I have an iPhone 5 and an S4 - Comparisons & Observations

[Vegastouch]

Nice read and well done. However, imo the pictures from the S4 overall are better. If you use Macro mode on the watch w/ the S4, it would blow away the other one but as it is, the S4 pic looks better with what you posted.

Both take good pics though and im not photographer so its just how picky you are i guess.

 

[The-Real-Deal82]

I have been published everywhere from Maxim and Playboy to FHM and, Lowrider, Import Tuner, American Curves etc... Dozens of covers and layouts all over the world. Was giving my opinion, don't really care what you think of my opinion but thanks. Oh and by the way, i never said it rivaled a DSLR, learn to read. I said it "damn near" rivals a DLSR "in good lighting". I stand by that statement.

There we are then. You're right I don't. I was also giving my opinion on what appears to be petty squabbling between yourself and others. It's a mobile phone and both devices are credited as having very good cameras for their use, with the iPhone often tipped as slightly better. You're not going to get pin sharp images because the glass is restricted by its size but both do a decent job. Simple as.

 

[Sir Ruben]

If you use Macro mode on the watch w/ the S4, it would blow away the other one

I may be missing something here but I cannot find a macro mode setting on the S4?. Saying that there ARE a lot of settings so it may be tucked away somewhere and Im missing it. Can you direct me?

 

[Sir Ruben]

the s4 pics look fabulous to me and combined with the fact that it also runs android, which is something I desire more than ios, means the slightly better cam in iPhone isn't going to win it for me. I am sure many others think the same way.

If the google edition can get pics like this, I am sold.

Just the screen could be better.

I agree with you completely, it really does come down to the individual at the end of the day. There are pros and cons to each but at the end of the day the end results are much the same.

The screen on the S4 IS fantastic and I really like it, but I was just outside again taking more shots and I could barely see the screen even on full brightness. If you are living in a country that is very sunny and you spend a lot of time at the beach etc then Im not sure the S4 is a great choice. Luckily for me I live in the UK, so most of the time its dull grey and raining so the S4's screen will pop like a mother 95% of the time

 

[SnowLeopard2008]

His posts have seemed pretty objective and impersonal to me.:shrugs:

Read the article HE linked to. Actually read it.

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LOL, ok kid. Ill take a better shot with my S4 then you will ever take with your pro equipment

Sure. Whatever floats your boat. I'm sure a pro photographer who has no appreciation or understanding of true image fidelity, accurate color representation of the camera sensor and reading comprehension (of articles that HE links to as evidence) is obviously the better photographer. Right...

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There you go again, can't you have a discussion without insulting people?

He claims worse colors. His linked article claims worse colors compared to S4 and other phones, but the colors match with what is seen in real life. He claims worse noise levels. His linked article claims the exact opposite. He claims worse detail. His article mostly disagrees.

At least my links and my claims match. His links and his claims fail to match.

 

[durant35]

He claims worse colors. His linked article claims worse colors compared to S4 and other phones, but the colors match with what is seen in real life. He claims worse noise levels. His linked article claims the exact opposite. He claims worse detail. His article mostly disagrees.

At least my links and my claims match. His links and his claims fail to match.

Sorry but you are wrong. Every review posted by mib1800 claimed the S4 camera was better than the iPhone 5 in nearly every category. Including Consumer Reports and dpreview, who unlike phone sites, do actual scientific tests on the phone's camera. I guess you know more than them right? Please share with us your test conclusions with links to how they were performed. I'll be waiting, In case you missed it....

http://www.phonearena.com/reviews/Ca..._id3285/page/7
http://connect.dpreview.com/post/921...umia920?page=4
http://cellphoneforums.net/pt/conten...#axzz2U0gx7xX7
http://www.dxomark.com/index.php/Mob...er-mean-better

 

[Fanaticalism]

Read the article HE linked to. Actually read it.

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Sure. Whatever floats your boat. I'm sure a pro photographer who has no appreciation or understanding of true image fidelity, accurate color representation of the camera sensor and reading comprehension (of articles that HE links to as evidence) is obviously the better photographer. Right...

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He claims worse colors. His linked article claims worse colors compared to S4 and other phones, but the colors match with what is seen in real life. He claims worse noise levels. His linked article claims the exact opposite. He claims worse detail. His article mostly disagrees.

At least my links and my claims match. His links and his claims fail to match.

Why are you so angry?

 

[2298754]

Why are you so angry?

that's what happens when fanboys can't admit defeat

 

[SnowLeopard2008]

Sorry but you are wrong. Every review posted by mib1800 claimed the S4 camera was better than the iPhone 5 in nearly every category. Including Consumer Reports, who unlike phone sites, do actual scientific tests on the phone's camera. I guess you know more than them right? Please share with us your test conclusions with links to how they were performed. I'll be waiting, In case you missed it....

http://www.phonearena.com/reviews/Ca..._id3285/page/7
http://connect.dpreview.com/post/921...umia920?page=4
http://cellphoneforums.net/pt/conten...#axzz2U0gx7xX7
http://www.dxomark.com/index.php/Mob...er-mean-better

Link 1 is a phone site no? Why would a camera/photography site be called phone arena?
Link 3 doesn't work.

You did not refute my statement about the invalidity of your own claims compared with your own sources.

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Why are you so angry?

You think I'm angry because his own sources disagrees with his own claims and that he didn't even bother to read his own sources? Far from it. As for being a fanboy, I praised S4 and Android for certain things. Apple fanboy praising Google things? Are you mad?

 

[Fanaticalism]

Link 1 is a phone site no? Why would a camera/photography site be called phone arena?
Link 3 doesn't work.

You did not refute my statement about the invalidity of your own claims compared with your own sources.

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You think I'm angry because his own sources disagrees with his own claims and that he didn't even bother to read his own sources? Far from it. As for being a fanboy, I praised S4 and Android for certain things. Apple fanboy praising Google things? Are you mad?

I did read the review and it didn't seem that it put the I5 on top. The review was straight forward, objective and gave credit to each device wherever appropriate. My takeaways were that the best two cameras were the i5 and the S4 with the S4 edging it out.

In the end, both great devices with one having some software features that give photos an interesting characteristic that many may like.

As a note, your posts are very combative and carry a very defensive tone... To each is own.

 

[SnowLeopard2008]

I did read the review and it didn't seem that it put the I5 on top. The review was straight forward, objective and gave credit to each device wherever appropriate. My takeaways were that the best two cameras were the i5 and the S4 with the S4 edging it out.

In the end, both great devices with one having some software features that give photos an interesting characteristic that many may like.

As a note, your posts are very combative and carry a very defensive tone... To each is own.

The S4 performed better in some of the categories. iPhone 5 beating it in at least one (accurate color reproduction, first comparison in durant35's linked article) and matching in several. That is a far cry from S4 blowing it out of the water. Anyway, I agree with your assessment. You don't seem ignorant like durant35.

 

[Dontazemebro]

I did read the review and it didn't seem that it put the I5 on top. The review was straight forward, objective and gave credit to each device wherever appropriate. My takeaways were that the best two cameras were the i5 and the S4 with the S4 edging it out.

In the end, both great devices with one having some software features that give photos an interesting characteristic that many may like.

As a note, your posts are very combative and carry a very defensive tone... To each is own.

I'm no photographer and couldn't really care less about either camera as these are secondary requirements for a good phone imo, but just from looking at those shots, the iPhone 5 looks the worse (washed out) out of the 4.

If i had to grade them

1. S4
2. HTC One
3. Nokia
4. iPhone 5

 

[mib1800]

Working links to those articles I posted.

The following very detailed reviews (2 of which are from camera sites) of camera should be enough proof that s4 is as good or better than iphone5.


http://www.phonearena.com/reviews/Camera-comparison-Sony-Xperia-Z-vs-Samsung-Galaxy-S-III-Galaxy-Note-II-iPhone-5-Nokia-Lumia-920_id3251

http://www.phonearena.com/reviews/Camera-comparison-Samsung-Galaxy-S4-vs-HTC-One-Sony-Xperia-Z--iPhone-5-Nokia-Lumia-920-and-Galaxy-S-III_id3285/page/7

http://connect.dpreview.com/post/9219904986/shootout-samsunggalaxys4-vs-htcone-vs-iphone5-vs-lumia920?page=4

http://cellphoneforums.net/pt/content/cell-phone-reviews/4944-comparação-de-câmera-galaxy-s4-vs-galaxy-siii-vs-vs-lumia-920-xperiz-zl-vs-iphone-5.html#axzz2U0gx7xX7

http://www.dxomark.com/index.php/Mobiles/Samsung-Galaxy-S4-overview-Does-bigger-mean-better

 

[Dimorphic]

I recently bought an S4 (I work for a provider and could get the extra handset repayment for only $20AUD a month on top of my regular bill with my i5 so I jumped) to see how the device was. I didn't want to make the jump to it as my only handset, be locked in for 24 months and then regret it.

So far I am on the fence. There are some things it does fantastically well (camera, screen, customisation) and others I'm not thrilled with.

The things that I am missing the most is the app suite (granted that Andriod is nearly there, but not quite) and the integration my iPhone has with my car.

I could just buy an iPod to stick in my car but I shouldn't need too when my phone does it for me as is.

However the screen is amazing, I love looking at it and using it. Colours are vivid and the size is just great. If I stick with the S4 I'd actually sell my iPad Mini and upgrade to a bigger iPad just becuase I can't see myself using the Mini as I do now because the S4 would replace it.

I'm also hanging out for the iOS 7 reveal as iOS as it is has become stale and boring to me. I don't want radical changes as it works very well but I would like a different feel or some more minor customisation options (better notification centre, quick toggle option for wifi, mobile data, DND, etc).

Both are very good phones, just need to make a deicison as to which will be my daily driver now

 

[durant35]

I could just buy an iPod to stick in my car but I shouldn't need too when my phone does it for me as is.

I keep an iPod touch for the car. I despise having my media on my phone in the car. Listening to music or watching a movie and it gets interrupted every single time I get a text, email or call. Extremely annoying. I much prefer to keep my media off my phone, especially in car.

 

[sentinelsx]

I keep an iPod touch for the car. I despise having my media on my phone in the car. Listening to music or watching a movie and it gets interrupted every single time I get a text, email or call. Extremely annoying. I much prefer to keep my media off my phone, especially in car.

I am just a little curious, has the Itouch effectively killed all other MP3 players? I ask because while I would appreciate using a dedicated device for the car etc, not having to fiddle with iTunes or iTunes Match is what I like when I move to android.

Do android phones not work so well with Bluetooth music play in car?

 

[Vegastouch]

I keep an iPod touch for the car. I despise having my media on my phone in the car. Listening to music or watching a movie and it gets interrupted every single time I get a text, email or call. Extremely annoying. I much prefer to keep my media off my phone, especially in car.

On Android (on the Galaxy phones anyways) .... If you put it on silent., your music won't get interrupted by tweets, emails or texts. Now of course a call will interupt it.
I dont like carrying two devices around whether one stays in the car or not. I like it all on my phone and i listen to music from my phone often in the car.
My iPod has been collecting dust for a long while now.

 

[durant35]

On Android (on the Galaxy phones anyways) .... If you put it on silent., your music won't get interrupted by tweets, emails or texts. Now of course a call will interupt it.
I dont like carrying two devices around whether one stays in the car or not. I like it all on my phone and i listen to music from my phone often in the car.
My iPod has been collecting dust for a long while now.

Right but if I put it on silent, I have to check my phone every 5-10 minutes to see if I missed anything. Also, video playback only works with iPod/iTouch on my head unit.

 

[sentinelsx]

Hmm now I see an area where google glass can shine.

 

[The-Real-Deal82]

Nice read and well done. However, imo the pictures from the S4 overall are better. If you use Macro mode on the watch w/ the S4, it would blow away the other one but as it is, the S4 pic looks better with what you posted.

Both take good pics though and im not photographer so its just how picky you are i guess.

If you feel the pictures taken in the OP look better to you on the S4, I would suggest the same could be achieved on the iPhone 5 by simply bumping up the saturation to make the colours richer. The iPhone is closer to what the eye see's, but if you taste is for more vibrant colours, this can be achieved very simply with apps available. I prefer to start with a truer picture and develop it further, rather than reverse engineer an image when its over saturated. Its all personal taste at the end of the day.

 

[tekno]

I don't think widgets are such a big deal. To me they make a device cluttered and tacky. There is generally no design consistency because they are all from different sources (unless they are stock ones from google or HTC. Samsung Touchwiz stock ones have no design consistency) and end up making your phone look like an old 1999 website with 45 different fonts, and a crapton of animated gifs all in different colours. Pure tacky and for me - far from useful.

I have 1 clock widget, and two app icons and only 1 main home screen on my device. With a customisable App drawer that is accessible with persistent button on my home screen I just don't see the point of duplicating all my icons on multiple screens.

Very occasionally i may have a calendar widget, but that's when I'm feeling flamboyant

And a daring

Love the look of your screen. I've got an [s4 coming today - could you explain what [i need to do/download to make it look the same?

 

[tekno]

I might have been wrong about the IOS feature but I've found the best app is ProCam as stated by adnbek below. Its only 69p and worth it. There are others like Lo-Mob and iMajCam Pro that provide some good post processing results.

I need to upgrade my DSLR as its an old 1000D and lacking in features, but I use a Sigma 10-20mm which gets great portrait and landscape results. I was always told to spend more money on the glass as they last way longer than any camera body and its what gives the quality at the end of the day. The iPhone is still the best camera I have seen from a mobile phone though. Megapixels mean virtually nothing if the lens is rubbish, and the lens on the iPhone appears to be very good for something so small. VeryIts all too easy to stick a sensor boasting silly amounts of megapixels, but its no more than a marketing gimmick in many cases.

Also, most photos taken on a phone are going to be uploaded to Facebook or viewed on the phone or a computer.

Very, very few are going to be printed up to A2 and exhibited on a wall.
In this case, more megapixels just means larger files. Every time I whats app a photo it needs to be resized first, so I've now just reduced the capture size of the camera. 6MP is more than enough for almost all photos and you're right, the lens and chip sensitivity are so much more important.

 

[MRU]

Love the look of your screen. I've got an [s4 coming today - could you explain what [i need to do/download to make it look the same?

Digital clock widget is Xperia NXT

https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.sonyericsson.digitalclockwidget2&hl=en


I'll upload the wallpaper shortly

 

[MRU]

Wallpaper

 

[Sir Ruben]

If you feel the pictures taken in the OP look better to you on the S4, I would suggest the same could be achieved on the iPhone 5 by simply bumping up the saturation to make the colours richer

Looking back at the sample shots I took, the S4 shots look duller than the iPhone 5 ones to me, or are my eyes broken? lol

In addition to this I'm yet to find the macro mode that was recommended to me. Can anyone direct me to this setting on the S4?.

I have some outdoor comparisons to post later, I have not yet viewed them side by side on the computer screen, however as far as I can tell the S4 shots fared pretty well (when I could actually see the screen to take them!) compared to the same shots taken with the iPhone 5.

At the end of the day though, reading back through some of the posts on here, I don't really care too much about experts opinions on cameras. Id rather use my own eye to decide what looks good to me. In that respect there is nothing quite like having them side by side and seeing the results for yourself. To my eye, the sample shots I posted in my original post look better on the iPhone 5. It will be interesting to compare the outdoor ones properly on here and see what you all think.

EDIT: I got some surprisingly good indoor low light results with the S4 by using HDR mode.