The Leitz Phone 1, a Leica brand smartphone, was released by Softbank on July 16th. Smartphones with Leica cameras have been released by Huawei so far, but they clearly appealed that the image sensor and lens were designed by Leica, and internally the same "AQUOS R6" was released in advance. However, "Leitz Phone 1" is the first to be released as a "Leica smartphone" by adopting its own appearance, UI, and Leica's unique monochrome photo mode "Leitz Looks".
I'm wondering why it's not being released globally.
Now, Engadget has already published articles related to the Leitz Phone 1, but what you are most interested in is the camera. So this time, I compared it with the iPhone 12 Pro Max and Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G. For detailed specifications, please see the related article below.
Leitz Phone 1 Related Articles
What is the difference between "Leitz Phone 1" and "AQUOS R6"? Thorough examination of Leica's first smartphone
Leica is more solid than I imagined. Behind-the-scenes story behind the development of Leitz Phone 1 (On Ishikawa)
However, the camera used this time is only the standard camera, and the camera mode is up to the smartphone. In addition, compare with the image taken out of JPEG. Furthermore, Engadget cannot post the photos taken in their original resolution due to the specifications of the site, so they are all resized. With that in mind, please compare each photo. I think you can see the difference in color and dynamic range.
■Bokeh effect unique to a 1-inch image sensor
The beauty of the Leitz Phone 1 camera is the blur effect unique to a 1-inch image sensor. Recent smartphones are equipped with a "portrait mode" that blurs the background in software, and the Leitz Phone 1 also has a "background blur", but I personally don't feel the need. I think that the bokeh that is not artificial is a big advantage of Leitz Phone 1.
Taken with Leitz Phone 1
Image information: 5472x3648 (Jpeg, YUV420, sRGB), Focal length: 6.85mm (35mm equivalent focal length: 18mm), Shutter speed: 0.000384s (1/2605), F value: f/1.9, ISO sensitivity: 50, Exposure mode: Program (auto), Metering method: Center weight
Taken with iPhone 12 Pro Max
Image information: 4032x3024 (Jpeg, YUV420, ICC profile), Focal length: 5.10mm (35mm equivalent focal length: 26mm), Shutter speed: 0.000342s (1/2924), F value: f/1.6, ISO sensitivity : 32, Exposure Mode: Program (auto), Metering Method: Pattern
Taken with Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G
Image information: 4000x3000 (Jpeg, YUV420, sRGB), Focal length: 6.70mm (35mm equivalent focal length: 24mm), Shutter speed: 0.001s (1/730), F value: f/1.8, ISO sensitivity: 16, Exposure mode: Program (auto), Metering method: Center weight
■ Faithful & Subdued Coloring that Different Preferences
Coloring that people have different tastes. Not limited to the two examples below, the Leitz Phone 1 has faithful coloring at best, and subdued coloring at worst. However, if you compare it quickly, there is no doubt that the iPhone 12 Pro Max and Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G are "brighter pictures", but when you compare the details again, the Leitz Phone 1 has the most subtle gradation. It looks like If you want to finely adjust the colors on the PC after shooting and finish the picture, it seems that the picture of Leitz Phone 1 is easy to use as a material.
Taken with Leitz Phone 1
Image information: 5472x3648 (Jpeg, YUV420, sRGB), Focal length: 6.85mm (35mm equivalent focal length: 18mm), Shutter speed: 0.000438s (1/2281), F value: f/1.9, ISO sensitivity: 50, Exposure mode: Program (auto), Metering method: Center weight
Taken with iPhone 12 Pro Max
Image information: 4032x3024 (Jpeg, YUV420, ICC profile), Focal length: 5.10mm (35mm equivalent focal length: 26mm), Shutter speed: 0.000842s (1/1188), F value: f/1.6, ISO sensitivity : 32, Exposure Mode: Program (auto), Metering Method: Pattern
Taken with Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G
Image information: 4000x3000 (Jpeg, YUV420, sRGB), Focal length: 6.70mm (35mm equivalent focal length: 24mm), Shutter speed: 0.002s (1/573), F value: f/1.8, ISO sensitivity: 16, Exposure mode: Program (auto), Metering method: Center weight
Taken with Leitz Phone 1
Image information: 5472x3648 (Jpeg, YUV420, sRGB), Focal length: 6.85mm (35mm equivalent focal length: 18mm), Shutter speed: 0.000197s (1/5066), F value: f/1.9, ISO sensitivity: 50, Exposure mode: Program (auto), Metering method: Center weight
Taken with iPhone 12 Pro Max
Image information: 4032x3024 (Jpeg, YUV420, ICC profile), Focal length: 5.10mm (35mm equivalent focal length: 26mm), Shutter speed: 0.000178s (1/5618), F value: f/1.6, ISO sensitivity : 32, Exposure Mode: Program (auto), Metering Method: Pattern
Taken with Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G
Image information: 4000x3000 (Jpeg, YUV420, sRGB), Focal length: 6.70mm (35mm equivalent focal length: 24mm), Shutter speed: 0.000713s (1/1402), F value: f/1.8, ISO sensitivity: 16, Exposure mode: Program (auto), Metering method: Center weight
■Night mode is prone to camera shake, so you might want to turn it off
On the other hand, I have to say that night view photography is pretty tough. Although it changes depending on the brightness of the night view, camera shake occurs frequently when shooting for a long time. Also, even though it looked like it was in focus on the smartphone screen, it was often a little off in reality. Furthermore, whiteout in bright areas is noticeable.
In addition to the iPhone 12 Pro Max and Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G, other flagship smartphones can be handheld and shoot night scenes without blurring and overexposure. I would like to expect that it will be improved with a software update.
Taken with Leitz Phone 1
Image information: 5472x3648 (Jpeg, YUV420, sRGB), Focal length: 6.85mm (35mm equivalent focal length: 18mm), Shutter speed: 0.020s (1/50), F value: f/1.9, ISO sensitivity: 1237, Exposure mode: Program (auto), Metering method: Center weight
Taken with iPhone 12 Pro Max
Image information: 4032x3024 (Jpeg, YUV420, ICC profile), Focal length: 5.10mm (35mm equivalent focal length: 26mm), Shutter speed: 0.040s (1/25), F value: f/1.6, ISO sensitivity : 500, Exposure Mode: Program (auto), Metering Method: Pattern
Taken with Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G
Image information: 4000x3000 (Jpeg, YUV420, sRGB), Focal length: 6.70mm (35mm equivalent focal length: 24mm), Shutter speed: 0.030s (1/33), F value: f/1.8, ISO sensitivity: 640, Exposure mode: Program (auto), Metering method: Center weight
Taken with Leitz Phone 1
Image information: 5472x3648 (Jpeg, YUV420, sRGB), Focal length: 6.85mm (35mm equivalent focal length: 18mm), Shutter speed: 0.078s (1/13), F value: f/1.9, ISO sensitivity: 1125, Exposure mode: Program (auto), Metering method: Center weight
Taken with iPhone 12 Pro Max
Image information: 4032x3024 (Jpeg, YUV420, ICC profile), Focal length: 5.10mm (35mm equivalent focal length: 26mm), Shutter speed: 0.111s (1/9), Exposure compensation: 0.12 eV, F value: f/1.6, ISO sensitivity: 800, Exposure mode: Program (auto), Metering method: Pattern
Taken with Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G
Image information: 4000x3000 (Jpeg, YUV420, sRGB), Focal length: 6.70mm (35mm equivalent focal length: 24mm), Shutter speed: 0.111s (1/9), F value: f/1.8, ISO sensitivity: 1000, Exposure mode: Program (auto), Metering method: Center weight
■Waking up to monochrome photography with "Leitz Looks"
I was unexpectedly addicted to Leitz Looks, a monochrome photography mode unique to Leica. Actually, I've never taken a black-and-white photo before, but when I tried taking a black-and-white photo this time, it felt fresh that the lack of color evokes memories of the scene. That said, there were some photos that made me think, ``Maybe it would have been better to have taken them in color,'' so I think it would be nice if they recorded both monochrome and color. This may be the manufacturer's preference, but...
Taken with Leitz Phone 1
Image information: 5472x3648 (Jpeg, YUV420, sRGB), Focal length: 6.85mm (35mm equivalent focal length: 18mm), Shutter speed: 0.000273s (1/3660), F value: f/1.9, ISO sensitivity: 51, Exposure mode: Program (auto), Metering method: Center weight
Taken with Leitz Phone 1 (* Numbers are mosaicked)
Image information: 5472x3648 (Jpeg, YUV420, sRGB), Focal length: 6.85mm (35mm equivalent focal length: 18mm), Shutter speed: 0.000224s (1/4457), F value: f/1.9, ISO sensitivity: 52, Exposure mode: Program (auto), Metering method: Center weight
Taken with Leitz Phone 1
Image information: 5472x3648 (Jpeg, YUV420, sRGB), Focal length: 6.85mm (35mm equivalent focal length: 18mm), Shutter speed: 0.008s (1/120), F value: f/1.9, ISO sensitivity: 50, Exposure mode: Program (auto), Metering method: Center weight
■ A device that should be bought by those who enjoy "habit" as "taste" ) I felt that the Leitz Phone 1 has a lot of quirks in terms of usability, such as the troublesome lens cap. At least it's not a smartphone for everyone. I think that it is a terminal that you should buy if you can enjoy "habit" as "taste".
The act of removing the lens cap may be an enjoyable ritual, but I'm afraid I'll get rid of it soon. I just want an inexpensive plastic lens cap for everyday use
