Maxis10Reviews – The Camera for HTC Desire vs the Nexus One

For those who had been following my tweets (with hashtag #Maxis10Reviews), you’ll notice that I have been using the camera a lot on my HTC Desire.

Like I said before, I’m no techie & I’m appreciating the phone more for it’s æsthetics and it’s easy to use functions suitable for an on-the-go female.
And like all females, I whip out my camera more often that not at any events and for any reason. I do however, rely more on my point and shoot camera as my previous handphones doesn’t photographs very well.

Things are different now that I got a HTC Desire. Yup, even my Nexus One loses out to this baby. Hence, I thought this is worthy of a review post.

Camera specifications:The HTC DESIRE.
* 5 megapixel color camera
* Face detection capability
* Auto focus and flash
* Widescreen photo capture
* Geotagging
Average file size of image is 1.5 – 1.9 MB.

Camera – NEXUS ONE.
5.0 megapixel color camera

Auto focus & Flash
2X digital zoom
Geotagging

pic: Right: The HTC Desire, Left: Nexus One.

HTC Desire & Nexus One camera

I have below some screenshots of the options/functions a HTC Desire owner can expect of it’s camera.

For starters, once you have activated the camera function, there is a slide out menu at the side where the other options are. The 1st option is well; choosing the PHOTO or VIDEO taking function.

For either one, the menu options remains the same, meaning that you will still be able to adjust the brightness, the image properties, etc.

HTC Desire - photo or video

The camera will auto-focus on the object if you have the Auto-Focus function on. Else, tap on the screen to choose your focus point prior to pressing the trackball – which is akin to  SHUTTER button on a camera.

HTC Desire - auto focus1

One ‘button’ down on the side menu, is the option for adjusting the brightness of your pictures/video. A pretty handy feature, especially in dim lightings conditions.

HTC Desire - brightness

Then, image/video properties where you can slide the bar to choose your desired level of Contrast, Saturation & sharpness. I usually slide it up to the max for Sharpness! 😉

HTC Desire - C,S n sharpness

Some fancy effects for your video/photo if you wish.

HTC Desire - Effects

The last “button” has the most functions within. A tap on each of the options here takes you to MORE options! The screenshots below are shown for those with multiple options after the initial tap.

Some straightforward ones are Auto-Focus (ON/OFF), Face Detection (ON/OFF), Shutter sound (ON/OFF) – of which I did not take screenshots of cos that would be a waste of time.

HTC Desire - Settings

HTC Desire - Setting2

HTC Desire - SEttings3

Let’s start with the White Balance. Nothing new on a camera, but it’s appreciated that these options are available anyhow 😉

HTC Desire - white bal

The highest ISO is 800.

HTC Desire - ISO

Resolution. I just left mine on 5M all the time!

HTC Desire - Resolution

And kept the Quality on “Fine”.

HTC Desire - Quality (2)

The Metering Mode. In photography, the metering mode refers to the way in which a camera determines the exposure (wikipedia). I have been using this camera on “Average”, which I think may not be such a good idea.. Hmm… :unsure:

HTC Desire - metering mode (2)

Review Duration. Seriously, there are plenty of options for me to customise how I want my photos or video to be.

HTC Desire - Review Duration

On the HTC Desire, the FLASH control and the zoom function is on the opposite side of the screen of the menu. See below (on the right side of the screen shot).

And lastly, if anything fails, there is always an option to Reset to default! 😉

HTC Desire - Reset to Default

And now, the – NEXUS ONE.

5.0 megapixel color camera with auto focus,
2X digital zoom, LED flash, and geo tagging.

Google Nexus One -camera

As usual, the menu slides out from the side. As you would notice from the next few screenshots, the options on the Nexus One can be considered limited when compared to the HTC Desire.

Google Nexus One - 1 focus mode

Google Nexus One - Store Location

Google Nexus One - white balance

Google Nexus One - flash mode

Google Nexus One - zoom

So although both cameras are 5MP, there are obvious differences in the functionalities that comes with the phones, which no doubt in turn, affect the image/video quality. For the camera function, the HTC Desire triumphs over the Nexus One (with a shadow of doubt!). For more on the pictures quality, do check out my post HERE.

This Post Has 17 Comments

  1. Leo

    I’ll stick to my iPhone 🙂
    last time I used to have a HTC Touch but sold it to my friend after using it for a month…

  2. FeeQ

    U make me to grab one!

  3. satkuru

    from afar both phones looks similar 😛 never had the chance to play with a desire, let alone a nexus one T.T

  4. Steven Schank

    Hi mate, your blog’s design and style is simple and clean and i love it. Your website posts are outstanding. Please keep them coming. Greets!!?!!

  5. Natacha Arden

    Your blog is so informative ¡­ keep up the good work!!!!

  6. unkaleong

    Does the Nexus One allow Date and Time Stamps on the pictures taken?

  7. hamdi

    hi rebecca, I’m a nexus one user and I have to say that I agree with you… my phone is rooted and I’ve used the desire cam on my phone before and I loved it…. having said that, I’m using the stock cam now cos a developer came out with a mod that enables nexus one to take 720p videos….

  8. biopolymath

    I’m not surprised if anyone say Nexus One looks similar to HTC Desire. I tell you now, they’re from the same factory babe.

  9. Pretty nice post. I just stumbled upon your blog and wanted to say that I have really enjoyed browsing your blog posts. In any case I’ll be subscribing to your feed and I hope you write again soon!

  10. Wennie

    I love your website! did you write this yourself, I mean, are you a techie writer? Im looking for one so thats the only reason I’m asking. Either way keep up the nice work, I m impressed 🙂

  11. Tan KK

    this phone is like a million dollars. Damn a lot of good features!

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