Camera comparison – Google Pixel 8 vs. Sony Xperia 5 V
A TEST REPORT from Fabian Menzel 
on February 22, 2024, 16:04 | Write a comment
Compared to larger smartphones, users of compact smartphones usually have to accept weaker camera hardware, which of course makes sense given the compact design. Nevertheless, the cameras have become better and better, even on handy devices, and this is also the case with the Google Pixel 8 and the Sony Xperia 5V, which were convincing in our test reports.
Now in this article we let both smartphones compete against each other in a small camera comparison. Who has the better camera?
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Camera data of both smartphones at a glance
| Google Pixel 8 | Sony Xperia 5V |
| 50 megapixel main camera – f/1.7 – 1/1.31 inch | 52 megapixel main camera – f/1.9 – 1/1.35 inch |
| 12 megapixel ultra wide angle camera – f/2.2 – 1/2.9 inch | 12 megapixel ultra wide angle camera – f/2.2 – 1/2.5 inch |
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- Picture: TechnikNews
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- Picture: TechnikNews
The following link will take you to all of the following images in their original resolution:
Original recordings – camera comparison Google Pixel 8 vs. Sony Xperia 5 V
Note: The following camera comparison only covers photos without filters, additional settings and activated AI. The ratings were based on the original recordings (see above). Please be sure to compare the original photos so that you can decide for yourself which smartphone takes the better photos. Videos and selfies are not taken into account in this camera comparison.
main camera
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- Google Pixel 8. (Image: TechnikNews)
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- Sony Xperia 5 V. (Image: TechnikNews)
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- Google Pixel 8. (Image: TechnikNews)
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- Sony Xperia 5 V. (Image: TechnikNews)
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- Google Pixel 8. (Image: TechnikNews)
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- Sony Xperia 5 V. (Image: TechnikNews)
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- Google Pixel 8. (Image: TechnikNews)
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- Sony Xperia 5 V. (Image: TechnikNews)
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- Google Pixel 8. (Image: TechnikNews)
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- Sony Xperia 5 V. (Image: TechnikNews)
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- Google Pixel 8. (Image: TechnikNews)
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- Sony Xperia 5 V. (Image: TechnikNews)
What's noticeable about the main camera is that Sony takes visibly warmer and more saturated photos than the Pixel 8 in good lighting conditions. Google proproduces colder images with higher contrasts. The Xperia only stands out in the first comparison due to its higher contrast. Personally, I like the color rendering on Google better.
When it comes to sharpness, the differences are not nearly as big. Slight differences in favor of the Pixel 8 can only be seen in the first, fourth and fifth comparisons. For me, there is no winner when it comes to dynamic range and both smartphones are also at a decent flagship level when it comes to bokeh.
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- Google Pixel 8. (Image: TechnikNews)
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- Sony Xperia 5 V. (Image: TechnikNews)
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- Google Pixel 8. (Image: TechnikNews)
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- Sony Xperia 5 V. (Image: TechnikNews)
The night mode proproduces good images on both the Pixel 8 and the Xperia 5 V, although they differ slightly. In the first comparison, Google took the slightly sharper and more saturated photo, which I really like. Sony's image seems a bit flat in comparison. If we look at the second comparison, there is a clear winner with the Pixel 8, because on the one hand more details are retained and on the other hand the white balance is much better.
Ultra wide angle camera
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- Google Pixel 8. (Image: TechnikNews)
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- Sony Xperia 5 V. (Image: TechnikNews)
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- Google Pixel 8. (Image: TechnikNews)
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- Sony Xperia 5 V. (Image: TechnikNews)
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- Google Pixel 8. (Image: TechnikNews)
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- Sony Xperia 5 V. (Image: TechnikNews)
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- Google Pixel 8. (Image: TechnikNews)
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- Sony Xperia 5 V. (Image: TechnikNews)
Similar to the main camera, the Pixel 8 and Xperia 5 V mainly differ in color reproduction. While Sony shoots bright and warm photos, the Pixel 8 gives you high-contrast and cool photos. Here, too, I like the Pixel 8 a little better, although in my opinion it exaggerates the contrast a bit in the third comparison.
Both smartphones ensure sufficiently sharp images. I hardly noticed any differences here. The situation is different when it comes to the noise level, as Sony still has a lot of room for improvement here.
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- Google Pixel 8. (Image: TechnikNews)
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- Sony Xperia 5 V. (Image: TechnikNews)
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- Google Pixel 8. (Image: TechnikNews)
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- Sony Xperia 5 V. (Image: TechnikNews)
As soon as it gets darker, the Sony Xperia 5 V's ultra-wide-angle camera is hardly usable anymore. The recordings lack sharpness and brightness, which is again offered by Google - at least in the first comparison. The significantly higher level of detail of the Pixel 8 can be clearly seen, especially in the stone floor. In the second comparison, it was simply too dark for both smartphones. The Pixel 8 does try to brighten the image, but that doesn't really make it look any better.
Zoom
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- Google Pixel 8. (Image: TechnikNews)
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- Sony Xperia 5 V. (Image: TechnikNews)
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- Google Pixel 8. (Image: TechnikNews)
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- Sony Xperia 5 V. (Image: TechnikNews)
Zoom shots are definitely not one of the strengths of both smartphones, because this is where the Pixel 8 and Sony Xperia 5 V differ from their larger brothers - i.e. the Pixel 8 Pro or Xperia 1 V. However, the Pixel 8 does a slightly better job because the results are significantly sharper. When it comes to color reproduction, I don't want to pick a winner because that's a matter of taste. Google proAs usual, produces slightly higher contrast photos.
Conclusion
In conclusion, both smartphones have good camera hardware despite their compact size. Personally, I like the Google Pixel 8 better because the photos from the Xperia 5 V are too warm and saturated for me. However, since color reproduction is a matter of taste, I don't want to pick a winner on this point.
However, things are different when it comes to zoom, general sharpness and lowlight performance. Sony can still keep up well here and objectively does a solid job, but Google is still a lot better.
How do you see it? In your opinion, which smartphone delivers the more beautiful or better photos? Please let us know.