Sony Xperia XZ camera review

The S7 is in the comparison tool but we could not do a full review because Samsung has not been capable of providing a test unit. Hopefully that'll be different for the S8.

Dec 2, 2016permalink

MauriceK

OK, thanks for the clarification; I'm going to check the comparison tool again. It's a shame that a S7 wasn't available for a full review being that it was one of the biggest cellphone releases in 2016.

Dec 6, 2016*permalink

Borisdavenport

I am using Xperia Z1 and iPhone . I like Z1 in terms of its simplicity and camera qulaity. now looking for exchange offer to replace Z1 with XZ

Nov 30, 2016permalink

JCFan1979

Yikes! Sony needs it's big boy camera engineers to fix the horrid processing algorithms in the Xperia line. What a letdown after all the great image quality of the company's other camera ventures. Other smartphones makers using Sony sensors do a better job. What is going on here is beyond reason and Sony should be ashamed. Horrible pictures. Just horrible.

Nov 29, 2016permalink

Aargh! IQ is horrid, over-processed junk (even at base iso) detail is just GONE when looking at 100%. Cant believe the Sony with some of the best sensor tech in the world cannot sort out their processing... The XZ is actually a little worse than iPhone 7 at 100%, the iPhone 7's IQ is also pretty shocking, long gone is Apple's natural processing, just watery/waxy stuff, but the XZ is actually a little worse! Just look at the photo of the rose at 100%, no detail at all, just fuzzy gunk...

Nov 28, 2016*permalink

you have to take into account that the Sony's pixel count is much higher than most other phones, including the iPhone. Downsized to the 12MP size of most other high-end phones' images the difference will be much less obvious...but it's still there...

Nov 28, 2016permalink

Yes, true.

Nov 28, 2016permalink

Stu 5

Even when downsized to 8 or 12mp it still looks poor compared to other smartphones of that size.

Nov 30, 2016permalink

neverendinglight

I own the XZ. I desperately wanted it to be my daily driver but as was pointed out, it's too slow at processing pictures and lags too far behind so many other viable options. 3GB isn't enough RAM to process the pictures. It lacks native RAW capture. It's manual controls are silly. Hard to be a flagship this day and age and compete with those kind of numbers. Another thing due to the lack of RAM is that it only keeps a handful of Apps open at a time. And when you do go to access all your recent apps, 9 times out of 10 you'll mistakenly hit the "close all" tab. Kind of pathetic and terribly frustrating. My V10 will keep countless apps open and won't skip a beat. The design is gorgeous. It takes marvelous still shots in proper light. Battery is pretty good. Speakers are below average. Was really hoping Sony could step up. Maybe next time.

Nov 28, 2016permalink

The Newtype

Given the poor low-light ability and the sensor's tendency to produce noise and grain in even the slightest of challenging conditions, I believe the 78% rating is generous. Apart from the physical shutter button and great battery life, this phone offers nothing camera-wise over competing devices in this price category.

Nov 27, 2016permalink

People are judging the pics wrong. Resized to 6MP they're as good for detail as an iphone (albeit with blown highlights). Even the higher ISO pics are ok. At a height of 1600 (retina on some smaller imacs), they look fine.

Unless you're using one of the specialised phones, no photographer with good sense should be taking pics at full resolution.

The Sony Z5 was an unmitigated disaster, but this one is acceptable when resized to something sensible.

The real test is what the lower MP settings produce. But the gallery doesn't show that. I'm resizing with a good resizer and not adding in sharpening or noise reduction.

Nov 26, 2016permalink

Stu 5

Even smaller than the size you suggest and the photos still look poor. The fine detail still looks smeared. Edges still look poor.

The photos might look fine to you but to many they are unacceptable.

Nov 27, 2016permalink

Except in the corners, they look about the same as from an iPhone. Ie, acceptable. The market has spoken.

What you or I think is acceptable is another matter.

Nov 27, 2016permalink

If the images look "fine" at screen size is entirely subjective but on the 1920 x 1200 monitor that I am using lens softness and loss of detail at higher ISOs is clearly visible...and more so than on Google Pixel, Galaxy S7, Huawei P9 etc....

Nov 27, 2016permalink

Sure, in the corners. And Google Pixel has an awesome camera.

But I was comparing to the iphone, which is good enough.

Nov 28, 2016permalink

Agree with Lars, the Google Pixel, S7 and P9 are way less processed than the XZ, even the iPhone 7 with its waxy looking IQ at 100% is slightly better that the XZ, but I doubt the XZ will be in the top 10 flagships for iQ, the iPhone 7 may sneak in at 8 or 9 but that just cos its an Apple, but Apple have definitely lost the plot with their processing and NR of late. I love my iPhone 7 but my P9+ blows it away in terms of IQ!

Nov 28, 2016permalink

JCFan1979

I have a Lumia 950 and it's 19MP images are light years ahead in quality. Sony has no excuse and you shouldn't have to drop resolution for good image processing quality.

Nov 29, 2016permalink

the Lumia 930, 950 and 950XL easily have the best IQ compared to flagships today, pity about the OS which is dying a slow death, and the lack of apps. I actually enjoyed my 930 but got frustrated at basic apps (that I need) not being available, but yes IQ easily the most natural looking IQ, not sure why Sony and Apple have lost the plot so badly i.t.o processing and heavy handed NR???

Nov 30, 2016permalink

Nick Brundle - Photography

Even my cheapo Alcatel 4 6" (4G version) has a front flash/LED. Why did they skimp on that?

Nov 26, 2016permalink

naththo

Same as Samsung they use aggressive noise reduction as well, Sony isn't the only one really and oh Canon does use aggressive sharpness in canon images as well.

Nov 26, 2016permalink

SergioMO

The endless problem of Sony ... software ! And ... they don't care about it.

Nov 26, 2016permalink

lensberg

Absolutely atrocious image quality... but pretty much synonymous with all Sony smartphones...

20 MP images look absolutely amazing on phones like Mocrosoft's Lumia 950 / XL ... Its just that Sony's image quality has systematically deteriorated over the years... AND... that useless G lens isn't exactly doing Sony any favors either...

Sony desperately need to fire all people involved with their smartphone camera imaging division and hire anyone else... Since Nikon's laying off 1000 employees - Now would be a opportune moment to capitalize upon it and hire them...!

Even cheap Chinese phone manufacturers put Sony to shame where camera IQ is concerned...!

Nov 26, 2016permalink

Cheng Bao

Does US version have fingerprint reader?
I heard it's a big let down because sony excluding that feature

Nov 26, 2016permalink

Trubbtele

I had one of the new Sony Z supercrap! My old Sony Ultra is much, much better.

Nov 25, 2016permalink

CallumG

I don't understand this. My Sony Xperia M4 Aqua takes better photos than this! A £200 phone! These photos are overprocessed mess. 20+ MP on a sensor this size is not practical. Didn't people think 16MP was the limit for M4/3? Shame on you Sony, and you're meaningless marketing. Here is my phones sample https://www.flickr.com/photos/124653923@N04/31202710766/in/dateposted/

Nov 25, 2016*permalink

NaBalam

It is good value for money... Unlike OLYMPUS, and leicas and Lunars aaarrghh!

Nov 25, 2016permalink

eno2

Once again a potentially very good phone, ruined by the terrible image processing!

Nov 25, 2016permalink

otto k

Funny thing is that Sony sells the same sensors to other manufacturers and virtually all of them have better images on the output. There is just something wrong with Sony processing, especially in flagships, more affordable versions seem to have more natural looking photos.

Nov 26, 2016permalink

utphoto

Based on the samples presented, this phone produces incredibly poor video. The so-called 1080P video doesn't live up to good 720P real-world resolution and in fact looks more like very good 16:9 480P. The 4K quality is a joke.

Nov 25, 2016permalink

disappointing to say the least
But what do we expect from a Mobil phone

Nov 25, 2016permalink

Sonyshine

Oil?

Nov 26, 2016permalink

Nick Brundle - Photography

@Sonyshine - Thanks for your input. We're all refreshed and challenged by your unique point of view.

Nov 26, 2016permalink

(unknown member)

This wouldn't even qualify as a good $300 P&S which means these people are paying an extra $700 just to make a phone call...

Nov 26, 2016permalink

Zorak

@Nick : I found the joke funny, lighten up buddy.

Nov 26, 2016permalink

lacix

Who cares about this phone camera crap? FBI? CIA? FSB? Mossad? Free and detailed info. about our private life and photos of everything?

Nov 25, 2016*permalink

maxnimo

I have seen 4 MP photos with better overall quality than what this 23 MP camera puts out. Silly engineers marketing silly stuff to silly consumers.

Nov 25, 2016permalink

+1 because a 4 MP sensor is usually 1/1.8" back into that day then, and thus the photosites (pixelpitch) much bigger than 23 MP onto a way small 1/2.3" sensor...even BSI tech (backside illuminated) doesn't help here...it's just too many MP. Sony should have done a 12 MP sensor with that size - IQ would have been much better. Or even better: 10 to max 12 MP onto a 1/1.7" Sensor into their Flagship Smartphones - as it was standard on Enthusiast Digicams before the Sony RX100 came to life with it's (in comparsion) huge 1" Sensor. ;-)

Nov 26, 2016permalink

Such a great company on the forefront of imaging, continuously doing such below the average mobile/imaging products. I cant understand this business strategy! Sony can do so much better, even if they dont even try hard..

Nov 25, 2016permalink

MrTaikitso

Agreed! Pity too because I have handled this phone and the body shape / build quality and Android experience are lovely. I got a Samsung S7 and the camera is as fast as my Panasonic GX8 was at focusing, and it does low light well too.

Nov 25, 2016permalink

@MrTaikitso agreed, very nice phone in general use and just feels nice in the hand. Camera is not terrible either, just not as good as some of the others right now....

Nov 25, 2016permalink

(unknown member)

I still find it surprising that some of the flagship phone models don't have DNG raw output.

Especially considering it's available in camera API 2.0 in Android.

Not even just picking on Sony here, Motorola is the same.

Nov 25, 2016*permalink

The Moto Z phones can do Raw, can't they? I need to fire one up and double-check :) Sony actually told me they think nobody is going to use the feature on a smartphone which is why they don't offer it.

Nov 25, 2016permalink

(unknown member)

I guess it's like lossless raw compression then according to Sony ;)

and I stand corrected. the Moto Z can save DNG. well damn Lars, you just complicated my decision making.. even though I do think the LG G5 and UWA just makes so much sense. but being able to customize and build your own Moto is just way too cool.

edit again.. it seems to be a little more complicated .. moto z play does mot have DNG. without getting the hassy addon. the moto z .. doesn't say .. could you check please? :P

I think Sony's the last holdout then for RAW?

Nov 25, 2016*permalink

well, yes, among the big manufacturers they are. I am not quite sure why. Raw is supported by the OS, so implementing it can't be that much trouble.

Nov 25, 2016permalink

(unknown member)

if I recall wasn't it hardware dependent on if the camera could support camera API 2.0? or was it simply firmware "hal" implementation?

Nov 25, 2016*permalink

Nikonandmore

For a company that leads the way in Sensor design and engineering and most recently also doing a remarkable job in high-end lens construction, I am continuously appalled how throughout the years ALL of Sony phones have so lavishly horrendous sensors, lenses and software. I just cant understand this. Every single phone from Sony is follow-up disaster of low performing sensors, soft optics and disastrous camera apps. How Sony's mobile division manages to survive is a grand awe-inspiring mystery to me..

Nov 25, 2016*permalink

Ironic since Sony makes the sensors in the best smarphone cameras such as Google pixel, Iphone 7.

Nov 25, 2016permalink

Alex, I was just writing a follow up comment when you replied before I was finished.

Indeed, the TRULY MOST ASTONISHING THING about all this is that ALL best camera phones in the market have Sony sensors/optical blocks! ALL! From the iPhone to most of the best imaging performing Chinese phones to the Google Pixel! So why Sony provides the market with top-performing mobile imaging hardware, yet on their branded own phones they use just about the worse? I cant reason this no matter how hard I think about it. I'm sure (I dearly hope) that the design/management team at Sony Mobile division, has NOTHING to do with Sony's other imaging divisions, because it looks like a different company.

My suggestion to Sony? Simple:

Stop making phones all-together and just go make a deal with a Chinese-made mobile brand featuring one of your good sensors and re-brand it as a Sony! Easy fix and awesome profit margins since as a "Sony" they can sell it at quadruple the price of the original hardware:)

Nov 25, 2016*permalink

micksh6

"Every single phone from Sony is follow-up disaster of low performing sensors"

Yea, right. That's why Z5 and then X Performance were on top of DxOMark mobile chart: https://www.dxomark.com/Mobiles
Now on 2nd and 3rd places since Google Pixel was released.
PS. I still own old Z3 Compact. While its camera is nothing special, it can give good results if you adjust settings manually.

Nov 25, 2016permalink

DxOMark is the greatest joke in the world of photography.

Nov 25, 2016permalink

0MitchAG

You shouldn't have to adjust any settings on a mobile phone camera. What a joke!

Nov 26, 2016permalink

I still want a 1" Sensor (say 12, 16 or max 20 MP like into the RX100 Series or their clones) like the Panasonic Lumix CM-1 into a Smartphone Flagship, RAW of course. ;-) No other brand had done this like Panasonic, so Kudos to them.
Why can't even Sony do this? They do have the expertise, R&D to-do so...i can't understand it. They're quite good with thir APS-C & FF eMount Mirrorless, but they do really suck into their Smartphone Camera Department - because they do seem to follow the Maxime "more MP is better..." but nowadays, 2016, even the dumbest Consumer might get a clue, that 23 MP onto a 1/2.3" Sensor might be too much...and 12 MP would have been way much better...on this Sensorsize....

Nov 26, 2016permalink

Unfotunately the DMC CM1 didn't sell very well. Perhaps a 1" sensor is just too much camera to stick in a phone. Maybe resurrect the old 1/1.7 "premium subcompact" sensor size?

Nov 26, 2016permalink

micksh6

"DxOMark is the greatest joke in the world of photography."

And that's exactly why you come to DPReview, which has a partnership with DxOMark - to get a daily portion of jokes.

PS. I specifically replied to "low performing sensor" phrase. Say what you want about DxO, but Sony wouldn't have been dominating smartphone sensor market with low quality products.

Nov 26, 2016*permalink

Alex Permit. the CM1 was a great idea totally wasted by extremely poor design, horrible software, under-powered software & an absurd price to match. I bought one, unfortunately. To start off with the lens quality was NOT up to par to the sensor & should have been a 2 or 3 x zoom (at least) instead. The camera app & software was mediocre and Panasonic abandoned the device at launch & left everyone without an upgrade path to the native apps or an upgrade to the Android OS version.. totally unacceptable. Next was the fact the Snapdragon chipset used was already an older generation & largely underpowered for the phone's goals, ending up in dreadfully slow operation & processing of 20MP files & with ridiculous claims such as 4K video when in fact it could only record at very low bit rates & 15 frames per second, which is both useless & laughable. Now, put a price tag of almost 1000 bucks to this mobile disaster & only a few hopefuls like me (not expecting the worse) ended up buying it.

Nov 26, 2016*permalink

No micksh6, I dont come to DPReview, which has a partnership with DxOMark to get a daily portion of jokes. I come to DPReview to listen to you:)

Nov 26, 2016permalink

Zoom, is it possible size constraints limited the quality of the lens? Put in a 2-3x zoom and you'd get an rx100 size cameraphone?

Nov 27, 2016*permalink

@Alex Permit
that's exactly what i suggested a long time ago, and written often. ;-) It'll be great, with max 12 MP.

Nov 27, 2016permalink

@Alex permit, the iPhone 7 IQ is not far behind the XZ! heavy handed NR and over-processing kills detail even at base iso, see here. scroll to post #15 with the crops https://www.dpreview.com/forums/thread/4053865 iPhone 7 is horrid, maybe its using the Sony processing not just the Sony sensor?

Nov 30, 2016permalink

Apple does support DNG, and you can get pretty good results with that. Unfortunately Sony does not support raw, so no way to improve it

Nov 30, 2016permalink

justmeMN

"Smeared detail, luminance noise and artifacts at base ISO" -DPR

Who needs a stand-alone camera, when you use this instead? :-)

Nov 25, 2016permalink

quangzizi

but... but... 23 MP F 2.0...

Nov 25, 2016permalink

Sonyshine

Must do better Sony.
Imaging should be a Sony strength not a weakness.
It will be interesting to see who is still making smartphones in five years time:
Apple, Samsung, Huwaei.....and.....

Nov 25, 2016permalink

chinese companies like Xiaomi, Oppo plus of course Google.

Nov 25, 2016permalink

melgross

Well, not all that great. What I don't understand is why this new, top of the line, phone comes with Android 6. I'm assuming that's not a typo. How long has it been since 7 came out? And how long since 7.1 came out? And this comes with 6?

This shows a major fault with Android devices. Why does a brand new phone come with an OS version that's over, what, a year old, or more? Will this get an update to 7?

This also shows why going this high resolution route is the wrong direction. So, sure, in a few cases, the 23MP sensor delivers more detail. But in most cases, it delivers less detail than 12MP sensors do. Sony would have been better off in using a 12MP sensor with much larger sensing sites. That way, they could have used much less noise reduction, for higher resolution in most pictures.

Optical stabilization would have made a major improvement as well, but Sony is committed to using sensor stabilization on its cameras, so I guess they'll continue to use it here as well.

Nov 25, 2016*permalink

Android 7.0 Nougat was released August 22. While the new Google Pixel phones ran Android 7.1 out of the box, thats not the case for other phones. For reference, the first Galaxy beta Nougat firmware arrived for the Galaxy S7 and S7 Edge on November 9.

Nov 25, 2016permalink

Robert Zanatta

Video looks good, even in low light.

Photos in low light are lacking.

Nov 25, 2016permalink

I've stopped reading after "1/2.3” 23MP".... too small, too much Megapixels...
Have a great Weekend! ;-)

Nov 25, 2016permalink

Ben Stonewall

I stopped reading after 'Sony'.
😆😆😆😆

Nov 26, 2016permalink

KonstantinosK

Images full of artifacts, they definitely need downscaling to look good.

Nov 25, 2016permalink

Only 2,900mAh battery for such a strong hardwear. Even the cheapest china phone have today 3.500-4.000mah.

Nov 25, 2016permalink

zzzxtreme

It employs new revolutionary battery saving tech or something

Nov 25, 2016permalink

battery life is actually quite good, had no trouble getting through the day without charging.

Nov 25, 2016permalink

And you call that '' one day without charging, quite good''??
I have the Sony C4 for one week, and i am ready to send it buck because of the same behavior.
My daughter have one Xiaomi redmi pro with 4.000mah battery which is only 10 grams heavier and with really intensive use can keep up to 2-2,5 days... How about that..

Nov 25, 2016permalink

I used the Redmi Pro for a while and could not get 2 days out of it, it all depends on the definition of "intense use" I guess ;) Personally, a day is all I need. When I go to bed I have no problem with charging the phone overnight. However, i Don't won't to be out in the evening and have to worry that my phone might die...unfortunately that is still happening with some phones...

Nov 25, 2016permalink

zzzxtreme

C4 doesn't use that new battery saving tech.

Nov 25, 2016permalink

Whatever any one meen '' intense use'' if they apply to both phones they take double time with Xiaomi over Sony.
So if Xiaomi is one day only for you then SONY is Half day and etc.

Nov 26, 2016permalink

And yes, Sony C4 use the same new STAMINA mode come with the new version 6 android, and i don't see any improvement.
It's not bad phones but i wait the best out of it, special for SONY, which is suppose class leading manufacturer. If china phones can put 4.000mah battery in their phones, with only 20 grams to weight, why SONY can't??

Nov 26, 2016permalink

Fachy Marin

Dumb move from Sony. Most of other brands' flagships outperform the XZ easily. I mean... How is it possible that they provide those companies with their sensor technology and they can't master its performance in their own products?

Nov 25, 2016permalink

Vanitas Photo

Like I said with the Iphone 7: 700 bucks for a "Jack of all trades, master of none" gadget :P...

Nov 25, 2016permalink

melgross

The iphone 7 is a much better phone in most every way.

Nov 25, 2016permalink

Vanitas Photo

It may be but it continues to be the a"Jack of all trades,master of none" These are high tech gadgets at a high price to show off, no more and no less and the sooner we accept they are elements of vanity the better.

I mean spending 700 bucks on a phone... come on... be it Apple or Android, it is stupid.

Nov 25, 2016permalink

Eric Hensel

"I mean spending 700 bucks on a phone... come on... be it Apple or Android, it is stupid."
For you, perhaps...not for many of us. I love having a hotrod phone.

Nov 25, 2016permalink

Death89

I agree. If there were still any phones like the N8/808 that used decent sensors I would still be buying phones based on their cameras. Apart from the Panasonic CM1 there aren't and that very expensive example (last I saw that was £600 new!) there aren't any others so I'm using a cheap old 5s until someone does something decent again. The poor camera and storage on this just encourages me further to make sure I have one of my proper cameras on me.

Nov 26, 2016permalink

TheDarmok74

Impressive amount of NR going on even at ISO80 and in bright parts of the images. Standard Sony fare. Maybe it's my taste but Samsung, Motorola, Google, LG...they all do much better with Sony's sensors.

Nov 25, 2016permalink

(unknown member)

How can you say that. Whilst the 1/2.3" sensor is reviled in camera circles everyone knows putting a radio transceiver next to it produces a complete substitute for any sort of camera.

Nov 25, 2016*permalink