(If anyone's wondering about that Windows-esque launcher on Matthew's XZ2 Premium, it's SquareHome 2...)
Matthew Weflen writes:
Astute AAWP readers may recall my previous guest shootouts, the Lumia 950 vs the Sony Xperia XA1 and vs the Sony Xperia XZ Premium. I liked the performance and build quality of both phones, and so was very interested in trying the XZ Premium’s successor, the XZ2 Premium.
Released in July 2018, the XZ2 Premium is powered by Qualcomm’s newest Snapdragon 845 SoC and 6gb of RAM. The camera module is also Sony’s flagship standard, the “Motion Eye.” This moniker probably refers to the camera’s ability to take 960 FPS slow motion video at 1080pas well as its fancy moving laser focus adjustments during burst shooting. It is a “stacked memory” chip, with RAM sandwiched in between the CMOS and control circuitry layers for faster processing (which is what allows the aforementioned motion features). The sensor is 19 megapixels sized at 1/2.3”, and has an f/1.8 aperture 25mm lens. New for this model is a second camera, a 12 MP monochrome shooter weighing in at f/1.6 aperture and 1/2.3”. Sony says this combo will lead to very good low-light performance (the second lens is not dedicated to zoom), and allows for crazy high ISO shooting, up to 51,200.
It will again do battle with the Lumia 950’s 20-megapixel sensor, sized at 1/2.4”, with a f/1.9 aperture 26mm lens. The Lumia 950 has physical Optical Image Stabilization, while the XZ2 Premium does not, opting again for Qualcomm’s digital “EIS” solution instead. So let’s start snapping and pit the results against each other, using the Famed Optical Comparator. All shots were taken on auto settings at full resolution, and cropped to 900x500 for close up “pixel peeping” comparisons.
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Test 1: Outdoor building in sunlight
Let’s start with some easy stuff, which every smartphone shooter worth its salt should ace: an outdoor shot of building and foliage. Here is the whole scene, as presented by the Lumia 950:
In case you want to grab the original images to do your own analysis, here they are, from the Lumia 950 and Sony XZ2 Premium, click the links to download. And to look at the images in more detail, here are fairly central 1:1 crops, again use your mouse or trackpad pointer to compare the images:
The 950 presents a smoother and warmer shot overall. The XZ2 Premium’s shot is cooler and more noisy. As far as detail goes, the shots seem pretty even. The 950’s smoothing algorithm makes things smoosh together a bit, while the XZ2P’s noise gives an impression of more detail. At non-pixel-peeping distances, both shots are quite pleasing overall. Overall, I tend to like the 950 shot just a bit better, as the XZ2P has an edge-enhanced look.
Microsoft Lumia 950: 9 pts; Sony XZ2 Premium: 8 pts
Test 2: Outdoor flower macro
I decided to get closer to a day lit subject, a quite lovely flower. Here is the whole scene, as presented by the Lumia 950:
In case you want to grab the original images to do your own analysis, here they are, from the Lumia 950 and Sony XZ2 Premium, click the links to download. And to look at the images in more detail, here are fairly central 1:1 crops, again use your mouse or trackpad pointer to compare the images:
Both shots are quite nice, with a pleasing Bokeh effect on the leaves in the background, vibrant color, and very good detail. Here’ the XZ2 Premium’s noise turns out to be a good thing, as it allows the striations of color in the petals to be more easily picked out. The 950 is smoother, which works better on the pollen vesicles. Both shots consistently wowed everyone I showed them to. As such, overall, this is a wash to me.
Microsoft Lumia 950: 10 pts; Sony XZ2 Premium: 10 pts
Test 3: Daylight kids
Enlisting the very enthusiastic participation of my children, I decided to test one of the true staples of smartphone shots – the brightly lit picture of kids. Here is the whole scene, as presented by the Lumia 950:
In case you want to grab the original images to do your own analysis, here they are, from the Lumia 950 and Sony XZ2 Premium, click the links to download. And to look at the images in more detail, here are fairly central 1:1 crops, again use your mouse or trackpad pointer to compare the images:
Looking at both shots in total, both are nice, but the 950 is better both from a distance and when pixel-peeping. The smoothing algorithm does not wipe away any detail, instead presenting a very life-like feel. The foliage, the concrete, the bus stop, and the kids all look naturalistic. The XZ2 Premium matches the 950 pretty well on detail, but the noise gives the shot a bit of a crunchy feel when zooming in. This one goes to the 950 for me.
Microsoft Lumia 950: 9 pts; Sony XZ2 Premium: 7 pts
Test 4: Overcast city
This is a scene overlooking the Chicago River downtown. Here is the whole scene, as presented by the Lumia 950:
In case you want to grab the original images to do your own analysis, here they are, from the Lumia 950 and Sony XZ2 Premium, click the links to download. And to look at the images in more detail, here are fairly central 1:1 crops, again use your mouse or trackpad pointer to compare the images:
The “noise vs. smoothing” narrative plays out again here to some degree. When viewed in total, both shots are pleasing. The 950 exhibits better dynamic range, while the XZ2P finds colours in the image that the 950 doesn’t (for instance, in some windows, on the rusty metal bits down by the water). But the noise in the XZ2P image on closer inspection is off-putting compared to the 950’s smoother output.
Microsoft Lumia 950: 9 pts; Sony XZ2 Premium: 7 pts
Test 5: Indoors with lamp light
All right, let’s stop messing around on the easy stuff. Moving indoors for the evening, I shot a picture of my cat lounging with me on the couch. The scene is lit only by one lamp, with an 800 Lumen light bulb and a dark shade. Here is the whole scene, as presented by the Lumia 950:
In case you want to grab the original images to do your own analysis, here they are, from the Lumia 950 and Sony XZ2 Premium, click the links to download. And to look at the images in more detail, here are fairly central 1:1 crops, again use your mouse or trackpad pointer to compare the images:
This is a pretty strong argument for the XZ2 Premium’s second sensor. There is simply more detail in the XZ2P shot than in the 950’s. Whiskers, small hairs, the texture of my sock, it’s all just more present. The XZ2P’s shot is much more convincing when viewed in total. Upon pixel peeping, there is the noise characteristic of high ISO shooting (the XZ2P chose ISO 1250 using the auto settings, while the 950 chose 640). But the noise adds to the image here instead of detracting from it.
Microsoft Lumia 950: 6 pts; Sony XZ2 Premium: 8 pts
Test 6: Street lit alley at night
Let’s head outdoors at night to look at the alley behind my condominium. Here is the whole scene, as presented by the Lumia 950:
In case you want to grab the original images to do your own analysis, here they are, from the Lumia 950 and Sony XZ2 Premium, click the links to download. And to look at the images in more detail, here are fairly central 1:1 crops, again use your mouse or trackpad pointer to compare the images:
While every shot thus far has been taken hand held, here I stabilized both phones on the rail of my balcony to give both cameras their best possible chance with this low-lit night shot. The 950 has an admirable level of detail but the dynamic range is rather flat. Shadows look grayish. The XZ2 Premium delivers a noisier shot, but the detail level is comparable and the shadows and highlights are much more convincing. The XZ2 Premium also does a better job with foliage and overall color. This is a tough call, and I think on their strengths both shots are about even.
Microsoft Lumia 950: 6 pts; Sony XZ2 Premium: 6 pts
Test 7: City scene at night
All right, no more pussy-footing around. Let’s really push these cameras. This is a plaza in downtown Chicago taken at night time. Here is the whole scene, as presented by the Lumia 950:
In case you want to grab the original images to do your own analysis, here they are, from the Lumia 950 and Sony XZ2 Premium, click the links to download. And to look at the images in more detail, here are fairly central 1:1 crops, again use your mouse or trackpad pointer to compare the images:
This shot was taken hand held while standing. I took several snaps with each to ensure that hand shake was not a factor. This was the best shot the 950 could come up with, and frankly, the XZ2 Premium blows away the 950 here. The level of detail is just off the charts on the XZ2 Premium. The rivets in the statue are all clearly visible, as well as small reflections in the windows that the 950 fails to pick up. The XZ2P renders the puddles in the pavement convincingly, while they almost disappear in the 950 shot. The XZ2P even picks up the green granite blocks on the interior of the rear building. A resounding win for the XZ2 Premium.
Microsoft Lumia 950: 6 pts; Sony XZ2 Premium: 9 pts
Test 8: Chicago theatre at night
This is one of my favourite pictures to take downtown at night, and it presents a big challenge for a camera because of the dynamic range from the signs to the shadows. Here is the whole scene, as presented by the Lumia 950:
In case you want to grab the original images to do your own analysis, here they are, from the Lumia 950 and Sony XZ2 Premium, click the links to download. And to look at the images in more detail, here are fairly central 1:1 crops, again use your mouse or trackpad pointer to compare the images:
Both cameras produced a pleasing shot overall. The 950’s output is again smoother, the XZ2P’s more noisy. There is a flatness to the dynamic range of the 950’s shot that doesn’t really reflect how bright the theater lights are in comparison to the shadowy surroundings. The XZ2P’s shot is more convincing in this. The XZ2 Premium, while more noisy, does clearly pick out more detail in the shadows of the theater’s terra cotta stone elements, as well as in separating the marquee light bulbs and the segments in the marquee surface. But the 950 renders the man and little girl more convincingly – not with more detail, but with less noise. I think, on the strength of the dynamic range and detail, the XZ2 Premium edges this one out.
Microsoft Lumia 950: 7 pts; Sony XZ2 Premium: 8 pts
Test 9: State street from under a bridge
Another very tough shot, given the range of elements and the fine detail needed to render this shot convincingly. Here is the whole scene, as presented by the Lumia 950:
In case you want to grab the original images to do your own analysis, here they are, from the Lumia 950 and Sony XZ2 Premium, click the links to download. And to look at the images in more detail, here are fairly central 1:1 crops, again use your mouse or trackpad pointer to compare the images:
Again I braced each camera on a lamp post in order to give each one its best shot. The 950 excels here with dynamic range. The white bus going away from me shows better delineation between the tail lights and the body of the bus. With that said, the XZ2 Premium picks out more detail in the pavement and the bridge structure. Obviously the XZ2 Premium shot is more noisy on close inspection. Both cameras settled on ISO 250 for this shot, so this is a good indicator of their different approaches. I do think the XZ2 Premium has a bit more detail overall, but the 950’s shot is just a bit more pleasing to my eye in total.
Microsoft Lumia 950: 8 pts; Sony XZ2 Premium: 7 pts
Test 10: Indoor still life in good light
Another of my favourite tests for detail, with a mix of produce, currency and knick knacks, taken hand held from above. Here is the whole scene, as presented by the Lumia 950:
In case you want to grab the original images to do your own analysis, here they are, from the Lumia 950 and Sony XZ2 Premium, click the links to download. And to look at the images in more detail, here are fairly central 1:1 crops, again use your mouse or trackpad pointer to compare the images:
Both cameras really do a fine job. The 950 is warmer and renders the bills with a bit less noise. With that said, the XZ2P wrings a little bit more detail out of the pearlescent flakes on the car paint jobs, as well as the carrot. I think this is a tale of two software approaches, and both have their (big) strengths and (minor) weaknesses.
Microsoft Lumia 950: 9 pts; Sony XZ2 Premium: 9 pts
Verdict
Lumia 950: 79pts/100
Sony XZ2 Premium: 79pts/100
These phones cameras have different strengths. While both phones capture detailed images that would satisfy most users, upon close inspection the 950 does better in bright light and in distance shots, while the XZ2 Premium does better in low light and does equally well with brightly lit close-ups. This is not even to mention the XZ2 Premium’s video capabilities, which are exemplary.
At the end of the day, and after weighing their pluses and minuses, I find these phone cameras to be evenly matched. What it comes down to for me is ecosystem and hardware stability. The 950 simply isn’t usable for me in 2018. It lacks too many apps, the apps it does have are inferior and unsupported compared to their Android counterparts, and the hardware overheats and blows through battery inexplicably. A 2018 phone with a modern chipset and a supported operating system suffers none of these drawbacks.
I want a camera button, expandable storage support, and something approximating live tiles. Android can provide the latter with most models, and Sony provides the former. The 950 featured a camera ahead of its time. But I’ve got to live in the now, not the “what could have been.”
Thanks, Matthew!
Confining comments to imaging here, the Lumia 950 struggles in low light when focussing is critical. Get the focus right and the 950 can still blow almost anything away, but I'll be the first to admit that its primitive PDAF can let users down when light is low, while the 'laser a/f' plus the far faster chipset in the Sony produce crystal clear focus almost instantly. Oh, for an up to date Lumia with faster supporting chipset and modern focussing technology.
In general, Matthew's choice to use full resolution on each device was interesting - real world users would be best using oversampled shots, e.g. on the Lumia 950 at 8MP, wherein low light shots get even purer. I'll go down these lines as and when I get my own hands on with the XZ2 Premium.
Your comments?