Camera Lab Test Scores iPhone 6s on Same Level as iPhone 6

In a new review for the iPhone 6s, DxOMark concluded that the camera on the 2015 iPhone line deserved a score of 82, equal to that of the score it gave for the iPhone 6 one year ago. The website measured seven factors (exposure and contrast, color, autofocus, texture, noise, artifacts, and flash) to determine an overall score for the camera on the iPhone 6s, giving the lowest marks to texture and noise (via CNET).

Scores-photo

From our tests, images are generally well-exposed and for the most part colors are vivid and pleasing outdoors. However, there are occasional differences in exposure noticeable between consecutive captures in very bright outdoor scenes, typically due to the inconsistent activation of the HDR mode.

There is also a slight but consistent underexposure in extremely low light levels (5 lux); the result however is still quite usable and an improvement over the iPhone 6. White balance is reliable though inevitably some inaccuracies were noticeable at times, with a slight yellow cast visible in some outdoor scenes. Although this cast was present in captures from the iPhone 6 the cast was slightly stronger and more noticeable on the 6s.

A score of 82 is the same as the iPhone 6 in 2014, but also behind the 87 given to the Sony Xperia Z5 and the 86-scoring Samsung Galaxy S6 Edge. Apple's rivals also won in a series of similar video tests, scoring between four and six points higher than the 80 awarded to the iPhone 6s.

DxOMark's closing statement regarding the new iPhone line is a bit similar to the overall consensus found elsewhere online regarding the iPhone 6s and iPhone 6s Plus. The French optics and image processing firm described the smartphone as a "good balance of performance and top-notch user experience," but not an entirely compelling upgrade from an iPhone 6 or 6 Plus, especially when considering solely the camera and video tests conducted by the firm.

Tag: DxOMark

Buyer's Guide: iPhone XR (Buy Now)

Top Rated Comments

(View all)

Pelea

39 months ago

The new iPhone cameras are pretty much certainly the best available in any smartphone anywhere.

purple is pretty much certainly the best available color out of any color anywhere.

Rating: 16 Votes

oneMadRssn

39 months ago

I knew it, they just half-assesly bumped up the pixel count on the same sensor size.

If the pixel count is higher, but the noise, artifacts, color, etc. are no worse, than that is a great improvement. Typically, higher pixel count means more noise, more artifacts, worse color, etc. The fact they got higher pixels without sacrificing the other attributes is great.

This means the picture is just as good as before, except you can crop it more without worrying about loosing detail, or you can zoom further in after taking the photo than you could before.

Rating: 10 Votes

Dilster3k

39 months ago

I knew it, they just half-assesly bumped up the pixel count on the same sensor size.

Rating: 7 Votes

doelcm82

39 months ago

I knew it, they just half-assesly bumped up the pixel count on the same sensor size.

If that's all they had done, the score would have been much lower for the 6S.

Rating: 7 Votes

ZacNicholson

39 months ago

I have the 6s + and i can tell the camera is better

Rating: 6 Votes

jrcsh6

39 months ago

I'm happy just to have why megapixel bump along simply to be able to crop and blow up in print. Having the image unchanged is perfectly fine with me. The 6 was already great.

Rating: 4 Votes

dannyyankou

39 months ago

If the image quality is just as good and has 50% more pixels, that's great.

Rating: 4 Votes

dumastudetto

39 months ago

Hmmmm well I have the 6/6 and 6s/6s Plus and can say categorically that the camera is infinitely better in the newer iPhones. The new iPhone cameras are pretty much certainly the best available in any smartphone anywhere.

Rating: 4 Votes

Genkakuzai

39 months ago

If the image quality is just as good and has 50% more pixels, that's great.

This. People don't seem to understand that it's quite a feat. Especially considering it has the same sized sensor.

Rating: 4 Votes

Corrode

39 months ago

Data analytics is one thing, but real-world use is entirely different, especially when you're creating something as subjective as a photograph.

I didn't have the 6, but coming from a 5s, the 6s' photos are incredible. My wife and I have a photography background and, for day to day use, have very much put away are DSLRs in favour of our new iPhone cameras. If you're not printing the photos but just posting them on social media, the iPhone 6s camera is really something. I have to keep asking my wife if she took her latest photo with her iPhone or DSLR.

Rating: 3 Votes

[ Read All Comments ]