ipad camera better then D5100

2

2ball

Senior Member
So I got my 5100 and the 18-55 kit lens, taking pics at my kids hockey game. After the game I go on the ice in this dimly lit rink and take a picture of the players.

My pics are a little dark, but good otherwise

The parent next to me has an ipad and takes several shots and their pics look perfect, bright and crystal clear and the colors are vibrant.

How can the ipad camera, take better pics them my 5100?
 
2

2ball

Senior Member
Re: ipad camera better then 5100

Moab Man said:
Wrong settings.
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I believe my settings are as good as possible, given the conditions and my lens.

My real point is how does an Ipad with a lens the size of a tic-tac and an inferior sensor, on automatic settings take a perfect picture in low light?

why cant DSLR's do that without buying a $2000 lens?
 
D

DTigga

New member
Re: ipad camera better then 5100

2ball said:
How can the ipad camera, take better pics them my 5100?
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It can't. As you mention, it has a tiny lens and sensor. I bet it's super grainy up close.

It also has a 9" screen as opposed to the 3" one on your camera so at first glance it can look impressive.

Maybe try shooting in auto everything next time and see if the images improve. If they do then take note of the settings and use them in manual next time.
 
R

Rexer John

Senior Member
Re: ipad camera better then 5100

DTigga said:
It can't. As you mention, it has a tiny lens and sensor.
Click to expand...

It can if the 5100 is set poorly for the conditions. The OP says his pics are a bit dark, My guess is he's clamping the ISO at 100 and strangling the camera.

For the area mentioned and lens used, I'd set to shutter priority to something like 1/50 for posed pics, maybe 1/200 or quicker for in game shots and the ISO should be set to automatic, I set it to auto and maximum 3200. The aperture would automatically go wide in low lighting before the ISO would ramp up.

It's also worth taking some test shots in the area and checking the histogram before taking pics you'll want to keep.

We really need some pics and exif data. The ipad on full auto settings will take better pictures than badly setting the most expensive camera.
 
N

NFA Fabrication

Senior Member
Re: ipad camera better then 5100

2ball said:
How can the ipad camera, take better pics them my 5100?
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It can't. Were you going manual or auto? I'd be highly surprised if even in auto the Ipad came even close to the D5100. If you were doing this in manual, I'd guess you are not fully ready to be making the setting selections needed to get the quality of photo's you desire (I still have much to learn myself). The issue you are having is not based on the Ipad camera being better than your D5100, because it simply is not even close to being in the same ballpark.
 
Marcel

Marcel

Happily retired
Staff member
Super Mod
Re: ipad camera better then 5100

You wrote: "My pics are a little dark, but good otherwise"

This sounds as if you didn't take into account that your exposure is wrong. The light meter in your camera is dumb. It wants to set exposure to create 18% grey. When there is a lot of white in the shot, it will try to make it grey and the poor person standing on the ice will then be under-exposed and look too dark. This is why there are scene modes on your camera. Next time on ice, try the snow setting to see if the pictures will improve. I'm quite sure they will. It's a very common mistake to think that the camera knows what it is taking a photo of, but it doesn't work that way. The photographer has to make some decisions along the line, usually before exposure, to interpret the scene or, use the scene mode.

Hope this helps a little.
 
S

stmv

Senior Member
Re: ipad camera better then 5100

or,, you can buy an Ipad!

Which is illustrating one factor for declining revenues for Nikon/Canon, etc. The average user wants fast good pictures that can be uploaded to the Net real time for the instant feedback of family and friends. And yes, these instant machines whether the Ipad or phones are going to keep improving, so that eventually the snapshot will be owned by these devices.

Will they match the SLR,, not for noise since these sensors will stay small or artistic control, etc.
 
AC016

AC016

Senior Member
Re: ipad camera better then 5100

:stupid::stupid: I always love a good laugh to start my morning! A tablet camera better than a DSLR..... very funny and it's not even April fools yet! In all seriousness though, you really should post some examples of the photos you took, with the EXIF data. That way, we can suggest adjustments for you. No sense in stating something and then not backing it up. We are all here to help.
 
Scott Murray

Scott Murray

Senior Member
Re: ipad camera better then 5100

I think what I will do next week is take a photo with my D800 and the exact one with my iPad and then post here to see if anyone can guess which is which ;)
 
RockyNH_RIP

RockyNH_RIP

Senior Member
Re: ipad camera better then 5100

muzza22au said:
I think what I will do next week is take a photo with my D800 and the exact one with my iPad and then post here to see if anyone can guess which is which ;)
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Thats a good idea but it also may be difficult at the small size here on the forum. A better test would be the same shot and then a massive crop (the same) to see how they perform when enlarged.

Pat in NH
 
2

2ball

Senior Member
Re: ipad camera better then 5100

OP here.

I'm not saying my pics are bad. When it is all said and done I am happy with the results. For hockey I use plus 1 exposure, 1600 or 3200 iso and a speed of 1/250 or 1/320. I also haven't seen what the ipad photo looks like on the computer or blown up, but it looked perfect on the 9 inch high res ipad screen.
 
AC016

AC016

Senior Member
Re: ipad camera better then 5100

muzza22au said:
I think what I will do next week is take a photo with my D800 and the exact one with my iPad and then post here to see if anyone can guess which is which ;)
Click to expand...

You are comparing a Rolls Royce (D800) to a Chevy (iPad). We all know which one is going to give better pictures, it's a no brainer. You are welcome to post all the comparison pictures you want. But in the end, the 36mp D800 will have waaaaaaaaaaaaaay better IQ than the 5mp iPad camera. It's an excercise in futility. But by all means, waste your time ;)
 
Scott Murray

Scott Murray

Senior Member
Re: ipad camera better then 5100

AC016 said:
You are comparing a Rolls Royce (D800) to a Chevy (iPad). We all know which one is going to give better pictures, it's a no brainer. You are welcome to post all the comparison pictures you want. But in the end, the 36mp D800 will have waaaaaaaaaaaaaay better IQ than the 5mp iPad camera. It's an excercise in futility. But by all means, waste your time ;)
Click to expand...
Ok I will use my D80 then ;)
 
S

stmv

Senior Member
Re: ipad camera better then 5100

course reduced to a 360K JPEG for notebook displays,, laughs, none of us is getting the value of their expensive SLRs. Taken in good light, not worried about getting shallow DOF, then sure, a camera phone sensor can do pretty good, and in the right shot, right conditions, could easily fool people, but go print on a 20x30 canvas.. hah,, let's see how that Ipad/phone does then.
 
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