Which camera phone for street?

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dancook

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I wouldn't mind giving a phone a go for street photography - not sure how long the idea will last but I'm tempted by the Pixel 2 XL.

Should there be some other phone I consider? the camera needs to be on par with the pixel 2 XL, I guess iPhone X is an obvious candidate.

But I'd appreciate real world feedback from photographers too.
 
I would also consider the Samsung galaxy S9 and the Huawei P20 which get great reviews for their cameras.

Personally speaking I have a Sony XZ Premium and the quality of the camera appears to be really good in outdoor environments.
Couple that with Manual controls and the ability to change the metering mode allows for more than just point and shoot control.
 
Ste_S said:
Whichever you already have ? They're all pretty much the same IQ wise.
I'd want as minimum the ability to shoot RAW and a physical shutter button, which I think they all have now ?
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Really? never been much a fan of my Sony Xperia Z5 compact camera.
 
Ste_S said:
In what respect ? If you're shooting RAW I dare say you wouldn't be able to tell much difference between the current range of camera phones.
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horrible flaring in bright light, even if I clean the lens
 
I've had various iPhones from the original all the way up to the iPhone X, can't say the camera is particularly 'special' on the latter - any more than on the iPhone 6 etc, all of which are good enough.
The extra special bits and bobs they are throwing out now (Portrait mode, studio lighting etc) are turned off far more than they are on, and I get the sense that's where there pushing their investment.

Portait mode is just an ugly masked background blur. Studio Lighting is a little more interesting, but again, it's not going to change the world. The one thing I do like on the X over the 6+ is the dual lenses (one wide angle, one telephoto-ish).

I tend to use it with the Lightroom mobile app so it captures in RAW.

If I wasn't so invested into Apple apps, I'd seriously consider the Pixel, but I'm sold on the two lenses for now.
 
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Ste_S said:
In what respect ? If you're shooting RAW I dare say you wouldn't be able to tell much difference between the current range of camera phones.
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Sony phones don't support RAW shooting.
 
I use an iPhone 7 Plus at the moment Sir, I've had some extremely good results from it, and of course there are plenty of apps available to help you get the very best from it. I'll probably change a little later this year to an iPhone X as a buddy of mine uses one and it is even better.(y)

"You might want to check this guy out (iPhone Fotograaf) that I follow on Flickr who has some excellent work all taken on various iPhones, he also has a very good blog describing how he does it and what apps he uses"

George.
 
Took a photo with current camera as have been walking the dog to the mobile phone shop in town ;)

could have reduced exposure, but well it's just a quick shot

31882932_10160628070480227_4303535781525323776_o.jpg
 
That's some pretty bad flare to be honest
Here's a sample from the Sony XZ Premium.
Not outdoors granted but it does seem to handle bright light sources pretty well.

(Slight quality drop off from the upload compared to the original)
DSCPDC_0003_BURST20180406173924020_COVER.JPG
 
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stupar said:
Sony phones don't support RAW shooting.
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Uggh, don't they ? Sony in fighting crippling products again.
@dancook Get a modern phone that isn't a Sony ;) Keep in mind for iPhones you'll need a third party app for RAW, the native camera app doesn't support it.

While we're discussing this, how good are phones for street photography ? I've no issue with the IQ from them, but how practical are they ? A large part of street is having your camera ready to record what happens in front of you, I'd imagine they'll be issues with battery drain keeping the screen on or alternatively screens powering off and locking ?

I can't help but think either a cheap compact or m4/3 camera or similar is better from a practical point of view ?
 
Ste_S said:
Uggh, don't they ? Sony in fighting crippling products again.
@dancook Get a modern phone that isn't a Sony ;) Keep in mind for iPhones you'll need a third party app for RAW, the native camera app doesn't support it.

While we're discussing this, how good are phones for street photography ? I've no issue with the IQ from them, but how practical are they ? A large part of street is having your camera ready to record what happens in front of you, I'd imagine they'll be issues with battery drain keeping the screen on or alternatively screens powering off and locking ?

I can't help but think either a cheap compact or m4/3 camera or similar is better from a practical point of view ?
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Well I have a Leica Q, and it's unlikely to supersede that. It'd be fun to have a play with - like people enjoy playing with a film camera :D

I wondered about have a remote shutter for the phone, should allow for quick one hand usage.
 
Just buy a Sony RX100 compact.... job done :D
 
Ste_S said:
With iPhones the volume keys act as a shutter button with a camera app open so you can shoot one handed without a remote. If you do want a remote you can use the volume keys on headphones... but then you're using it two handed probably.
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I also thought, would a selfie stick not be the ultimate camouflage? :D you can trigger it and hold one handed - just use the rear camera instead of selfie one.
 
P20 Pro is supposed to be the current best, according to reviews.
 
NSNO said:
P20 Pro is supposed to be the current best, according to reviews.
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i'll give it a look

I just drove near Currys, i missed the turning and got stuck in school traffic - then i 'sobered up' and just drove back home.
 
Pixel 2 with a single lens and 12mp sensor, supposed to be better that all the iphone/huawei/... multi lens, 20mp,... but apparently a lot of it is from the software which work in a very clever way to process the photo for exemple by taken 9 before/after to compute noise reduction and thinkgs like this.
 
Riz_Guru said:
Just buy a Sony RX100 compact.... job done :D
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Got to be honest @dancook and agree with Riz. All of the photos shared here are nice for a phone but that's it. You've got a Leica Q and two A9's so anything is going to be a quality comedown and questionable about being any easier to use for 'street'. Whilst you'll blend in with everyone else using a phone, so will your images.

I'm guessing you've got more money burning a hole in your pocket after you've bought all the Sony lenses so why not just go out with the Leica or an A9/35 2.8 and get results you'll actually be happy with? When you thought about buying the A9's you were concerned about giving up the Leica quality so the idea of stepping down even further to a camera phone seems a bit extreme.
 
stevelmx5 said:
Got to be honest @dancook and agree with Riz. All of the photos shared here are nice for a phone but that's it. You've got a Leica Q and two A9's so anything is going to be a quality comedown and questionable about being any easier to use for 'street'. Whilst you'll blend in with everyone else using a phone, so will your images.

I'm guessing you've got more money burning a hole in your pocket after you've bought all the Sony lenses so why not just go out with the Leica or an A9/35 2.8 and get results you'll actually be happy with? When you thought about buying the A9's you were concerned about giving up the Leica quality so the idea of stepping down even further to a camera phone seems a bit extreme.
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:) yes.. driving to currys.. I had to think it was a case of 'have money will spend' - which is why I came home again. i've got to 'come down' now :)
 
@dancook if you need to spend money why not buy the new Sony Bravia OLED A8F, the Sony 500 Atomos Soundbar and matching 4K blu-ray player :D lol
 
Riz_Guru said:
@dancook if you need to spend money why not buy the new Sony Bravia OLED A8F, the Sony 500 Atomos Soundbar and matching 4K blu-ray player :D lol
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Because I already have a 'cinema' with 4k projector, 4k oppo player and 7.1.4 in-wall surround sound.

https://cookhousestory.wordpress.com/2018/02/15/a-tidier-lounge/

https://cookhousestory.wordpress.com/2017/05/30/speakers-and-projector-arrived/

https://cookhousestory.wordpress.com/2017/04/25/home-cinema-plans/

I don't use a TV, I just use projector
 
just spotted the oppo N3! If you fancy shooting from the hip have a look at this!
 
Lemaildetom said:
just spotted the oppo N3! If you fancy shooting from the hip have a look at this!
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Now that's pretty damn cool.. if you can have it in the half way position.

there's a fob which can rotate the camera and i guess take the photo... ooo
 
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