Sony Xperia 1 VIII Announced

Camera – Upgraded Telephoto

Sony has faced a lot of criticism for its smartphone cameras, and this goes all the way back to when to when I first bought my Xperia Z1. The phone featured a rather large (for the time) 20.3MP 1/2.3″ sensor. The camera was decent in good lighting, but it had its issues, many of which were related to the algorithm/processing. Fast forward 13 years, and the same issues persist. Large sensors, but let down by the algorithm/processing. A story as old as time /s.

The new model keeps the same wide angle and main cameras, but upgrades the telephoto camera, which uses the same sensor as the wide angle lens.

• Wide
  • 48MP, 1/1.56″ Exmor RS, F2.0, 16mm
  • IMX906
• Main
  • 48MP, 1/1.35″ Exmor T, F1.9, 24mm
  • IMX888/Lytia LYT-800
• Telepohoto
  • 48Mp, 1/1.56″, Exmor R, F2.8, 70mm
  • IMX906

All rear cameras can record up to 4K @ 24/30/60/120fps and with HDR, the same as the previous model.

The upgraded telephoto uses Sony’s IMX906 Exmor RS sensor, which Sony introduced last year in the Xperia 1 VII’s wide angle lens. It is almost 4 times larger than the previous IMX650 telephoto sensor. The larger sensor should improve the quality of the telephoto, providing sharper and more detailed images, and at the same time reducing the level of noise. The aperture on the new telephoto lens is fixed at F2.8, where as the previous model’s was variable, from F2.3 (85mm) to F3.5 (170mm). The old telephoto is 0.6 stops faster at 85mm vs 70mm, but on bright well lit days, this should not be an issue. With less light, the slower F2.8 lens could perform worse than F2.3, but in comparison photos from Sony, we can see this is not case.

The telephoto does not have any actual optical zoom capability, with the 70mm focal length being fixed, and the 140mm focal length an in-sensor zoom.

Sony does not have a direct comparison of the new telephoto lens assembly with the previous model, but thanks to Phileweb’s article, we have a photo of the 2 telephoto assemblies.

The Xperia 1 VIII telephoto assembly is taller to accommodate the larger sensor. The length is less, as there is no optical zoom, so fewer lens components are required in the assembly.

Looking at photo samples from GSMArena’s review for the telephoto lens, it does appear that the 140mm zoom is in-sensor and looks to be using an algorithm to improve/enhance the photos. While I suspect it uses AI for this, I cannot be 100% certain. I have used some AI image upscaling in the past, and the smooth edges, especially around the text is evident in the 140mm photos. It would be great is Sony offered the ability to have the 140mm shots with minimal enhancement.

It is difficult to see from the top comparison photo, so make sure to check out the photos in the review to see the photos in their original resolution and quality.

In Sony’s Q&A video on YouTube, there are 3 slides where they compare the new 70mm camera to the previous 85mm. The difference in the quality of the photos is impressive, especially in low light, where the slower F2.8 lens should not perform as good as the F2.3.

Low light Comparison

The new 1VIII telephoto provides a lot more detail, sharpness, and less noise when compared to 1 VII telephoto. Even the brightness is slightly better on the new model. The algorithm/processing does appear to smooth out some of the edges more, but overall the new telephoto is a big leap forward, and the superior choice.

Portrait (Bokeh Mode)

In good proper lighting, the old 1 VII telephoto produced decent results, but the new 1 VIII telephoto is superior, providing more details, a more natural skin tone, and with Bokeh mode turned on, an improved subject/background border transition, resulting in a better more natural looking photo.

Portrait – Low light

Low light is where the new telephoto demonstrates its new capabilities, providing sharper, detailed and less noisy photos versus the previous telephoto.

While I do not think the new Xperia 1 VIII will be the top phone to beat when it comes to camera, it does have the capability to shot some really good photos in the right hands. The telephoto is a proper improvement in the new model, and a solid reason for upgrading from an older model. But if you do not use the telephoto much, the 1 VII provides the same wide and main cameras.

Improved Bokeh Mode

Sony has improved the Bokeh Mode in the new model, while it is difficult to see in the photos from the website below, the 70mm portrait photo from Sony above does show a better border between the person and background. The final result will depend on the lighting and background. Having the subject in the foreground, with the background further away, would yield the best results.

Both the 1 VII and 1 VIII have “Real-time Eye AF”using AI processing to deliver real-time tracking and real-time eye autofocus. From Sony’s Q&A video, the focusing does appear to be faster, especially in low light conditions. No doubt the improved focus from AI is due to the new SD8 Elite Gen 5 SoC and the improved telephoto.

Improved Aut0-Framing

Sony has also improved the Auto-Framing function, previously only available on the 16mm and 24mm in the 1 VII, the new 1 VIII brings the Auto-frame feature to the 70mm as well.

AI Camerawork

Using AI, the new Xperia 1 VIII has the ability to frame a subject in a scene so they are always in the centre of the frame and in focus. Posture Estimation is able to keep the framing stable and accurate, together with enhanced stabilization, shots are smooth. This feature is only available on 16mm and 24mm. AI Camerawork is also available on the 1 VII, but I suspect there are improvements on the new model just like the Real-time Eye AF was improved as well.