Sony AI camera feature promotion backfires: Xperia 1 VIII sample photos criticized for looking worse than the original images

According to Android Headlines on May 19, Sony released an “AI Photography Assistant” feature for its flagship smartphone Xperia 1 VIII. However, among the three sets of feature comparison example photos shared by Sony on X, many users heavily criticized them. Most comments believe that the AI-processed version was overexposed in its reveal, and that the colors and contrast were even worse than the original photos.

Confirmation details of the AI Photography Assistant feature (Sony’s official clarification on May 15)

How it works (confirmed): Before pressing the shutter, the AI Photography Assistant analyzes conditions such as the scene, brightness, subject, distance, and background, and offers four setting directions for users to choose from. Users can pick one, adjust it themselves, or completely turn the feature off.

Feature positioning (confirmed): It is an assistant tool during shooting, not an automatic post-processing tool after shooting. Sony says the feature also provides composition (framing) suggestions.

Sony’s clarification stance: The example photos shown in promotional material display only one of many AI options, not a mandatory processing result. Sony says the feature mainly provides “suggestions for different creative directions,” but does not list the specific parameters for each option.

What the online criticism confirms: what’s the problem

In the three comparison images Sony posted on X, the left side shows the original photo and the right side shows the AI-setting processed version. Criticism focuses on two aspects:

First, the AI-version photos appear visually overexposed, with weaker color reproduction and poorer contrast, resulting in an overall effect that is worse than the original. Second, this creates a clear discrepancy with Xperia’s long-standing “pure photography” image (emphasizing natural color tones and manual control), raising trust issues about the brand positioning.

Android Headlines points out that Google’s “Smart Enhance” feature also shows a similar tendency toward over-brightening, but the way it affects images differs from what Sony demonstrated this time.

Common questions

Does Sony’s AI Photography Assistant intervene before or after shooting?

According to Sony’s official clarification on May 15, the AI Photography Assistant intervenes before the shutter is pressed, analyzing the scene and providing setting recommendations; it is not an automatic post-processing tool after shooting. Users can choose to adopt the recommendations, adjust on their own, or completely turn off the feature.

Why did Sony’s promotional sample photos trigger such strong criticism?

The criticism comes mainly from two aspects: the AI-version photos look visually overexposed with weaker color performance. At the same time, this sharply conflicts with Xperia’s brand positioning that has been built for years among photography enthusiasts—natural color tones and a manual-first approach—leading to questions about brand consistency.

How can users turn off or choose not to use the AI Photography Assistant?

According to Sony’s explanation, users can completely disable the AI Photography Assistant feature. When it is enabled, the system provides four setting directions for users to choose from, and users can also set things up themselves without relying on AI suggestions.