Mobile Review  >  Mobile Test Results

HTC 8X

66
mobile
This device has been tested in 2012. Please note that the score and contents below refer to an older Camera test protocol.

Looking at the individual tests in more detail, the HTC performs reasonably well in most areas, though its noise performance for still images is below par, with images showing strong chroma noise and a loss of image detail in low-light conditions. There is also a tendency for images to produce a purple haze when using a direct light source (i.e., when a strong light comes into the camera from a wide angle, although these conditions are usually hard to reproduce). The one area for still images at which it does excel is color rendition, showing very good colors under most lighting conditions. The autofocus could also be better, working well in bright light, but more hit-and-miss in low-light situations.

In video, the HTC performs slightly better than in photo tests, scoring 67 compared to 66. Here the exposure and contrast are much better, though the colour rendition is not quite so good. The autofocus is also much improved, reacting quickly and quietly. The textures, noise performance and artefacts are also all better than when using the photo mode. The one area to be aware of with the video mode is that in low light, the frame rate can drop to unacceptably low levels causing some distortion.

Considering these video test results, the fact it only scores 1pt more in the overall video score seems strange. However, a look at the stabilisation score for video is clearly the culprit. Managing a score of only 11, it is ineffective in most situations. 

Coming in at sixth in the overall score is a respectable performance. The Nokia 808 Pureview is in a class of it’s own at the top, with four mobiles competing equally in tier two and the HTC 8X sitting in the third tier with the Nokia Lumia 920.

66
photo
67
video

Photo Pros

  • Rich, pleasing colours in most lighting conditions
  • No colour shading
  • High levels of detail in outdoor images
  •  Autofocus produces sharp images in bright light conditions

Video Pros

  • Autofocus is responsive and quiet
  • Textures are well produced even in low light conditions
  •  Low image noise level due to good noise reduction

Photo Cons

  • White balance is excessively red under tungsten light sources
  • High dynamic range scenes are not recorded accurately
  • Strong low-frequency chroma noise in low light
  • Strong loss of detail in low light
  • Purple haze with direct light sources
  •  Autofocus inaccuracies in low light

Video Cons

  • Video image stabiliser is ineffective
  • Frame rate drops too far in low light causing frame distortion

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