Intro
We lately took a brief fond memories journey with the Nokia 808 PureView after we came across a still completely practical system practically by mishap (not actually, we especially headed out searching for one). We covered it in a video clip, reviewing a few of the firsts as well as bests it performed in 2012 – below it is, if you missed it.
Having the phone in our hands, as well as aware of the track record it has in the remarks area of the majority of photography-centric smart device testimonials below, we figured a short shootout remained in order – consider it as ‘The 808 PureView versus The Year 2021 Cameraphones’.
Given That we can not do a contrast in between the Nokia as well as every smart device that’s appeared in the previous 6 months (for reasonable factors), we have actually chosen a version to stand for the state-of-the-art as well as it’s just all-natural for that to be our present Editors’ option for finest cameraphone, the Xiaomi Mi 11 Ultra
The Xiaomi is particularly ideal for this head-to-head due to the fact that it’s the version that uncrowns the 808 Pureview as the smart device with the biggest cam sensing unit (we prefer to not count the Panasonic Lumix CM1 with its 1.0″ sensing unit, due to the fact that we see it as even more of a cam with some phone capability than vice versa).
For a fast suggestion, the Nokia has a 41 MP 1/1.2- inch sensing unit with 1.4 µm pixels as well as a traditional Bayer shade filter variety (in contrast to the ruling Quad Bayer layouts). It was a multi-aspect sensing unit – implying that it utilizes various sections of the imager for the various element proportions with the outright edges staying beyond the photo circle predicted by the lens as well as extra. The lens has an f/2.4 aperture as well as a field of vision that matches that of a Galaxy S21, so a focal size comparable around 26 mm. It does not have OIS, however.
The 808 PureView utilizes pixel binning to outcome 8MP or 5MP resulting photos, as well as it did that lengthy prior to it ended up being the default means of recording images on mobile phones some 7 or 8 years later on. Normally, a full-resolution alternative is additionally offered, also if you need to function your means via the food selections to arrive. Focusing is additionally component of the plan, though practically it’s simply chopping the facility section of the sensing unit.
The Mi 11 Ultra, on the various other hand, is geared up with a 50 MP 1/1.12- inch sensing unit on its key cam, once more with 1.4 µm photosites. The lens ahead if it has a 24 mm focal size matching as well as an aperture of f/1.95
This sensing unit does make use of a Quad Bayer filter variety as well as results 4-to-1 binned photos at around 12.5 MP. Yet it additionally does an exceptional task of short-range zooming in by chopping the facility section as well as demosaicking it in a different way for the job. The once more, the Mi does additionally have an incredible 5x telephoto. And also a likewise remarkable ultrawide cam. The Nokia has neither. Yet that’s not what we’re below for.
We’re below to contrast the big-sensor cam of the 2012 Nokia 808 PureView versus the even-bigger-sensor major cam of 2021 Xiaomi Mi 11 Ultra. We fired the Nokia in Creative setting to be able to access the 8MP 4:3 resolution as well as element, along with the full-res 38 MP setup. The Xiaomi we maintained in Image setting for the 12.5 MP photos (at both 1x as well as 2x zoom), switching over to 50 MP for complete resolution examples.
Daytime photo top quality
In wide daytime, the Nokia 808 PureView catches fine 8MP photos, also 8+ years later on. They do have excellent degree of information as well as it’s made in a really natural manner in which the majority of contemporary phones can not handle. Also binned, these do have a great grain to them – not troubling sound, yet a structure of grit where there isn’t any type of.
We’re discovering the PureView default direct exposure a little as well dark with darkness as well as reduced midtones requiring an increase. Dynamic variety is typically excellent, though in specifically tough high-contrast scenes like the apple iphone mural, the 808 can not rather deal. Shade recreation is precise, yet limited in regards to saturation (that remains in the default ‘Typical’ setting, ‘Vibrant’ includes a little bit much more life, yet it’s not a significant distinction).
The Xiaomi counters with exceptional tonal growth at both extremes as well as even more passionate shade performance without always jabbing your eyes out. And also regarding that natural performance of great information, the Mi 11 Ultra is really a great instance of points done right, providing a gauged technique to honing that brings natural-looking branches as well as lawn fires. Oh, as well as sound is nothing on the Mi.
The Xiaomi preserves some benefits in the high-resolution setting. For instance, the 808’s photos obtain noisier below, while the Ultra’s actually do not. That claimed, both phones have to do with on the same level when it pertains to pixel-level information.
That might be clarified by the Nokia sensing unit’s normal Bayer shade filter variety which enables it to record better details than the Quad Bayer layout of the Xiaomi, to which it responds with a handful much more pixels as well as a years of R&D eventually night points out. We’re still for the Mi’s direct exposure as well as tonal contour techniques.
The Nokia maxes out at around 2.5 x zoom (60- ish mm matching) when in 8MP setting as well as we figured we would certainly contrast that versus the 2x setting on the Xiaomi although it’s much shorter at simply under 50 mm matching, just due to the fact that it’s very easy to accessibility from the viewfinder. And also, many thanks to the distinction in resolution, the topics have regarding the exact same dimension in the framework at these zoom degrees.
The Xiaomi hardly has a side below thoroughly, however in the beginning look it does seem significantly sharper – while the Nokia’s photos are hazier, we can not indicate an information that the Mi fixes as well as the 808 does not. The Mi’s shots do have much better meaning as well as micro-contrast. In general, the Nokia does a great task of focusing, therefore does the Mi 11 Ultra with its major cam, also without considering its real telephoto.
Low-light photo top quality
In reduced light, the Nokia can hardly argue. It has a hard time to reveal anywhere near brilliantly adequate in dark scenes, while better-lit exteriors can have huge locations of burnt out highlights around source of lights. Desaturation is additionally common.
The Xiaomi, on the various other hand, supplies superb vibrant variety also in tough scenes as well as takes care of to reveal for much darker scenes as well, removing information where the Nokia catches simply pure black. Shade recreation is additionally much better, without any loss of saturation to mention.
As a sidenote unconnected to the contrast below, yet quite pertaining to the Mi’s shade scientific research, we’re seeing a remarkable enhancement in the means the Mi 11 Ultra deals with cozy source of lights as well as there’s no indicator of the solid orange actors that we observed at evaluation time.
Mind you, on the Nokia we experienced substantial flare from factor source of lights which might be as a result of our system’s age as well as the problem of its lenses, though we could not find scrapes on the right away noticeable lens aspects or cover glass.
Not that we ‘d usually fire in full-res setting in the evening, yet we took a number of examples at 38 MP/50 MP for this contrast. While the Xiaomi’s handling can not rather do its point at this resolution in regards to vibrant variety, it’s still means in advance of the Nokia. The Ultra’s images are additionally sharper, much better thorough, as well as a great deal cleaner.
Focusing, points are a great deal like in full-resolution setting – the Xiaomi leads in virtually all locations consisting of vibrant variety, information as well as sound efficiency.
Video clip top quality
When it pertains to video clip recording, the Nokia is underequipped to appropriately take on the Mi 11 Ultra. The PureView peaks at 1080 p/30 fps record, while the Xiaomi can copulate to 8K/24 fps, though 4K at 30 fps is a a lot more sensible capturing setting which’s what we made use of for this head-to-head. We contrasted both phones both in daytime as well as in the evening.
There’s just a lot information that the Nokia can record in its 1080 p resolution as well as it’s no place near the degree of great structures that the Xiaomi documents. That claimed, as 1080 p clips go, the Nokia’s are fairly well outlined, also by today’s requirements.
The Nokia’s vibrant variety is in a similar way not a suit wherefore the Xiaomi can remove out of the scene leaving highlights on the brilliantly lit exteriors clipped to white, while the Mi 11 ultra has actually handled to maintain information there. The Nokia’s shade performance is rather drab beside the punchier as well as even more likeable Xiaomi video footage.
In reduced light, the Nokia can not reveal anywhere near brilliantly adequate as well as catches basically a black framework with the periodic auto fronts lights turning up. Mind you, it had not been yet totally dark at the time of firing these examples, as the navy skies in the Xiaomi clip program.
Below a number of framework grabs from the above video clips for quicker contrast, adhered to by the 1:1 plants for a much more instant picture of the distinctions.
Last words
We practically assumed we would certainly simply dispose the photos as well as video clips as well as leave them with no discourse, yet it’s most likely worth stating a couple of words regarding just how points have actually advanced throughout the years. While we do believe it’s apparent, we would certainly still such as to have in creating that the Xiaomi takes pass on the exceptional images as well as video clips.
That holds true in our minds for the daytime still shots, though we can picture there would certainly be those that firmly insist that the 808 takes photographically pure– emergency room photos, while the contemporary means of the Xiaomi might be as well … meaningful in regards to shade, direct exposure, comparison, or whatnot. When it comes to daytime video clip, the Nokia’s 1080 p capture is fine, it’s simply that 1080 p isn’t sufficient.
Relocating right into the evening, it’s past a darkness of a question that the 8+ years that divided both phones have actually brought huge renovations in low-light digital photography as well as video clip recording – both on an equipment degree as well as in regards to software program as well as handling. Eventually, we would certainly favor a contemporary cameraphone over a decade-old one. Though we have actually reached provide to the old pet dog for staying on par with the child so well. Nokia was actually in advance of its time with the 808 PureView cam.