Is my S9+ camera defective?

[RapidTurtle]

I guess nobody can get a pic as clear as a 2 year old phone. Time to reimagine the camera again.

 

[torbach1]

I guess nobody can get a pic as clear as a 2 year old phone. Time to reimagine the camera again.

Dude, give us some time. I'm working, been busy. I'll get some photos as soon as I can. I maintain that my T-Mobile S9+ is definitely not worse than my Note 8 or S8+ were. Never argued against the Pixel XL 2. That's the king still. But I would definitely not return this phone because of the camera. So far I've been very impressed. Just haven't had a chance to take a pic of something like that cat at the same time as I have my wife's S8 to compare.

 

[RapidTurtle]

Just busting chops. I am actually looking to upgrade, and want the best camera I can get. I have an LG G5, so I'm really behind the times. I was hoping the S9 camera would be the end all be all, but I'm seeing some good pics, and of course some bad ones.

 

[torbach1]

Just busting chops. I am actually looking to upgrade, and want the best camera I can get. I have an LG G5, so I'm really behind the times. I was hoping the S9 camera would be the end all be all, but I'm seeing some good pics, and of course some bad ones.

Ok, I need to lighten up a bit .

Yeah, well, there's no question that the Pixel XL2 is better camera wise. Its insanely good. Nothing out there right now compares. I guess if someone got that camera working properly on the S9+, that would be different. Its interesting that we live in a time where honestly, there are a good number of very good phones. But not one that's perfect for most. If I could have an S9+ with the Pixel's camera or an XL2 with a Samsung panel, even last year's Pixel XL panel was more then good enough... or of course the iPhone X, which has a phenomenally beautiful screen, but unfortunately runs an OS that in 2018 still doesn't let me arrange my icons the way I want to, or create a shortcut to a person to quickdial. Not that I'm complaining. Talk about 1st world problems. Just interesting.

 

[RapidTurtle]

I feel all of that. I use AT&T, and need their WiFi calling, which only works on AT&T branded phones. That eliminates the Pixel, and any other unlocked phone for me. I hate Apples operating system, and just the whole company in general. That leaves me with LG or Samsung. I was checking out the V30, S8+, Note 8, and an S9 at the AT&T store today. Taking pics with all, I was actually most impressed with the V30 and Note 8. The Galaxy S's reminded me a little bit of my G5, which has a really washed out look to it's pics. The Galaxy's not nearly as bad as my old G5, but I thought the colors on the V30 and Note popped out a little more.

 

[Fred98TJ]

Just busting chops. I am actually looking to upgrade, and want the best camera I can get. I have an LG G5, so I'm really behind the times. I was hoping the S9 camera would be the end all be all, but I'm seeing some good pics, and of course some bad ones.

If you want the “best” camera that you can get (soon) and you subscribe to DXOMark testing procedures, then there is a new king in town and by 10 points or so. The “best” they ever tested. One of the sensors is relatively huge, 1/1.78 “, about twice the size as the main sensor in the S9 and its a 40mp sensor that uses 2x2 pixel binning. It’s testing is showing the best low light photos also.
The Huawei P20 Pro. A triple rear camera phone.

Anyway for all that follow DXOMark’s testing and buy into it, this is the “best” for now.

 

[Michael_Archangel]

If you want the “best” camera that you can get (soon) and you subscribe to DXOMark testing procedures, then there is a new king in town and by 10 points or so. The “best” they ever tested. One of the sensors is relatively huge, 1/1.78 “, about twice the size as the main sensor in the S9 and its a 40mp sensor that uses 2x2 pixel binning. It’s testing is showing the best low light photos also.
The Huawei P20 Pro. A triple rear camera phone.

Anyway for all that follow DXOMark’s testing and buy into it, this is the “best” for now.

I must say, I absolutely do not trust DxOMark's testing. Whilst the P20 is undeniably very good in the dark, again, like the S9+, due to trigger happy software airbrushing to remove all noise, it also removes all the fine details like hair and skin textures. It's absolutely terrible in my opinion and ruins the camera.

Below are their own photos taken with the P20 (top) and with the Pixel 2 (bottom). The Pixel 2 shows all the details of the skin and the fine hair, whereas the P20 looks so airbrushed the hair looks greasy and ALL the details of the skin have been COMPLETELY lost - it just looks like an oil painting...

 

[Green Samot]

Just took this on my S9+. Taken inside so the light wasn't the best, but I think the image is OK?

 

[Michael_Archangel]

Just took this on my S9+. Taken inside so the light wasn't the best, but I think the image is OK?

Thanks - OK that does look pretty sharp, so now I'm back to thinking mine was maybe defective... Could you please take the same picture later on when it's pitch black outside, with just a small light on in the room? It was actually in low light like that (as per my first photo in the thread) that I saw really soft (almost blurry) images, despite the fact that's in low light where the S9+ should shine compared to my S7...

 

[RapidTurtle]

Agree about the DOX site. From samples of the S9, there is clearly some over exposure and lens flare, and DOX rates the camera a 99.
The camera reviews seem to be very subjective. There's a thread on here "how do you like the S9", and every other post hates the camera, and the others mention how they love the camera.

 

[Fred98TJ]

Didn’t say use DXOMark, but many people on these forums seem to live and die by DXOMark’s rating.

Just as many on these forums always say their camera is the “best”. I don’t even know what “best” means. Haha.

 

[Fred98TJ]

Anyway, to me, DXOMark testing isn’t useful, nor are any of the other sites that do camera test. There isn’t much difference these days (in top tier phones) cameras default jpgs anyway.
I only photograph in raw (except for an occasional digi-snap) and that’s the only way to get the most out of the sensor and lens.

 

[RapidTurtle]

Agree about the testing sites. I use my camera mostly for taking pics of family, friends, and pets. Not flowers, statues, and trees.

 

[eddyknights]

so return it for another s9 and see if theres a difference my camera pics range from good to bad it just depends not all pics come out good my s8 and s7 were fantastic

 

[llllBULLSEYE]

Took this one low light. Only TV was on

 

[Fred98TJ]

Took this one low light. Only TV was on

Now that’s a cat that knows how to get comfortable.

Looks like missed focus on the cat though. It’s super soft.

 

[llllBULLSEYE]

lol yeah he's super lazy like most cats.
Yeah it is soft, but considering it was dark it did an awesome job in my opinion.

 

[mgbosshogg]

Ok, I need to lighten up a bit .

Yeah, well, there's no question that the Pixel XL2 is better camera wise. Its insanely good. Nothing out there right now compares. I guess if someone got that camera working properly on the S9+, that would be different. Its interesting that we live in a time where honestly, there are a good number of very good phones. But not one that's perfect for most. If I could have an S9+ with the Pixel's camera or an XL2 with a Samsung panel, even last year's Pixel XL panel was more then good enough... or of course the iPhone X, which has a phenomenally beautiful screen, but unfortunately runs an OS that in 2018 still doesn't let me arrange my icons the way I want to, or create a shortcut to a person to quickdial. Not that I'm complaining. Talk about 1st world problems. Just interesting.

I disagree.
Seen just as much pish pictures taken on the P2XL as any other device.
Nothing impressing me too much on that picture forum

The main weak point is behind the camera as usual.

 

[goji26]

I disagree.
Seen just as much pish pictures taken on the P2XL as any other device.
Nothing impressing me too much on that picture forum

The main weak point is behind the camera as usual.

Bias will make anyone see what they want to see. My wife and I have been comparing pictures from the Pixel 2 and the S9+. While the S9 does pull off a few good pictures here and there, the Pixel is way more consistent and detailed. The colors are a little too saturated for my liking though.

 

[Michael_Archangel]

The S9 seems to overexpose everything, resulting in washed out images. And it makes pictures too soft due to aggressive noise processing, especially in low light. The PX2's exposure seems perfect and the pictures always seem nice and sharp, and it's also much better at bokeh and has a better front camera. Where the S9 wins is in VERY dark environment where the PX2 just cannot match the f/1.5 aperture of the S9 that lets more light in. The S9+ is also better at zooming as it's got 2 rear cameras unlike the PX2. So neither is perfect, however from what I've seen in most cases the PX2 photos are better.

When I bought the S9+ I was expecting daylight photos on par with my S7 (but they're actually worse as overexposed in my opinion - sometimes almost getting rid of shadows), and I was expecting low light photos to be much better than my S7 (but they're actually worse as although there is less noise all the details are blurred out due to the aggressive noise reduction). The only thing that was better is photos in absolutely pitch black rooms where it captured more light than the S7, but how often do you take pictures in complete darkness?