PHOTOGRAPHY

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A good camera has always been the missing ingredient in the Moto X series.
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Motorola promised to fix it for good with this year’s <a href="http://www.greenbot.com/article/2953482/smartphones/motorola-unveils-the-moto-x-style-moto-x-play-and-moto-g.html">Moto X Pure Edition</a>.
 Along with bumping up the screen to 5.7 inches and Quad HD resolution, 
Motorola paid a lot of attention to the camera, packing in a 21MP 
shooter with an f/2.0 aperture. It’s a good bump from the 2014 model, 
which had a 13-megapixel camera with an f/2.2 aperture.
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However, specs never tell the whole story. Consider that the iPhone 6, with its 8 megapixel f/2.2 camera, takes <em>stunning</em>
 photos, far superior to those of the 2014 Moto X. Given that the 
lackluster camera on the 2014 Moto X was a sore spot holding back an 
otherwise fantastic phone, we decided to pay special attention to the 
camera on this year's model.
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<h2>
The test parameters</h2>
For comparison we're using three phones: a freshly-arrived Moto X Pure 
Edition, 2014 Verizon-branded Moto X, and a Galaxy Note 5 (arguably the 
best camera on an Android phone today). 
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While there is a certain amount of subjectivity in what makes for a 
great photo, there are some common principles we can use to determine 
picture quality. A good camera is able to balance out the light, 
reproduce the color accurately, and work well in a variety of 
situations.
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The following were all taken with each phone’s default settings, with no
 post-production editing. Certainly the right tweaks may improve your 
experience, but for comparison purposes we wanted a flat line to start 
with.
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<h2>
Cat pictures</h2>
It wouldn’t be a true photo test without a cat picture. I was able to 
get my cat, Sherlock, to (mostly) stay in one place for a series of 
pictures with all three phones. These were taken from my home office, 
which has a lot of light and neutral, beige walls.
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a class="zoom article-gallery cboxElement" href="https://cms-images.idgesg.net/images/article/2015/09/moto_x_camera_test_kitty-100615975-orig.png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="

In this case the Moto X Pure Edtion held up rather well in comparison to the Note 5 and 2014 Moto X.

"><img alt="moto x camera test kitty" height="376" src="http://images.techhive.com/images/article/2015/09/moto_x_camera_test_kitty-100615975-large.idge.png" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">In this case the Moto X Pure Edtion held up rather well in comparison to the Note 5 and 2014 Moto X.</td></tr>
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With the Moto X Pure Edition, you get a good picture that captures most 
of the color in the room accurately. It’s much better than the 2014 Moto
 X, which loses too many details in the shadows, especially on 
Sherlock’s body.
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However, I still found the Galaxy Note 5 to be the top choice here. 
Notice Sherlock’s fur - it’s an accurate gray that looks just as he does
 in real life. The Note also balances the rest of the light well on the 
lower portions of the cat tree, and provides more detail in all the fur 
and carpet. The Pure Edition does a respectable job, but the Note 5 is 
still tops.
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Here’s another comparison of the three with indoor shots and less stark 
lighting. It makes for a good chance to compare how the cameras perform 
in a setting that shouldn’t be too challenging for any decent camera. 
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The Moto X Pure Edition performed rather well, producing a great shot of the fall critters sitting atop the table.  
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a class="zoom article-gallery cboxElement" href="https://cms-images.idgesg.net/images/article/2015/09/moto_x_pure_critters-100616367-orig.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="

The Moto X Pure Edition camera reproduces the color well and provides good detail in a well-lit room.

"><img alt="moto x pure critters" height="360" src="http://images.techhive.com/images/article/2015/09/moto_x_pure_critters-100616367-large.idge.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Moto X Pure Edition camera reproduces the color well and provides good detail in a well-lit room. </td></tr>
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The<span style="line-height: 1.75em;"> light is balanced well and you 
can clearly see all the colors on the friendly animals. Even though the 
light is coming in from an angle, it’s not bleeding over to other parts 
of the photo. </span>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a class="zoom article-gallery cboxElement" href="https://cms-images.idgesg.net/images/article/2015/09/moto-x-fall-criters-100616369-orig.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="

Even in good conditions, the Moto X (2014) still would produce a photo with a weird filter.

"><img alt="moto x fall criters" height="349" src="http://images.techhive.com/images/article/2015/09/moto-x-fall-criters-100616369-large.idge.jpg" width="620" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Even in good conditions, the Moto X (2014) still would produce a photo with a weird filter.
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<span style="line-height: 1.75em;">The</span><span style="line-height: 1.75em;"> 2014
 Moto X looks like it has a filter over it—notice the beak of the crow. 
It’s washed out. Also, at the sides of the table the darkness kinds of 
bleeds over, and there's considerable noise in the tabletop.</span>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a class="zoom article-gallery cboxElement" href="https://cms-images.idgesg.net/images/article/2015/09/note-5-fall-100616271-orig.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="

The Galaxy Note 5 delivers crisp photos with good lighting in conditions like this.

"><img alt="note 5 fall" height="326" src="http://images.techhive.com/images/article/2015/09/note-5-fall-100616271-large.jpg" width="580" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Galaxy Note 5 delivers crisp photos with good lighting in conditions like this. </td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> </td></tr>
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Again, I still feel the best picture here belongs to the Galaxy Note 5. 
The beak and the feet tell the tale—this has the best “pop” and creates a
 brighter all-around photo. But it’s only a smidgen better than the Moto
 X Pure Edition.
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<h2>
Improved outdoor performance</h2>
The Moto X camera shines best when it comes to outdoor performance. Even
 last year’s phone would struggle at times, but I found the images from 
the new model to be of great quality.
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<figure class="large "><a class="zoom article-gallery cboxElement" href="https://cms-images.idgesg.net/images/article/2015/09/moto-x-pure-flowers-100616330-orig.jpg" title="

The Moto X Pure Edition does a good job at realistic outdoor photos.

"><img alt="moto x pure flowers" height="1031" src="http://images.techhive.com/images/article/2015/09/moto-x-pure-flowers-100616330-large.jpg" width="580" /></a> <figcaption>

The Moto X Pure Edition does a good job at realistic outdoor photos.
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If you look at the flowers you’ll see their color is reproduced well. 
You can also distinguish the different colors on the pot, porch, leaves,
 and wood chips without problems.
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<figure class="large "><a class="zoom article-gallery cboxElement" href="https://cms-images.idgesg.net/images/article/2015/09/moto_x_2014_flowers-100616281-orig.jpg" title="

Even in good light, the Moto X (2014) just doesn’t get a lot of colors right.

"><img alt="moto x 2014 flowers" height="1031" src="http://images.techhive.com/images/article/2015/09/moto_x_2014_flowers-100616281-large.jpg" width="580" /></a> <figcaption>

Even in good light, the Moto X (2014) just doesn’t get a lot of colors right.
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<span style="line-height: 1.75em;">Again, the previous Moto X looks like
 it’s washed out with a bad Instagram filter. The leaves are not as 
realistically green, though the flowers turn out decent enough.</span>
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<figure class="large "><a class="zoom article-gallery cboxElement" href="https://cms-images.idgesg.net/images/article/2015/09/note-5-flowers-100616329-orig.jpg" title="

The Galaxy Note 5 really captures the true-to-life colors of the plant and other elements in the photo.

"><img alt="note 5 flowers" height="1031" src="http://images.techhive.com/images/article/2015/09/note-5-flowers-100616329-large.jpg" width="580" /></a> <figcaption>

The Galaxy Note 5 really captures the true-to-life colors of the plant and other elements in the photo.
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</figcaption></figure>
I found the Note 5 marginally better at reproducing the details of the 
flowers. There’s an ever-so-slight focus problem with the Moto X Pure 
Edition, but none here with the Note 5. It could be a case where the 
Optical Image Stabilization, something absent in the new Moto X, really 
pays off, but in bright outdoor light the shutter speed should be so 
fast it shouldn't make a difference.
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<h2>
A low-light test with a snake on a chair</h2>
The Achilles’ heel of the 2014 Moto X was the camera’s underperformance 
in low light settings. The situation has vastly improved with the Moto X
 Pure Edition. But as you’ll see, you’re still more than likely not 
going to turn out with a great picture.  
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The Moto X Pure Edition still struggles in a moderately dark room.  
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<figure class="large "><a class="zoom article-gallery cboxElement" href="https://cms-images.idgesg.net/images/article/2015/09/moto_x_pure_snake_on_a_chair-100616370-orig.jpg" title="

Check out how noisy the wall is behind the chair.

"><img alt="moto x pure snake on a chair" height="300" src="http://images.techhive.com/images/article/2015/09/moto_x_pure_snake_on_a_chair-100616370-large.idge.jpg" width="400" /></a> <figcaption>

Check out how noisy the wall is behind the chair.
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T<span style="line-height: 1.75em;">he background is entirely too noisy,
 and the camera doesn't replicate the color well. Unfortunately, you'll 
have to rely on flash or super powered editing skills to improve a photo
 like this </span>
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<figure class="large "><a class="zoom article-gallery cboxElement" href="https://cms-images.idgesg.net/images/article/2015/09/moto_x_2014_snake_in_a_chair-100616372-orig.jpg" title="

The Moto X (2014) just isn't any good in low light.

"><img alt="moto x 2014 snake in a chair" height="349" src="http://images.techhive.com/images/article/2015/09/moto_x_2014_snake_in_a_chair-100616372-large.idge.jpg" width="620" /></a> <figcaption>

The Moto X (2014) just isn't any good in low light.
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<span style="line-height: 1.75em;">However, last year's phone is even <em>worse</em>. It's dark, lacks detail, and is so full of digital noise that it looks like its covered in ants.</span>
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<figure class="large "><a class="zoom article-gallery cboxElement" href="https://cms-images.idgesg.net/images/article/2015/09/note_5_snake_on_a_chair-100616371-orig.jpg" title="

The back wall isn't nearly as busy with the Galaxy Note 5. The chair and snake also pop much better.

"><img alt="note 5 snake on a chair" height="349" src="http://images.techhive.com/images/article/2015/09/note_5_snake_on_a_chair-100616371-large.idge.jpg" width="620" /></a> <figcaption>

The back wall isn't nearly as busy with the Galaxy Note 5. The chair and snake also pop much better.
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</figcaption></figure>
<span style="line-height: 1.75em;">It's no contest: the Note 5 actually 
pulls off a decent photo in a less-than-ideal setting. The snake 
actually pops thanks to how well the camera catches the different color 
schemes, and there's drastically less noise throughout. </span>
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<h2>
The verdict</h2>
The Moto X Pure Edition has the best camera Motorola’s ever produced. It
 should suffice for most situations, save for very low light settings. 
As the photos indicate it’s also a substantial improvement over 2014’s 
Moto X. If you want to explore a few more pictures from the Moto X Pure 
Edition, <a href="https://goo.gl/photos/gNkPfk56Laump4yD7">here’s a gallery</a> of some that I took during a recent weekend in San Francisco. 
<br />

If you want the absolutely best Android camera available you’re still 
best to go with one of the flagship Galaxy phones (Note 5, S6, S6 Edge, 
or S6 Edge+) or the <a href="http://www.greenbot.com/article/2920803/lg-g4-review-killer-camera-killer-display-but-not-a-revolutionary-smartphone.html">LG G4</a>. The optical image stabilization and years of smartphone camera know-how still put them at the top.
<br />

Yet for a phone that costs $300 less than Samsung’s devices, Motorola is
 punching above its weight. You won’t get the number one camera, but 
you’ll get a rather good one in a highly customizable package without 
any bloatware.<br />
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SOURCE : <a href="http://www.greenbot.com/article/2985011/smartphones/tested-did-motorola-finally-fix-its-camera-with-the-moto-x-pure-edition.html">http://www.greenbot.com/article/2985011/smartphones/tested-did-motorola-finally-fix-its-camera-with-the-moto-x-pure-edition.html</a>

Did Motorola finally deliver a great camera in the Moto X Pure Edition?

A good camera has always been the missing ingredient in the Moto X series. Motorola promised to fix it for good with this year’s Moto ...

Did Motorola finally deliver a great camera in the Moto X Pure Edition?

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