
In this review, we’ll tackle the Xperia M5’s overall camera specifications, features and overall focusing performance, against four other smartphone competitors, which are carrying laser autofocus and phase detection feature. The competitors are the OnePlus 2, Asus’ Zenfone Selfie, Lenovo’s Vibe Shot and Samsung’s Galaxy Note 5. Can the Sony Xperia M5, carry itself on top, against these camera smartphone powerhouses? Lets find out.
We started things of, with OnePlus’ current leading handset, the OnePlus 2. Upon closer inspection on both devices’ outputs, we were able to determine that for video performance, the OnePlus 2 delivered over exposed shots, in comparison to the spot-on exposure that Sony Xperia M5’s output delivered. In terms of sharpness and overall focusing speed, it was seen that the Xperia M5 was miles ahead of its opponent., the OnePlus 2.
Further inspection on both devices’ output, showed that OnePlus 2’s outputs inhibits a lot of visible huntings, and the latters output, frame jumps a bit, which is a big lowdown, if you consider output accuracy, as a major factor in a camera’s performance. For the Sony Xperia M5, we were able to conclude that, the device was able to manufacture smooth focusing capability, while changing from subject to subject.
In this first challenge, Sony Xperia M5 claimed victory over its opponent, the OnePlus 2, thanks to its 21MP sensor, which solely trumps the laser autofocus feature of the OnePlus2
OnePlus 2 specs, PH Price |
5.5-inch 1080p, FHD LTPS, 401ppi |
9.9mm thickness, 175g weight |
Cornings Gorilla Glass 4 |
Qualcomm Snapdragon 810 |
3GB of RAM (for the 16GB variant), 4GB of RAM (for the 64GB variant) |
16GB and 64GB internal storage, no microSD card |
13MP rear shooter, 4128 x 3096 pixel, 2160p video, OIS, laser autofocus, dual-LED flash |
5MP selfie shooter , 1080p video |
Dual 4G LTE, WiFi ac, BT 4.1, GPS |
Android 5.1 Lollipop |
3300mAh battery |
Sandstone Black |
Php 19,999 for the 64GB variant at lazada, price as of September 26 |
Another challenger enters the booth, in the form of Asus’ latest mid-ranger, the Zenfone Selfie. The Asus Zenfone Selfie packs a 13MP shooter, with laser autofocus assistance, and looks to take out, the Sony Xperia M5. Asus showed great confidence, on its PixelMaster Technology, since it was introduced through Asus’ first generation handset, so, its safe to say, that their Zenfone Selfie camera smartphone, which specializes in camera performance, won’t be an easy handset to beat.
However, when both device’s enter the fighting zone, it was shown that Sony Xperia M5, showcased a more well-exposed video, paired with a more accurate white balance, in comparison to the Zenfone Selfie. The Zenfone Selfie couldn’t par up, with the Sony Xperia M5’s output sharpness and dynamic range, which was suprising, since the Zenfone Selfie is no stranger to wide dynamic range shooting.
For focusing speed, the Zenfone Selfie just couldn’t get close to the Xperia M5’s fast and accurate autofocus capability, despite being equipped, with a laser autofocus system. There is no doubt, that Sony Xperia M5, took this round over the Zenfone Selfie.
Zenfone Selfie specs, Ph price |
5.5-inch IPS 1080p FHD display, 403ppi |
10.8mm thickness, 170g weight |
Cornings Gorilla Glass 4, oleophobic coating |
Qualcomm Snapdragon 615 |
2 GB of RAM for the 16GB variant, 3GB of RAM for the 32GB variant |
16/32GB internal storage, microSD up to 64GB |
13MP rear shooter, 4128 x 3096 pixels, laser autofocus, dual-LED flash (dual-tone |
13MP selfie shooter, 1080p video, dual-LED flash |
Dual-SIM, Wifi ac, BT 4.0, GPS, GLONASS, NFC |
Android 5.0 Lollipop |
3000mAh battery |
Pure white, chic pink, aqua blue |
Php 11,995 price at Lazada as of September 21 |
Lenovo’s Vibe Shot and Sony’s Xperia M5 has faced each other once before, in one of our review comparison, however, the Lenovo Vibe Shot comes back to possibly exact revenge on the Xperia M5, will the Vibe Shot get its wish?
The Lenovo Vibe Shot, is currently china’s top of the line smartphone. It sports a 16MP rear shooter, which is supported by triple tone LED flash and laser autofocus feature. The Vibe Shot might be the one of the toughest contender in this challenge, in the imaging department, however, it wasn’t able to keep up, with the Xperia M5’s fast autofocus capability.
Upon closer inspection on the outputs of both device’s, frame jumping were also experienced for the Vibe Shot, which just like in OnePlus 2, played a major role in determining the winner of this challenge. In terms of still imagery, we were able to conclude that the Xperia M5 had the upper hand on the Vibe Shot, in terms of detail preservation, dynamic range and overall output exposure.
Lenovo Vibe Shot Z90-7 specs |
5-inch IPS 1080p FHD IPS LCD, 441ppi (720HD Z90-3) |
7.3mm thick, 145g weight |
Gorilla Glass 3 |
Snapdragon 615 octa chipset |
3GB RAM |
32GB internal, microSD max 128GB |
16MP camera, HDR, Optical Image Stabilization, Tricolor LED flash, 1080p video, AF focus assists |
8MP selfie, 1080p video |
Dual 4G LTE, WiFi a, Bt 4.1, GPS, FM Radio |
Android 5.0 Lollipop |
3000mAh |
Crimson Red, White, Grey |
Php 17,999 price on Lenovo PH store as of September 26 |
The Galaxy Note 5 is a beastly device, it showcases sophistication as well as power, so it wasn’t much of a surprise for it to be a bit par with the Xperia M5’s video and camera performance. The Galaxy Note 5 wasn’t equipped with a laser autofocus support, however, it was already an established speedy shooter, which is similar to the Xperia M5. However, via focusing speed, Xperia M5 shows supremacy over its beasty opponent, with a very minimal visible locking mechanism.
Samsung Galaxy Note 5 specs |
5.7-inch Super AMOLED QHD, 518ppi |
7.6mm thin, 171g weight |
Gorilla Glass 4, curved back |
Exynos 7420 octacore, quad Cortex-A53 & quad 2.1GHz Cortex-A57 |
4GB RAM |
32/64GB internal, no microSD card slot |
16MP camera f/1.9 aperture, OIS, single LED flash, HDR, 2160p video |
5MP selfie, 1440p video |
4G LTE Single/dual SIM, WiFi ac, Bt 4.2,NFC, FM Radio, GPS, heart rate sensor, wireless charging, Fingerprint sensor, S-pen |
Android 5.1 Lollipop |
3000mAh |
White, Black, Silver, Gold |
P36,990 for the gold 32GB variant on Lazada price as of September 26 |
Today, we gave the Sony Xperia M5, one heck of a challenge and with that, proved that the Sony Xperia M5 delivers a powerful performance, with its ultra fast focusing speed, despite not having any laser autofocus feature.
Please leave your comments and suggestions about this challenge and if you wanna see more of these challenges, simply, hit us up on, the comments section. Feedbacks are always obliged!
Also, check out the video version of this review.
Sony Xperia M5 Dual specs PH Price |
5-inch IPS 1080p LCD display, 441ppi |
7.6 mm thickness, 142.6g weight |
scratch-resistant glass |
MediaTek MT6795 Helio X10 |
3GB of RAM |
16GB internal storage, microSD up to 200GB |
21.2MP 5312 x 3984 pixels, phase detection autofocus |
13MP, 1080p@30fps video |
4G LTE Dual SIM, WiFi n, Bt 4.1, FM Radio, GPS, GLONASS |
Android 5.0 Lollipop |
2600mAh battery |
Black, White, Gold |
$400 or Php 18K possible non-taxed price, official SRP from Sony as of September 26 |
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