iPod Comparison of retina display to Pearl eInk

Here are two side by side comparisons of the new Pearl eInk screen in my Kindle WiFi and the retina display from my iPod touch 4th gen. The Pearl is on top and the touch on bottom. I didn't have the same book installed on the Kindle, so this is a different book and probably a different font, but they are close to the same size. This is a composite from full size 12 MP high resolution photos. In all fairness the K3 does not have backlighting, nevertheless the retina display is much clearer than the Pearl eInk.

I was rather shocked by the comparison as I would have thought that the Pearl eInk screen would have been much better.

[Over]

Why would you think that? iPhone's new screen as a much higher resolution, so the difference is obvious, specially with small fonts. That's useful in a iPhone with such limited screen size, but almost irrelevant on a Kindle, unless for some reason you like to read with tiny font sizes.

And the advantages of eink screens over LCD/LED's are still the same.

[Manichean]

Those artifacts in the upper (Pearl) picture look rather like JPEG compression. Did you process both images the same?

[JeremyZ]

Originally Posted by Manichean

Those artifacts in the upper (Pearl) picture look rather like JPEG compression. Did you process both images the same?

Agreed; seems like jpg compression.

Also, how do you like the Touch? I'm anxiously awaiting mine; Amazon estimates 1-2 weeks more before delivery. I've already got a wish list full of games. What eReader app are you using? Kindle or some other one?

I also agree with Over, in that a smaller screen needs higher resolution to be as useful. Not as much in this case, since LCD is more versatile for tasks other than reading.

[Joe Minton]

I own both the PRS-300, 600 & now the Touch 4G. There simply is no comparison; the Touch screen is, by far, sharper and clearer than any Sony reader, including the PRS- 650.

I went to a nearby Sony "Style" store and compared the new PRS-350 and 650 to my collection (PRS-300, 600 and Ipod Touch 4G). The 4G was clearly the best of the lot. Never mind its other superior capabilities, the Apple gadget is the best reader I have seen. Except ---

It is small and those with problems like my friend's macular degeneration cannot use it. It does not have a convenient dictionary, highlighting or anotation capabilities. Also, It does need a recharge after some hours instead of some days. One more thing: all the readers using the eink screen do better in direct sunlight. Still I prefer my new 4G to either of my PRS's in anything but direct sunlight, including bright north-sky shade.

I am a person driven by facts. I, previously, supported the Sony approach to ereaders and may still buy a 650. However, it is clear that the "touch 4G" is superior in every way but those referenced above.

Joe

Originally Posted by Manichean

Those artifacts in the upper (Pearl) picture look rather like JPEG compression. Did you process both images the same?

Both images are from the same photo (K3 and ipod side by side) and were not processed by me. The camera most likely did some processing, but I cannot control that.

[Joe Minton]

The apparent .jpg compression is likely a result of the fuzziness of the original. If the edges of the eink example were very well defined (high MTF), the jpeg pixilation would be less. The jpeg compression pixilation artifacts actually support jswinden's subjective evaluation of the two screens, an evaluation I wholly support.

Joe

[Verres]

To expect a significant different result from any comparison done between displays with and without backlighting is in my opinion not very realistic. I mean if you go outside in bright sunlight and do the same "test" pictures continuously for lets say two or three weeks in a row without recharging you would obviously notice the major differences between the two display types and their respective functionalities.

[sigmax]

well stated, Verres! ipod lcd will easily byte the dust when confronted with less than lcd-ideal circumstances

[JSWolf]

Now try reading the iPod outside in direct sunlight and see which is better,

[tubemonkey]

Originally Posted by JeremyZ

Also, how do you like the Touch? I'm anxiously awaiting mine; Amazon estimates 1-2 weeks more before delivery. I've already got a wish list full of games. What eReader app are you using? Kindle or some other one?

Congrats on your new touch. I really like mine and use it all the time at home. It's also great to take along while traveling to stay connected to the net; and it's a great time waster while waiting for appointments.

I don't read on mine because the screen is too small, but I downloaded all of the major apps just in case. What I really use it for is audio streaming and audiobooks; it's great for that. I have speaker docks scattered about the house and take my touch with me as I move from room to room.

[ilovejedd]

Originally Posted by Joe Minton

It does not have a convenient dictionary, highlighting or anotation capabilities.

That's app-dependent and should be easily addressed assuming the app developer is motivated to add the aforementioned functionality. Pretty sure Stanza already has those functions.

Originally Posted by JSWolf

Now try reading the iPod outside in direct sunlight and see which is better,

Or, you can try reading an eInk in the dark and see which is better. For many of us it is a given that we will have two or more readers for various situations as neither eInk or LCD based readers will ever work adequately in every lighting situation.

BTW, you guys resurrected a long since dead thread...not that there is anything wrong with that...

[Rizla]

Originally Posted by jswinden

Or, you can try reading an eInk in the dark and see which is better. For many of us it is a given that we will have two or more readers for various situations as neither eInk or LCD based readers will ever work adequately in every lighting situation.

E-ink requires a bright external light in the dark, like a book does...

I appreciate that e-ink works well in sunlight, but I don't think the e-ink vs LCD debate is about lighting.

E-ink is easier on the eyes. You can read on it for hours without getting blurry eyes if used with a good light.
LCD is LCD. Most people would have trouble reading a novel on it. You will get blurry eyes.

At least, that's my experience.