them was the Sony Exmor RS IMX386, which is actually an updated variation of the IMX286, released six months earlier.

Sony Exmor IMX386 is a photographic matrix, according to marketing ranking, located on the border of the middle and flagship price categories (closer to the flagships). It found application in smartphones priced at $250–$500, released in late 2016 and early to mid-2017. The Sony Exmor IMX386 review will take you closer to the technical specifications and capabilities of this camera.

Specifications Sony Exmor IMX386

The basis of the Sony Exmor IMX386 is a CMOS matrix, made in 4:3 proportions, standard for photographic equipment. Its size is 1/2.9″, physical diagonal is 6.2 mm. The full sensor resolution is 3968x2976 pixels or 11.8 megapixels. There is a phase-detection autofocus system with selective placement of the corresponding sensors (there is no Dual Pixel technology).

Due to the increased diagonal (compared to the most popular 1/3.06″) and reduced resolution (versus 13 megapixels), the camera has an increased pixel size. The dimensions of the pixel cell are 1.25x1.25 µm, which gives a 25% larger light-absorbing area than cameras with 1.12x1.12 µm: 1.56 µm2 versus 1.25 µm2. In theory, this should give higher quality and more detailed photos in low-light conditions, but how it works in practice – we’ll see later in the review.

Not all camera modules based on Sony IMX386 are equipped with an image stabilization system. Flagships have it, while mid-range models are equipped with sensors housed in a simpler housing. The optics of the cameras are also different: based on Sony IMX386, modules are created whose lenses contain 5 or 6 lenses, with an aperture from F/1.6 to F/2.2. Therefore, the final quality of photos and videos may vary on different devices.

Video recording from the camera can be recorded in resolution up to 4K. The maximum frame rate when recording video in Slow-Mo, with a reduced resolution, can reach 240 FPS, but is limited by the capabilities of the chipset. Therefore, in existing smartphones with Sony IMX386, the video recording speed is usually lower.

Smartphones with Sony Exmor IMX386 camera

As of the end of August 2017, the Sony IMX386 matrix was of interest only to leading Chinese smartphone manufacturers. Companies from Japan, Korea, and Taiwan have not yet released their devices with such a camera, but Xiaomi and Meizu liked this sensor. Companies have created a number of mid- and high-end devices with such matrices.

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FRAMELESS SCREEN FULLVIEW 8X features a frameless HD screen with new COF technology and a proprietary antenna design. The bottom bezel is just 4.25mm wide and the screen-to-front ratio is 91%. In other words, the screen takes up almost the entire front panel of the phone. 6.5 INCH SCREEN WITH 1080P RESOLUTION Thanks to the edge-to-edge screen, Honor 8X is as comfortable to hold in your hand as a smartphone with a 5.5-inch screen. The screen with an aspect ratio of 19.5:9 and high image quality allows you to see every detail.

16 MP FRONT CAMERA, HIGH QUALITY SELFIE Optimized ISO sensitivity, multi-frame image processing, built-in flash and bokeh effect will allow you to take a high-quality, expressive Selfie. UNLOCKING USING FACE RECOGNITION Face recognition allows you to quickly unlock your phone in any lighting conditions.

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The authoritative resource DxOMark published the results of testing the camera of the flagship Sony Xperia XZ Premium. Let us remind you that the smartphone is equipped with a 19-megapixel 1/2.3-inch Exmor RS IMX30 sensor with a pixel size of 1.22 microns and a lens with […]

Kensuke Mashita: “I would love to put a one-inch sensor and G Master lens into a smartphone.”

Since 2015, the editors of the site began to talk seriously about smartphones, because the camera in these gadgets has become more than just a tool in the hands of a photographer. Today we can state that yesterday’s users of smartphones with good cameras are gradually switching to amateur and professional cameras.

Sony Mobile invited us to conduct an exclusive interview with Kensuke Mashita, a senior manager from the Sony Mobile team. Mashita-san is responsible for the technologies used in the camera unit of Sony Xperia smartphones.

We tried to ask him the most important questions about Sony Xperia cameras, smartphone cameras in general, and where mobile photography is going next.

- Has the compact camera segment died with the growth of smartphone sales?

The market for compact digital cameras is declining. Our colleagues at Sony Digital Imaging are now focusing on high-end compact cameras. On the other hand, smartphones occupy the position of low- and mid-level compacts. And I think this trend will continue.

- What prospects do smartphones have in the photo market?

Smartphones today have achieved fairly high image quality, comparable to compact cameras that were released a few years ago. But a smartphone is more than just a camera: it has connectivity, advanced graphics and processing power, a stronger digital processor than cameras, a large display and a simple interface. Therefore, smartphones are completely different, they give us a new experience. For example, if it were not for the development of this market, selfies would not have appeared. We have to search and find new scenarios that are accessible not so much to the camera, but to the smartphone as a camera and a mobile device with capabilities to connect to mobile and wireless networks.

- To what extent is the smartphone camera today a reason to buy a new device or replace an old one?

According to our research, the most motivating factors for purchasing a new smartphone are the design of the device, the camera and battery life. These three factors are the main ones for the buyer, and they work in conjunction. The Russian market is especially focused on smartphone design. This is called show off, when the main goal is not to enjoy the appearance of the gadget, but to show off. This is where self-expression takes place through the design of the device.

The camera is just as important because it allows you to show off your best self, your accomplishments, and your surroundings.

It's no secret that Sony Semiconductors is the main supplier of sensors for mobile cameras. How is Sony Mobile related to this company?

Yes, all major manufacturers use Sony sensors in their smartphones. But each of them installs sensors with different characteristics. Of course, in mobile photography the sensor is important, but optics are also important. Because this is what all the restrictions apply to, including the thickness of the smartphone.

Most Sony smartphones have a camera that doesn't protrude from the body, but the iPhone and other devices have a camera that protrudes a millimeter or more. Our designers strive to ensure that nothing protrudes without compromising the functions and capabilities of the smartphone. For the buyer, design is extremely important, and we try to find a balance. But believe me, it is very difficult.

I can't say which Sony sensor is the best today. Sony Mobile's strategy was previously aimed at high resolution at 23 megapixels. But today, most manufacturers install 12 megapixel sensors, including Samsung and Apple. This is the difference between the approaches, because Sony used high resolution due to greater image stabilization capabilities and better picture quality when zooming in. Of course, in such scenarios our camera outperforms 12-megapixel sensors. But on the other hand, the physical size of the pixel is very important.

With the development of dual cameras in smartphones, many different solutions have appeared on the market. For example, thanks to zoom lenses, the quality of zoom has become an order of magnitude higher. We can say that a new era of mobile photography has arrived, and in the next generation we will show our vision. Unfortunately, I cannot share the details of our new strategy, but we will change some things in the near future.

The relationship between Sony Mobile and Sony Semiconductors has traditionally been such that we received a top-end sensor on exclusive terms. We got the IMX300, the same situation with the IMX400. This interaction will continue in the future. We act as a leader who tests new technologies.

G8142 SETTINGS: ISO 40, F2, 1/500 sec

How popular are the new features of the Motion Eye camera unit (predictive shooting, super slow-motion video shooting and autofocus tracking during continuous shooting), built on the Sony Exmor IMX400, among smartphone buyers?

The Sony Exmor IMX400 processor has a sensor with 128 megabytes of stack memory, and thanks to this it is possible to record video in super slow motion mode and carry out predictive shooting. With our camera you can see things that the human eye cannot catch.

Unfortunately, not much time has passed since the release of the first smartphone with Motion Eye (- editor's note). Not enough data has been collected yet. We have an idea of how many people take photos and how many take videos with their smartphones. Now we are trying to find out how many people use super slow motion. We found out that when getting acquainted with a smartphone, many people try to evaluate recording at a speed of 960 frames per second. Our goal is to make interest in know-how permanent. I think Sony's Super Slow Motion exceeds expectations. Some will say that this was done just to attract the attention of buyers, but we really wanted to create something new.

The most common argument of those who do not like Sony Xperia: “All smartphones have a Sony sensor (Samsung, Huawei, iPhone and others), but they all take pictures much better than Sony Xperia smartphones.” Do you have any understanding of why this happens?

Unfortunately, in mobile photography it is impossible to achieve the best quality in different conditions. Quality may vary depending on shooting conditions and functions used. Cameras with a 12-megapixel sensor and larger pixel size perform better in low-light conditions, but if you shoot daytime landscapes, you can achieve greater detail thanks to the higher resolution of the sensor. In my opinion, if we shoot a landscape, the Sony Xperia will win, but in a number of scenarios we may lose to our competitors. The question of approach is also important here. You can take a good picture in the dark with our smartphone, and its resolution will be one and a half times higher. We focus on high resolution because it provides better image stabilization.

If we made the same camera as other brands, perhaps there would be haters of a different order who would get to the bottom of the truth and find a difference in the performance of our camera compared to competitors.

Unfortunately, most people pay attention to “laboratory” camera tests, and it is better to look at real photographs. Sometimes one conflicts with the other. Of course, we prioritize user experience.

At the same time, we listen to the feedback of our users. For example, in the Sony IMX400 the resolution was reduced from 23 to 19 megapixels, thereby increasing the pixel size slightly. We tried to find a compromise and improved the situation with shooting in low light conditions. At the same time, super slow motion and stack memory appeared. Thanks to the latter, the situation with video recording, including HDR, has improved. This is only possible with memory. Soon we will have another improvement, which is being kept secret for now.

All Sony Xperia cameras are tested in more than 100 different scenarios. Lighting conditions at the same time differ in different parts of the world. In Russia, daylight hours tend to zero, so high-quality photography in low light conditions is extremely important for us. At the same time, there are different shades of light: people want to look good in photographs, so that the skin looks not only natural, but also beautiful. Similar feedback from Sony Mobile's regional offices is being accumulated all over the planet. It's impossible to standardize, but work is being done. The camera operates according to a certain averaged algorithm, and a compromise is reached.

G8342 SETTINGS: ISO 40, F2, 1/2000 sec, 4.4 mm eq.

Why does Sony Mobile ignore optical image stabilization in the main camera and continue to use its electronic SteadyShot system?

If we installed optical stabilization in a smartphone, there would be many photographs in which moving objects are greatly blurred due to increased shutter speed. This doesn't happen with SteadyShot. Yes, perhaps it would look impressive, but I’m not sure that everyone will like it. Thanks to SteadyShot, we have the opportunity to shoot at fast shutter speeds and avoid most blur. The automation itself understands what to do: if there is a dynamic scene in the frame, then the shutter speed will be minimal; if the picture is more static, the shutter speed increases. Of course, under normal conditions and in the absence of moving objects in the frame, smartphones with optical image stabilization take better pictures than Sony, but here again we are talking about different scenarios.

- In what proportions and what influences mobile photography: sensor, optics, post-processing algorithms?

Sensor - 30%, optics - 30%, image processing processor (ISP) - 30% and post-processing algorithms - 10%. It all depends on the type of processor. For example, in DSLR cameras there is almost no post-processing. Smartphones have technical limitations, so processing and post-processing are very important.

Any module developed at Sony Mobile is shown in the Digital Imaging division. They test our functions and issue a certificate of conformity.

Sony Mobile is the only brand in the market, with the exception of the Google Pixel 2 smartphone, that completely ignores the dual camera trend. Why is this happening? When can we expect a dual camera from Sony?

We monitor various trends. There are ideas for creating triple, quadruple cameras, combinations of different cameras. We introduced the stacked memory camera to the world. In our opinion, it provides a better experience compared to a dual camera. Technologies in processors and graphics are evolving, as is the camera. In the near future, the time will come to show a dual camera. Perhaps Sony will surprise you.

G8142 SETTINGS: ISO 40, F2, 1/5000 s

- When will the Camera app on Sony Mobile devices become more user-friendly?

We work not only for professionals, but also for a general audience that is not so well versed in various settings.

If we talk about manual settings, then for most users such parameters as shutter speed, light sensitivity, focus, white balance and exposure are sufficient. All this is in our application. But there are more advanced and demanding users. I can't go into details, but there will be changes to the app in the near future.

At this point, Mashita-san asked us what we would like to see in Sony smartphones. Our answer was simple: RAW format.

- I would like to know your attitude towards DxOMark testing. At the moment, Sony smartphones are not even in the top ten.

We always look at the results table and feedback from this site. Some of their comments are very helpful to us. But I'm not sure their tests can be 100% useful to most people in their use cases. Your colleagues at DxOMark gave us a lot of feedback when developing the testing policy, and it was really helpful in many ways. However, in September the benchmark changed, adding scores for optical zoom and background blur, and of course the new system focuses on the dual camera. We have always taken this platform seriously, but we want to look at the new methodology for distributing ratings, understand the logic and trends. Time needs to pass.

In fact, we are not only talking about DxOMark, but also about other laboratory tests and techniques that are used on the market. In my opinion, real photographs show the performance of the camera better than any tests. We will continue to observe the methodology, look at the results and, perhaps, turn to them again for feedback.

G8342 SETTINGS: ISO 40, F2, 1/1600 s, 4.4 mm eq.

What are the technical limitations of mobile phone cameras today? Is it possible to see some kind of serious breakthrough? For example, a one-inch matrix (as they did in the Panasonic CM-1) or a real telezoom lens. If you fantasize, what would you like to see in a mobile camera? And what can really appear?

In my opinion, a one-inch sensor in a smartphone camera is an excellent solution. But this will probably increase the thickness of the case and the weight of the gadget. An optical telezoom lens also requires more space. And today the market offers us a solution in the form of a dual camera. But this is not enough for us. Most likely, sensor sizes will not change in the near future. Perhaps the problems will somehow be solved by double, triple and “smart” cameras with artificial intelligence and machine learning.

I think that increasing the camera module is the next step in smartphone development. But if you think about it, a one-inch sensor is great, but it is very difficult to insert into a smartphone body. It might make sense to separate the smartphone and the camera, but Sony did that with the QX series. Maybe something will change in the optics: instead of G Lens optics, G Master will be used. The cost of such a smartphone will be very profitable for us, but people most likely will not appreciate it. Technically, such an implementation is possible.

Still, there are much fewer restrictions in DSLR and mirrorless cameras than in smartphones. But the computing power is on the side of smartphones. Cameras have their own development path, and smartphones have their own. Cameras must be comfortable and ergonomic, and they usually cost more than smartphones.

Modern smartphones have already grown to the level where they can become a full-fledged replacement for digital cameras. However, this applies mainly to top-end devices, which, as you know, are very expensive. However, today you can still get a not very expensive device with an excellent camera. Fortunately, in recent years, the mobile technology industry in China has pleased us with smartphones with a good ratio of price, quality and photographic capabilities. Let's look at the seven best camera phones from the Middle Kingdom.

This flagship has on board the best camera in 2016 of all smartphones made by the hands of the Chinese, and these are not just words. For those who like to take high-quality photographs with high clarity and good color reproduction, the Mi5 model is perfect. The powerful module of this device includes a fresh IMX298 sensor with a 16-megapixel resolution. In addition, there is 4-axis optical stabilization, which makes the frames very detailed. As for video shooting, there is no effect of shaking hands in the videos. The rest of the top-end device from Xiaomi is also impressive. It is based on the Snapdragon 820 chip, has 3 or 4 GB of RAM, 32 and 64 GB of memory, and the Pro version is even equipped with a 128 GB drive. The model is equipped with a 5.15-inch Full HD screen. Autonomy depends on a capacious battery with a resource of 3000 mAh. The software part is, and the proprietary MIUI 7 add-on hides it underneath.

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The latest flagship from the famous vendor boasts a dual 12 megapixel camera module, which no one has seen in mobile phones before. One camera is in color, while the other takes pictures in black and white. In addition, the cameras here are not ordinary ones, but made with the assistance of Leica. In particular, this company equipped the P9 and P9 Plus devices with its own optics and image processing algorithm, due to which the pictures are simply amazing. P-series smartphones of 2016 deservedly take a place in our honorary list, as they are one of the strongest photo solutions at the moment. The filling of the devices is also pleasing, because the powerful Kirin 955 chip is responsible for their operation, with 3 or 4 GB allocated for RAM. The screen size is 5.2 or 5.5 inches depending on the version. The storage capacity is 32 or 64 GB. The gadget interface is based on Android 6.0. The battery here has a capacity of 3000 mAh.

This “Chinese” is interesting not only because it is equipped with a powerful camera, but also because it has a cool LED flash of ten diodes arranged in a circle. Thanks to this equipment, the camera sensor receives the same amount of light from all sides. The shots are rich in color, even if taken in the dark. There is a 21.16 megapixel main module installed here with f/2.2 aperture, which is assisted by laser autofocus and two-color backlighting. The IMX230 sensor is manufactured by Sony. For its price, this is an excellent option for purchase, because, in addition to photo capabilities, the device flaunts an elegant design and powerful hardware. The panel here is 5.2-inch, its resolution is Full HD, the amount of RAM is 4 GB, and 32 or 64 GB are given for data storage. The MT6797T (Helio X25) chipset is installed, so the smartphone has no performance problems. But the battery is a little let down, its resource does not exceed 2560 mAh. In terms of software, everything is excellent - with Flyme 5 firmware pre-installed.

The device from the growing brand is equipped with a wonderful camera with a Sony IMX230 sensor, the resolution is 21 megapixels, and the aperture value is f/2.0. Thanks to this, you can achieve excellent results; a high-quality two-color LED flash also plays a huge role in this. The camera is equipped with phase detection autofocus and shoots videos in 1080p. The main module functions quickly and without any problems. And this is not at all surprising, since the device was equipped with a powerful Helio X25 chipset from MediaTek. In addition, the device has a high-quality 5.5-inch 1920 × 1080 pixel display, 4 GB RAM memory and 32 GB storage. The operating time is based on a battery with a 3000 mAh capacity. The software basis of the new phablet from LeEco is Android 6.0 Marshmallow.

R9/R9 Plus

This Chinese brand is not as popular in our country as in its homeland. OPPO, which is the brainchild of the famous company BBK, makes smartphones of good quality and with cool characteristics. One of her latest creations were the R9 and R9 Plus tablets, their front cameras differ in resolution. In the first case, a 13-megapixel camera with f/2.0 aperture is installed on the front, and in the second, a 16-megapixel camera. While these are mostly good selfie devices, their main module is also excellent. Both versions use the Sony IMX298 sensor. The filling also did not disappoint, because there was room for the fast Snapdragon 652 processor, which can do almost anything. RAM is 4 GB. There should not be a shortage of free space, because there is 64 or 128 GB flash memory. Another strong point of the devices is the 4120 mAh battery. The only thing that was disappointing was the presence of not the latest operating system, Android 5.1 Lollipop.

This stylish phablet, which incorporates the features of most of the brand’s smartphones, was released quite recently, but has already managed to interest users, first of all, with its camera. The manufacturer does not hide the fact that this new product focuses on the photographic part. Despite the 12 megapixel resolution, the latest Sony IMX386 camera sensor, created specifically for the MX6, is equipped with 1.25 micrometer pixels. As a result, we get detailed and colorful shots. The aperture of the 6-lens optics is f/2.0. The technical component is not the coolest, but sufficient for all modern tasks. Hidden inside the case is the Helio X20 processor from MediaTek, 4 GB of built-in RAM and a 32 GB ROM module. The device runs on Android 6.0.1, with Flyme 5.2.2 shell. The battery here is quite good - 3160 mAh.

This phablet was also shown to the public not so long ago, but has already become desirable for many users. The smartphone from Huawei's subsidiary brand is capable of taking gorgeous photos and shooting high-quality videos using a dual 12-megapixel camera and, as a bonus, can be used with virtual reality glasses. The main camera module with an f/2.2 aperture does its job perfectly, which is why Honor V8 is included in our list of the best camera phones. There is both phase autofocus and laser. With other parameters, everything is also very good, there is a top-end Kirin 955 chip, 4 GB of RAM and 32 or 64 GB of storage for content. The 5.7-inch display uses Quad HD or Full HD format, the battery has a capacity of 3500 mAh. The interface is EMUI 4.1 firmware based on Android 6.0.

Updated: 02/16/2018 11:52:02

When choosing a phone with a good camera, the best advisor is the DxOMark rating. But at the same time, the cost of its leaders is very high.

The best phone manufacturers with a good camera

DxOMark rating is a list of results of a special benchmark. It was developed by professional photographers and engineers, and is designed to evaluate the photographic capabilities of a device based on relevant characteristics - sensor specifications, image processing chip, lens optics and other parameters.

Huawei (Mate flagship line);

Apple (current iPhone models top the ranking every year);

Samsung (but only models from the flagship S line);

HTC (again, flagship U and One m lines);

Sony (X series - relaunched flagship line after the commercial failure of the Z series);

Nokia (model 808, which thanks to PureView technology is still included in the list of the best camera phones).

However, all these phones (except Nokia 808) are in the flagship price segment and are expensive. For example, Google Pixel 2, which tops the rating, costs from $650 - and is not officially sold in Russia. Apple iPhone 8 Plus, which occupies a modest third place, is available in our country for 60 thousand rubles or more.

If we talk about the budget and mid-price segments, then the following can boast of good photographic qualities:

Xiaomi Mi5S is a mid-class smartphone equipped with cameras with two modules developed by Sony;

Huawei P9 – two camera modules, Sony sensors, Leica optics. Last year's but still relevant flagship;

OnePlus 3T is a flagship killer. The most top-end “filling”, including the latest camera modules from Sony and the most powerful Qualcomm Snapdragon processor at the time of the device’s release;

Asus ZenFone 3 is also a flagship, only from the year before last. A good camera module from Sony, the laser focusing system tested in ZenFone Laser and excellent technical characteristics.

A good camera can also be found in Huawei Honor 8 (the flagship of the Honor series), Huawei Nova (a very unique device, part of the same “experimental” series as, for example, Magic), Lenovo Motorola Moto Z (a modular flagship with expandable functionality) and LG V20 (an alternative flagship line of the Korean manufacturer).

The main criteria for choosing phones with a good camera

When choosing a phone with good photographic qualities, you need to pay attention to the following technical characteristics:

Sensor model;

Number of sensors and functions of the second module;

Resolution (actual or extrapolated);

Diaphragm;

Focusing mechanism;

Additional technologies that improve image quality.

The rest of the technical characteristics of the smartphone, of course, also matter. However, it is worth considering that truly high-quality images can only be obtained on smartphones equipped with flagship processors. These high-performance chips can process RAW data at high speeds, getting it off the sensor with minimal latency. This ensures excellent picture quality.

Sensor model

The main manufacturer of sensors for cameras in smartphones is Sony. It is its products that are installed in the vast majority of models in the middle and lower price segments and in absolutely all flagships.

Sony's line of camera modules for smartphones is called IMX - and the higher the model number, the better it shoots.

For example, the LG Nexus 5 smartphone, which was one of the best camera phones of 2013, had a Sony IMX179 installed. And OnePlus (the first), released a little later, also in 2013, already has IMX214.

Current camera phones have the following modules installed:

Sony IMX333 – for Samsung Galaxy S8+;

Sony IMX362 – for Google Pixel 2;

Sony IMX398 – OnePlus 5.

The higher the sensor number, the better. But it’s not the only thing that determines the photographic capabilities of a smartphone.

Number of sensors and functions of the second module

The vast majority of modern camera phones use two camera modules - the main one and the additional one. The second expands the capabilities of the device by adding various functions:

Accurate determination of focusing depth (like Huawei Mate P9 or P10);

Ability to change focus depth after taking a photo (HTC One m10);

Portrait mode and background blur (Apple iPhone 7, 8);

Extrapolation of image resolution (most Chinese camera phones);

Expanding the range of shades (LG G5);

Improved shooting in low light conditions (Huawei Mate P9).

As a result, for high-quality photographs it is worth purchasing a smartphone with a camera equipped with two modules. But the increased number of sensors does not mean maximum visual beauty of the image. For example, Google Pixel 2 has only one module - but the smartphone tops the DxOMark rating thanks to its built-in neural network that improves the quality of pictures.

Permission

It is foolish to assume that the higher the sensor resolution, the better. The HTC One m9 took great photos with its 5 megapixel camera. Sensor resolution determines the level of detail in the image.

So, for smartphones, a camera with a resolution of 8 or 13 megapixels is more than enough.

But if you plan to shoot video in 4K resolution, it is recommended to pay attention to models with a 21-megapixel sensor.

Diaphragm

The aperture, also known as the aperture, determines the camera's sensitivity to light. The lower its value, the more light falls on the module. Thus, a smartphone with an f/1.4 camera can be used for shooting in the twilight and spectacular shots in daylight conditions, but with a camera larger than f/4 - only for street photography. In addition, the aperture determines the depth of field of the image.

The optimal aperture value for smartphone cameras is f/2.

Optics

The optical components of a smartphone camera are the lenses in the lens. They determine the light sensitivity, the type of camera (telephoto, “regular”, wide-angle), as well as the sharpness and degree of detail of the image.

Usually the optics are manufactured by the same company as the sensor. But in rare cases, the smartphone manufacturer replaces the “original” lenses with someone else’s. For example, the Huawei Mate P9 or P10 uses optics from Leica, which provides better image clarity - but at the same time increases the cost of the device.

Focusing mechanism

Due to the small size of the module, smartphone cameras use two types of focusing - contrast and laser.

Contrast autofocus implies the presence on the sensor of several special pixels that analyze the contrast of individual areas of the image. Objects in the frame that have the greatest contrast are in focus in the picture.

This type of focusing is good for photographing areas with good but not true backlight or true front lighting; portrait, landscape photography, photographing moving objects.

The development of contrast focusing technology is laser. When determining the “center” of the image, the camera scans the surrounding space with a very thin laser beam - and based on the reflection time, it is determined by the object closest to the smartphone. This focusing is characterized by maximum speed - but at short distances. Ideal for portrait and macro photography.

Flagship smartphones such as the Google Pixel use combined focusing technique, which includes both laser and contrast mechanisms, as well as software processing in real time.

Additional image quality enhancement technologies

Additional technologies for improving image quality include:

Ultrapixel – increased size of each individual pixel on the camera;

PureView – extended color range;

HDR+ is another technology for expanding the color range;

Various neural networks and software extensions.

Most modern flagship smartphones use primarily software technologies to improve image quality, such as neural network processing (a prime example is portrait mode with contour lighting in the iPhone 8), HDR or HDR+ (the latter is a proprietary Google technology).

Chinese phones with good cameras

Among the good Chinese smartphones with a fairly high-quality camera, the following models can be distinguished:

Meizu MX6 - Sony IMX386, 12 MP, HDR;

ZTE Nubia Z11 mini S - Sony IMX318, 22 MP, HDR, contrast autofocus (which for some reason does not work well in low light conditions, but works great in daylight);

Xiaomi Mi5 - Sony IMX298, 16 MP, great for shooting in daylight conditions, Camera2 API support (you can install a third-party camera application for better shooting).

In general, most Xiaomi smartphones support Camera2 API technology, thanks to which third-party applications (like AZ Camera, Nextbit Camera, Google Camera, etc.) provide higher quality images than the stock program.

Attention! This material is the subjective opinion of the authors of the project and is not a guide to purchase.

Sony is a leading manufacturer of digital photographic equipment. In the world of smartphones, its camera matrices are supplied to many companies both in finished form (in a case) and in the form of a “semi-finished product” - the sensors themselves, the assembly of modules on the basis of which is carried out by another company (like O-Film). One of the flagship matrices of 2016 is the Sony Exmor IMX298, which was liked by several manufacturers and used by them in their top smartphones. A review will help you learn more about the capabilities of this sensor.

Specifications Sony Exmor IMX298

The technical description of the Sony Exmor IMX298 is publicly available for potential customers, so it was not difficult to get acquainted with the official characteristics of the matrix. According to the document, Sony Exmor IMX298 is a CMOS sensor and belongs to the BSI (back illuminated) type. Matrices of this type have improved light sensitivity compared to conventional CMOS. The camera supports phase detection autofocus technology, but it is not a full-fledged DualPixel.

The full size of the matrix is 6.433x4.92 mm, the diagonal of the effective area is 1/2.8 vidicon inches, which is equivalent to 6.521 mm. This standard size is standard for 16 MP mobile matrices, so the pixels have classic dimensions of 1.12x1.12 microns. The real resolution of the Sony Exmor IMX298 sensor is 4720x1600 pixels, that is, almost 17 MP. Some of them are used for official needs (such as electronic image stabilization), so only a resolution of up to 4672x3520 pixels or 16.44 MP is available for shooting.

Since smartphone camera software is designed to shoot in two formats, with frame aspect ratios of 4:3 and 16:9, the resolution of the resulting frames will be even lower. In theory, video shooting can be carried out by the matrix even in full resolution with a frequency of 30 FPS, and the bitrate of the camera system bus reaches 1.5 Gbit/s. But since the camera’s capabilities are in the most common video format (16:9), only 4K resolution (up to 4096x2160) with the same 30 FPS is actually available for use. When using FullHD resolution, the maximum frame rate increases to 60 frames per second.

An interesting feature of the Sony Exmor IMX298 is its support for dual sensor synchronization. But despite its presence, there are currently no dual cameras with this sensor inside on the market.

Smartphones with Sony Exmor IMX298 camera

Since the launch of the Sony Exmor IMX298 matrix, many smartphones have been equipped with it. One of the first was Huawei Mate 8, released in November 2015. Other well-known smartphones with a camera based on Sony Exmor IMX298 are Xiaomi Mi5, OnePlus 3 and 3T, ZTE Nubia Z11 in all modifications, Asus smartphones ZenFone 3 series, LeEco Le Pro 3 and the best-selling Chinese smartphone of 2016 – Oppo R9. Less well-known devices that use such a camera sensor are Vivo Xplay 5, Vivo X7.

One of the latest devices that uses the Sony Exmor IMX298 matrix is the LG V20. Some sources report IMX234 (as in the LG G5), but this is not true: the specified matrix has widescreen proportions and its height is limited to 2988 pixels. Since the LG V20 is capable of shooting photos with a height of 3492 pixels, there is no way it could have IMX234.

Most of these smartphones are equipped with a basic version of the matrix produced by Sony. Therefore, they use optics with an aperture ratio of F/2, and the module contains an optical stabilization mechanism. However, it seems that some Chinese decided to save money and used a simplified version of the matrix: Vivo and LeEco devices do not have an optical stabilizer.

The capabilities of the Sony Exmor IMX298 camera are determined (and sometimes limited) by the quality of the software optimization. For example, DXOMark experts rated the LG V20 at 85 points, Xiaomi Mi5 received 79 points, and ZTE Nubia Z11 - 78. If we consider the potential of the camera from the perspective of an ordinary user, then the Sony Exmor IMX298 is a high-quality flagship sensor that takes good photos. Only the flagships of Samsung or Apple can surpass it in terms of shooting quality.

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