Camera comparison: iPad vs Transformer Prime vs XYBOARD 10.1 vs Galaxy Tab 10.1

Introduction:

By now, we all realize the advantage of having our smartphones on us at all times, especially when the opportunity comes around to snap up a shot of some kind. Obviously, thanks to the portability of our modern smartphones, we’re able to quickly capture the moment as they happen – all without missing a beat. On the other hand, there are plenty of tablets that provide us the same comforts of taking photos, though, there’s still this stigma attached to it that might make some people a tad bit hesitant about snapping something. Sure, you might get a few stares as you whip out that tablet to shoot something, but hey, if it’s the only thing within reach for you at the time, we’re certain that most of you will overlook those stares and simply focus on the task of hand.

Very recently, we’ve seen a handful of wonderful tablets that have proven themselves thanks primarily to their high-end status, but when it comes down to taking photos, we had to pit the best of the best against one another. Ready to accept the challenge, we have the Apple iPad 3, Asus Transformer Prime, Motorola DROID XYBOARD 10.1, and Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1 for our tablet camera comparison. So with that in mind, we decided to shoot a few different images with each tablet and then compare them to one another. Ultimately, we’ll sniff out which tablet you’ll want to have next to you in the event that your smartphone is absent.


Details:

First and foremost, it’s only until we shoot the same photos with all four tablets that we visibly see which one produces the best details. Without that comparison, we can honestly say they all appear sharp looking to the eye. After dissecting each from head to toe, it’s evident that the 8-megapixel camera of the Asus Transformer Prime conjures up the sharpest details of the bunch – with the iPad 3 coming in a close second. As for the other two, they might look spiffy when we look at the big picture, but zooming into some of the background stuff, it’s plain as day that their details are a bit more soft looking – kind of muddy even. For example, with the details 1 set of images, we can distinctively read the tow away sign placed above the car with the Asus Transformer Prime’s shot, while the trees in the background of the details 2 set of photos appear to be faint with the Motorola DROID XYBOARD 10.1 and Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1


Color reproduction:

Here’s the thing with color reproduction. Our eyes are easily attracted to luscious looking colors, which isn’t a bad thing necessarily. However, we have to remember that its accuracy to the real thing is what matters the most. Much like what we see going on in the display market, AMOLED panels can really be an attention grabber for its over saturated, yet unrealistic colors – mainly because they have that polarizing aura. In contrast, an LCD panel might look “bland” when placed next to an AMOLED panel, but it’s actually more realistic looking with its colors, well, some more than others.

Knowing that, we love the saturated color reproduction that’s prevalent throughout the shots taken by the Motorola DROID XYBOARD 10.1 and Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1, since we’re instinctively attracted to their full-bodied appearance. As much as we’re enthralled by those vibrant and deep tones, it’s actually the iPad 3 that appears to be the most accurate looking of the bunch with its neutral results. To tell you the truth, its balanced tonal range is consistent with all colors and lighting conditions. And as for the Transformer Prime, it might win in the details department, but its color reproduction is rather bland to tell you the truth. Frankly, it seems to have a slight haze to it, which tends to wash down its colors even more than its rivals.

Exposure:

Well, there’s no denying it whatsoever, but it’s the iPad 3 that is undeniably point it terms of exposure. Maybe because it knows what we’re trying to shoot, it manages to analyze the shot and perfectly adjusts the exposure to get the most of it. If we take a look at the Night Shot 2 set of images, we can see the iPad doing its job in the exposure department by balancing out the light and dark areas to bring out the most details – hence, we’re able to see the words of the store in the backlit sign. Unfortunately, for the rest, it isn’t necessary to provide them with any kind of ranking, since all three Android tablets have difficulty in adjusting the exposure to draw out the details.


Indoor shots:

With its F2.4 aperture lens and backside illumination sensor, the 5-megapixel iSight camera of the iPad 3 delivers the most exciting looking indoor shots under artificial lighting. Glancing at the indoor set of images, the iPad 3 flexes it muscles by painting a balanced result that’s sharp in all departments. In fact, everything screams loudly thanks to its neutral color reproduction, sharp details, and balanced exposure

Furthermore, if we place our attention on the shots taken in low, medium, and bright lighting conditions, the iPad 3 again beats out its competition in numerous ways. On the other end of the spectrum is the Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1, which seems to buckle under the pressure because digital noise runs rampant throughout its low lighting shot – thus, appearing soft looking overall. With the DROID XYBOARD 10.1, it handles noise better, but its results are rather underexposed. Lastly, the Transformer Prime produces some favorable results, though, we’re left with a sour taste in our mouth because of its weak colors.

All three Android tablets might bow down to the iPad 3 when it comes to taking shots in low light, but they do have the benefit of having LED flashes. We like how the Transformer Prime and Galaxy Tab 10.1 turns on their LED lights while focusing – whereas, the DROID XYBOARD 10.1 doesn’t do that, which leaves it to guess on the fly. Both the Transformer Prime and DROID XYBOARD 10.1 cast enough lighting at 3, 5, and 7 feet away, while the Galaxy Tab 10.1’s flash doesn’t seem to be as effective because dark patches can be seen on all four corners of its shots.


Night shots:

Seeing that the iPad 3 bested everyone in the exposure department, it goes a long way to show why it’s the best device for night shots as well. With the night shot 3 and 4 set of images, we’re again impressed with the even tonal ranges that the iPad 3 is able to muster up – essentially drawing out the details without overexposing things. Also, it by far captures the best looking details of the pack. Coming in next, is the Motorola DROID XYBOARD 10.1, mainly because it’s able to maintain some levels of saturation with its shots. After that, it’s the Asus Transformer Prime, with the Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1 rounding the bottom with its overall soft tone both in the detail and color department.


Macro shots:

Let’s be honest here, all of them churn out some pleasing looking macro shots, but the iPad 3 puts the icing on the cake thanks to its better depth of field. In addition to getting that cool looking out of focus effect with the background, the iPad 3 is still able to deliver some exciting colors, details, and exposure to again claim superiority. Despite being all runner ups, the Android tablets still present us with some favorable looking macro shots worth drooling over, but in this case, they’re all bowing down the iPad 3.

Ease of use and speed:

Some people will like the automatic shooting mode of the iPad 3, which is evident by the minimal options available to it, but then again, others prefer more control for things they’re trying to capture. Hence, that’s where all three Android tablets find themselves with their deep manual controls. Between the three, however, we have to say that the Asus Transformer Prime boasts the wealthiest set of features that will make even some hardened photographers extremely content. Specifically, we can modify things such as scene modes, aspect ratio, focus mode, ISO, anti-flickering, white balance, and exposure. Meanwhile, it boasts other novel things such as time-lapse interval videos and easy to compile panoramic shots.

No question about this one people, but it’s the iPad 3 that wins the award for being the speediest snapper – and we mean lighting quick! Though, we do like that the Asus Transformer Prime can instantly launch the camera app directing from the lock screen. Still, when it comes to counting down the time from the moment our finger presses the on-screen shutter key, to the moment when it snaps and saves the shot, the iPad 3 is hands down the fastest. Runner up to it is the Transformer Prime, with the DROID XYBOARD 10.1 after that, and the Galaxy Tab 10.1 being the slowest.


Video:

Above all, the main reason why the iPad’s 1080p video recording stands out more than its rivals, is the fact that its anti-shake feature keeps things steady – whereas, the others seem, you know, shaky by comparison. Well, that’s not the sole reason why the iPad is dominant when it comes to taking videos. Aside from that, the iPad wins us over with its well-rounded quality by coughing up some pleasant details, smooth capture rate, clear audio recording, neutral exposure, and minimal artifacting. So all in all, it simply translates to some pleasant looking videos. Out of the bunch, the 720p video recording of the Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1 is undoubtedly the worse. Honestly, it doesn’t deserve to bear the association of being high definition because in low lighting situations, it’s entirely softened by heavy instances of noise muddying things up. As for the other two Android tablets, they’re very honorable with their quality, but they still pale in comparison to the iPad.

Apple iPad 3 Sample Video - day:



Apple iPad 3 Sample Video - night:



Asus Transformer Prime Sample Video - day:



Asus Transformer Prime Sample Video - night:

Motorola DROID XYBOARD 10.1 Sample Video - day:

Motorola DROID XYBOARD 10.1 Sample Video - night:

Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1 Sample Video - day:

Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1 Sample Video - night:

Conclusion:

Well folks, we have to applaud Apple for the iPad’s camera prowess in nearly all areas. Sure, it lacks a flash, and even without one, it’s able to demolish the competition in the low lighting department. Come to think of it, this has come full circle seeing that the iPad 2 didn’t come to the table bearing any exciting camera along for the ride. Nevertheless, the iPad 3 does justice in being a device worthy enough to capture those “in the moment” situations that you’ll want to remember for the rest of your life. Second to that, the Asus Transformer Prime would be the next logical choice based on our experience, with the Motorola DROID XYBOARD 10.1 after that, and the Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1 as the last resort. Indeed, you might still get some cold stares from some people as you whip out the iPad to snap something, but in any event, it’s the tablet you’ll want to have on standby in the event a dedicated camera or smartphone isn’t available.