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I had originally promised you a camera comparison between the Sony Ericsson C905 and the Nikon D80, but I didn’t have time to do this comparison back then. Now, we’re back with a large comparison between the C905 and the Nikon D90 (don’t have the D80 with me currently, so this is the other choice).
About this duel
All the samples shot with the C905 were shot with automatic settings and flash disabled, unless needed. All the samples were shot in high quality JPEG mode. The Nikon D90 was set to aperture priority mode (f/3.8), with flash disabled. All the samples were shot in RAW (uncompressed file format), and converted to TIFF with Adobe Lightroom 2.2 using default conversion settings.
It’s important that you’re aware of the fact that you can completely change how the pictures look when you shoot in RAW format. If they’re too dark, you can simply knock up the exposure in the post-processing without affecting the quality of the picture. This is not possible with pictures shot in JPEG format, which means the C905 is suffering from a severe disadvantage even before we kick off the comparison.
It’s also rather important to point out that there’s no such thing as a perfect RAW converter, and that they’ll all convert the RAW images differently. Most of the unprocessed RAW images, in my opinion, are better than the converted ones, but like I said earlier on, you can always change the look of RAW images.
I will briefly comment on each set of samples, and pick a definitive winner in the end of this post. All the following samples are 100 percent crops of the original pictures. The JPEGs are unprocessed and the RAW images have been converted, as explained earlier on. To cut down on the bandwidth, I’ve decided not to include the full resolution samples.
Sample 1
The C905 had to make use of its flash in this shot, which results in an over-exposed picture. Its noise levels are greater than that of the Nikon D90, and the greys have a red / purple tint in the edges.
Sample 2
Here we start to see the benefits of a having a much larger and more advanced imaging sensor onboard. There’s no noise in the D90 sample and the bush at the bottom is sharp, whilst the C905 sample is very noisy, especially in the blacks, and the bush is a really blurry.
Sample 3
Much better white balance in the D90 sample and the edges are sharp and crisp. The C905 sample has a pink tint to it, and the edges are rather noisy. The C905 sample is too saturated.
Sample 4
The amount of details in the D90 shot is staggering, when compared to that in the C905 sample. It’s clear that the post-processing on the C905 is removing valuable details in the picture. The white balance in both cameras is good, although slightly better in the case of the D90.
Sample 5
Again, it’s clear that the D90 sample is much more detailed. The sample from the C905 is slightly more saturated, but overall it’s the image from the C905 that’s most preferable.
Sample 6
This is how a bad RAW conversion looks. There’s a horrible blue tint over the D90 sample, whereas the sample from the C905 is much better in terms of colours. But again, the D90 image is more much detailed, and despite it being a lot darker, it also suffers from less noise.
Sample 7
Slightly more accurate colours in the C905 sample, but it’s a lot worse than the D90 sample in every other thinkable aspect.
Sample 8
Here’s another crop of the picture above. The Nikon D90 is miles ahead of the C905.
Sample 9
Chromatic aberration is very obvious in the C905 sample, and this is exactly what I wanted to test with this sample. It also shows that the D90 is much better at handling the transition of dark elements to bright elements.
Sample 10
Here’s another crop of the picture above. What’s obvious about this is that the sample from the Nikon D90 is brighter than that of the C905, and yet the D90 is still a lot better at dealing with the transition from dark to bright.
Sample 11
The text is easily readable in the sample from the Nikon D90. What actually surprised me a bit is that you can actually read parts of the text in the C905 sample, although it is quite hard.
Sample 12
Much better white balance and exposure in the D90 sample. The blacks are black and there’s absolutely no noise in the black areas – one can hardly say that about the sample from the C905.
Sample 13
Another crop of the image above. The exposure is still better in the D90 sample, and you can actually read the text ‘WINDOWS / MAC OS’ on the Adobe Lightroom box. The colours of the C905 shot are more appealing, but not correct.
Sample 14
The D90 trumps the C905 again. The black areas are black and the white areas are white, although with a mild level of chromatic abberration around the edges. This is expected in these kinds of extreme situations, and easily removed when converting from RAW. The sample from the C905 looks terrible.
Sample 15
Same as above. Blacks are black in the D90 sample, while they are grey / purple / green in the C905 sample.
Conclusion
As expected, the Nikon D90 pretty much slaughters the C905 in every single aspect. It clearly proves that you want to be looking for a real camera, preferably a dSLR camera, instead of a mobile phone the next time you’re looking for a camera. The small sensors in mobile phones are simply not good enough to replace a standalone camera yet, and it’ll probably stay that way for a number of years ahead.
If you’ve got any questions about this quick comparison, feel free to ask.
Tags: c905, c905-camera, camera, duel, nikon-d90
The C905 fares surprisingly well, actually.
The C905 fares surprisingly well, actually.
I agree with NightBlade. While the C905 pictures aren’t astounding by any means, it fared a lot better than I would have expected. A more realistic comparison would be between a consumer-grade digital camera and the C905. It isn’t really fair putting the C905 up against a good quality dSLR. But I’m still glad that this phone held its ground. Not perfect, but good.
I agree with NightBlade. While the C905 pictures aren’t astounding by any means, it fared a lot better than I would have expected. A more realistic comparison would be between a consumer-grade digital camera and the C905. It isn’t really fair putting the C905 up against a good quality dSLR. But I’m still glad that this phone held its ground. Not perfect, but good.
Well, to be fair, these crops represent the best parts of the samples for the C905, but yes, it fared better than I had expected as well.
And yes, I know it’s not a fair comparison and that I should have used a compact camera, but I don’t use compact cameras any more, and don’t have any laying around.
Well, to be fair, these crops represent the best parts of the samples for the C905, but yes, it fared better than I had expected as well.
And yes, I know it’s not a fair comparison and that I should have used a compact camera, but I don’t use compact cameras any more, and don’t have any laying around.
I think it would be better if u compere it to it`s competitor,innov8,because in this way we can compare 2 great camera phone.
I think it would be better if u compere it to it`s competitor,innov8,because in this way we can compare 2 great camera phone.
Yes man, a comparison with the Innov8 would be MUCH BETTER and practical…nikon 90…12.9 megapixels dslr vs 8 megapixel cameraphone ?!
I hope you’ll do a comparison between the Innov8 and C905..although this comparison is nice too. Thank you.
Yes man, a comparison with the Innov8 would be MUCH BETTER and practical…nikon 90…12.9 megapixels dslr vs 8 megapixel cameraphone ?!
I hope you’ll do a comparison between the Innov8 and C905..although this comparison is nice too. Thank you.
Nice for a cameraphone.Best results i’ve ever seen with c905.
Nice for a cameraphone.Best results i’ve ever seen with c905.
The D90 is 12.3 megapixels, actually, but the number of pixels is irrelevant to the comparison. I could have put it up against a 3 megapixel dSLR (if they make them any more) and the C905 would still lose.
Haven’t got an Innov8 I can use for this, but it would win if I were to compare it with the C905. Besides, this is supposed to be a real camera versus a mobile phone camera, and not a mobile phone camera versus a mobile phone camera
The D90 is 12.3 megapixels, actually, but the number of pixels is irrelevant to the comparison. I could have put it up against a 3 megapixel dSLR (if they make them any more) and the C905 would still lose.
Haven’t got an Innov8 I can use for this, but it would win if I were to compare it with the C905. Besides, this is supposed to be a real camera versus a mobile phone camera, and not a mobile phone camera versus a mobile phone camera
Well i think the reason they came up with the comparison is to show how much the C905 picture quality stands against a DSLR.
DSLR has the best quality images, so from here you can see how much it differs from a real quality images and whether the pictures from C905 is really good enough.
Well i think the reason they came up with the comparison is to show how much the C905 picture quality stands against a DSLR.
DSLR has the best quality images, so from here you can see how much it differs from a real quality images and whether the pictures from C905 is really good enough.
Perhaps you should have set the D90 on AUTO and JPEG as well. It’s a well known fact that ACR at default settings produces images which have a very flat tone curve, i.e. lower contrast and ‘grey’. It would have made more sense in this particular comparison.
RAW is only useful if you do plan to post-process, otherwise the out of camera JPEGs are more appropriate. If you’re going to leave it on default settings, then what’s the point? At least use the Nikon RAW converter to preserve the manufacturer’s colour map and tone curve if you’re looking for that smidgen of extra detail.
Perhaps you should have set the D90 on AUTO and JPEG as well. It’s a well known fact that ACR at default settings produces images which have a very flat tone curve, i.e. lower contrast and ‘grey’. It would have made more sense in this particular comparison.
RAW is only useful if you do plan to post-process, otherwise the out of camera JPEGs are more appropriate. If you’re going to leave it on default settings, then what’s the point? At least use the Nikon RAW converter to preserve the manufacturer’s colour map and tone curve if you’re looking for that smidgen of extra detail.
The C905 makes use of a fixed aperture, so that’s why I set the D90 to a fixed aperture as well. I wouldn’t want to go all the way up to f/2.8 like on the C905, so f/3.8 seemed appropriate.
Yes, Adobe Camera RAW isn’t superb when using the default settings, but I didn’t want to mess around with the photos. I also stated in the beginning of the post, that it’s important to keep in mind that one can edit them quite a bit when in RAW. There’s also a significant difference in quality between JPEG and RAW, especially in areas with lots of details, and this is why I used RAW.
The C905 makes use of a fixed aperture, so that’s why I set the D90 to a fixed aperture as well. I wouldn’t want to go all the way up to f/2.8 like on the C905, so f/3.8 seemed appropriate.
Yes, Adobe Camera RAW isn’t superb when using the default settings, but I didn’t want to mess around with the photos. I also stated in the beginning of the post, that it’s important to keep in mind that one can edit them quite a bit when in RAW. There’s also a significant difference in quality between JPEG and RAW, especially in areas with lots of details, and this is why I used RAW.
Actually, when you think of it, the Nikon sucks as a phone. I can take great pics with my k850, but have yet to take a call, text, browse the internet, mms, play music, or use google maps on my Nikon. Hmmm. I think I’ll leave my Nikon at home for my next trip, as I have already. DSLR’s sure have a lot of catching up to do.
I am gonna love my c905.
Actually, when you think of it, the Nikon sucks as a phone. I can take great pics with my k850, but have yet to take a call, text, browse the internet, mms, play music, or use google maps on my Nikon. Hmmm. I think I’ll leave my Nikon at home for my next trip, as I have already. DSLR’s sure have a lot of catching up to do.
I am gonna love my c905.
Ooh…the Innov8 picture quality is better than the C905 ? Uh oh..cuz I was planning to buy a C905 in April..looks like I’m going to have to think twice now..but I personally prefer the C905 though
Ooh…the Innov8 picture quality is better than the C905 ? Uh oh..cuz I was planning to buy a C905 in April..looks like I’m going to have to think twice now..but I personally prefer the C905 though
What a useless comparisation.
First, the D90 is a professional camera.
Second, it’s twice the price of the C905.
Third, it has an higher resolution so if you want to compare them better, set the D90 for 8MP.
Really unfair for the c905. Though it produces nice pictures anyways.
What a useless comparisation.
First, the D90 is a professional camera.
Second, it’s twice the price of the C905.
Third, it has an higher resolution so if you want to compare them better, set the D90 for 8MP.
Really unfair for the c905. Though it produces nice pictures anyways.
can you please post the lens specs of both cameras? aperture, focal length e.t.c. thanks.
can you please post the lens specs of both cameras? aperture, focal length e.t.c. thanks.
[...] dimensions to the INNOV8, … 5 Responses to �Samsung INNOV8 vs Sony Ericsson C905� … Duel: Sony Ericsson C905 vs Nikon D90 at Unofficial Sony Ericsson Blog- [ Terjemahkan laman ini ]Haven�t got an Innov8 I can use for this, but it would win if I were to [...]
[...] dimensions to the INNOV8, … 5 Responses to �Samsung INNOV8 vs Sony Ericsson C905� … Duel: Sony Ericsson C905 vs Nikon D90 at Unofficial Sony Ericsson Blog- [ Terjemahkan laman ini ]Haven�t got an Innov8 I can use for this, but it would win if I were to [...]
I dont understand this article. Its obvious from the outset that a DSLR costing hundreds is going to produce images far greater in quality than a phone! The Sony is a phone and the D90 is an enthusiast camera after all. What the Sony does well is improve the camera phone to compete with your bog standard point and shoot cameras. In this respect its actually really good. Whats the next article anyway, a race between a Porsche and Ford Focus?
I dont understand this article. Its obvious from the outset that a DSLR costing hundreds is going to produce images far greater in quality than a phone! The Sony is a phone and the D90 is an enthusiast camera after all. What the Sony does well is improve the camera phone to compete with your bog standard point and shoot cameras. In this respect its actually really good. Whats the next article anyway, a race between a Porsche and Ford Focus?
Actually, the differences should be even larger. Everything being smaller in the C905, the optimal aperture for the C905 lens is probably around 3.8. The D90 has a larger sensor and the lenses should be longer to work with a larger lens. The optimal aperture for the larger lenses used with the D90 is between 5.6 and 8. The sharpness in the D90 pictures are most likely only around 70% of what the lens could deliver.
Actually, the differences should be even larger. Everything being smaller in the C905, the optimal aperture for the C905 lens is probably around 3.8. The D90 has a larger sensor and the lenses should be longer to work with a larger lens. The optimal aperture for the larger lenses used with the D90 is between 5.6 and 8. The sharpness in the D90 pictures are most likely only around 70% of what the lens could deliver.
Interesting, but hardly fair comparison. For the D90 that is, since you can not actually make any calls with it can you…
Seriously now, I would also love a comparison of the C905 vs a comparable camera (one out of sony’s T series would be great). Photo wize, the D90 will probably beat any consumer camera (non dslr) quite easily. Amuzing article though, nice work.
Interesting, but hardly fair comparison. For the D90 that is, since you can not actually make any calls with it can you…
Seriously now, I would also love a comparison of the C905 vs a comparable camera (one out of sony’s T series would be great). Photo wize, the D90 will probably beat any consumer camera (non dslr) quite easily. Amuzing article though, nice work.
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[...] Kvalitetsskillnaderna för bilder i solsken beror på att optiken i en extremt liten kamera inte kan mäta sig med större objektiv av god kvalitet. En annan orsak till kvalitetsskillnaderna [...]
@ Martinspire, veato, etc…
I don’t think this is a useless comparison. I didn’t see any means of ‘direct’ product comparison here. I see this article as “see how good is C905’s camera, it produces high quality pictures almost as good as of a D90.”
We all know that in a professional photography world, C905’s camera would suck: fixed aperture, very tiny sensor, tiny lens, etc. And Nikon D90 would be a junk in cellphone comparisons because it cannot make calls. So I never get this kind of article as a kind of direct comparison.
I would like to see a comparison between a Porsche and Ford Focus, and get to know if in any chance the Ford Focus wins in some aspects, for example, the fuel economy.
So you don’t understand this article at all? you think this article is useless? so you got really nothing from this article? come on guys.
@ Martinspire, veato, etc…
I don’t think this is a useless comparison. I didn’t see any means of ‘direct’ product comparison here. I see this article as “see how good is C905’s camera, it produces high quality pictures almost as good as of a D90.”
We all know that in a professional photography world, C905’s camera would suck: fixed aperture, very tiny sensor, tiny lens, etc. And Nikon D90 would be a junk in cellphone comparisons because it cannot make calls. So I never get this kind of article as a kind of direct comparison.
I would like to see a comparison between a Porsche and Ford Focus, and get to know if in any chance the Ford Focus wins in some aspects, for example, the fuel economy.
So you don’t understand this article at all? you think this article is useless? so you got really nothing from this article? come on guys.
For goodness sake STOP MOANING. This is an interesting comparison, if you don’t want to look at it then don’t.
I own a C905 and googled C905 vs DSLR just out of interest and it bought me here. So this is exactly what i wanted to see, a comparison of my phone vs a DSLR. Now we all knew which would win, but what was interesting to see was by how much of a margin.
For goodness sake STOP MOANING. This is an interesting comparison, if you don’t want to look at it then don’t.
I own a C905 and googled C905 vs DSLR just out of interest and it bought me here. So this is exactly what i wanted to see, a comparison of my phone vs a DSLR. Now we all knew which would win, but what was interesting to see was by how much of a margin.