Over the last few weeks I have been lucky enough to try out the Sony Xperia XZ1 and its amazing camera functions. When I first received the handset, I did a quick rundown of our first impressions. Now that I have been playing with the camera for a little while, I am back with my Sony Xperia XZ1 review, in full. As someone who takes lots of photographs, for work and pleasure, one of the most important things that I think about when choosing a new mobile phone is the camera. Therefore, naturally, my review is focused on some of the amazing camera extras you get with the XZ1. Whether you are taking video shots or stills, the XZ1 has some pretty nifty features.
If you check out our video review below, you can see some of those features, like the super slow motion effect, in action. Below you will find a detailed rundown of the things I loved about the camera phone.
Sony Xperia XZ1 Review Video
Sony Xperia XZ1 Review
Main Camera
The Sony Xperia XZ1 main camera is a 19MP Motion Eye™ camera with: 960 fps Super slow motion video; Predictive Capture; AND SteadyShot™ with Intelligent Active Mode (5-axis stabilisation). This means that you get pictures that are excellent quality, even in low light, and video footage that is never shaky. I took some really lovely shots while on a walk with Biggest –
Biggest was actually moving when this image was taken but the Sony Xperia XZ comes with Autofocus burst, which tracks and captures sequences of moving objects in sharp focus. This means you do not get blurred action shots. Brilliant if you take pictures of children and puppies who move a lot!
The camera is also brilliant in low light and this shot of Littlest with our Christmas tree reveals –
Super Slow Motion
My favourite feature of the main camera though, is the super slow motion effect. You can see several examples in the video above. Below you can find a video from my Instagram feed which shows off how cool the slow motion effect is –
This camera phone would be so brilliant for capturing holiday memories. Action shots of things like jumping into the pool could be completely transformed!
Predictive Capture
Another great function of this camera phone is the predictive capture and Motion Eye™ camera. Predictive Capture automatically starts buffering images seconds before you press the shutter button. This means that if your reactions speeds are not up to scratch, like me, you will still get that perfect shot.
It then gives you a selection of shots and allows you to choose the best and delete the rest with the click of just one button. This is really useful as it means your camera memory does not fill up with hundreds of similar shots as you try to get the perfect one.
Front Camera
In addition, the front camera is probably the best I have ever seen on a phone. It is 13MP camera with a 22mm wide angle lens (just brilliant for taking selfies that fit the whole family in –
The above shot was taken on the front camera, with me holding the camera at arm’s length. As you can see, I had no trouble fitting me, Littlest and Willow in the shot. The front camera has a much wider lens than usual. It makes taking pictures and filming yourself so much easier.
Xperia XZ1 Review – The Verdict
The Sony Xperia XZ1 can rival any camera phone on the market. The image quality alone is enough to put it into the top camera phones available. However, the extra features set this phone apart. In particular, the predictive capture, steady shot and super slow motion functions make this phone something very special indeed.
The Xperia XZ1 is available at the recommended price of £599.99. You can visit the Sony Mobile website in order to find stockists. The Xperia range also includes the XZ1 Compact and the XZ Premium.
Please note. this is a paid collaboration with Sony Xperia. However, all words, images and opinions are my own.
You can also see what other bloggers thought of the Sony Xperia XZ1:
The super slo-mo and the choice of shots makes this a fab piece of kit!
Looks great, my phone camera is appalling
I need a new phone so i might consider this one.
I have this phone, they are fantastic, I’m still learning new things with it daily, somehow my five year old daughter had managed to save a Ken doll as my lock screen cover, I’ve changed it back to a photo but it still shows, I’ve been through settings and can’t figure out how to do it, I’m pretty good with technology but this has stumped me lol xxx
Loving the picture of the Christmas tree, this has come out really well. My camera is useless!
This seems like a great phone I liked the informative video,Like how it predicts what you are going to take & you can choose.
Aaw! Some lovely pics of the little ones there. Thanks for the review.
I’m going to need a new phone soon and this looks good, thanks for the great review
Loving the photos taken with this phone. I have a samsung k zoom but its getting a little old now. This looks like a great replacement camera wise
Thanks for the review. I’ve never had a Sony phone. Might contemplate this one in the not too distant future.
Great review and the Sony Xperia looks smashing. I’m due for an up-grade in a couple of months so I just might give this one a go.
I have a Sony Xperia they are lovely phones x
I’m an Apple iPhone user and I love your in depth review of the phone, it sounds great and I am going to seriously consider it next time I have an upgrade. I started with Apple due to getting my son’s hand-me-downs but this sounds like a great alternative, but the price at nearly £600 is out of my range at the moment, with so many phones on the market I had hoped that the price would come down, unfortunatly that doesn’t seem to be the case 🙁
Beautiful Christmas tree