Content warning: Galaxy Flip phone, opened with image of person showing thumbs up, standing on a glass table top No, megapixel count is not the sole factor you should consider when shopping for a phone. Although megapixel counts are important, other variables affect image
No, megapixel count is not the sole factor you should consider when shopping for a phone. Although megapixel counts are important, other variables affect image quality. The hardware, software, and your personal preference determine picture quality. To understand why megapixel count isn’t the ultimate arbiter of camera quality, it helps to know how smartphone cameras work, what each part does, and how their performance is quantified.
Light is the most critical thing all cameras need to work. Professional cameras can control how much light they receive by adjusting the aperture (the opening between the internal workings of the camera and the outside world). Still, smartphones mostly don’t have that luxury.
Samsung released some flagship phones a few years ago with variable aperture, and Huawei currently has the Mate 50 available with the feature. However, phone manufacturers don’t want to use the space or spend the money to put them in their phones.
Both the Google Pixel and the iPhone phones have far fewer pixel count numbers than many other brands, yet their photos are noticeably better than most other phones. In the Pixel’s case Google uses very smart software to compensate, but both do have larger apertures, allowing more light in especially for low light conditions.
But this is also why I look more at the DXOMark camera tests rather than just the technical specs of any phone’s camera. The proof of the pudding is in the eating, not what it looks like.
@Paolo Redaelli I wouldn't say "always". We already have 10x optical zoom and sensors are getting bigger on smartphones. The software has also advanced dramatically in terms of corrections. But even now, the "camera" you always have in your pocket can be better than the one usually left at home
@Paolo Redaelli it's not too bad on Android as you can easily install FOSS software via Fdroid store, or sideload APK files. The OS is a bit worse as some manufacturers make it really easy to root the phone or even install custom ROM software like LineageOS, whilst others have locked things down quite a bit on that front.
That's better that nothing, agreed. In fact I've been using an #android phone with #fdroid and #aurorastore without giving any credential to #gapps. But #googleplay constantly calls home and send metrics, even with no account set up. 😡🤬😠 I do have a #librem5 but I haven't yet tried to use it full-time as there's an important contact of mine who use #whatsapp .
@Paolo Redaelli yes I had a painful parting from WhatsApp myself a good 2 or 3 years back. Many I know are on Telegram, but I had a few diehard family memebrs and ex-work colleagues who stayed only on WhatsApp. But now I know where my real friends are! My conscience is clear at least.
a bit late to the conversation, let me suggest a promising privacy focused im @simplex as an addition to all the others suggested above. I also like @snikket_im b/c it is very easy to selfhost.
@grm I was going to propose to tech-savy people to use and embrace all those but then what to suggest to people aking for suggestions? @danie10 @simplex @snikket_im
@paoloredaelli We're working on Snikket being that thing to suggest. It's XMPP-based, and yes, you need a server. But we provide a service to set one up in a few clicks. Then you can invite people to it with a simple link.
There is a significant difference between developing and promoting a protocol (such as XMPP) and a product (such as Signal). Both approaches have their advantages and disadvantages.
Paolo Redaelli
in reply to Danie • • •Danie
in reply to Paolo Redaelli • • •Paolo Redaelli
in reply to Danie • • •Danie
in reply to Paolo Redaelli • • •Paolo Redaelli
in reply to Danie • • •Danie
in reply to Paolo Redaelli • • •Paolo Redaelli
in reply to Danie • • •I do have a #librem5 but I haven't yet tried to use it full-time as there's an important contact of mine who use #whatsapp .
Danie
in reply to Paolo Redaelli • • •Paolo Redaelli
in reply to Danie • • •- #telegram is not that good on #privacy
- #signal requires a phone number,
- #sessionapp relies on #blockchain, making some people unhappy,
- #xmpp (#conversations and others) requires a server
- #briar is not "fashionable"
- #jami uses Google notifications
I just can't find what to suggest to non #technically savvy people 😱😥
What do you suggest?
Mr. G :garfield:
in reply to Paolo Redaelli • • •Paolo Redaelli
in reply to Mr. G :garfield: • • •Our problem is that we have too much choices; since the value of a network is ∝n² (see https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Metcalfe%27s_law). I don't know how to behave.... @danie10 @simplex @snikket_im
empirical rule that that the value of a telecommunications network is proportional to the square of its number of users
Contributors to Wikimedia projects (Wikimedia Foundation, Inc.)Paolo Redaelli
in reply to Paolo Redaelli • • •Snikket
in reply to Paolo Redaelli • • •We're working on Snikket being that thing to suggest. It's XMPP-based, and yes, you need a server. But we provide a service to set one up in a few clicks. Then you can invite people to it with a simple link.
If your concern is network effects, only recommend open networks/protocols such as XMPP, Matrix and email (see DeltaChat). Some reasons are explained here: https://snikket.org/blog/products-vs-protocols/
@grm @danie10
Products vs Protocols: What Signal got right
snikket.orgChris Ely
in reply to Paolo Redaelli • • •https://getsession.org/faq#blockchain-storage
https://getsession.org/faq#swarms
https://getsession.org/faq#service-node
Here are three good options:
- Session @session
- SimpleX @simplex
- Threema @threemaapp
#SessionApp #Session
@paoloredaelli
@danie10
Frequently Asked Questions - Session Private Messenger
SessionPaolo Redaelli reshared this.
Chris Ely
in reply to Paolo Redaelli • • •Before the Pixel line, I was doing the same with Nexus phones without much hassle too.
@paoloredaelli
@danie10