Google Camera HDR+ Port Updated with Zero Shutter Lag, More Xiaomi Device Support, and Major Bug Fixes
As is reported earlier this month, Google Camera was ported with working HDR+ to any devices that used a Snapdragon 820/821 or 835 chip (with the exception of the ZTE Axon 7, according to reports from other users). It has also been reported to work on certain Snapdragon 4XX or 6XX devices such as the Xiaomi Redmi Note 3 and the Xiaomi Redmi Note 4, though this requires the devices to have the Camera2 API enabled. Since the initial, rather buggy release, the Google Camera port has received updates to fix major bugs, bring more Xiaomi devices on board, and has also introduced Zero Shutter Lag for automatic HDR+ mode.
Oct. 13, 2017
New Samsung image sensors use dual pixel for fast AF and fake bokeh
Samsung Electronics has launched a couple of new image sensor—both intended for use in mobile devices—under its ISOCELL sensor brand—the ISOCELL Fast 2L9 and the ISOCELL Slim 2x7.
Oct. 12, 2017
Pixel 2 gets Moment's add-on camera lenses (and cases)
Moment now offers four lenses that can be attached via its cases to Google's Pixel 2 and Pixel 2 XL phones.
Oct. 09, 2017
Apple's tricky iOS 11 photo tech gets a helping hand
Apple's new phone software means your photos take up half the space they used to, and that's great. But it also can bring some complications.
Oct. 09, 2017
Report: Samsung is developing a 1,000fps mobile image sensor
According to sources who spoke to Korean publication ETNews, Samsung is planning to kick its mobile camera technology up a notch with a 1,000fps smartphone camera sensor that will compete directly with Sony's similar sensor. This technology is called a "3-layered image sensor," and Samsung has reportedly ordered special equipment necessary to start producing the hardware in November. Smartphones featuring this technology, like the Sony Xperia XZ, can record super-slow-motion video.
Oct. 03, 2017
Apple iPhone 8 Plus offers dual stabilized dual-cam, iPhone X goes edge-to-edge
At its event in the brand new Steve Jobs Theater, Apple has today unveiled its latest iPhone models, the iPhone 8 and 8 Plus. Despite the direct step from the iPhone 7 to the 8 model number, rather than 7s, the new models look at first sight like fairly incremental upgrades.
Sep. 13, 2017
DxOMark Mobile testing protocol now considers bokeh simulation, low-light, motion and zoom
Camera and lens testing company DxOMark has announced an updated smartphone camera evaluation protocol that evaluates additional elements encompassing some of the newer mobile camera technologies. This new protocol builds upon the previous version, adding an updated low-light test that evaluates performance down to 1 lux, new bokeh and zoom tests, and a motion-based test.
Sep. 13, 2017
Time uses iPhone to shoot magazine covers for 'Firsts' documentary series
Time Magazine selected iPhone as its photography tool of choice for the upcoming "Firsts: Women Who Are Changing The World," a multi-platform documentary magazine series and companion book featuring influential women.
Sep. 12, 2017
Google Pixel’s HDR+ trick makes almost any Android camera better
The Google Pixel is often considered to have the very best camera around thanks to some truly effective software processing. Now you can get that same processing on almost any recent Android flagship.
Sep. 11, 2017
THE EVOLUTION OF ZOOM CAMERA TECHNOLOGIES IN SMARTPHONES
Zoom is a commonly used photography feature; it allows the user to shift smoothly from a long shot to a close-up and vice versa. Optical zoom employs camera optics (a lens) to magnify the object, while digital zoom crops and up scales the input image. Unlike optical zoom, digital zoom reduces resolution and, as a result, diminishes image quality.
Sep. 08, 2017
Readers' travel photography competition: August – the winners
From reindeer in northern Sweden to penguins in South Georgia, this month’s images include some very original animal shots. Scroll down to see the winner, who receives a £200 holiday voucher from Exodus Travels. The overall 2017 winner will go on a 16-night wildlife holiday for two to Costa Rica with Exodus.
Sep. 07, 2017
Sony launches Xperia XZ1 and XZ1 Compact with 3D-scanning function
Sony has just announced the Xperia XZ1 and XZ1 Compact smartphone models, both of which take over many of the camera specifications of the flagship Xperia XZ Premium that was announced earlier this year at MWC.
Sep. 05, 2017
Magnum and Me: A Personal View
As the agency turns 70, Magnum’s Executive Director David Kogan offers an intimate perspective on photography and why it matters
Aug. 30, 2017
SAMSUNG GALAXY NOTE 8 HANDS-ON REVIEW
Samsung Galaxy Note owners have always been cut from a different cloth. It was the original Galaxy Note that popularized ‘phablets’ back in 2011, and Note owners love their devices so much they refused to return the recalled Note 7, which had a tendency to catch fire and explode.
Aug. 24, 2017
WITH ‘PURE’ ANDROID AND ZEISS OPTICS, THE NOKIA 8 DOES ITS BADGE PROUD
It’s hard to think of HMD Global as “a startup.” The company launched in early 2017 and skyrocketed into the spotlight due to its licensing partnership to use the Nokia brand name for its smartphones. Other than a handful of feature phones, the company launched three budget smartphones: The Nokia 3, the Nokia 5, and the Nokia 6. The latest to join the family is also HMD’s first flagship smartphone — the Nokia 8.
Aug. 17, 2017
Apple joins Instagram to show off iPhone photos (of course)
Instagram has 700 million monthly active users, hundreds of millions of which undoubtedly post from their iPhones. Now Apple has joined them, and you'll never guess what phone took its first photos.
Aug. 17, 2017
Google's Pixel camera software has been made to work on other recent Android phones
We’re big fans of the Google Pixel’s camera, which uses some complex software to take its fantastic images. A Ukrainian app developer has found a way to port that software to any device that uses a Snapdragon 820/821 or 835 processor, so users can take their own HDR+ pictures without the Google Pixel.
Aug. 15, 2017
LG V30 TO ELEVATE SMARTPHONE CAMERA TO NEW HEIGHTS
LG Electronics (LG) will incorporate an F1.6 aperture camera and glass lens in the dual camera of its upcoming V30 flagship smartphone, introducing industry-leading innovations that bring a new level of photographic innovation to the mobile industry.
Aug. 15, 2017
Former Google SVP prefers iPhone over Android for mobile photography
Vic Gundotra was an SVP of engineering at Google for almost eight years before leaving the company in 2014, and heavily involved in running Google's mobile initiatives. However, despite being one of the main drivers behind Android from 2007 to 2010, Gundotra appears to prefer Apple's iPhones over Android devices, at least for photography.
Aug. 01, 2017
This could be the next big thing for iconic camera maker Leica
Leica collaborated with Chinese smartphone maker Huawei on a dual-camera system as part of a strategic partnership
Andreas Kaufmann, chairman of the company's supervisory board, told CNBC his personal dream was to one day see a "true Leica phone"
Aug. 01, 2017