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  • LG outs a promo video touting the ultra slim 13MP camera in the Optimus G, says it will be 8MP "in some regions"

LG outs a promo video touting the ultra slim 13MP camera in the Optimus G, says it will be 8MP "in some regions"

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LG outs a promo video touting the ultra slim 13MP camera in the Optimus G, says it will be 8MP
LG released the next in the series of promo videos that reveal the making of its monster "2nd generation quad-core" Optimus G. At this point it is already clear that this will be the fastest Android handset with one of the best displays out there, at least if something else doesn't get announced in the meantime, but LG's Achilles heel has always been the camera module in its flagship handsets, as our recent flagship smartphones camera comparison showed.

We got confirmation from LG that the camera module is made in-house by LG Innotek, and the video confirms this, so most everything but Qualcomm's chipset will be LG-made in the Optimus G, just like the big brother Samsung does and wins. There is a small print disclaimer in the beginning of the video, saying that both an 8MP and a 13MP version of this sensor have been developed, and the phone will come outfitted with one or the other, depending on the region. The US will likely get the 13MP one, considering the rumors around the LG Blaze for Verizon.

While one of the optics department's chiefs touts the ultra slim packaging of the 13MP camera module, saying that this is the highest resolution in a smartphone (apparently they don't consider the 808 PureView one), and its BSI sensor and other enhancements make it a top-notch technology, somehow we are hesitant, considering the specs revealed in the video.

While the resolution may be high, it is achieved by shrinking the pixels, so they can fit in the ultra compact module, down to 1.1 microns and with a mere 1/3" sensor size, its performance is unlikely to be drastically better than those of other flagship smartphones that have similar specs. The sample shots will be the ultimate judge, but just for comparison's sake - the Nokia 808 PureView has a 1/1.2" large sensor with 1.4 microns pixel, the Lumia 920 has 1.4 microns as well, on a 1/3" sensor, and the Nokia N8 has 1.75 microns pixel size on a 1/1.83" 12MP sensor. 

Even if we don't count those photography buffs from the Finns, the Galaxy S III and the iPhone 4S also have 1.4 micron pixels in their sensors, and we know the larger the pixel "bucket", the more light it can soak in.

Thus the Optimus G is unlikely to wow in low light conditions, judging on camera specs alone, but, still, any improvement from LG's current high-ends will inevitably make the upcoming LG flagship more appealing in the camera department too.

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1. kamil posted on 11 Sep 2012, 07:01 3 2

sony camera module is still my preferred choice

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2. loken posted on 11 Sep 2012, 07:01 2 4

Why the heck didnt sony put this cmos sensor on their phones..

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3. Snoobab posted on 11 Sep 2012, 07:15 2 8

It took LG 24 months to beat the N8 by 1 whole megapixel. Well done! (Ahhh sh*t, sensor pixel size is 1.1 microns vs. 1.75 microns but who's looking, right?)

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14. ChiX017 posted on 12 Sep 2012, 02:18

808 Pureview on my mind though.

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4. pokharkarsaga posted on 11 Sep 2012, 07:21 4 2

In today's camera tech,the image sensors are getting smaller and pixel counts are increased.The bigger the image sensor,the more light it can sense and we get more natural & crispy images.I wish 1 inch image sensor to come in smartphones.Currently,it is available in mirror less compact cameras.

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5. Snoobab posted on 11 Sep 2012, 07:34 4 3

Very true, unfortunately most people are only worried about sensor resolution (megapixels) and not sensor size.

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6. sebaa posted on 11 Sep 2012, 07:35 3 2

LG has announce oficial the Optiums G in 28 August end Sony has announce the T , TX end V at IFA on 29 August with 13 MP so not quite the " highest resolution in a smartphone"

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7. crankyd00d posted on 11 Sep 2012, 08:30 1 1

Are the Sony handsets already available for sale?......

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8. sebaa posted on 11 Sep 2012, 09:04 1

The Tx (GX) is release so yes is for sale .. end also the T is for sale , the only one is coming is q4 ( October) is the V

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13. neutralguy posted on 11 Sep 2012, 21:12 1

lol, you people make me laugh. Hello! 808? :))

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16. sebaa posted on 12 Sep 2012, 16:29

Hello , we knew that 808 has the highest, but maybe LG say on a Android device .. until now Sony end LG has the highest resolution in a mobile smartphone (Android)13 MP, but samsung galaxy camera bit them with 16 MP.

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9. redmd posted on 11 Sep 2012, 09:04 2

We should examine the final results first before the bashing.

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10. PhoneArenaUser posted on 11 Sep 2012, 09:07 3

I hope that this product will be successful, so far so good, I like it. :)

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11. pyradark posted on 11 Sep 2012, 09:17 2

nice sensor, but let see side to side with sony stacked 13MP

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12. Sprintfan posted on 11 Sep 2012, 15:04 1

Why does LG continue to use the "Optimus" name. Any customer that has ever owned the original optimus without looking prolly doesn't want another one when the first one was pretty much free and low end? marketing fail if you ask me.

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15. ChiX017 posted on 12 Sep 2012, 02:22

i tell you! My Optimus 3D isn't something i would miss either

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