My Xperia Z Camera Review

[FaisalChelios]

First of all, I own a white Xperia Z. And here is my short review of the camera.

Firmware used: 10.1.1.A.1.253

Okay, so my favourite shooting mode in the camera of my xperia z is normal auto mode with HDR, exposure value of 0-0.7, auto white balance & ISO.

I don’t really like the superior auto mode because most of the time, it produces images with less contrast, noticeably more noise, and average level of detail. But I don’t mind the slightly oversaturated colours

Most of the time, my customised normal mode with HDR produces images with more natural look, higher contrast, less noise, and slightly higher level of fine detail.

But even at the best shooting mode, the camera of xperia z suffers from:

- The lack of fine detail which is caused by image file overcompression and excessive noise reduction. Let me tell ya, lack of detail is inexcusable for high resolution 12-13MP cameras

- Underpowered flash

- Sometimes a white balance error (even at outdoors where bright light is present) causing the image to have a watercolour effect and purplish tint

- sub par low light imaging capabilities. And what makes things worse, enabling night mode/low light mode only makes images worse, i sticked to normal mode to make better shots. Oh come on sony, getting worse images by enabling night mode is untolerable. What is the use of night mode then?

But despite the bad things of the camera, it was able to beat some of the most capable shooters such as:

- Samsung Galaxy S3

- Iphone 4s

- Xperia Arc S

- Xperia SL

- Sony Vivaz

Yep, I tested and compared them myself. Compared to the capable shooters I mentioned above, xperia Z's camera has the edge in terms of better colour saturation, low noise levels, and contrast.

I have compared the camera of my xperia z and that of my friend's galaxy s4. And xperia z lost, miserably.

Conclusion: The camera of xperia z is good, but not very good or even great. It was able to beat some capable shooters but it is not what I expect from 13MP camera.

Overal score: 75 out of 100. It is a shame consodering SONY is a world famous camera maker.

I hope SONY tweaks the camera software again in the future updates so the camera can be as good as galaxy s4 or even better.

Sorry for my bad english.

Seriously sony, READ THIS.

Sincerely, your customer.

[Tor]

I completely agree with you but I think that photos taken by my iPhone 4 have more detail than photos taken with Xperia Z and it's very annoying.

[TobiasHedlund]

I also agree with you on the camera department!! It ain´t up to the 13mp standard in quality and it´s a shame because sony can do much better

[GeoffH]

307 fixes most if not all this

[FaisalChelios]

Back then when I compared the camera of my Z to my cousin's 4s, I was still on 434 firmware.

Condition: indoors with good amount of light

Object: a painting of a purple flower.

Iphone 4s captured image with slightly better level of contrast than xperia z, but the colour reproduction is wrong, the purple painting came out white. Xperia Z captured image with good contrast and lively colours. I think the detail is on par between the two.

Seriously but, 13MP camera should have better level of detail compared to 8MP camera. Shame

[Tor]

I've installed 307 and the quality is still poor so this update doesn't solve anything

[TobiasHedlund]

I have the 253 update and the quality have improved somewhat but not enough.. They can optimize the camera algorythm alot more and improve quality

[ghencea-RO]

I don't want to be pessimistic or anything but I guess this is the best they can do. I have Xperia U and no update improved the camera since last year when it appeared. Very noisy pictures, many tints in photos, whitish, low contrast, video stabilizer useless etc. So I guess that who wants good pictures and videos should try another brand.

[siraaj]

I think you are very lenient. I have taken pictures in night mode and the front camera at night was totally horrible. My iPhone 4 takes better shots front and back at night. I seriously regretted buying this phone. The Sony sales guy I went to says it's normal usually image is blur before the picture hut gets clear after you snap it. So I did the snap and to show proof how horrible the camera is. I think if anyone likes taking pictures and intend to have a phone for simple photo taking and you work in the day and take photos at night. Do not buy this phone. I haven't seen any superior advantage on this phone compared to others. My biggest mistake is to buy the Xperia Z and I can't get a refund and noone cares.

[expectingme]

Really embarrassed regarding the camera quality on dim light/night mode. Sony should be ashamed for being a manufacturer of digital camera. Think, my decision to march to sony was a blander.