Comments on: iPhone 4 photography: how does it perform as a camera? http://boingboing.net/2010/06/22/iphone-4-photography.html Brain candy for Happy Mutants Tue, 21 May 2013 07:23:00 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.4.1 By: ASIFA-Hollywood Animation Archive http://boingboing.net/2010/06/22/iphone-4-photography.html#comment-816384 ASIFA-Hollywood Animation Archive Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-816384 Nice! The focus point is spot on. Sharp as a tack. Thanks. Nice! The focus point is spot on. Sharp as a tack. Thanks.

]]> By: Anonymous http://boingboing.net/2010/06/22/iphone-4-photography.html#comment-817921 Anonymous Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-817921 Guys - its a phone you are talking about and for a phone the camera is performing amazingly. I cant believe it even gets compared to a regular camera and questions like if photographer would use it get ask. Its a mobile phone and its only intention is snapshots and videos. Its not like you'll take your wedding photos with it. Guys – its a phone you are talking about and for a phone the camera is performing amazingly. I cant believe it even gets compared to a regular camera and questions like if photographer would use it get ask. Its a mobile phone and its only intention is snapshots and videos. Its not like you’ll take your wedding photos with it.

]]> By: Xeni Jardin http://boingboing.net/2010/06/22/iphone-4-photography.html#comment-816387 Xeni Jardin Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-816387 Yes, I was really surprised at how well the iPhone 4 performs on macro shots. This is a big difference from 3GS. No problem at all with extreme tight close-ups. The digital zoom isn't bad, I suppose, as digital zoom goes. But I never ever ever use digital zoom. I guess a lot of consumers demand it, though. "Consumers," not photographers... Yes, I was really surprised at how well the iPhone 4 performs on macro shots. This is a big difference from 3GS. No problem at all with extreme tight close-ups.

The digital zoom isn’t bad, I suppose, as digital zoom goes. But I never ever ever use digital zoom. I guess a lot of consumers demand it, though. “Consumers,” not photographers…

]]> By: andreinla http://boingboing.net/2010/06/22/iphone-4-photography.html#comment-816905 andreinla Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-816905 Not during magic hour. I've even tried using a lensbaby to distort-in-camera and they still turn out :( http://loveyourportrait.com/ Not during magic hour.

I’ve even tried using a lensbaby to distort-in-camera and they still turn out :( http://loveyourportrait.com/

]]> By: Anonymous http://boingboing.net/2010/06/22/iphone-4-photography.html#comment-816651 Anonymous Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-816651 Based on thos Nokia samples the iPhone 4 camera is better or is the huge JPG -mess caused by the webpage author? iPhone is sharper and has a nice pattern used by the camera raw to jpg converter. Based on thos Nokia samples the iPhone 4 camera is better or is the huge JPG -mess caused by the webpage author? iPhone is sharper and has a nice pattern used by the camera raw to jpg converter.

]]> By: Anonymous http://boingboing.net/2010/06/22/iphone-4-photography.html#comment-1161485 Anonymous Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-1161485 When i take pictures of skateboarding with my iPhone 4, it gets all blurry because of the speed, is there a way to fix it?? When i take pictures of skateboarding with my iPhone 4, it gets all blurry because of the speed, is there a way to fix it??

]]> By: Matthew Miller http://boingboing.net/2010/06/22/iphone-4-photography.html#comment-816655 Matthew Miller Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-816655 A mild amount of digital zoom (up to 2x, say) actually makes some sense. Digital zoom, is, of course, cropping the center of the image and scaling it up. In general, that doesn't buy you anything over doing the same thing after the fact, but when you're talking about JPEG output, the camera has a key advantage: it can do this upscaling as part of the internal RAW conversion. This gives two benefits. First, the scaling algorithm could be integrated into the bayer demosaicing, potentially providing more pleasing results. Second, JPEG artifacts at the 8x8 block level are made relatively less important -- if you convert to JPEG and *then* scale up (or print at an equivalent resolution), you're scaling up the artifacts as well. A mild amount of digital zoom (up to 2x, say) actually makes some sense. Digital zoom, is, of course, cropping the center of the image and scaling it up. In general, that doesn’t buy you anything over doing the same thing after the fact, but when you’re talking about JPEG output, the camera has a key advantage: it can do this upscaling as part of the internal RAW conversion.

This gives two benefits. First, the scaling algorithm could be integrated into the bayer demosaicing, potentially providing more pleasing results. Second, JPEG artifacts at the 8×8 block level are made relatively less important — if you convert to JPEG and *then* scale up (or print at an equivalent resolution), you’re scaling up the artifacts as well.

]]> By: Anonymous http://boingboing.net/2010/06/22/iphone-4-photography.html#comment-816657 Anonymous Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-816657 Guys, before jumping all over how "great" this camera is, keep in mind almost none of the above shots were taken indoors. Take it from someone who has been obsessively using camera phones for 5 years: that is what makes or breaks the quality, as most camera phones above 2mp will do fine outdoors but become useless pieces of plastic and metal indoors. Let's see some night shots too and how the LED flash performs (my old W800 cast a yellow hue around everything when using the LED flash). Guys, before jumping all over how “great” this camera is, keep in mind almost none of the above shots were taken indoors. Take it from someone who has been obsessively using camera phones for 5 years: that is what makes or breaks the quality, as most camera phones above 2mp will do fine outdoors but become useless pieces of plastic and metal indoors. Let’s see some night shots too and how the LED flash performs (my old W800 cast a yellow hue around everything when using the LED flash).

]]> By: Anonymous http://boingboing.net/2010/06/22/iphone-4-photography.html#comment-816660 Anonymous Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-816660 WOW IS ALL I CAN SAY NICE PIC AND THANKS FOR THE INFO .. WOW IS ALL I CAN SAY NICE PIC AND THANKS FOR THE INFO ..

]]> By: Wordguy http://boingboing.net/2010/06/22/iphone-4-photography.html#comment-816407 Wordguy Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-816407 OK, but I bet it would be _really hard_ to take a bad picture of Kiko or Drew! Great stuff. It's amazing how far phone cameras have come. OK, but I bet it would be _really hard_ to take a bad picture of Kiko or Drew!

Great stuff. It’s amazing how far phone cameras have come.

]]> By: Bonedoggie http://boingboing.net/2010/06/22/iphone-4-photography.html#comment-816664 Bonedoggie Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-816664 Independent of the camera, these are great pics. I especially like the last one. Thanks for posting. Independent of the camera, these are great pics. I especially like the last one. Thanks for posting.

]]> By: Anonymous http://boingboing.net/2010/06/22/iphone-4-photography.html#comment-816423 Anonymous Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-816423 How can you keep the lens of an iPhone safe from pocket lint and grit? I can't find a cover that protects the lens. How can you keep the lens of an iPhone safe from pocket lint and grit? I can’t find a cover that protects the lens.

]]> By: InsertFingerHere http://boingboing.net/2010/06/22/iphone-4-photography.html#comment-816427 InsertFingerHere Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-816427 How is the lens for wide angle ? Some shots look like there's a fisheye on it.. others seem fine. Some shots of straight lines , like a sidewalk and building would be nice. Is the focus fixed? Pretty impressive. Xeni, did you actually do some skating, or is that helmet for show? How is the lens for wide angle ? Some shots look like there’s a fisheye on it.. others seem fine. Some shots of straight lines , like a sidewalk and building would be nice. Is the focus fixed? Pretty impressive.

Xeni, did you actually do some skating, or is that helmet for show?

]]> By: Anonymous http://boingboing.net/2010/06/22/iphone-4-photography.html#comment-887344 Anonymous Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-887344 I was very impressed with the quality, take a look at some of mine i posted onto my blog: http://millijane.blogspot.com/2010/09/photography-from-my-iphone-4.html I was very impressed with the quality, take a look at some of mine i posted onto my blog:
http://millijane.blogspot.com/2010/09/photography-from-my-iphone-4.html

]]> By: Silverer http://boingboing.net/2010/06/22/iphone-4-photography.html#comment-818993 Silverer Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-818993 Some photo experts have checked in here. Just remember, this is a phone. It's smaller than a lot of cameras that are just cameras. Realizing that limitation, I'm wondering just how great your Nikon or Kodak or Canon or SLR or whatever would work if you had to put a battery in it that lasted as long, a web browser, software, an RF section for the phone, antenna, wi-fi, accelerometer, etc. Where would the device be lacking? Super great camera, so-so web browser? Anyway, it's a thought. I don't expect Apple to try to match the better digital cameras out there, at least not yet. But it's a good try from what I see. Some photo experts have checked in here. Just remember, this is a phone. It’s smaller than a lot of cameras that are just cameras. Realizing that limitation, I’m wondering just how great your Nikon or Kodak or Canon or SLR or whatever would work if you had to put a battery in it that lasted as long, a web browser, software, an RF section for the phone, antenna, wi-fi, accelerometer, etc. Where would the device be lacking? Super great camera, so-so web browser? Anyway, it’s a thought. I don’t expect Apple to try to match the better digital cameras out there, at least not yet. But it’s a good try from what I see.

]]> By: jwb http://boingboing.net/2010/06/22/iphone-4-photography.html#comment-816438 jwb Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-816438 I'm seeing a lot of veiling flare which is going to annoy people when the sun is a bit higher in the sky, but that's endemic to phone camera with their teensy optics. Aside from that, these pics are exemplary. I’m seeing a lot of veiling flare which is going to annoy people when the sun is a bit higher in the sky, but that’s endemic to phone camera with their teensy optics. Aside from that, these pics are exemplary.

]]> By: Anonymous http://boingboing.net/2010/06/22/iphone-4-photography.html#comment-816440 Anonymous Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-816440 Ha, I wondered the same thing (possibly less-cynically); the light in the skatepark shots is just beautiful! Ha, I wondered the same thing (possibly less-cynically); the light in the skatepark shots is just beautiful!

]]> By: Jack http://boingboing.net/2010/06/22/iphone-4-photography.html#comment-816445 Jack Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-816445 Wow! Nice shots. Really tempting me, but there are two questions in my mind: 1) Does anyone know if battery replacement on this 4G model is any better than previous? 2) iPod Touch... So when does that get an upgrade to be in line with the iPhone? I really do not want an AT&T contract but I want a device like this. Wow! Nice shots. Really tempting me, but there are two questions in my mind:
1) Does anyone know if battery replacement on this 4G model is any better than previous?
2) iPod Touch… So when does that get an upgrade to be in line with the iPhone? I really do not want an AT&T contract but I want a device like this.

]]> By: caipirina http://boingboing.net/2010/06/22/iphone-4-photography.html#comment-816450 caipirina Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-816450 Sweet pics ... how does it handle as a camera? once you are in the cam app, stiil only the on screen shutter button? or has any HW button be assigned to that function? Can't wait to hear when they will release it in Italy (i know, 'July', but no info here on the webpages of the providers. This time I am switching from pre-paid to contract to have full use of the data functions ... and yeah, we have no AT&T here :) Sweet pics … how does it handle as a camera? once you are in the cam app, stiil only the on screen shutter button? or has any HW button be assigned to that function?

Can’t wait to hear when they will release it in Italy (i know, ‘July’, but no info here on the webpages of the providers.

This time I am switching from pre-paid to contract to have full use of the data functions … and yeah, we have no AT&T here :)

]]> By: Anonymous http://boingboing.net/2010/06/22/iphone-4-photography.html#comment-818498 Anonymous Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-818498 Want to put your old iPhone to use doing exciting new things? How about sending it to Kenya in two weeks to record oral history interviews in endangered tribal dialects? My name is Kamilah Welch and I am the public relations intern for Smallbean(www.smallbean.org), a Boston-based non-profit. Smallbean's initiatives teach technology skills and document community life around the world through the use of refurbished electronics and solar power. With yesterday's debut of the iPhone 4, we are seeking old iPhones for use as digital voice recorders for our oral history-based Citizen Archivist Project. Any information or references of people whom we could contact on this prospect would be very much appreciated. Thanks! Kamilah(kamilahwelch@smallbean.org) Want to put your old iPhone to use doing exciting new things? How about sending it to Kenya in two weeks to record oral history interviews in endangered tribal dialects? My name is Kamilah Welch and I am the public relations intern for Smallbean(www.smallbean.org), a Boston-based non-profit. Smallbean’s initiatives teach technology skills and document community life around the world through the use of refurbished electronics and solar power.

With yesterday’s debut of the iPhone 4, we are seeking old iPhones for use as digital voice recorders for our oral history-based Citizen Archivist Project. Any information or references of people whom we could contact on this prospect would be very much appreciated. Thanks!

Kamilah(kamilahwelch@smallbean.org)

]]> By: Anonymous http://boingboing.net/2010/06/22/iphone-4-photography.html#comment-817477 Anonymous Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-817477 The images still do not look as good as a real point and shoot such as an ELPH. Though, I will say good job on the magic hour light, at least you know not to go out in broad daylight. The images still do not look as good as a real point and shoot such as an ELPH. Though, I will say good job on the magic hour light, at least you know not to go out in broad daylight.

]]> By: Jon Ault http://boingboing.net/2010/06/22/iphone-4-photography.html#comment-816454 Jon Ault Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-816454 The last few years, new iPods have been released in September (with one or two exceptions), so I'd look for an upgrade then. The last few years, new iPods have been released in September (with one or two exceptions), so I’d look for an upgrade then.

]]> By: Jon Ault http://boingboing.net/2010/06/22/iphone-4-photography.html#comment-816456 Jon Ault Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-816456 Although, now that I think about it, I wonder if the iPod Touch will get a camera this year. Last year, the Shuffle got a camera but the Touch did not, even though there seemed to be a space in the Touch where a camera could have been. Although, now that I think about it, I wonder if the iPod Touch will get a camera this year. Last year, the Shuffle got a camera but the Touch did not, even though there seemed to be a space in the Touch where a camera could have been.

]]> By: Jack http://boingboing.net/2010/06/22/iphone-4-photography.html#comment-816470 Jack Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-816470 Actually those prototype iPod Touch videos that show a model with a camera have been discovered to be prototypes of an iPod Touch that would have been released with the 3G model (or 3GS?) Why Apple didn't do that? Who knows. Maybe to push iPhone sales by consciously crippling hardware? But personally if there is a new iPod Touch that has only the user facing camera, I'd snag that. Makes the most sense since "Facetime" is WiFi only and the iPod Touch is WiFi only. Excluding the HD camera on the backside would make sense as a way if market crippling to direct users from one place to another. Actually those prototype iPod Touch videos that show a model with a camera have been discovered to be prototypes of an iPod Touch that would have been released with the 3G model (or 3GS?) Why Apple didn’t do that? Who knows. Maybe to push iPhone sales by consciously crippling hardware?

But personally if there is a new iPod Touch that has only the user facing camera, I’d snag that. Makes the most sense since “Facetime” is WiFi only and the iPod Touch is WiFi only. Excluding the HD camera on the backside would make sense as a way if market crippling to direct users from one place to another.

]]> By: spcfgt http://boingboing.net/2010/06/22/iphone-4-photography.html#comment-816474 spcfgt Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-816474 It's not a fish eye lens, I think you're not making the distinction between iPhone and photos of the author using the iPhone camera. It's quite misleading sticking a fisheye photo first, though. It's noted that they're all iPhone pics "except the ones [the author] is in" - Hell if I know what the author looks like, though :P Exif data will tell you that the first and last two photos were taken by a Nikon DSLR. It’s not a fish eye lens, I think you’re not making the distinction between iPhone and photos of the author using the iPhone camera.

It’s quite misleading sticking a fisheye photo first, though. It’s noted that they’re all iPhone pics “except the ones [the author] is in” – Hell if I know what the author looks like, though :P

Exif data will tell you that the first and last two photos were taken by a Nikon DSLR.

]]> By: Xeni Jardin http://boingboing.net/2010/06/22/iphone-4-photography.html#comment-816478 Xeni Jardin Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-816478 I didn't skate, but I rode my bike quite a few miles -- with the iPhone strapped on to my left hand with rubber bands, to shoot the bike ride in motion. I call it the Rubber Band Steadicam. I didn’t skate, but I rode my bike quite a few miles — with the iPhone strapped on to my left hand with rubber bands, to shoot the bike ride in motion. I call it the Rubber Band Steadicam.

]]> By: soubriquet http://boingboing.net/2010/06/22/iphone-4-photography.html#comment-816491 soubriquet Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-816491 Now go take a set with a Sony/Ericsson phone and see how good they could be. Now go take a set with a Sony/Ericsson phone and see how good they could be.

]]> By: Anonymous http://boingboing.net/2010/06/22/iphone-4-photography.html#comment-825213 Anonymous Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-825213 The BEST Camera is the one you have with you. Since I always have my phone with me, it's important that the camera be decent. I'm delighted in seeing how good Xeni's photos are! Definitely an upgrade over my 3Gs ... which is why I immediately ordered a iPhone 4. Remember, it's not the camera ... it's the photographer. Capture a great moment and it doesn't matter what camera you used! thanks Xeni ... Mako, Makofoto photography The BEST Camera is the one you have with you. Since I always have my phone with me, it’s important that the camera be decent. I’m delighted in seeing how good Xeni’s photos are! Definitely an upgrade over my 3Gs … which is why I immediately ordered a iPhone 4.

Remember, it’s not the camera … it’s the photographer. Capture a great moment and it doesn’t matter what camera you used!

thanks Xeni … Mako, Makofoto photography

]]> By: Pantograph http://boingboing.net/2010/06/22/iphone-4-photography.html#comment-816514 Pantograph Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-816514 I'm eagerly awaiting your feature iPhone4 sports: How does it perform as a hockey puck? I’m eagerly awaiting your feature iPhone4 sports: How does it perform as a hockey puck?

]]> By: MsLau http://boingboing.net/2010/06/22/iphone-4-photography.html#comment-816522 MsLau Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-816522 I know everyone slated the first iPhone camera, but I've always thought it took photos with a really lovely 'quality' to them, even if they weren't huge in pixel size or technically amazing. What I think comes across from Xeni's photos (and ones I've taken with my 3GS) is that they've kept that great feel to them but improved the technical specs. Which is nice. I know everyone slated the first iPhone camera, but I’ve always thought it took photos with a really lovely ‘quality’ to them, even if they weren’t huge in pixel size or technically amazing.

What I think comes across from Xeni’s photos (and ones I’ve taken with my 3GS) is that they’ve kept that great feel to them but improved the technical specs.

Which is nice.

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