IMX318 is the latest Exmor RS Sony sesnor and it’s also the first 23MP sensor to supply for the third manufacturers. Since Asus Zenfone 3 first released it, Chinese manufacturers like Smartisan M1/M1L, Xiaomi MI Note 2 and Nubia Z11 MiniS also adopt it. So why do they all use it? What’s the real effect about their camera? Today we will compare Asus Zenfone 3 Deluxe, Nubia Z11 MiniS, Xiaomi mi note 2 camera which all use IMX318.
Camera Hardware Comparison
First, under the same camera specs, how much does the software algorithm from the manufacturer affect the real image?
Second, ignoring the cost, will the signal pixel of IMX318 bring the nice quality at night?
Standard and Size
We compare them by two big stages, first, it’s the basic function about camera experience such as focusing speed, fast shutter, film rate, HDR processing speed, the night mode automatically, richness of the camera, etc. Second, it’s the analysis, white balance, noise control, light-in, etc.
Camera Interface
All of them supports auto mode, manual mode, supporting HDR, beautification, panoramic mode, etc.
Nubia Z11 MiniS camera interface has many unique features, such as electronic aperture, macro mode, in macro mode, it can capture the object boundary actively, it has faster shutter speed and excellent image effect.
Asus Zenfone 3 Deluxe has its unique PixelMaster3.0 with many funny and practical picture mode such as scene depth, which can strengthen the blurring of the background to imitate the bigger aperture camera effect. It provides time to back mode, just press the shutter before 3 seconds to after 1 seconds, users can adjust the time dial to choose, it is quite playable.
Basic Experience
First, The shutter responding speed and viewing screen delay: all have fast shutter response, just press the shutter, it can finish taking photos immediately under the enough light. Nubia Z11 MiniS and Asus Zenfone 3 Deluxe have fluent viewing screen without any delay. Xiaomi MI Note 2 viewing screen is a little stuck with obvious delay.
Second, Focusing speed and Image rate: all have fast focusing speed, under the dim light, Asus Zenfone 3 Deluxe shows the three mixed focus, whose focus speed is faster than other two. In most scene, all can capture nice photos, Xiaomi MI Note 2 has a little slow focus speed under the macro scene, and lose focus sometimes.
Third, Automation: They all support auto HDR mode, under the strong light, they will launch HDR automatically, Asus Zenfone 3 Deluxe has one HDR Pro mode which is helpful to improve image quality in HDR mode.
Fourth, The responding speed under HDR and Night Viewing Mode: after launching HDR mode, Asus Zenfone 3 Deluxe has faster responding speed which almost finish at the same time. Xiaomi mi note 2 has a little delay, Nubia Z11 MiniS has about half second delay. Under the night mode, Asus Zenfone 3 Deluxe has obvious processing time after pressing shutter which needs to wait and then see the final image.
Real Sample Analysis
All samples below listed from left to right is Nubia Z11 MiniS, Xiaomi MI Note 2, Asus Zenfone 3 Deluxe.
First, Analysis
As for phones’ camera analysis, it’s the performance about showing details when taking the photos, the higher the analysis is, the more the details that enlarging the photos shows, so pixel improvement will be the best way to enhance the analysis.
Central part enlarging partially
Edge position partial enlargement
Due to large focal length, Asus Zenfone 3 Deluxe wins over others in analysis.Nubia Z11 MiniS has conservative exposure control under the daylight, losing exposure is obvious, the increasing noise in the dark part leads to its analysis second to Xiaomi mi note 2. But Xiaomi mi note 2 has not high analysis itself.
In white balance, Nubia Z11 MiniS shows blue and cold color partially, Xiaomi mi note 2 has a little green partially, and Zenfone 3 Deluxe shows the best and most stable white balance and is close to the real scene.
HDR function
After launching HDR, Nubia Z11 MINIS has the process of reducing the dark part and improving the dark part, but the overall picture contrast has reduced, losing the level to some degree.
Xiaomi MI Note 2 improved its overall brightness to several level, HDR algorithm needs to be improved. After launching HDR, the saturation of image has been improved obviously, and the white balance also has changed.
Asus Zenfone 3 Deluxe has slight HDR processing, only improving brightness of the dark and bright part. We even can’t see the difference between start or turn off HDR.
Glare Control
Xiaomi MI Note 2 is worst in glare control, Nubia Z11 MiniS is the best one, and Zenfone 3 ranks the second.
Noise control
Xiaomi MI Note 2 image looks clean, but the analysis is the worst in three. Nubia Z11 MiniS performs best, Asus Zenfone 3 Deluxe is between them.
Asus Zenfone 3 Deluxe has a low light mode, it can get very clear image by longer exposure.
Color Saturation
Asus Zenfone 3 Deluxe color saturation has reduced and is not better than other twos. The color looks darker. Xiaomi MI Note 2 has highest color saturation which is more attractive, Nubia Z11 MiniS ranks the second.
Conclusion
According to the review, we can see Sony IMX318 has more stable performance, even under the low light. So Asus Zenfone 3, Nubia Z11 MiniS and Xiaomi MI Note 2 have their own advantages. Right now you can see which one has the best camera.
Compare the price from the following stores:
Gearbest:
Xiaomi mi note 2 RAM 4GB ROM 64GB at $509.99. Xiaomi Mi Note 2 RAM 6GB ROM 128GB at $597.99 Xiaomi Mi Note 2 Global Version at $629.99
Banggood:
Xiaomi Mi Note 2 RAM 4GB ROM 64GB at $649.99, RAM 6GB ROM 128GB at $659.99 Xiaomi Mi Note 2 Global Version at $679.99
Efox:
XIAOMI MI NOTE 2 4GB RAM 64GB ROM at €459.99 XIAOMI MI NOTE 2 6GB RAM 128GB ROM at €489.99
Smartisan M1 at €409.99
Geekbuying:
Xiaomi MI Note 2 RAM 4GB ROM 64GB at 495.99 RAM 6GB ROM 128GB at $598.99
Xiaomi mi note 2 RAM 6GB ROM 128GB Global Version at $633.99