Part 2 - The Nokia N93 Low Light Test
Part 2 of my Nokia N93 video shoot out. Comparing the video capabilities of the Canon MV630i DV camcorder to the Nokia N93 Smart Phone. In this post I focus on real world recording in an entirely artificially lit room (totalling about 220 watts) In the daylight tests that I posted a few days ago the Nokia N93 came out the overal winner, in this test the opposite is true, the Canon is much better in artificial light. Anyone who has spent some time with the N93 will already know that it really struggles on low-light - artificial or otherwise. If this is to be a deal-breaker or not, will depend on how often you think that your perfect home video or podcast will depend on being able to pick out detail in low light environments. For me it's hardly an issue as a quick review of my home iMovies reveals perhaps only twenty or thirty scenes (out of about a thousand!) that were shot in low light.
This post also includes an initial comparison of the stereo recording ability of the Nokia N93. The soundtrack to these small test videos was recorded by placing each device between two standard surround sound speakers, with the centre speaker about a foot from the device. They'll be more extensive testing of the sound in another post, but for now it would seem that the audio capture of the N93 is more than adequate for the purpose of the device. Though not as clear as the Canon, it doesn't pick up any strange noises from the tape mechanism, thank goodness - this was something that drove me to distraction with the Canon.
Formats available: Quicktime (.mov)
Formats available: Quicktime (.mov), Flash Video (.flv)
posted by James at 12:15 am
4 Comments:
In fairness to the N93, ALL smartphone cameras struggle in low light, there simply isn't the size of sensor to accept enough photons per second. The Canon will have a much bigger sensor inside.
Size constraints mean that smartphones don't have the same luxury.
9:00 am
True. I wonder what size sensor the N93 does have . . . I'll check.
9:24 am
It's also a question of optics! No matter what sensor you have a small lens will struggle badly in low light.
Lets be honest though almost all video looks terrible in low light. Like you mention a very low percentage of video is taken in low light.
12:27 am
i wish i can find a phone with digital-cam quality
i have old sony p93 its quality is much better than my brother's brand-new n95
5:59 pm
Post a Comment
<< Home