Help Nexus 4 camera question.

[Benoni]

here is my situation. I have a 4S and have come to hate apple. buisness practices, bugs with ios6, ect...

I use my smartphone without a wireless carrier. I use google voice/ talkatone to make calls through WiFi.
I also take a fair ammount of pictures.

Those two things are my priority.

So the Nexus 4 seemed perfect as far as price goes. Its an amazing phone for the price and without requiring a contract... However, from what ive seen so far, the pictures it takes are pretty sub par. Dull colors and all that.

Is it the hardware or the software that determines camera quality? Is there a chance that with an upgrade to 4.3 or a different photo app, that the camera on the Nexus 4 would be able to compare with the best camera phones out there?

The Xperia TL and the HTC take great pics, but it looks like I would have to sign a contract with a carrier, cancel my contract, and eat the cancellation fee. And I would rather not do that. The Nexus makes perfect sense for someone who wants to be freed from contracts. I just wish it took better pictures.

 

[Droid_Genius]

Camera quality is based on the optical lenses I believe but I could be wrong but please don't tell me your picking a smartphone cause of camera quality because you have the best now..I use a GNex and the camera suits me fine but its because I know its for one of those "oh quick get it a pic" situations not trying to be Ansel Adams with it. But personally I love the phone from what I saw and 8GB is enough storage for me I have a 32gb now with like 23GB left. But as a User experience besides a camera its a great device, good luck on your decision

 

[adi19956]

When it comes to how clear the pictures are, low light performance, graininess; it's all the hardware.
When it comes to colour/ brightness, it's partly the hardware, but colours can be changed before and after in the settings.
From what I've heard the Nexus 4 has a very similar Sony 8MP BSI sensor to that which is in the iPhone 5.
Take a look at the Engadget review they don't have a comparison with the two phones you mentioned, but they compare with the Optimus G and the Galaxy S3, I think the Nexus comes out on top with the most vivid colours.

 

[Benoni]

From what I've heard the Nexus 4 has a very similar Sony 8MP BSI sensor to that which is in the iPhone 5.

Where did you hear that? If it has similar hardware to the iPhone5, how come the pics come out so differently? (my opinion.)

EDIT:
according to these two spec comparisons, the oneX and the Iphone5 have the BSI whereas the N4 doesnt.
http://www.phonearena.com/phones/compare/LG-Nexus-4,HTC-One-X/phones/7531,6967
http://codenametech.com/?p=8778&utm...vs-blackberry-10-vs-nokia-lumia-920-specs-war

 

[sean76]

@ the OP, to get a sense of how the camera is on the N4, just look up some LG Optimus G reviews for the at&t version ...they're pretty much the same cameras.

As far as comparing the iPhones 4S and 5's camera to the N4, it's just not a logical battle. Apple puts some of the best sensors in they're phones these days. The only phone I've seen to date that even comes close to the iphone is the Galaxy S3, IMO nobody else comes close. And from early reviews I doubt the N4 will be in the same league as the iPhone 4S, 5, or the Galaxy S3.

 

[Benoni]

and the S3 camera is comparable to the HTC one S, and I want one that can work on Tmoble speeds for prepaid.

My choice is clear now.
1S vs N4.

1S:
300 with cancellation fee. Better camera.

N4:
350. Better in every way except the camera.


... Gotta say. camera is my #1 thing, but im leaning N4. Stock android, quick updates, crazy fast speed, bigger screen, no logo on the front....

 

[SuperDave70]

You can always find a phone on ebay for a lot cheaper than signing and cancelling a contract. I never buy my phones through the carriers, because I don't want to be locked in for 2 years.