TheOnePlus 8TandPixel 5are two of the newest contenders in the Android flagship market.
Google is coming into this race with the lead, often praised for of best smartphone camera.
The latter is both sharper and can capture much more light.
I spent a couple of days shooting with bothphonesand found the cameras were quite competitive with each other.
It’s free, every week, in your inbox.
Still, these photos should hopefully provide some perspective on which shooter is right for you.
Both phones show a similar detail resolution, exposure, and dynamic range.
Those are common trends well see in these images, at least in the daytime.
On the other hand, the 8Ts ultrawide camera is a little wider.
However, Google appears to have done a better job on white balance and exposure.
OnePlus takes this one, for me.
That said, its also worth noting the Pixel has a trick up its sleeve.
The phone has sliders for both exposure and shadows during shooting, altering image processing at the source.
It gives you a lot of creative freedom on the fly.
She does not like to sit still for posing, so framing isnt exactly identical.
Its a shame, because OnePlus has a dedicated depth camera just for these purposes.
The OnePlus 8T slightly over-exposed this scene image with intense backlighting, while the Pixel 5 slightly under-exposed it.
Here again, I appreciate the Pixels independent highlight and shadow controls.
Heres an old picture of me without a mask for the full effect.
On balance, I think OnePlus takes this one.
Neither phone has a proper telephoto camera, so which does a better job of digital zoom?
No contest on this one.
However, OnePlus says an update will arrive to activate its Nightscape mode automatically as well.
We also see some of the daylight trends reverse at night.
At night, the Pixel 5 tends to be a little cooler, while OnePlus 8T is warmer.
Likewise, Google tends to be a little brighter, and OnePlus a little darker.
It makes for prettier photos, and Google has little trouble keeping up with the OnePlus larger sensor.
I think Googles rendering is more pleasing, but you could argue OnePlus approach is more true to life.
The Pixel image is a also a little blurrier when zooming in.
It also froze the moving leaves better as well.
Extras
Here are some more photos for you to feast your eyes on.
The OnePlus 8T captures images with excellent dynamic range, solid color rendering, and punchy-but-tasteful contrast.
I think photographers will be happy with either camera, but mypersonalinclination is towards the Pixel.
In portrait mode, the Pixel also has an easy win.
But its also worth noting Im biased Ive been using a Pixel as my primary phone since the original.
Which camera do you think won?
Also tagged with
