Pixel 4 and iPhone 11 Pro and Note 10 Plus and OnePlus 7T: camera test

It's more difficult than ever to say which smartphone offers the best camera. There are numerous factors to consider, but ultimately this is good news for consumers. This means you can happily capture important moments in life and expect powerful results.

However, some phones have an edge over others. Let's combine the new Google Pixel 4 XL, iPhone 11 Pro Max, Samsung Galaxy Note 10 Plus and OnePlus 7T for a four-way camera shoot to narrow down the best options available today.

Camera specifications

First a brief note about the specification. The Pixel 4 XL has a 12.2 megapixel lens (f / 1.7) paired with a 16 megapixel telephoto lens that offers 2x optical zoom (f / 2.4) and has optical image stabilization (OIS). The front has a camera of 8 million pixels (f / 2.0).

iPhone 11 Pro Max starts with a triple camera setup. All three feature 12 megapixels, f / 1.8 main lens, 2x f / 2.0 telephoto lens with optical zoom and f / 2.4 ultra wide-angle lens. The first two lenses have an OIS. The front camera packs 12 megapixels and has an f / 2.2 aperture.

Samsung Galaxy Note 10 Plus technically has a quad camera array. It has a 12 megapixel telephoto lens with a 12 megapixel main camera (variable aperture f / 1.5-f / 2.4) and 2x optical zoom (f / 2.1). Both have OIS. The ultra wide-angle lens is 16 megapixels (f / 2.2), and the last one is a flight time camera used to capture depth in portrait mode. The front has a 10 megapixel lens with f / 2.2 aperture.

Finally, there is the OnePlus 7T, the cheapest phone on the list, but there is also a triple camera system. There's a basic 48-megapixel camera (f / 1.6) with OIS, a 12-megapixel telephoto lens that offers 2x optical zoom (f / 2.2) and 16-megapixel ultra wide-angle lens (f / 2.2). The selfie camera is a 16 megapixel lens with f / 2.0 aperture.

abstention: The photos are subjective, so the prize I'm suspicious may not match my favorites. Also, I have seen these photos using a professionally calibrated monitor, so the photos may look different depending on the screen you are currently viewing. While carrying out this test, I also carried Google's Pixel 3 together, but for simplicity we separated the camera shootout. So you can see how the Pixel 4 stacks up in the old model. That is why similar pictures are displayed between the comparisons.

Cube

Starting with the Alamo, also known as the Astor Place Cube, these photos aren't much different. Pixel 4 has so much grain overall and it's the one with the least view of the base of the cube (but I like the sky the most). Unfortunately, the iPhone 11 Pro isn't great. The sky is overexposed, so take Pixel's photo over the sky.

The shot on the OnePlus 7T is pretty good, but if you look at the edges, you'll see some distortion. If you look at the window behind the cube you'll see Astor Place and you'll see it sit at an angle, unlike the frames in other photos. It is strange, the picture is also slightly warm. The sky also has a red tint, which was not the case in real life.

Samsung Galaxy Note 10 Plus remains in the top slot. The colors are nice and not as good as the sky in Pixel 4 photos, but you can control it without exposing the rest of the sky.

Winner: Samsung Galaxy Note 10 Plus

Digital zoom: statue

Google's Pixel 4 uses machine learning to organize and enhance your magnified digital photos. These photos were captured with about 5x digital zoom on all phones.

What I like most about pixel photography is how the picture is least sharp. The iPhone gets closer, but the leaves aren't very nice to look at, and the colors are a bit green as a whole. If the details look blurry, Samsung shots lag behind.

The last two come close, but if you look at the leaves on the left side of the statue, you'll see it sharply in the OnePlus photo. In addition, in the photo of Pixel 4, we favored the building color of the statue background, which resulted in a narrow victory.

Winner: Google Pixel 4 XL

Digital zoom: long pole

Here is a clearer example of the Super Res Zoom's privileges on the Pixel 4. Not only the columns and buildings, but also the branches and leaves in the foreground give the image the sharpest. All other calls. The iPhone is so pixelated and died at the end, the following is Samsung because it lacks details.

The OnePlus is not very far but lacks depth and the whole picture is a bit overexposed. Another victory for the Pixel 4 XL.

Winner: Google Pixel 4 XL

2x optical zoom: Cafe

All these phones have a 2x optical zoom option, so let's test it. The photos of the cafe at Astor Place are not that different overall, but you can safely put the OnePlus 7T last. The picture is completely flat as if someone cranked completely as if no black level exists. Not visually satisfying I cut my Samsung Note 10 Plus because, like a girl's hoodie, the skin tone of both women is so bright that they almost seem shiny.

The latter will come according to personal preference. I think pixel photos offer the most natural skin tone than iPhone 11 Pro, and I prefer a darker, brownish structure instead of a warmer version of iPhone photos. When zoomed in completely, there are fewer grains inside the building in the Pixel 4 shots for a narrower victory. You will still be happy with your iPhone's photos.

Winner: Google Pixel 4 XL

Portrait mode: dog on the bench

Not sure how difficult it is to take four consecutive pictures of a dog in the same pose. You can cross Cross OnePlus 7T right from the bat. It's a cute photo, but the dog's face isn't crisp, and the whole image looks a bit flat. The iPhone is dedicated to accurately portraying my dog's body and applying blur, and Samsung's phone is second. The pixels come close, but they mess up the part between the dog's right leg and the body. Still, when fully zoomed in, the Samsung and iPhone photos are slightly sharper.

The photos on the iPhone are brighter, warmer and have a natural blur, which goes down the dog's body. It is almost perfect and the bokeh effect is very strong. I think the Note 10 Plus is close here and works better with white balance, but it doesn't measure it.

Winner: iPhone 11 Pro Max

Portrait: Selfie

Let's use portrait mode while turning the camera and taking selfies! There are two features of iPhone 11 Pro and Pixel 4 XL. I think the OnePlus 7T works great with HDR, but the colors are too bright, lack contrast, and if you look closely at my face, I can see that it is out of focus. Note 10 Plus takes great pictures with solid details and HDR, but it lacks contrast.

Now when I look at the Pixel and iPhone photos, the detail on my face looks fantastic. I think the pixels win here for better HDR (although I still like the sky in Samsung and OnePlus photos) but I prefer my skin color in the pixel images because it looks more natural.

Winner: Google Pixel 4 XL

food

This is an easy win for iPhone 11 Pro Max. There is a reason why food comes out so red. Up there is a red heat lamp. However, iPhone manages each food item to be unique and to preserve the color of the surrounding area.

The Samsung shots look like the food is mixed up with each other and it's so red and the OnePlus photo isn't as detailed as the Pixel 4. The latter is still slightly red overall. I was able to get a look similar to the iPhone using Night Sight mode on the Pixel 4 (not visible here).

Winner: iPhone 11 Pro Max

Williamsburg Bridge

These are all good photos, but they are part of the Pixel 4 photos, especially since they have the least grain than iPhone and OnePlus photos. The most detailed. I like the color because the color of the rails is a much deeper red hue than other photos.

There are so many yellow tones, but the photos on iPhone 11 Pro are my favorite next time. I think the OnePlus picture is a bit more detailed than the Note 10 Plus picture, but the color is a bit blurry.

Winner: Google Pixel 4 XL

Looking at the balcony

Amazing. Initially, the OnePlus 7T won. It brightens up the whole picture, but take a closer look at the bricks in the central building of this photo, pixels and Samsung photos. They are all messed up. Only the finest detail in this low light shot is displayed (night mode is not used). If you look closely at the deli sign, it's the sharpest in OnePlus photos.

Now I was surprised at the details captured by zooming in on the iPhone photo. I'd rather be brighter in a post than using this photo and taking a non-detailed picture.

Winner: iPhone 11 Pro Max

Night mode: viaduct

None of these pictures can go wrong. All of this was captured using the dedicated night mode on each phone. If you want the most natural look, iPhone offers. The most detailed is to see Pixel 4 (distant trees, even grass at the foot of the building). Much clearer than other photos. OnePlus doesn't work best with minimal detail and slightly faint colors.

If you take a closer look and compare it to your iPhone, the difference in detail is noticeable, which will give the Pixel 4 a win but will not hesitate to fully share your iPhone photos.

Winner: Google Pixel 4 XL

Night mode: 2x zoom

Fun tip: Night mode is not available on 2x telephoto lenses on some smartphones. This includes the iPhone and OnePlus, and night mode works with the Note 10 Plus and Pixel 4. Here, OnePlus 7T creates a terrible tone and blurs it, so let's write it here. Next up is Samsung's Note 10 Plus, which is blurry and lacks contrast.

The photos on the Google Pixel 4 have significantly less grain than the photos on the iPhone 11 Pro, but these two photos are not blurry. In fact, the bridge was not as yellow as the iPhone, but not as faint as the pixel photos. You can argue about the atmosphere here, but win again if you think the sharper details found in the photos of the Pixel 4 and the photos look a bit more pleasant. If you want, you can edit more warmly at any time.

Winner: Google Pixel 4 XL

Low light portrait: indoor dog

Portrait mode doesn't work well in low light scenarios, but overall it's getting better. I posted these 4 photos on twitter and asked to pick the best on the internet, and the Pixel 4 XL won by landslide. Why? It does a fantastic job of capturing all the hair of my dog ​​and applies the blur perfectly. It also exposes him well without looking too rough.

The four phones in this test are the Pixel 4, iPhone 11 Pro, Note 10 Plus, and OnePlus 7T. Which is which?Aritaum Embed Tweet

— Julian Chokkattu (@JulianChokkattu) 21 October 2019

The photos on the iPhone 11 Pro are very dark and dogy, but they come out next. Because the blur is really good and my dog's focus is very high. It is easy to brighten this scene simply, and it is also good to see. Sadly my dog ​​was out of focus, OnePlus was in third place and I'm not a fan of Samsung photography. Of course, my dog ​​is the brightest here than any other shot, but it completely loses the mood of the scene, overexposes the background, and doesn't keep much detail in the dog's fur.

Winner: Google Pixel 4 XL

Low light selfie in portrait mode

In this portrait mode selfie of the Williamsburg Bridge, none of these phones has improved significantly here. Now I have a picture captured in portrait mode and night mode (Only selfie and pixel only support night mode in selfie camera), where Samsung took the top spot with the most pleasant colors in regular selfies, but Google challenged night mode.

But this is a portrait mode challenge, and it's clear that Apple died last. Not so good fuzzy mess of colors, but at least the blur is powerful and accurate. The remaining three photos have a similar level of detail, but because they provide satisfactory color, you should go with Samsung's photos. I like OnePlus photos. I think the contrast of the face is ideal. But the blur is actually weak. Pixel 4 gets a bit hard with its rough, yellowish hue, and your hair is totally messed up too.

Winner: Samsung Galaxy Note 10 Plus

Gunshot Shots: Google Pixel 4 XL

Pixel 4 XL won 8th, iPhone 2nd, Note 10 Plus 3rd, OnePlus 7T 8th. Does this mean that the Pixel 4 XL is the best camera phone? Not necessarily. Choosing your favorite photo is a subjective process, so you may not have chosen the same winner as I did. I prefer style, but because I wanted to get the most out of the technical details.

Two things stand out: the iPhone and the Pixel, but it's undeniable.

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