Posted by Paul DeCesare on October 4, 2011 at 7:00 PM
Folks, don't believe the huge media outcry that the new iPhone4S is a let-down, everybody wanted it to look like the sleek shape of the iPad2 and support 4G (me too admittedly), but regardless of what the media prophesied for the last 6 months, it's truly a photographer's phone. It also got a huge new engine: A5 dual-core processor, 1GB ram and they now offer a 64GB model for twice the storage.
For photographers, here's what we get, and I dare say it's time to retire our $99 point-n-shoots:
- 8mp CMOS backlit sensor allowing 73% better light sensitivity
- Improved LED flash
- 1080p HD video at 30fps with built-in image stabilization
- That new dual core processor and 1GB of ram I mentioned, because now this will be a much more responsive phone camera, and editing tools will be way faster.
- The new iOS5: No cable and iTunes required for activation and updates. Do I hear applause?
The media and tech heads will continue to freak because the screen is the same size which means movies and death games aren't bigger like on a Droid. Whatever. I think for us we'll finally have one device to get a decent shot with and also a sweet call from our spouse, all in one place.
Update: on the Apple page you can watch a 4-minute video that talks all about the new camera. And as I discovered from David Bostedo in his description below, this thing might have a camera that works as well as the droid phones which would be nice. So if you are staying with iOS devices, this is a good upgrade. Plus if your original iPhone 4 is in good condition you can sell it on eBay which pays for the new model. I usually fetch about $400 for each previous model when the new one comes out. People pay well for iPhones with no contract attached which is nice.
Posted by David Bostedo on October 4, 2011 at 7:22 PM
I think for us we'll finally have one device to get a decent shot with and also a sweet call from our spouse, all in one place.
Well, my year-old Android has all of those features already except for the back illuminated sensor. iPhones have never lead the way with regard to cameras, and have sometimes played catch-up. I wonder if their new sensor will vault them over everyone else...
Posted by Paul DeCesare on October 4, 2011 at 9:00 PM
For pete's sake, it sure didn't take long for a Droid-head to hop on THIS post, lol!
To clarify, those who already have iPhones and iPads and the apps they want have one option, to upgrade to the 4S or not, and my point was that regardless of the hype and media, from a photographic standpoint the camera has gotten quite respectable for P&S purposes, so those NPNer's who were wondering if it's worth it now have some feedback. How it stacks against a Droid really isn't relevant, is it??
Posted by David Bostedo on October 4, 2011 at 11:41 PM
Well it sort of is relevant - a lot of people who have iPhones or iPads could upgrade to a different OS. I for one had an iPod Touch that I loved, and lots of apps, and debated whether or not to go iPhone or Droid when it was time to upgrade. I wound up going with a Droid for a few reasons :
-- Bigger, better screen (on a Samsung Enfuse)
-- Better camera and video (the iPhone may have jumped my camera here - wish I have a back-illuminated sensor )
-- Better access to the file system. When I add music or photos, I just drag and drop on my computer, no sync-ing required (and no need to bring up iTunes or any other program). I know for some that's not a positive, but it's a big one for me.
The apps were a wash in my book, since the ones I wanted are generally supported on both platforms. I know no one will believe me, but I like Apple products and I'm not trying to sway anyone. I'm just trying to get people to keep their options open. One you get one i-device, you don't always have to stick with i-devices.
Posted by Paul DeCesare on October 5, 2011 at 12:05 AM
Good point. Comes down to the UI really. I personally favor iOS, many may not. I did try my way around somebody's HTC thingy but it just seemed too intelligent for me. In a phone I want fluid and simple, and iOS is definitely that. But on the flipside, I started on Macs in the 80s and used to be a Mac-only dude for several years during thw Win 3.1 days, but somehow I became a Visual Studio developer & SQL DBA in the 90s and have been all Windows ever since. Plus with Macs I got tired of the uber-expensive hardware and the limitations on it (hmmmm, sounds like I'm describing the iPhone, lol!). The PC rig I built during 2009-2010 for $2800 would have cost me over six grand for an Apple equivalent and I still wouldn't be authoring Blu-Ray. And now with Win7, well, that's fluid enough for me!
Discussion
4 repliesFor photographers, here's what we get, and I dare say it's time to retire our $99 point-n-shoots:
- 8mp CMOS backlit sensor allowing 73% better light sensitivity
- Improved LED flash
- 1080p HD video at 30fps with built-in image stabilization
- That new dual core processor and 1GB of ram I mentioned, because now this will be a much more responsive phone camera, and editing tools will be way faster.
- The new iOS5: No cable and iTunes required for activation and updates. Do I hear applause?
The media and tech heads will continue to freak because the screen is the same size which means movies and death games aren't bigger like on a Droid. Whatever. I think for us we'll finally have one device to get a decent shot with and also a sweet call from our spouse, all in one place.
Update: on the Apple page you can watch a 4-minute video that talks all about the new camera. And as I discovered from David Bostedo in his description below, this thing might have a camera that works as well as the droid phones which would be nice. So if you are staying with iOS devices, this is a good upgrade. Plus if your original iPhone 4 is in good condition you can sell it on eBay which pays for the new model. I usually fetch about $400 for each previous model when the new one comes out. People pay well for iPhones with no contract attached which is nice.
Well, my year-old Android has all of those features already except for the back illuminated sensor. iPhones have never lead the way with regard to cameras, and have sometimes played catch-up. I wonder if their new sensor will vault them over everyone else...
To clarify, those who already have iPhones and iPads and the apps they want have one option, to upgrade to the 4S or not, and my point was that regardless of the hype and media, from a photographic standpoint the camera has gotten quite respectable for P&S purposes, so those NPNer's who were wondering if it's worth it now have some feedback. How it stacks against a Droid really isn't relevant, is it??
-- Bigger, better screen (on a Samsung Enfuse)
-- Better camera and video (the iPhone may have jumped my camera here - wish I have a back-illuminated sensor
-- Better access to the file system. When I add music or photos, I just drag and drop on my computer, no sync-ing required (and no need to bring up iTunes or any other program). I know for some that's not a positive, but it's a big one for me.
The apps were a wash in my book, since the ones I wanted are generally supported on both platforms. I know no one will believe me, but I like Apple products and I'm not trying to sway anyone. I'm just trying to get people to keep their options open. One you get one i-device, you don't always have to stick with i-devices.