K750i digital zoom false claims
I've been considering the Sony Ericsson K750i to replace my current T310 (which has become slower and buggier with age). My choice is for 3 simple reasons: it's compact, feature-rich, and is sexier than Clifton on a good day.
I feel like a lot of people with a digicam, the 2mp camera capability is an inconsequential bonus. Having said that however, tonight I stumbled on an eye for beauty, a mini promo site for the phone. Click through to view the 'best features', and then view the '4x digital zoom' animation demo.
Now assuming that their digital zoom is the kind which resizes the bitmap in the firmware - the same kind of ineffectual digital zoom that I'd advise anyone to disable on their digicam, and assuming by 'Digital' they don't imply Smart Zoom, and assuming I know what I'm talking about, this animated demo is complete bullshit! The demo, along with the accompanying copy:
Reach out and get 4x closer when taking pictures.
Spot the Difference: below is how it should look. On the left is their false claim, and on the right is my best attempt at a 4x Photoshop crop from the 1x image. I never been a Helena Christensen fan anyway, but seriously...
For further comparison, I found this comprehensive review which contains accurate photo samples taken at the different digital zoom levels along with the following text. No Smart zoom, then.
The digital zoom produces relatively poor quality photos when used in the 2 megapixel mode, since the camera basically has to guess at what the pixel data should be.
It may be a little demo, for a camera phone, but I still think it's a big deal to market a phone feature so inaccurately.
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5 Comments
I got the K750i a few weeks ago and it’s been a great phone until now.
Photos taken in daylight look great, while for night or low-light (bars, etc.) environments you get that grainy effect I understand you can alleviate by tweaking the ISO settting.
Re: the digital zoom, I don’t use it, and I don’t see the point. I’ll take the full-resolution shot and then crop in Photoshop, if I must. At 1632×1224 you’re too big for email or most screens, anyway.
The software is great, the USB connectivity works as advertised, bluetooth as well. The 64MB card allows me to go on the road with the included headphones and rock out in the most unusual places ;-)
Other than the weak performance of the camera (it was to be expected; but it’s still bettter than 99.9% of other phone cameras I’ve seen), it’s otherwise a great phone, and best of all, people notice ;-)
If you want to see some sample shots, email me and I’ll send you some.
You’re right, and you could draw it to the attention of the Advertising Standards Authority (UK), who’ll probably look into it.
I’ve had a K750 for about 5 months, and it is the best phone I’ve ever had. the camera is amazing ( for a cellphone ), bluetooth, 2 Gigs of space for music/pictures/videos/files, etc. Im extremely happy with it, but it wont replace a regular SLR camera.
The Nokia 6680 and D600 have awesome camera power!! But I gather you don’t like Nokia. D600 is very sexy, the GUI is very smooth and rounded. :P
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11 November 2005
Phoat10:16 am
My girlfriend just got the K750i. It’s a great phone with lots of features. It performs poorly when taking pictures in low-light conditions, however.
It’s generally good for capturing that candid moment when you don’t have your proper digital cam with you.