Nokia Lumia 900 vs. iPhone 4S: Camera shootout

**J4rrod** · 04-08-2012, 09:33 PM

Nokia Lumia 900 camera shoot-out vs. iPhone 4 (photos) | Dialed In - CNET Blogs

I know the 4S's camera is good, and that's why it makes me happy that this contest was about 50/50.

EDIT:

The article title has a typo, it's 900 vs. 4S

**apoc527** · 04-08-2012, 09:36 PM

I'm seeing some excellent shots from my Lumia 900 that are better than an iPhone 4. I don't have a 4S to compare it to, so this is helpful.

**kashk5** · 04-09-2012, 10:17 AM

I'm hoping somebody writes up a camera settings guide for the Lumia 900. Looks like it has great potential once the settings have been tweaked compared to the auto settings.

Until then, I'm going to keep tinkering with it to see what works best in various settings.

**Windowsphone7** · 06-27-2012, 08:48 AM

Nokia Lumia 900 @ Waterdrops by JTproductions, on Flickr

Nokia Lumia 900 @ dinosaur LEDs by JTproductions, on Flickr

Nokia Lumia 900 @ Gold Dragonfly by JTproductions, on Flickr

Nokia Lumia 900 @ Grass by JTproductions, on Flickr

Nokia Lumia 900 @ Purple Flower by JTproductions, on Flickr

Nokia Lumia 900 @ Farmer by JTproductions, on Flickr

Nokia Lumia 900 @ Butterfly by JTproductions, on Flickr

Nokia Lumia 900 @ Siberian Husky by JTproductions, on Flickr

Nokia Lumia 900 @ Gold Dragonfly by JTproductions, on Flickr

Nokia Lumia 900 @ Bentley by JTproductions, on Flickr

Some of my random shots

**emirozmen** · 06-27-2012, 08:58 AM

Very nice article

**LordGreylock** · 06-27-2012, 09:26 AM

Here are some photos I've taken with my Lumia 900, I think they came out pretty well.
I have done some comparison shots and most times the Lumia 900 has done very well against it. Not enough of a difference for me to want my iPhone back.

**Budule** · 06-27-2012, 04:36 PM

I must be doing something wrong because my pics look NOTHING like those......

**Windowsphone7** · 06-28-2012, 12:21 AM

Untitled by JTproductions, on Flickr

Untitled by JTproductions, on Flickr
Nokia Lumia 900

**massifheed** · 06-28-2012, 04:59 AM

I realise that this is a really basic thing, but a couple of friends/family of mine that have either the 800 or 900 had no idea the camera button is a two-stage button (press half-way to focus then all the way to take the shot).

If people don't know this, and just take shots by fully pressing the button, then it's no wonder their shots look crap.

It may not be the best camera in any given phone (although I think it's great), but knowing how to use it at its most basic does help.

**SnailUK** · 06-28-2012, 06:02 AM

How quick is the camera in the 900?

It annoys the %^&* out of me, how slow my HD7 is to actually take the picture, which usually ends up blurry is there is any sort of movement. Its gotten to the point where i use the Missus' iphone to take all pictures.

**Big Supes** · 06-28-2012, 07:20 AM

Originally Posted by SnailUK

How quick is the camera in the 900?

It annoys the %^&* out of me, how slow my HD7 is to actually take the picture, which usually ends up blurry is there is any sort of movement. Its gotten to the point where i use the Missus' iphone to take all pictures.

Yes, the HD7 has a hideous camera. Probably the worst smartphone camera I have come across. My old Nokia 2700 takes far superior pictures.

**freestaterocker** · 06-28-2012, 08:24 AM

Originally Posted by Windowsphone7

Great shots! Is that your Bentley?

**Budule** · 06-28-2012, 09:41 AM

Originally Posted by massifheed

I realise that this is a really basic thing, but a couple of friends/family of mine that have either the 800 or 900 had no idea the camera button is a two-stage button (press half-way to focus then all the way to take the shot).

If people don't know this, and just take shots by fully pressing the button, then it's no wonder their shots look crap.

It may not be the best camera in any given phone (although I think it's great), but knowing how to use it at its most basic does help.

I am aware of that and that you can tap the screen to focus... and most outside well lit photos are ok, but lower light not so good.....i've read some stuff to change all the settings to this and that but i just made things worse.....(some were close to an x-ray i think)......

**eortizr** · 06-28-2012, 02:46 PM

so all those pictures using default settings? if not, please share. thanks

**Windowsphone7** · 06-28-2012, 05:57 PM

Nokia Lumia 900 @ Rain effect by JTproductions, on Flickr

Nokia Lumia 900 @ Puppy by JTproductions, on Flickr

**jbjtkbw00#AC** · 06-28-2012, 07:43 PM

I've said it before and I'll say it again:

Put the Nokia's camera in the hands of someone that knows a little bit on how to take a picture, and they can turn out great. Jessica Dolcourt proved that in the article, and users have shown it here. Too many people think that just because they can take a picture, they can take a decent picture and as soon as it's a crappy one, they blame the camera and not their on ability.

I bet these same people think they're the best drivers in the world too, but we know how many of those there are, don't we???

**Budule** · 06-28-2012, 08:22 PM

Originally Posted by jbjtkbw007

I've said it before and I'll say it again:

Put the Nokia's camera in the hands of someone that knows a little bit on how to take a picture, and they can turn out great. Jessica Dolcourt proved that in the article, and users have shown it here. Too many people think that just because they can take a picture, they can take a decent picture and as soon as it's a crappy one, they blame the camera and not their on ability.

I bet these same people think they're the best drivers in the world too, but we know how many of those there are, don't we???

You may be right and i probably suck but when im using a regular camera or even my wifes Galaxy Note the pics turn out WAY better.....(we had both phones on vacation a couple weeks ago and took some pics of the Titanic (Pigeon Forge Version) standing side by side and there was no comparison...and again, i have read stuff that says you should change the default settings to get better ressults.........and i AM the best driver !!!.....round these parts anyway.....

**HeyCori** · 06-28-2012, 08:29 PM

My favorite photo I've taken with my 900.

Scenes: Macro
White Balance: Daylight (usually on Auto)
Exposure Value: 0
ISO: Auto
Metering Mode: Center Weighted
Effects: Normal
Contrast: High
Saturation: Low
Focus Mode: Macro
Resolution: 7MP
Flicker Reduction: 60Hz

Lately I've been experimenting with 2MP (16:9) pictures. The resolution is still pretty large (2048 x 1152) and seem less grainy. Unfortunately I haven't done any comparison pictures yet.

**karmamule** · 06-28-2012, 09:59 PM

Originally Posted by jbjtkbw007

I've said it before and I'll say it again:

Put the Nokia's camera in the hands of someone that knows a little bit on how to take a picture, and they can turn out great. Jessica Dolcourt proved that in the article, and users have shown it here. Too many people think that just because they can take a picture, they can take a decent picture and as soon as it's a crappy one, they blame the camera and not their on ability.

I bet these same people think they're the best drivers in the world too, but we know how many of those there are, don't we???

Would anyone have recommendations on a good article or site that gives some pointers on how to fiddle with cell phone cameras to get a better picture?

It's sort of obvious what some of the settings do at a high level, but info on what order to set them in, and what conditions call for what settings would be really useful.

**jbjtkbw00#AC** · 06-29-2012, 05:37 AM

Originally Posted by karmamule

Would anyone have recommendations on a good article or site that gives some pointers on how to fiddle with cell phone cameras to get a better picture?

It's sort of obvious what some of the settings do at a high level, but info on what order to set them in, and what conditions call for what settings would be really useful.

First of...kudos to you for caring enough to ask. That's a great question as I don't know for sure, but I would think that these days, you should be able to find stuff like this fairly easily. I'm sure there must be tips like this available. If you come across something, please share for everyone's benefit.