Apple iPhone 3G S Digital Camera

Apple iPhone 3G: Compared to the year-old iPhone 3G, the iPhone 3G S is an incremental update, but with some weight to it. While the 3G S is better in terms of image noise and resolution, the 3G has the advantage in color. In terms of performance, it's not a huge difference one way or the other. Where the 3G S pulls ahead is that it has an autofocus system, embeds EXIF data better, and can record video. Of course, there are also other, none photographic, updates. Voice dialing, a magnetic compass, and improved memory and processor speeds all jump out. If you already have an iPhone 3G, the photographic performance increase probably isn't enough to warrant the money required to upgrade. On the other hand, if you haven't sipped the Apple Kool-Aid yet, it is a tempting time to try it.

Apple iPhone: In terms of photographic quality, the 3G S is a significant improvement over the original. It has much better color accuracy and resolution, but is a little worse on the image noise front. It also shoots a three-megapixel resolution rather than two, and has the advantage of autofocus and video modes. There's also a substantial feature difference between the two, as the original iPhone can't use the 3G networks, and doesn't have the incredibly useful GPS feature, or the magnetometer, voice control, or the ability to remotely detonate your data if someone walks off with your phone. Upgrading from the original iPhone to the 3G S seems like a much more sensible decision at this stage, rather than going from the 3G to 3G S.

Sony Cyber-shot DSC-T900: Comparing the iPhone 3G S to an actual digital camera gives an idea of what sort of performance differential you can expect from a piece of gear that is dedicated solely to photo and video, as opposed to Apple's multifunction dilettante. The Sony is a good camera to compare to the iPhone due to its stylish look, small lens, and touch screen interface. Even though the T900 feels low on manual controls compared to other digital cameras, it is far more full-featured here than the iPhone, as it has the ability to set white balance, metering, focusing mode, color mode, resolution, ISO and so on. Plus, there's also the whole 12-megapixels compared to the the iPhone's three, which makes a bit of a difference, as does the built-in flash. In terms of performance, the Sony has much better color, has an excellent image stabilization system, and has a burst function. The iPhone performed better in the resolution test entirely on the back of its excellent distortion result, and the T900 did worse for image noise due to it being measured over the range of ISOs, rather than just the automatic settings that the iPhone had. While the iPhone performed respectably, for a phone, it's no match for a dedicated camera.

	Comparison Scores
	Apple iPhone 3G S	Apple iPhone 3G	Apple iPhone	Sony T900
Price	$299	$99	$599 (at launch)	$379.99
Color	9.48	10.15	8.33	15.56
Noise	8.61	7.36	9.46	7.86
Resolution	15.94	12.24	5.62	12.23
Image Stabilization	0.00	0.00	0.00	15.10
Shot to Shot	0.00	0.00	0.00	3.46
Video Color	8.74	0.00	0.00	6.77
Video Sharpness	1.79	0.00	0.00	6.02