After Xperia review XA I had an interesting thought. Shouldn’t we try to compare the cameras of the current state employee with those of the past? top smartphone Sony of yesteryear.

The choice immediately fell on the Xperia Z3, since it is the most popular Xperia flagship in recent years.

There really is progress between the once flagship Xperia Z3 and the new budget Xperia XA, and it is not at all illusory.

The purpose of this comparison is not so much to demonstrate the qualities of a particular camera in a particular device, but to show how unforgiving technical progress in such a competitive field as smartphones.

Additional materials:

Xperia XA vs Xperia Z3: comparing the cameras of the current budget phone and the old flagship

Before comparing, you should familiarize yourself with the technical specifications Xperia cameras XA and Xperia Z3:

Xperia XA

• Main camera - 13 MP, Exmor RS, physical sensor size 1/3″, 24 mm wide-angle lens with f2.0 aperture, fast intelligent hybrid autofocus, 5x Clear Image zoom;
• Front camera - 8 MP, 22mm wide-angle lens with f2.2 aperture.

Xperia Z3

• Main camera - IMX220, 20.7 MP, Exmor RS, physical sensor size 1/2.3″, 25mm wide-angle lens with f2.0 aperture, 6 G Lens;
• Front camera - 2.2 MP, 1/3″.

On paper, the Xperia Z3 has a more advanced image sensor than the Xperia XA. Large quantity megapixels and the physical size of the matrix directly indicate this. Also, the optical part of the Xperia Z3 camera seems more advanced.

The main camera of the Xperia XA looks noticeably simpler and has a smaller CMOS sensor.

But in terms of front cameras, the Xperia XA is in a clear advantage - the new 8 megapixel sensor versus the outdated 2.2 megapixel in the Xperia Z3.

Comparison of photo shooting quality of the main and front cameras of Xperia XA and Xperia Z3

The Xperia XA took shots in Super Auto 9 MP 16:9 mode, and the Xperia Z3 in Super Auto 8 MP 16:9 mode. Due to the difference in focal length between the two devices, the photos do not look exactly the same.

Photographs were taken with both phones only handheld and at the same time. All images from the main cameras were cropped in a 1:1 ratio in the center of the image. The focusing point was also set at the center. The footage has not been subjected to any post-processing, everything is presented “as is”.

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Comparison of front cameras of Xperia XA and Xperia Z3

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Comparison of video quality of the main cameras of Xperia XA and Xperia Z3

When shooting video, both phones recorded in FHD (1080p) 30fps quality with SteadyShot enabled. The videos are presented as is, without processing or trimming.

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The Xperia XA won on almost all fronts; parity with the Xperia Z3 is maintained only in daytime photography, and even then it’s a stretch.

After such comparisons, you wonder, does it even make sense to buy these expensive flagships?

Anyway, the flagships will turn into pumpkins within a couple of years. And not even because of the lack of software updates, but because of banal hardware obsolescence. The Xperia Z3 and Xperia XA demonstrate this perfectly.

It was known that the flagship Sony Xperia Z4 is similar in appearance to Z3 in a number of characteristics, however, hardly anyone could have imagined how obvious the similarity would be. Visual comparative pictures have already appeared on the Internet, demonstrating the analogy in the design and arrangement of the main elements.

At the front, the Xperia Z4 differs from its predecessor only in the different location of the logo, sensors and front camera, as well as the displacement of paired speakers. All these changes will be able to be distinguished only by a user familiar with the line, while others will not notice such minor innovations at all.

Xperia Z4 - left, Z3 - right

Things are completely different with the rear panel - there the analogy is close to 100 percent. The new product is distinguished only by the NFC icon and the flash, located slightly lower relative to the camera than that of the Xperia Z3. Well, and one more thing important point- the color of the rear panel itself, the Z4 has a copper design option that is slightly darker.

The most obvious difference between the new model and the old one is the design of the ends - Xperia Z4 has a glossy frame and has a characteristic shine, especially noticeable on metal corners. Well, here are the connectors and buttons: in the new model, the USB input has moved to the bottom edge and has lost its protection, the magnetic connector on the left has disappeared, and the slot under microSD card on the right side is now located under the same plug as the SIM card on the left.

Xperia Z4 - top, Z3 - bottom

Users with an excellent eye will be able to determine a little more slim body in the Xperia Z4, although in reality the difference is not so significant - only 0.4 mm.

Xperia Z4 - left, Z3 - right

In terms of technical characteristics, there are also few significant differences between the devices - the Z4 has a much more powerful chip, a high-quality front camera, support for Bluetooth 4.1 and a less capacious battery. A detailed comparison of specifications is presented in the table below.

Comparison of characteristics of Sony Xperia Z4 and Xperia Z3

	Sony Xperia Z3
CPU:	Qualcomm Snapdragon 810 8 cores	Qualcomm Snapdragon 801 4 cores
GPU:	Adreno 430	Adreno 330
RAM:	3 GB	3 GB
memory:	32/64 GB + microSD up to 128 GB	16/32 GB + microSD up to 128 GB
display:	5.2" IPS 1920x1080 pixels density 424 ppi Gorilla Glass 4	5.2" IPS 1920x1080 pixels density 424 ppi Gorilla Glass 3
main camera:	20.7 MP single LED flash autofocus digital stabilization	20.7 MP single LED flash autofocus digital stabilization
frontal camera:	5.1 MP, wide-angle 1080p	2.2 MP 1080p
modules:	Wi-Fi a/b/g/n/ac, Bluetooth 4.1 GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, NFC	Wi-Fi a/b/g/n/ac, Bluetooth 4.0 GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, NFC
battery:	2,930 mAh	3 100 mAh
dimensions:	146x72x6.9 mm	146x72x7.3 mm
weight:	144 grams	153 grams
bonuses:	protection against moisture and dust IP68	protection against moisture and dust IP68

With the release of new products, it will be difficult for Sony and Apple fans to choose a winner in the Xperia z3 vs iPhone 6 comparison.

Smartphones from Apple and Sony

In this article we will try to determine the main advantages and disadvantages of both models, so that future buyers of these smartphones can make their own choice.

Appearance

The Apple smartphone is available in three colors. There is no black color now, instead it is now dark gray, besides it there is also gold and silver.

The smartphone body is made of aluminum, the ends are rounded.

Xperia has a choice of four colors, in addition to the classic black, there is also white, silver-green and copper. Z3 is a rectangle with smooth corners and protective glass both on the front panel and on the back.

Main characteristics

iPhone 6 uses new processor called A8, which has a 64-bit architecture. The device has only 1 GB of RAM installed.

Sony installed a quad-core Snapdragon 801 and 3 GB of RAM in its Xperia.

Readers who now thought that here Xperia comparison z3 and iPhone 6 have clear winners, must remember that everyone iOS apps are made for 2-3 smartphones with good optimization, so you should not pay attention to the small characteristics of the iPhone.

Characteristics of screens

Xperia is equipped with 5.2 inch IPS display with Full HD resolution. Thanks to the new Triluminos technology, the device has very rich colors and increased brightness.

In the sun, the smartphone does not glare and provides nice picture.

IPS technology is also used in new iPhone, but the display here is slightly smaller – 4.7 inches (1334 x 750).

There are no problems with viewing angles, the colors are bright, especially the white and black colors here are very well made.

Photo and video shooting

The Sony phone has a 20.7 megapixel camera with a wide-angle lens. Taking the photo did not reveal any significant flaws.

Xperia can shoot video at 4K resolution.

An interesting feature is the ability to slow down videos.

The iPhone has an 8 megapixel camera with five lenses. The photographs come out to be of very high quality and can easily replace an inexpensive camera.

Design

Information about the dimensions and weight of the device, presented in different units of measurement. Materials used, colors offered, certificates.

SIM card

The SIM card is used in mobile devices to store data that certifies the authenticity of mobile service subscribers.

Mobile networks

A mobile network is a radio system that allows multiple mobile devices to communicate with each other.

Mobile communication technologies and data transfer speeds

Communication between devices on mobile networks is carried out using technologies that provide different data transfer rates.

Operating system

An operating system is a system software that manages and coordinates the operation of hardware components in a device.

SoC (System on Chip)

A system on a chip (SoC) includes all the most important hardware components of a mobile device on one chip.

Built-in memory

Each mobile device has built-in (non-removable) memory with a fixed capacity.

Screen

The screen of a mobile device is characterized by its technology, resolution, pixel density, diagonal length, color depth, etc.

Sensors

Different sensors perform different quantitative measurements and convert physical indicators into signals that a mobile device can recognize.

Rear camera

The main camera of a mobile device is usually located on its back panel and may be combined with one or more secondary cameras.

Front-camera

Smartphones have one or more front cameras of various designs - a pop-up camera, a rotating camera, a cutout or hole in the display, an under-display camera.

Audio

Information about the type of speakers and audio technologies supported by the device.

Radio

The radio of the mobile device is a built-in FM receiver.

WiFi

Wi-Fi is a technology that provides wireless communication for transmitting data over close distances between various devices.

USB

USB (Universal Serial Bus) is an industry standard that allows different electronic devices to exchange data.

HDMI

HDMI (High-Definition Multimedia Interface) is a digital audio/video interface that replaces older analog audio/video standards.

Connecting devices

Information about other important connection technologies supported by your device.

Browser

A web browser is a software application for accessing and viewing information on the Internet.

Video file formats/codecs

Mobile devices support different video file formats and codecs, which respectively store and encode/decode digital video data.

Battery

Mobile device batteries differ from each other in their capacity and technology. They provide the electrical charge necessary for their functioning.

Less than six months have passed, and we have in our hands another flagship from Sony - the Xperia Z3. The previous Z2 model was and remains a relevant device in 2014, but Sony decided to improve the already very balanced smartphone. I’ll say right away that the new flagship has many small changes and all of them are positive. In this article we will look at what has been added, what has undergone changes, and what remains in the past. And, of course, we will answer the most main question— Should I change my already old Z2 to a new smartphone?

In the review, I will focus on the key, important details of the new smartphone, which in one way or another differ from those in its predecessor. Therefore, if I never touch upon the Sony Xperia Z2 in the topic, then nothing significant has changed. The main character of today's article is, of course, the Sony Xperia Z3. And Z2, in cinematic language, has a supporting role. Let's return to the new product.

Equipment

The smartphone comes with a charger (EP880) and a microUSB cable for connecting to a computer or charger. I haven't forgotten anything.

The package actually lacked at least some branded headset.

If in the box from the previous model you could find a pleasant surprise - a very decent MDR NC31EM headset with noise suppression function, now, as they say, don’t blame me. Japanese generosity obviously has its limits.

Design and appearance

The first change that immediately catches your eye is the metal rounded frames. Now there are no square or flat inserts on the sides. The aluminum frame along the entire perimeter is interrupted only by plastic plugs at the corners, which in theory should take the impact when dropped and, thereby, protect the case from serious damage. I didn’t risk doing a crash test with the smartphone provided for review, so I’ll have to take the manufacturer’s word for it.

There are tempered glass panels on the front and back. Of course, there is no factory film. The front glass has an oleophobic coating and does a good job of protecting against fingerprints on the screen. Of course, they still remain on the surface, but in noticeably smaller quantities, and are also easily removed with a soft cloth.

Above the screen there is a proximity sensor, a light sensor and a front camera eye. Everything is unchanged here. But the speaker windows narrowed and crawled from the corners of the case onto the glass plane. We will return to sound later, because there is something to talk about here.

Smartphones are available in several colors: copper, black, white and silver-green.

The company did not come up with any loud names for its color versions, ala heavenly angelic, etc., but limited itself to simple and understandable names. And it is right. The main thing is how it all looks in life. Here I must note that photographs do not convey half of how the smartphone actually looks. I highly recommend going to the store and looking at all the new devices with your own eyes, including the Z3 Compact and Z3 Tablet Compact, holding them in your hands and, as they say, squeezing the devices. Most likely, practical experience of communicating with devices will make a positive impression.

If everything is approximately clear with the black and white variations, then the copper and silver-green models look very stylish and noble. In my opinion, copper looks best in the sun and, in principle, suits any style of clothing.

Lately and OS, and various pieces of hardware are developing towards visual simplification. Sony Z3 is no exception. Numerous edges and corners are a thing of the past, the caps have become rounded and even the screen power button has become more stylish design. This approach can only be welcomed.

I think the Z3's design is one of the best ever. this moment throughout the market mobile devices.

It’s great that Sony left the physical button responsible for activating the camera and releasing the shutter in the same place. Taking photos using haptic feedback is very convenient.

Under the covers are all the connectors and card slots. Getting the latter out, as before, is inconvenient. You need to have uncut nails (girls don't count), a pick, a pin or something similar so that you can pick up the plastic backing on which the SIM card is placed. You can, of course, try to pry off this tray with the card itself. The latter, by the way, is now Nano SIM.

The backing for the cards is very fragile and can easily be lost. Don't underestimate this detail.

The slot for installing a SIM card has moved to the right side of the smartphone, and on the left, that is, the microUSB port remains in the same place. Just below, in their original place, there are contacts for connecting the Z3 to a special docking station. Let me remind you that it is not included in the kit and is sold separately.

At the top there is a 3.5 mm audio output, next to which there is a microphone hole.

There is nothing on the bottom edge.

And the lanyard loop has moved slightly from the corner of the smartphone to the left side.

The dimensions of the Z3 have decreased compared to its predecessor, but this can only be felt by placing the two devices next to each other. Of course, you can still estimate the sizes using the comparative table:

The smartphone fits perfectly in the hand. It is moderately large and moderately heavy, but the risk of dropping the device from your hands has increased. Z2, due to its chopped edges, held in the palm very well, but its successor is a little worse. This is not a critical point, but just an observation. The same iPhone 6 is many times more slippery due to the all-metal coating. By the way, the texture of the metal on the frame in the Z3, in my opinion, is almost identical to the apple six.

The body is beautifully put together. There is no play or creaking anywhere. The buttons do not dangle, and the plugs do not fall out. As before, every time you connect charger or some accessory, the smartphone reminds you to check the tightness of the plugs.

All this is not easy, because the device is capable of being immersed in water to a depth of one and a half meters for no more than 30 minutes (water and dust protection standard IP65/68). Swimming in salt water is not recommended, but just between you and me, you can do it. The main thing is to soak the device in the sea for a short time and then do not forget to rinse the device under running water to wash off the salt, which corrodes the delicate seals of the plugs.

Overall, the device looks interesting and modern, even though only a few months have passed between generations. The colors of the case add a special twist. Some people may not like them, but the solution is interesting from any point of view.

Display

The Z3 has a completely different screen. Yes, it retains a resolution of 1920 x 1080 pixels (423 ppi) and a diagonal of 5.2 inches, but the brightness and colors are completely different here. If Z2 was a little yellow and slightly dull, then Z3 is already cast in a cool blue color. This is clearly visible against a white background and when directly comparing the devices (Z3 on top).

The maximum brightness threshold burns out the eyes, especially indoors. It is better to leave the brightness adjustment to the ambient light sensor, since it works well.

But in the sun, a bright display is a very useful property of any smartphone. Z3 does not lose the picture in direct sunlight and the display remains readable.

The viewing angles are excellent, just like a smartphone (the new one is on top again).

In the menu there are sliders in their place for independently adjusting the display of colors. I don't know if anyone uses these parameters. Still, adjusting the color of a picture is a very thankless task and you need to have relevant experience in this area.

In addition to the already familiar X-Reality for mobile technology, a maximum brightness item has appeared in the Z3 parameters. If the first feature makes the picture in the video player more saturated and clear, then the extreme brightness mode improves the image even more. It looks interesting and lively, I advise you to try it. If you don't like it, you can always disable the feature.

Specifications and productivity

It is best to track the dynamics of changes using a comparative table between old and new smartphones (changes are reflected in red).

In terms of raw numbers, the Z3 isn't much to brag about. The processor clock speed has increased slightly, the battery capacity has decreased to accommodate the thickness of the case, and nothing else interesting.

The flagship still works perfectly in any applications, flies through the menu, even opens instantly heavy applications and so on. Compared to the Z2, the difference in launching heavy toys is approximately 5-10% in favor of the Z3, of course. There's not much to talk about here. We still have one of the most powerful smartphones On the market.

In synthetic tests, the gap between generations is even smaller. Let's look at the screenshots (on the left are the results of the new product, and on the right are the Z2 indicators:

Photo capabilities

The camera in the Z3 deserves a separate analysis.

Compared to its predecessor, the quality of the images has improved, if not by an order of magnitude, then by half an order of magnitude. In addition, the number of preset shooting scenarios and various presets has increased.

First, a little about the numbers. The same proprietary Exmor RS photo module with a resolution of 20.7 MP is installed here. The physical size of the matrix is ​​1/2.3. Sony notes that the maximum sensitivity of the matrix reaches ISO 12,800. Of course, this threshold is only available when shooting in super auto mode. At manual setting cameras, you can select a maximum of ISO 3200. I was unable to take photos in the dark with a sensitivity higher than ISO 3200, even in super-automatic mode, but the manufacturer still declared this possibility.

I propose to compare pictures taken on both devices under the same conditions and with the same settings. The resolution of all frames is 3264 x 2448 (8 MP), HDR mode is enabled by default. On the left are shots taken with the Xperia Z3, and on the right is its predecessor, the Xperia Z2.

Without HDR (left) and with the function enabled dynamic range(below are shots taken only on the Z3):

Now let's look at pictures taken with both devices (Z3 on the left as before) at a resolution of 5248 x 3936 (20.7 MP) and image stabilization enabled.

Of course, both devices can do panoramic views (panorama with Z3 on the left):

100% crop (Xperia Z3):

100% crop (Xperia Z2):

So, additional modes.

Face in (with face) allows you to take pictures from two cameras at once: front and rear. The frame with its own face can be changed in size and moved across the screen from place to place, but its design cannot be changed.

Remember the AR effect with virtual dinosaurs and all sorts of fairy-tale gnomes? All this was in the Z2 and other models of the Xperia series.

Now, in addition to this mode, the developers have also preinstalled AR entertainment. You can throw bombs directly into the frame, draw a 3D picture, burn the frame with fire, and so on. It looks very funny and can, even if only for a short time, entertain a group of friends.

Even in the Sony Xperia Z1 Compact, I really liked the shooting mode, which is well suited for shooting children, pets and other actively moving objects. The camera independently takes 60 different frames, from which, so to speak, without leaving the cash register, you can choose the best one and save it.

The operating principle is the same. Everything is done very clearly. You can select the part of the video you like and save it immediately.

A pre-selected section of the video is produced in slo-mo (slow motion) style, and everything else is of normal duration. The scenario is not new, and it is also present in Z2, however, the feature is interesting and deserves attention.

I would like to note that you should not get too carried away with these two modes. Literally all captured frames that were not saved are carefully stored in the smartphone. separate folder, which is not visible from the Gallery. Taking advantage file manager they can be detected and removed if necessary to clean up the space.

There is an opportunity to shoot photos with sound. The duration of the audio stream can be changed while shooting. Viewing, of course, is only possible on the device.

Among the new products we also added multicamera mode. The point is this. The viewfinder is divided into two parts. The first is responsible for shooting with the Z3, and the second receives a signal from the connected device. The mode is only compatible with Xperia devices. Unfortunately, I was unable to connect the Z2, despite the fact that it is the most Xperia device. On the latter, at the moment of connection, a window that was clearly not needed at the moment popped up. Maybe it's a matter of software Z3. The OS version is currently being actively developed, so it is very likely that this defect will be corrected in the future.

Screenshots of the camera interface are shown below. Fundamentally, the appearance of the photo application has not changed.

You can find a description of the remaining modes yourself in our review.

Front-camera

A 2.2 megapixel matrix is ​​used with a wide-angle (25 mm) G Lens lens. The maximum resolution of pictures and videos, including FullHD (1920 x 1080, 16:9). In the settings you can activate the HDR setting and stabilizer. Of course, they don't work together. Apart from the updated lens, there are no innovations here.

Video shooting

The video camera is capable of recording videos in a maximum resolution of 3840 by 2160 pixels at 30 frames per second.

There is a SteadyShot image stabilization function. The peculiarity of her work is as follows. Intelligent Active Mode technology and built-in sensors responsible for recognizing the position of the smartphone in space help the system evaluate the image frame by frame and compensate for hand vibrations. With active stabilization, the resolution drops to 1080p and the frame rate to 30.

Example FullHD video:

Sound

On the front side, top and bottom, there are external speakers, which have been redesigned and begin to reproduce sound an order of magnitude louder and clearer than it was in the Z2. The difference is especially noticeable in dynamic and loud toys. At maximum volume, the entire body of the smartphone begins to resonate, but in this case this is not bad. I didn't notice any extraneous squeaks or rattles.

The S-Force Front Surround setting, which is activated from the player menu, in my opinion, only spoils the picture. The speakers sound very good and clear without it.

In the headphone playback settings, there is a five-band equalizer in its rightful place, a ClearBass setting, as well as interesting sound presets for various branded headphones.

As for the sound through third-party headphones, everything is fine here. top level. As in other smartphones from the company, in my opinion, the ClearAudio+ setting makes the sound a little richer and more interesting. Otherwise, they appeared additional settings audio effects.

The video player has also not changed and supports the following files for playback: 3GPP, MP4, Matroska, AVI, Xvid, WebM.

PS4 Remote Play

Only in new series devices (I'm talking about Z3, Z3 Compact and Z3 Tablet compact) support for PS4 has been added, the essence of which is as follows. You can stream the game directly from the console to your smartphone and continue playing literally from pause using DUALSHOCK4.

I think it’s clear that you need a fourth version console and the same joystick. The smartphone and console must be connected to the same wireless network. In addition, do not forget about the special mount for the device on the controller.

Battery

Interestingly, the manufacturer installed a smaller battery in the new smartphone: 3100 mAh in the Z3 versus 3200 in the Z2. This is obviously due to a decrease in the thickness of the case and overall dimensions. The battery is, of course, non-removable.

Reducing the battery capacity had no effect on the time battery life. One day with very high load you will be provided with. With moderate handling of the device (two hours of Internet via 3G, two hours via Wi-Fi, several dozen pictures from the main camera, an hour of listening to music through headphones), you can hope for a day and a half of work. Not more.

If it suddenly becomes clear that the battery charge may not be enough, then you should activate STAMINA mode, which disables all synchronization and communications of the smartphone to the outside world while the smartphone screen is turned off.

In Z3, the developers also added the Ultra STAMINA mode, in which the system cuts off almost all applications and communication with the outside world, with the exception of the phone function, messages, FM radio, camera, alarm clock and several other utilities. In this scenario, the device can survive even at 30 percent charge for an additional 3-4 days.

Bottom line

Over the past years, I have been watching with great interest the development of the flagship line from Sony. From generation to generation, Sony refines its products and with each new release, you want to stop and say: “This is it!” The same can be said about the Z3. However, there is still room for growth. You can install even more quality camera, upgrade the processor to Qualcomm Snapdragon 805, remove the blue in the screen, etc. Do users need this? But where to go, because in January we will most likely see a new flagship.

Is it worth spending your money on the Sony Xperia Z3?

There are two possible scenarios:

1. You are the owner of a Sony Z2. In this case, I think there is no point in changing your smartphone. The second “zedka” remains and will remain current smartphone at least another year. Excellent performance here good camera and there is an interesting design. All the improvements of the new smartphone are not worth switching to it from the Z2.

2. You are the owner of Sony Z, Z1 or have not yet joined the 2014 flagship users. In this situation, I would advise you to opt for the Z3. At least try holding the smartphone in your hands before making the final purchase. This is not the best camera on the market, but it is a very good camera with a great variety of additional effects. The new Japanese flagship is very powerful and, I think, the most important thing is here best design On the market. I’ll say something terrible, but the Xperia Z3, in my opinion, looks better than the iPhone 6. And the design for a device costing 29,990–38,990 rubles (as of early February 2015) is important.