Amazon Echo Show 8 and 5 in the test: You can see better with the second generation

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With the second generation of the Echo Show 8 and Echo Show 5, Amazon is improving its smart displays primarily on the camera. The step from 1 to 13 MP with the Echo Show 8 is huge, but the display has also become significantly better. The Echo Show 8 remains the best overall smart display package because of the price.

Table of contents

  1. 1 With the second generation is easier to see
    1. New models with better cameras
    2. The changes to the Echo Show 8 (2nd gen.)
    3. The changes to the Echo Show 5 ( 2nd gen.)
    4. Familiar setup
    5. The display under the measuring device
  2. 2 Power consumption, sound, streaming, browser and conclusion
    1. The power consumption
    2. The sound
    3. Video streaming still without Disney +
    4. Surfing now without Firefox
    5. Conclusion

New models with better cameras

Amazon has both the Echo Show 8 and the Echo Show 5 reissued in the second generation without changing anything in the design of both models. Instead, the manufacturer has focused the changes on the cameras of the novelties, which should offer better image quality for video calls and home surveillance.

The Echo Show 8 now uses a 13-megapixel wide-angle camera – previously only a 1-megapixel model was used. With the Echo Show 5, a 2-megapixel camera replaces the 1-megapixel version. With the updates, Amazon takes into account the fact that last year almost three times as many video calls were made worldwide via Alexa as in the previous year. The Echo Show 8 also has changes to the display and SoC. On the other hand, Amazon did not make any adjustments to the microphones and speakers, these were taken over unchanged from the first generation.

Since ComputerBase launched the Amazon Echo Show 8 (test) and the Amazon Echo Show 5 (test) has already examined in detail, this test primarily deals with the differences between the new models and for the most part omits similarities, for which reference is made to the two previous tests.

The Echo Show 8 (2nd gen.) Still measures 200.4 × 135.9 × 99.1 mm (W × H × D) at 1,037 g. Nothing has changed in the wedge-shaped outer shape. The Echo Show 5 (2nd generation) also has the same dimensions as the first generation with 148 × 86 × 73 mm (W × H × D) and a weight of 410 g.

The recommended retail price for the Echo Show 8 (2nd generation) is still 129.99 euros *. At the start of today's Prime Day, however, it is already 45 euros cheaper for only 84.99 euros *. The Echo Show 5 (2nd generation), on the other hand, costs 84.99 euros *, which makes it 5 euros cheaper than the first generation. Also only available for Prime Day and for only 49.99 euros *.

The changes to the Echo Show 8 (2nd Gen.)

The new camera in the test

The new 13-megapixel camera in the Echo Show 8 again has an integrated camera cover, but now pans digitally during video calls or drop-ins and automatically zooms in to keep the person in front of the lens in focus. The new Echo Show 10 (test) offers a similar function, but it can also rotate the entire display.

Amazon Echo Show 8 (2nd Gen.)

The function fulfills its purpose, so that the user does not always have to be careful to sit exactly in the middle in front of the camera in order to be in the picture. However, the radius in which this adjustment is possible is limited to the field of view of the camera. The user cannot be tracked as comprehensively as with the Echo Show 10. If there are several people in front of the camera, it zooms out to get everyone into the picture. As with the Echo Show 10, this adjustment takes place with a delay and slowly so as not to constantly switch back and forth. In practice, this is more pleasant than a constantly changing cut, especially if the person moves back and forth in front of the camera more often. It is also positive that the person's head is not compulsorily zoomed in, but something of the surrounding space continues to be recorded.

The step from 1 to 13 megapixels is unmistakable and ensures a significantly brighter and sharper image that is also superior to the video quality of most front-facing cameras on smartphones. For video telephony, the quality is very good and also superior to current cameras in notebooks, which usually only offer inferior quality. If you want to keep the image noise as low as possible, you should pay attention to a bright environment, because in poor lighting conditions the image of the new camera will also be noisy, as the example video shows. The Echo Show 8 is therefore a very good choice for video calls or drop-ins and does not have to hide from the Echo Show 10 apart from the movement function. Unlike in the USA, zoom is still not supported in Germany.

Photos and videos can also be recorded with the camera using voice commands. An “Alexa, take a photo” or “Alexa, take a video” is sufficient, the recordings automatically end up in the cloud at Amazon Photos due to a lack of local storage. The resolution of the photos is 3,456 × 2,160 pixels, videos are recorded in Full HD.

Both new models also support the “home surveillance” function, with which users can watch a live stream of the Echo Show 8 and Echo Show 5 cameras remotely via the Alexa app. For example, when on vacation, you can take a look inside your home using the smart displays. The camera position cannot be adjusted for an all-round view on the two models, this is only possible on the Echo Show 10 with a rotary motor. The external access is shown on the display so that people in front of the screen are informed about the remote access.

Display with color adjustment and new 8- Core SoC

Even if the display is named after 8 inches and 1,280 × 800 pixels (189 ppi), a model with automatic color adjustment depending on the ambient light is now installed. In many situations this leads to a significantly warmer image. The screen will be discussed in more detail later when brightness and contrast are compared with the first generation display.

Amazon Echo Show 8 (2nd Gen.) and Echo Show 5 (2nd Gen.)

In addition, the Octa-core MediaTek MT8183 processor with a clock frequency of up to 2.0 GHz is used – so far, the MediaTek MT8163 is an SoC with four ARM Cortex-A53 processor cores and up to 1.5 GHz. WiFi 5 (802.11a/b/g/n/ac) is again represented in the WLAN.

The changes to the Echo Show 5 (2nd . Gen.)

With the new Echo Show 5, however, the changes are limited to the camera. The rest of the technology is identical – from the display and SoC to the speakers, WiFi 5 and Bluetooth to the microphones. The 5.5-inch display continues to have a resolution of 960 × 480 pixels, which results in a pixel density of 195 ppi. With the camera, the changes are far less serious than with the Echo Show 8. Instead of 1 to 13 megapixels, the Echo Show 5 only changes from 1 to 2 megapixels. The difference is therefore much smaller. Videos are recorded in 720p.

Amazon Echo Show 5 (2nd gen.)

Familiar setup

The setup of the two Echo-Show models is carried out as usual for these devices via the display and is unchanged compared to the other Echo-Show devices. The user has to enter his WLAN access data and his Amazon account via an on-screen keyboard. After the initial setup, all settings can be made via the display as usual, although many settings can also be adjusted by voice via Alexa. However, the restrictions that were last pointed out in the test of the Echo Show 10 remain in both models.

Neither of the two models offers an integrated Zigbee hub for the direct connection of smart home devices.

The display under the measuring device

While the size and resolution of the display is unchanged on both devices, the screen of the Echo Show 8 can now automatically adjust the color temperature as well as the brightness. The colorimeter is then used to check what has changed in terms of brightness, contrast and homogeneity.

Size, resolution and pixel density of smart displays in comparison Display size Resolution Pixel density Amazon Echo Show 8 (2nd gen.) 8.0 inches 1,280 × 800 pixels 189 ppi Amazon Echo Show 8 8.0 inches 1,280 × 800 pixels 189 ppi Amazon Echo Show 5 (2nd gen.) ) 5.5 inches 960 × 480 pixels 195 ppi Amazon Echo Show 5 5.5 inches 960 × 480 pixels 195 ppi Amazon Echo Show 10 (3rd gen.) 10 inches 1,280 × 800 pixels 151 ppi Amazon Echo Show 10 (2nd gen.) .) 10 inches 1,280 × 800 pixels 151 ppi Google Nest Hub (2nd gen.) 7 inches 1,024 × 600 pixels 170 ppi Google Nest Hub 7 inches 1,024 × 600 pixels 170 ppi Lenovo Smart Clock 4 inches 800 × 480 pixels 233 ppi Lenovo Smart Display 10 10 inches 1,920 × 1,200 pixels 226 ppi Lenovo Smart Display 8 8 inches 1,280 × 800 pixels 188 ppi

With a maximum of 510 cd/m², the display of the Echo Show 8 is significantly brighter than the first generation, which has a maximum of 390 cd/m². As with the new Echo Show 10, this higher peak brightness is accompanied by poorer homogeneity. At maximum brightness, the display of the Echo Show 8 (2nd gen.) Shines brightly between 0.175 (left center) and 0.205 (center) cd/m², which is significantly darker than the 0.458 to 0.601 cd/m² of the Predecessor. The contrast reaches up to 2,500: 1. At minimum brightness, the screen only shines with an average of 1.70 cd/m², so it is significantly darker than its predecessor, which still achieved 5.35 cd/m². The color temperature of the Echo Show 8 display is very good 6,455 Kelvin without automatic color adjustment.

In total, the display of the Echo Show 8 (2nd gen.) thus, despite the poorer homogeneity, significantly better than its predecessor.

  1. Homogeneity of the Amazon Echo Show 8 (2nd gen.)

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Homogeneity of the Amazon Echo Show 8 (2nd gen.)
Homogeneity of the display of the Echo Show 8
Homogeneity of the display of the Echo Show 10 (3rd gen.)
Homogeneity of the display of the Echo Show (2nd gen.)
Homogeneity of the Amazon Echo Show 5
Homogeneity of the Google Nest Hub
Homogeneity of the Lenovo Smart Display

The display of the second generation Echo Show 5 has also become brighter. Instead of 397 cd/m² on the far right, it is now a maximum of 430 cd/m² in the middle. With 412 cd/m² on the left and 424 cd/m² on the right, the homogeneity of the small display is also very good.

At maximum brightness, the display shines in black with 0.146 to 0.160 cd/m², which is also darker than its predecessor, which is between 0.254 and 0.288 cd/m². The contrast is 2,800: 1. The first generation Echo Show 5 achieved 1,380: 1. The minimum brightness of a maximum of 2.87 cd/m² is also below the 5.22 cd/m² of the predecessor. Even if the display has not changed formally in terms of resolution and functions, the second generation Echo Show 5 does better.

  1. Homogeneity of the Amazon Echo Show 5 (2nd gen.)

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Homogeneity of the Amazon Echo Show 5 (2nd gen.)
Homogeneity of the Amazon Echo Show 5

The color temperature of the screen, which cannot be adjusted in this respect, is 6,950 Kelvin, which is a little less warm than the Echo Show 8 (2nd gen.).

(* ) The links marked with an asterisk are affiliate links. In the case of an order via such a link, ComputerBase receives a share of the sales proceeds without increasing the price for the customer.

On the next page: power consumption, sound, streaming, browser and conclusion