Cameras Compared: Sony Ericsson Xperia arc vs iPhone 4S

In an earlier shootout, the Xperia arc was pitted against the iPhone 4. Some would argue that that wasn’t a fair fight considering the iPhone 4 had only 5MP against the Xperia arcs 8.1MP camera. But on the other hand, megapixel count is not a real indicator of camera performance.

In any case, with the iPhone 4S things are now leveled. We have two very capable smartphone cameras, both with 8MP and both having a sensor optimised for low-light conditions. Also interesting, both sensors on the iPhone 4S and the Xperia arc are manufactured by Sony. In that case, are the two cameras one of the same? Perhaps, but there’s no way to be sure at this point in time. More importantly, that’s not the point.

The point is, between the iPhone 4S and the Xperia arc, which one takes better pictures? After the jump is a series of pictures taken using the iPhone 4S and the Xperia ray arc.

Take a look and tell us what you think.

Looking at these pictures, we can see that once again the iPhone 4S boosts colours to make pictures appear more vivid but that is where the advantage of the iPhone 4S ends.

Viewed in original resolution, we can see that the Xperia arc takes better details and manages low light conditions much better than the iPhone 4S. Look at the full-sized pictures and you can see how in every shot, the Xperia arc grabs more detail that the iPhone 4S. Lines are sharper and separations are more defined. The arc produces better contrast too but in certain conditions, there is nothing that splits the two phones apart.

In this battle, wed take the Xperia arc over the iPhone 4S, though there will be those who prefer the overboosted colours in the iPhone 4S.

In all pictures: iPhone 4S is on the left. Xperia arc on the right. Click for original size.

Also see: iPhone 4S vs Nokia N9 — Cameras Compared

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