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Looking for a new cell phone for camera upgrade from my Pixel 3

Started Apr 20, 2021 | Discussions
mfinley
mfinley Veteran Member • Posts: 7,066
Looking for a new cell phone for camera upgrade from my Pixel 3

I've really liked my Pixel 3, especially the price when I bought it refurbished on Amazon for $300. I've always thought it was a pretty darn good camera for what it was, but I've recently been using it a lot to take pictures for business which involves a lot of residential interiors with windows in them so lots of backlit subjects. The Pixel 3 is starting to show its age, with the images showing a lot of grain in the type of images I have to take.

I could wait for the Pixel 5 but I'm not sure how much better its really going to be with everything I read saying the Pixel is getting long in the tooth with the same camera chip.

I've read a few reviews of the Samsung 20 and 21 that seem to be pretty favored, but the price is a bit of sticker shock.

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Trevor_S
Trevor_S Regular Member • Posts: 443
Re: Looking for a new cell phone for camera upgrade from my Pixel 3

New Sony 1 iii or 5 iii ?

Sticker shock will be a gas though

https://www.trustedreviews.com/news/sony-xperia-1-iii-vs-sony-xperia-5-iii-4132099

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I2K4
I2K4 Senior Member • Posts: 1,441
Re: Looking for a new cell phone for camera upgrade from my Pixel 3

Given the plethora of lens/sensor and camera app configurations, I'll leave recommendations to others. I have seen some recent comparisons of (the usual) expensive flagships with widely different output in interiors, especially in rendering outdoors or just blowing out background windows. Intuitively it seems the more HDR exposures the better, and Pixels are among the best. Chasing smartphones might be futile.

Assuming a tripod and full trial of the various Pixel camera shooting modes (e.g. more HDR exposures with Enhanced and more yet with Nightsight - some do use it in daylight) you might try a more "manual" style camera app for less "automated" output, direct control of ISO and shutter, as well as HDR. Open Camera (I prefer the Hedgecam2 spin) has good alternative settings and manual exposure control, and actually implements Pixel's HDR+ in its standard mode on Pixel cameras, and is free, but there are fine paid apps, too.

mfinley
OP mfinley Veteran Member • Posts: 7,066
Re: Looking for a new cell phone for camera upgrade from my Pixel 3

I2K4 wrote:

Given the plethora of lens/sensor and camera app configurations, I'll leave recommendations to others. I have seen some recent comparisons of (the usual) expensive flagships with widely different output in interiors, especially in rendering outdoors or just blowing out background windows. Intuitively it seems the more HDR exposures the better, and Pixels are among the best. Chasing smartphones might be futile.

Assuming a tripod and full trial of the various Pixel camera shooting modes (e.g. more HDR exposures with Enhanced and more yet with Nightsight - some do use it in daylight) you might try a more "manual" style camera app for less "automated" output, direct control of ISO and shutter, as well as HDR. Open Camera (I prefer the Hedgecam2 spin) has good alternative settings and manual exposure control, and actually implements Pixel's HDR+ in its standard mode on Pixel cameras, and is free, but there are fine paid apps, too.

Thanks, might as well give open camera a try while I figure out the new camera thing

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waysted Forum Member • Posts: 72
Re: Looking for a new cell phone for camera upgrade from my Pixel 3

I doubt you will see much difference in camera quality between the Pixel 3 and the 5.

I've the 4a 5G and was disappointed in the 'noise' from the normal and wide angle lens on the pixel when shooting in normal mode.

Basically I always use Night Sight mode and that really improves the image. The older camera app used to have 3 modes, HDR+ Off, HDR+ On, HDR+ enhanced. If your pixel 3 is running this version of google camera app then try the enhanced mode. If not, then use the night sight mode. It may save you from upgrading!

mfinley
OP mfinley Veteran Member • Posts: 7,066
Re: Looking for a new cell phone for camera upgrade from my Pixel 3

waysted wrote:

I doubt you will see much difference in camera quality between the Pixel 3 and the 5.

I think you're right. I'm leaning toward the Samsung S21 I think

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