Camera test: HTC MyTouch 4G vs One M8 vs digital camera

[Aniallation]

Well I have nothing better to do, and I just happened to come up with the idea of doing a quick comparison test between the three devices that happened to be sitting on the table next to me. 
 
The HTC One M8, the latest flagship from HTC, with it's 4MP "Ultrapixel" camera and dual LED two-tone flash
The HTC MyTouch 4G, one of the smartphones to have back in late 2010, with it's 5MP camera and single LED flash
The Sony DSC-H50, not quite a DSLR, but better then a point and shoot. 2008 had it's days, with its 9MP sensor, 15x optical zoom, and Xenon flash
 
Just took a few tests around the house to see some quick comparison. Didn't do any zoom shots because a) for the sake of being on a forum the devices had image size set to VGA natively (not resized) and B) everyone knows digital zoom on phones sucks unless you have a Nokia PureView 808 or Lumia 1020. 
 
Close up test: 1/24 scale Honda Civic

HTC MyTouch 4G

HTC One (M8)

Sony DSC-H50


The HTC One and Sony camera both captured lots of detail, however with the One delivering much more light into the shot, which may be preferable to some people, and a con for others. The MyTouch 4G, although produced a more grainy and noisy image, seems to have the most realistic color reproduction, especially in areas such as the paint job with the off-color driver side door and amber turn signal.
 
Winner: Draw 

 
Room test: Storage room

MyTouch 4G

HTC One (M8)

Sony DSC-H50

 
Although the HTC One produced the most detailed image, it again comes in brightest, causing some areas of extreme white to become too bright. The aging MyTouch 4G starts to show it's age.
 
Winner: Sony DSC-H50 

 
Dark test: Shelf in dark room, with lighting provided by Toshiba Tecra R700 laptop at maximum brightness sitting 1.5m from shelf

MyTouch 4G

HTC One M8

Sony DSC-H50

 
The brightness of the UltraPixel sensor gave the HTC One the leading edge here, over the dim Sony and almost pitch black MyTouch 4G.
 
Winner: HTC One M8 

 
Dark test with flash: Same situation as above, however using having the devices built in flash enabled.

MyTouch 4G

HTC One (M8)

Sony DSC-H50

 
This test actually really surprised me. Although the MyTouch 4G produced a noticeably noisier and slightly dimmer image, it put up quite a good fight against the HTC One, and if I wasn't comparing these pics side by side I'd be hard pressed to tell that it came from a phone that's almost 4 years old. Detail is still good and the content is still easily comprehendable. However both were no match for the Sony, who's Xenon flash gave it the win in brightness, detail, and color accuracy.
 
Winner: Sony DSC-H50 

 
Outdoor test: Quick snap of my backyard

HTC MyTouch 4G

HTC One (M8)

Sony DSC-H50

 
In the final test, the HTC One again had overexposure in very bright areas. The MyTouch 4G actually seemed to produce the "nicest" image, with quite a lot of detail, and really nice colors. The Sony however, did provide the more realistic colors. To some people the Sony might take the win here, but I know many people who would actually prefer the MyTouch 4G.

 

Winner: Tie - Sony DSC-H50 and HTC MyTouch 4G 

 

Overall Scoring:

HTC MyTouch 4G - 2

HTC One (M8) - 2

Sony DSC-H50 - 4

 

Looks like the discrete digital camera, despite it's age, still reigns best. However it's really interesting to see how far we've come with cell phone cameras. The most interesting thing to me was how well the MyTouch 4G has held up over almost four years, still being able to be put against the latest $700 flagship from HTC and being able to strut it's stuff and put up a good fight. 

 

This post wasn't really for anything, but it did take a lot of time, so please like and reply!

[WyvernAbstracts]

is that a one direction image i spotted? im done with life 

[terrytek]

lol, not to be the spoiler, but that Civic looks riced.

[qwertywarrior]

well the sensor size of the H50 is 1/2.3 vs the M8 which is at 1/3.0

pretty close in terms of sensor size

[Brazsty]

Why one direction???

Nice review btw

[Aniallation]

lol, not to be the spoiler, but that Civic looks riced.

Says the guy with Clarkson as his profile picture

[terrytek]

Says the guy with Clarkson as his profile picture

Jeremy Clarkson doesn't approve.

[Aniallation]

is that a one direction image i spotted? im done with life 

 

 

Why one direction???

Nice review btw

 

Cause everyone has personal preferences and that happens to be mine. I practically have part of the mind of a girl and to be honest I don't mind that one bit. Besides, you should see the walls around the shelf where the dark pics were taken

 

[Aniallation]

Jeremy Clarkson doesn't approve.

Oh we all know Clarkson loves his rice. 

 

It even has a ricer giant subwoofer in the trunk (which actually works btw)

 

[terrytek]

Oh we all know Clarkson loves his rice. 

 

It even has a ricer giant subwoofer in the trunk (which actually works btw)

 

Dude, that ain't his, you fool. It's a knockoff.

[Aniallation]

Dude, that ain't his, you fool. It's a knockoff.

What are you saying

[WyvernAbstracts]

Cause everyone has personal preferences and that happens to be mine. I practically have part of the mind of a girl and to be honest I don't mind that one bit. Besides, you should see the walls around the shelf where the dark pics were taken

 

o my fucking god, i will find you, i will burn you, than i will steal your posters. 

[Jade]

I'd like to see a comparison of one of those Nokia cameras in the mix. Perhaps to the Sony one though.

[Aniallation]

I'd like to see a comparison of one of those Nokia cameras in the mix. Perhaps to the Sony one though.

I don't have one of the Nokia phones with the PureView cameras, but if I do get them I'll make sure to take pics!