First camera samples with ZenFone 2 vs Note 4 vs iPhone 6 Plus mark it as a low-light star

It might not be a ZenFone Zoom endeavor, but the camera at the back of the ZenFone 2 is still a pretty good deal, especially considering the phone's $199 starting price without a contract. It is a 13-megapixel unit with 5 element, f/2.0 aperture lens, complemented by a dual-color "Real Tone" LED flash. At the front, we're looking at a respectable, 5-megapixel selfie snapper with wide-angle (85-degree) lens, and an option to shoot selfie panoramas.

Asus also made it clear over and over again that its PixelMaster software is available with both cams and offers goodies such as a low light shooting mode that can supposedly snap photos that are up to 400% brighter, though the digital noise at this level will likely be pretty visible, too. We actually snapped a few photos against the Note 4 and HTC One (M8) in the dimly-lit expo rooms where the ZenFone 2 lair was situated, and found out that what Asus claims about the low-light performance holds water.