DxOMark laboratory tested the cameras of the most affordable model in the modern line of Apple smartphones – the second-generation iPhone SE (2020).
DxOMark: iPhone SE 2020 disappoints in the camera tests
The main camera of the iPhone SE (2020) scored 101 points, which did not allow the model to enter the top ten or even twenty among the smartphones tested by DxOMark. In the overall DxOMark ranking, the affordable iPhone is overtaken by 36 smartphone models, including the 2018 HTC U12 +, Asus ZenFone 6, Motorola Edge + and Xiaomi Mi 9. Its results are on par with the 2018 iPhone XR and the affordable Google Pixel 3a.
In taking photos, the iPhone SE (2020) received 103 points, and in shooting videos – 98 points. DxOMark experts note that in many aspects, the iPhone SE (2020) produces a quality comparable to the more expensive iPhone 11. However, the single-camera loses noticeably in features such as zoom and bokeh effect. In addition, the lack of an ultra-wide-angle module is a significant drawback compared to the iPhone 11.
As for the front camera, here the situation is a little better – the smartphone is among the top twenty. iPhone SE (2020) scored 84 points on average, behind 16 models in the DxOMark ranking. Similar results show the Huawei Mate 30 Pro 5G and the Xiaomi Mi Mix 3.
At the same time, the second-generation iPhone SE turned out to be one of the best smartphones in the world in terms of sound recording quality.
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iPhone SE 2020 main camera
Photo tests
Pros
- Accurate exposure in most lighting
- Well-controlled dynamic range outdoors
- Vivid and pleasant color
- Good detail, especially outdoors
- Acceptable detail using flash
Cons
- Poor zoom at medium and long range
- Visible flare and ringing outdoors
- Underexposure in low light
- Low detail in low light
- Autofocus failures in difficult lighting
- Inconsistent bokeh performance
- High noise in night shots without flash
Video tests
Pros
- Accurate exposure and wide dynamic range
- Good details indoors and outdoors
- Well-controlled noise indoors and outdoors
- Pleasant color
Cons
- Stabilization errors while walking
- White balance instabilities indoors and outdoors
- Jerky autofocus tracking
- Visible judder
iPhone SE 2020 selfie camera
Photo tests
Pros
- Accurate white balance and pleasant colors
- Target exposure is fairly accurate
- Details are well preserved at closer distances
- Depth estimation is accurate for simulated bokeh and spotlights are pleasant
- Exposure with flash is accurate
Cons
- Background detail is soft
- Noise is visible under all tested conditions
- Artifacts such as flare, color quantization, anamorphic distortion, and motion blur visible
- Noise and color quantization visible in flash photos
Video tests
Pros
- Target exposure on faces is usually accurate
- Accurate white balance and pleasant colors
- Good detail levels
- Stabilization is fairly efficient
Cons
- Loss of detail in low-light conditions
- Skin tones sometimes slightly unnatural
- Flare is visible in outdoor conditions
- Noise is visible in all tested conditions
- Narrow depth of field
