Buzz
In spring, a hundred species of flowers vie for bloom, but the most splendid of all is the cherry blossom. Around March 20 every year, when cherry blossoms display their heart-touching beauty, numerous magazines and online platforms overflow with articles on capturing cherry blossoms, adjusting colors, lens choices, and more...Camera sales during this period are undoubtedly soaring, despite the era dominated by camera phones. Many people, including young moms and girls, still invest in a dedicated camera for themselves.Illustrative photos below were captured using Fujifilm X-T20, equipped with a 50-230 F5.6-6.7 lens, and Pop Color profile.
The shots below were taken with an XF 50 F2.0 lens, featuring the Classic Chrome profile.
Comparing photos taken with X-T20 to the ones below, all were shot at an 18mm focal length on the 18-55 F2.8-4.0 lens for consistency among the three devices. The order of arranged photos is Galaxy S10e → iPhone 13 mini → X-T20.This time, for capturing the breathtaking landscapes, I decided to opt for Fuji's Velvia profile (vibrant). Though not the boldest color scheme Fuji offers, it was too vivid, overshadowing the intricate details. Wonder if Sam's favorite, the saturation-packed Fuji representative, outshines this. Left all other Fuji settings on automatic.Ascending Thượng TrìAs this place is close to the company office, I chose to visit Ascending Thượng Trì with the Tokyo tower right behind me.Capturing the Grand Palace and Tran Quoc Pagoda in photos
The photos from the s10e continue Sam's tradition of vibrant gold, exceptionally golden. The 13 mini tones down the gold, revealing more details in the sky compared to the s10e. As for the X-T20, the photos are dark, and the sky lacks the intricacies found in the smartphone shots. A disadvantage of the camera without on-the-spot HDR.Ascending Thượng Trì Assembly Hall
13 mini beautifully reproduces the sky, followed by the s10e, overall brighter and more user-friendly than the representative mirrorless.For capturing simple architectural shots for social media, a smartphone is sufficient; using a camera involves copying and tinkering with brightness, generally a bit cumbersome.By the way, this is inside the Grand Palace. Since my 13 mini can't mute the shutter sound, only shots with the X-T20 are feasible. The electronic viewfinder of the X-T20 comes in handy.
Now heading to the cherry blossoms near the Tomb of Tokugawa Shogun's family.
At first glance, the vibrant and beautiful colors from Fuji's Velvia profile are apparent, but the sky is barely visible. With cherry blossoms, the S10e should ideally add some green, but it sticks to the traditional vivid gold of the brand. Compared to the Samsung representative, the 13 mini is equally vibrant, so those worried about iPhone photos being dull can rest easy.
iPhone seems to have noticed some overly bright flowers and tried to adjust, making them look submerged. This time, Samsung's yellow looks beautiful, highlighting the moss color, and the flowers appear brighter than on the iPhone. Fuji, on the other hand, produces the most beautiful photos.
Same row of trees as before, mainly to showcase Fuji's enchanting cherry blossom hues. This is why people still use cameras to capture cherry blossoms. Although the 13 mini came out years after the s10e, there isn't much difference in photo quality. The s10e seems to bring out even more beautiful leaf colors than the 13 mini.
This time, the photos from the 13 mini are even more vivid than the s10e. Some colors are even richer than the X-T20, with just the right amount of light. The s10e, on the other hand, is a bit too bright, making the photos seem lacking in contrast.The famous Tokyo Tower; those who've watched Detective Conan episode 304 will recognize it instantly.
Thanks to integrated HDR, the two smartphone representatives have ample room for expression. Among them, Samsung produces the most pleasing photo, clearly illuminating the rows of trees below, and the colors of the flowers remain vibrant. As for Fuji, no need to discuss further; with a bit of tweaking here and there, the photos will turn out beautifully.Thousand Cherry Blossom Trees (Zenbonzakura) along the Meguro RiverNow is the time to compare the low-light shooting capabilities of these cameras.Stumbled upon a line of 1000 cherry blossom trees along the Meguro River by chance while getting off at Gotanda station to withdraw money.True to its name, the Meguro River (Black Stream) is both long, wide, and odorous. It's thanks to the cherry blossom trees that people come close; otherwise, they usually avoid it.
With rows of vibrant flowers on both sides and the sunset casting its glow in the distance. I must admit, the s10e handles it beautifully, the colors of the flowers truly stand out. The 13 mini, despite being marketed as a later model, doesn't quite pop. The colors from Fuji are undoubtedly beautiful, but where's my sunset scene? ┗|｀O′|┛
Not sure why Fuji produces colors like this in this shot. The smartphone representatives tend to overprocess, making the photo look too sharp-edged.
Samsung delivers beautiful flower colors, with bright and detailed photos. Apple has photos with slightly better light and details, but the flower colors are less vibrant. Fuji, on the other hand, appears the darkest.
Not often mentioned, but Sam's smartphone, the s10e, has a starburst effect in night shots, something the iPhone still doesn't have. The s10e still produces well-balanced night photos compared to the aging 13 mini. So, has phone camera technology not really improved after all these years? Fuji produces dark photos, but they look beautiful nonetheless. Achieving the starburst effect requires adjusting the aperture, exposure, or increasing ISO, which can be quite bothersome.Cherry blossoms on the walls of Takasaki Castle, Gunma
Now it's completely dark, quite challenging for the cameras. Not sure if the s10e automatically switched to night mode, but it produced a bright photo with the perfect cherry blossom pink. The iPhone 13 mini has night mode, but it doesn't seem significantly better than the s10e, and the colors look dull. As for Fuji, I think manual adjustments and a tripod are necessary for better photos.
Similar to the previous photo, Samsung knows how to choose colors for the most pleasing image. Apple, with too much yellow, loses the cherry blossom pink. Fuji requires manual adjustments; the automatic mode isn't very smart.Cityscape near Takasaki Station
The starburst effect of the s10e is showcased here, exhibiting excellent brightness and detail. The iPhone 13 mini, with its automatic night mode, delivers the best color and detail this time.
This shot reveals the limitations of technology from a few years ago, lacking detail, and overexposed in the signs. The starburst effect doesn't seem smart enough to add to other light sources besides a few small lights.In street photography, it seems like the 13 mini excels, producing sharp images, handling light well, reducing overexposure, and delivering vibrant colors.Fuji's colors are already beautiful, but it seems like increasing the ISO for this scene would help brighten the photo.ConclusionIt seems that camera phones still need improvement in capturing complex scenes with intricate details like cherry blossoms.Professional cameras still have the ability to produce vibrant colors and better details, but users need to be willing to learn, manually adjust settings, and choose appropriate lenses to achieve the best results. That's why people still invest millions in buying cameras and high-quality lenses to capture cherry blossoms and many other landscapes.The most surprising aspect for me is still the night photography capability of the Galaxy S10e. Despite its age, it still produces bright photos with beautiful colors, avoiding the yellowish tint seen in daytime shots. For quick and efficient nighttime cherry blossom photography, I'll stick with the s10e.Despite the iPhone 13 mini boasting advanced night mode, its handling of botanical colors still appears too muted. Its strength seems to lie in street photography with sparkling signage lights. For street shots, I opt for the iPhone 13 mini.
