Moto X (2014) vs. Moto G (2014) camera comparison: is the Moto X camera really that bad?

2nd generation cameras: are they bigger and better? Or just bigger?

Both the Moto X (2014) and Moto G (2014) have been gifted with a new camera this time around, and both have larger sensors than in their predecessors. The new Moto X even has a funky looking dual-LED ring flash surrounding the camera lens. But how does it work in practice? And are the larger resolution cameras better or are they just larger resolution? Our comparisons in the past have shown us repeatedly that megapixels are not everything, so we've taken the Moto X (2014) and Moto G (2014) on a camera tour. What they came up with is sometimes amazing and sometimes terrifying.

All this started because the well known tech blogger and hardcore tester Erica Griffin showed comparison photos of the new Motorola smartphones which she had just picked up at the launch event in Chicago, at the same time as we were testing them out at IFA 2014 in Berlin. The surprising results of those photos raised the question: does the Moto G (2014) shoot better photos than the Moto X (2014)? We now have both devices and have tested their cameras side by side. The result? Erica Griffin is absolutely right.

• Read our Moto G (2014) review.

Moto X (2014) vs Moto G (2014) camera comparison: the evidence

We took the same pictures with both devices in different situations and directly compared the results. The resolution was, of course, different for both cameras at the maximum value (13 MP for the Moto X and 8 MP for the Moto G), but even more than the sharpness of detail, we were interested in factors such as realistic color reproduction (auto white balance), dynamic range and noise performance.

Before we give you our conclusions, take a look for yourself and see what you see. Here are the cropped but otherwise unedited comparison photos - the Moto X is always on the top and the Moto G is always on the bottom.

• Take a look at our Moto G (2014) vs Moto G comparison video.

Here are all the pictures of our comparison in a gallery – if you want to see the original images at full resolution, you can find them on Google+.

Moto X (2014) vs. Moto G (2014) camera comparison: the result?

The Moto X (2014) has a potential advantage over the Moto G (2014). When it comes to performance and speed of the camera the Moto X pulls ahead: the camera on the Moto X (2014) launches very quickly and is ready to shoot almost immediately. Even HDR images are processed without significant waiting times - just as you would expect from a top smartphone. But that's about it in favor of the Moto X (2014), despite its inflated price tag and larger megapixel count.

When it comes to image quality though – you know, the important part – the much ''weaker'' camera on the Moto G (2014) outshines the camera on the Moto X (2014). This truly is a disappointment, if only because the Moto X (2014) costs more than twice as much as the Moto G (2014). Of course, this is great news for anyone buying a Moto G (2014), as you're getting a camera better than the flagship for next to nothing.

It is not out of the question that the weaknesses in the Moto X (2014) camera cannot be repaired with a software update, but this shouldn't be necessary straight out of the box. After seeing the results for ourselves though, it is clear that it is sorely needed, and fast.

What do you think about the photos? Would you have predicted this result?

(Originally by AndroidPIT.de)