Anyway, on with the tests. For the Lumia 1020, it's still on Lumia Camera (Classic), of course, with the fairly 'pure' look to photo detail, while the Lumia 930 has the latest version of Lumia Camera 5, which has very fast shot to shot times, bundling all the oversampling into the background, plus '2015' image processing algorithms which use less noise reduction and tend to emphasise contrast and (arguably) detail.
I realise the comparison is somewhat subjective, because it will depend entirely on how you're viewing the photos and what your own personal preferences are. But at least with the comparator below you can make up your own mind and let us know the result in the comments below!
The crops below are all at 1:1 as usual. Rather than push the camera phones to the limit, as usual, I've approached the subjects from the point of view of the knowledgable Lumia user 'pointing and shooting' on a day out, with just a little PureView zooming and here and there, where appropriate.
[I did use Rich Capture selection on some of the test shots from the day, but with one exception they're not used below, I felt the vanilla photo looked better - you'll be seeing some more of the HDR/Rich shots in future articles, no doubt, since I was also shooting with the Lumia 640 XL and 830.]
| Note that the interactive comparator below uses javascript and does need to load each pair of images. Please be patient while this page loads, if you see a pair of images above each other than you've either not waited long enough or your browser isn't capable enough! |
Test 1: Landscape, sunny
Looking across the main lake at Hestercombe Gardens. Here's the overall scene, for context:
In case you want to grab the original images to do your own analysis, here they are, from the Lumia 930 and Lumia 1020, click the links to download. And here are detailed 1:1 crops, just wait to make sure the page has fully loaded and then use your mouse or trackpad pointer to compare the images:
An easy scene to shoot, of course, with abundant light. I have to say that I still prefer the more natural look of the 1020's images - and greenery (grass, trees, etc.) seems to bring out the worst in Lumia Camera 5's image processing - in fact, it's always been a bug bear of phone cameras since the days of the N95 and, to my eyes, only the Nokia N8, 808 PureView and 1020 ever really got grass 'just right'.
Test 2: Medium distance, sunny
An attractive orangery, with plenty of detail, and with the challenge of a well lit face and one in shadow. Here's the overall scene, for context:
In case you want to grab the original images to do your own analysis, here they are, from the Lumia 930 and Lumia 1020, click the links to download. And here are detailed 1:1 crops, just wait to make sure the page has fully loaded and then use your mouse or trackpad pointer to compare the images:
Both images look good, the 930 with LC5 gets the colour of the orangery best but the characteristic contrast enhancement ultimately doesn't do the photo any favours. Meanwhile the Lumia 1020's image is a little paler than reality, but wonderfully detailed in a natural and not 'enhanced' way. What do you think?
Test 3: Zoom test, hazy sun
Spotting a 200 year old alcove across a field, I couldn't resist a test of the PureView zoom in each phone camera. Here's the overall scene, already zoomed, for context:
In case you want to grab the original images to do your own analysis, here they are, from the Lumia 930 and Lumia 1020, click the links to download. And here are detailed 1:1 crops, just wait to make sure the page has fully loaded and then use your mouse or trackpad pointer to compare the images:
As you might expect, given the numerical difference between a 41MP and a 20MP sensor, this is a big win for the 1020, able to zoom in by a full factor of 3 without losing any pixel detail. Add in the superiority of the 'old' algorithms for nature detail and there's no contest here.
Test 4: Delicate blossom against sunny blue sky
To get this shot, I had to shoot slightly zoomed and at arm's length around an obstructing tree branch. Here's the overall scene, for context:
In case you want to grab the original images to do your own analysis, here they are, from the Lumia 930 and Lumia 1020, click the links to download. And here are detailed 1:1 crops, just wait to make sure the page has fully loaded and then use your mouse or trackpad pointer to compare the images:
Wonderful colours from the 1020 as usual and a slightly disappointing result from the 930. I did try turning Rich Capture on, to improve its dynamic range and get the bluer sky, but the blossom was moving in the breeze all the time, so a multi-shot approach ended up with slight blurring of the blossom detail.
Test 5: High contrast, HDR
With a perfect subject, detail against a bright sky, I flicked on Rich Capture for the Lumia 930 . Here's the overall scene, for context:
In case you want to grab the original images to do your own analysis, here they are, from the Lumia 930 and Lumia 1020, click the links to download. And here are detailed 1:1 crops, just wait to make sure the page has fully loaded and then use your mouse or trackpad pointer to compare the images:
I'm giving this one to the Lumia 930 - see the original image links above. The superior OIS and the native HDR combine with the suitability of Lumia Camera 5's algorithms for human-made detail (bricks, paving, etc.) to produce a stunning photo from the 930. Not that the 1020's photo is shabby, mind you. Again, your comments welcome.
Test 6: Dusk
The same church scene just before it was dark. The light levels were lower than you might think from the OIS-assisted shots below, it was really errr... dusky, you can tell from the visibility of the floodlights on the front face. Here's the overall scene, for context:
In case you want to grab the original images to do your own analysis, here they are, from the Lumia 930 and Lumia 1020, click the links to download. And here are detailed 1:1 crops, just wait to make sure the page has fully loaded and then use your mouse or trackpad pointer to compare the images:
A score draw here, perhaps, there's almost nothing to choose between the two photos, both are terrific.
Verdict
Overall, the Lumia 1020 still retains its crown as imaging king, of course. Physics still wins out over clever software, though by an ever decreasing margin in 2015. More and more smartphones are coming with imaging 'tricks', multiple exposures, multiple lenses, and so on, but it's hard to beat a physically bigger lens and sensor at the end of the day.
What's fascinating is that Lumia Camera 5, here modelled on the 930, has clearly been optimised for objects, people, flowers, and so on. Things which have defined edges and regular texture. While it makes a pigs ear of large areas of natural detail, grass, trees, and so on, things which don't have defined boundaries or bold lines. While Lumia Camera Classic's imaging optimisations are a better all rounder, I'd say, they assume less about what the subject will be composed of.
Add in the superior natural dynamic range of the 1020, the greater zoom and (yes) the proper flash and I think I'd still rather have a Lumia 1020 in my pocket day in, day out, for capturing photos, at least in terms of raw quality. The speed and flexibility of the 930's camera and software arguably make it better for ad-hoc shots of people and events, at least when there's enough light.
Your comments welcome though. I'd bet that a lot of readers have in fact tried both phones and sets of capture software - do you think my conclusion is pitched about right?