Mar 29 2010

Sony Ericsson’s Vivaz vs. The Nokia N97 – Is it all about Megapixels?

Posted by Norman John in N-Series, N97, Nokia, Sony Ericsson, Symbian, Vivaz

Many people assume that it is all about megapixels, and that the more megapixels a camera or phone features, the better images it will produce. If you take a look at advertisements for example, you will see that the number of megapixels a device features, is pushed intensively. However, in this review, we can demonstrate that this may not necessarily be the case. We took a closer look at Sony Ericsson’s newest Symbian based camera-monster – the Vivaz. This neat little baby packs an 8 megapixel camera into its sleek housing. Moreover, it records videos in 720p HD quality. So to compare the image quality and highlight the insignificance of the megapixels, we used the Nokia N97 and its 5 megapixel camera. Guessed which image was taken by the Vivas yet? Let’s take a look.

Left: Sony Ericsson Vivaz – Right: Nokia N97

(click to enlarge)

I was really surprised that the Sony Ericsson Vivaz does not sport a real flash. Instead it has a weak LED that is constantly lit up and really makes taking pictures in low light conditions difficult. Also, when taking a closer look at the picture, it doesn’t appear as vivid as the N97′s attempt.

In the images below, the light conditions are pretty good, so both devices can show off their pure imaging-power.

There’s no doubt that both handsets came up with good images, however I did expect a little more from Sony Ericcson’s 8 megapixel Vivas, especially considering the N97 has been on the market for over a year and has 3 megapixels less. The details are much sharper and crisper on the N97, which generally came out on top in terms of overall image quality.

As you can see, more megapixel does not automatically mean better images. Factors like the quality of the lens, in this case the Carl Zeiss lens, and sensor is as important if not more. Were you brainwashed by the megapixel jargon? Or are you not surprised by the images the Vivas has produced? Drop a comment and let us know what you think.

alex

i think the carl zeiss lens make the difference ! how about satio vs n97? i wonder who will win?!
http://www.symbianworld.org Norman John

Alex, I think it would be much closer with the satio. We had a the satio already and the quality was superb. However, expect more similar test soon.
http://s60inside.wordpress.com/2010/03/29/fotovergleich-nokia-n97-und-sony-ericcson-vivaz/ Fotovergleich Nokia N97 und Sony Ericcson Vivaz « S60inside

[...] Link [...]
Shao

I’d really like a Satio – N86 comparative test!
Pretty please!
D

the n97 lence is like 5 years old… and the vivaz lence is 2010 model + more mpx

- and the nokia is still better so you see 5mpx is enough for a mobile phone
PS: i own a n900 and its the same quality as the n97 and n95
Mike

I think the nokia photos opted for more “vividness” for the “wow” factor, while the SE retains the true-to-life saturation of their photos. Were it not for the poor flash by vivaz, I would choose the SE sample photos to be better than the N97′s. That’s just my opinion, and I’m entitled to it.
Rdx

I think now N97 is lot more stable in v2.0 & in my thoughts a f/w can bring improvements in image quality..
So SE future f/w brings more importance in camera aspects..
Waiting for vivaz review too…
http://www.mobiflip.de/2010/03/fotovergleich-sony-ericsson-vivaz-vs-nokia-n97/ Fotovergleich Sony Ericsson Vivaz vs. Nokia N97 » Megapixel, Kamera, Nokia, Vivaz, Gallerie, Norman » mobiFlip.de

[...] Xperia Sammelalbum & Testberichte aus der mobilen Welt Suche Fotovergleich Sony Ericsson Vivaz vs. Nokia N97 31. März 2010 von Otto Emzettes (Quelle) [...]
fo4.pride

the chips lacks of receiving light,,,thats all,,its not about the mpx
Raphael

Hey there, as I’m reviewing the Vivaz right now I think the camera simply has been optimized for video capture. The Videos are damn good indeed!

Stay tuned for the review…

Best, Raphael
Milos

I think that Vivaz takes better pictures. I see that only the colours are better on n97,nothing else, and you can change that in settings on the Vivaz. when it comes to low light pictures, n97 is definitely better,at least that’s obvious… But Vivaz records better video,and is the first phone in the world to have continuous auto-focus, so all in all, Vivaz is better.
Raphael

Nope, it’s not. The Flash on the N97 is better, but without, the Vivaz produces noticeably less digital noise and get’s better colours, too.
If you need a flash or not is a matter of personal preference, but the Vivaz’ camera itself is better in every perspective. The N97 is a typical smartphone camera. At first sight, it’s “wow” and if you look closer, you see all the flaws.
That said, the camera on the N97 isn’t nearly as good in low light conditions as the camera on the N95. Nokia proclaims that it is the same, but in fact they replaced the anti-reflective glass lens with a simple plastic lens. This reduces the light that falls into the camera and causes reflections of the sun and the flash at the lightest pollution on the screen. It is a fairly good camera, though, but Nokia economized here as they did all over the N97 which makes me a bit angry at times.

Wait until the review, I’ve made some comparisons there, too. I can say – The Vivaz makes most of it’s tiny lens, allowing you to edit the photos afterwards if nessecary and get really good results. But be careful:if you compare the video capture, you could find yourself dropping your N97 into the trash can;)

Best, Raphi
http://twocca.soujirou.biz rou

tbh, i think this review is a little biased. yes, megapixels are not the say all in imaging devices, but for small lenses and sensors in phone cameras, they have proven, especially in the satio vs omnia hd test that the extra pixels go a long way to ensure crisp, noticeable from text capture. That, plus according to these photos, the vivaz is a clear winner, sans the flash. Pretty obvious from the car shot, look at the grill. The colors are more natural and as always, the Nokia phone has more saturated colors to increase its wow factor … which can be done using any editing software.
http://www.kakoholder.com/2010/04/sony-ericsson-vivaz-vs-nokia-n97/ Sony Ericsson Vivaz vs Nokia N97 | Kako Blog

[...] pessoal do Symbian World realizou um excelente comparativo entre os modelos, com o foco na qualidade das fotos tiradas em [...]
BouwZer

I see that the colours are better on n97 mutch better. At least i think that’s obvious
greetz from holland
http://www.multiblogs.info/nokia-n97-vs-sony-ericsson-vivaz-comparando-sus-camaras/ Nokia N97 vs Sony Ericsson Vivaz, comparando sus cámaras | MultiBlogs.info Noticias

[...] imágenes fueron tomadas por la gente de SymbianWorld pero por nuestra parte hace rato publicamos artículos como Nokia N97 vs N96 vs N73, comparando las [...]
aaa

AHHH dont use flicker we cant see those pics here in the UAE

<3
Shaoul

I believe the vivaz camera has better aggregate reporduction while the n97 is more tame
http://amien.net Photographer in Cape Town, Amien

I am currently deciding which to get, N97 mini or Sony Vivaz, if you compare the phones on a whole, which would you guys recommend?
mario

definitivamente el vivaz yyy comparad la camara de video haver lo k pasa amigos,k el vivaz l pega 1000 vueltas.
http://tongkengayamsedap.blogspot.com/ ana

would you help me by do a comparison on picture/image taken by Vivaz and nokia n8 please….. and email me one.
Denizarth

A camera do vivaz é melhor que do n97 ás fotos que mostram nas comparações acima mostram uma qualidade de foto melhor do n97 mais por causa dos flashs que são diferentes se colocar uma iluminaçaõ melhor no ambiente do vivaz com certeza ganha diparado!!!

traduction

The camera is better than the vivacious n97 ace of photos that show the comparisons above show a better picture quality over the N97 because of the flashes that are different if you put better lighting in the environment of lively diparado surely win!
bineesh

i think u r not used Vivaz