Is the camera any better?

[msm0511]

May I ask a stupid question? Why do the 2 lower grade S20 models get the superior dual pixel auto focus whilst the heavily camera promoted S20 Ultra gets the lesser phase detect auto focus? Is it a technical difficulty to implement dual pixel auto focus on a 108 MP sensor whilst the other S20 models only have 12 MP sensors? Bearing in mind both models have high MP telephoto cameras as well.

I wonder if it has something to do with the nona pixel binning.

 

[anon(661246)]

sadly Samsung didn't improve their processing.

 

[L0n3N1nja]

View attachment 317286View attachment 317287
This is the ultra vs my note 10 plus. The autofocus is slow to focus as been reported. I think that can be fixed. This photo near the top of the bottle is out of focus, not sure issues like these can be fixed by software. It may just be this way due to the larger sensor. There is more to the phone than just the camera, but I don't really want a step back and more money out vs the note 10. Samsung better put out a good update over the next two weeks or they will have a lot of returned units.

This looks like an issue with a shallower depth of field from the larger sensor but I may be wrong.

 

[durandetto]

Here's one at 1x and 100x. Same position resting on a counter top.

 

[BlackZeppelin]

This looks like an issue with a shallower depth of field from the larger sensor but I may be wrong.

Yes. This was stated explicitly by a review I saw recently by MKHD. It's because the new Galaxies don't have dual aperture anymore and is fixed at a narrow f1.8. Which means you can focus on a particular object and the rear and sides of it may be out of focus slightly. The upside is that you get natural effective bokeh.

 

[milehigherik]

sadly Samsung didn't improve their processing.

This is exactly the issue. With the gcam mod on most devices you will see improved performance. This is due to the processing of the software. Samsung amazes me how they smooth the images the way they do. I didn't care about the face smoothing until the first pixel phone came out. It was incredible the amount of detail on the front facing camera. Especially compared to most any other comparable phone.

 

[racedog]

That is not happening here. Look at.the leather again, the gcam pic is showing details on both the lower end and the upper end of the leather. The s20 ultra shows no detail at either end. If bokeh and depth of field were the issue then the s20 would have a point at which the image would be sharp and showing detail. That is NOT happening. This is problem with the image algorithm that is being handled in the image processing.

Yes. This was stated explicitly by a review I saw recently by MKHD. It's because the new Galaxies don't have dual aperture anymore and is fixed at a narrow f1.8. Which means you can focus on a particular object and the rear and sides of it may be out of focus slightly. The upside is that you get natural effective bokeh.

 

[Mike Dee]

For example to snap these little guys with my Pixel 4 XL Just now in the same lighting....I ended up pulling it out because I wanted to get a cool shot and knew that it would do it. I can't rely on Samsung today or in the past to take a good photo without setting up the phone on a tripod. I personally like the ease of taking photos.

Why do you need a tripod?

 

[milehigherik]

Why do you need a tripod?

It is somewhat sarcasm. However the fact is that the Samsung must be virtually motionless to take the best photo. Hands aren't always the steadiest and the pixel allows for some amazing handheld shots.

 

[kolyan2k]

Mixed results so far on smaller S20. Definitely not a killer, but will try more tomorrow

 

[Mike Dee]

It is somewhat sarcasm. However the fact is that the Samsung must be virtually motionless to take the best photo. Hands aren't always the steadiest and the pixel allows for some amazing handheld shots.

Sounds more like the shutter is too slow in auto

 

[EMGSM]

Look forward to the comparo shots in similar scenes like this and your impressions.

^^^This

 

[mustang7757]

Mixed results so far on smaller S20. Definitely not a killer, but will try more tomorrow

Not crazy about the smaller version?

 

[EMGSM]

Look forward to the comparo shots in similar scenes like this and your impressions.

^^^This

Outdoors in sunlight it's a beast but indoors low light...meh.

I agree. Indoor pics are pretty bad for me.

 

[EMGSM]

the short answer is no. simply no. Samsung can't get their stuff together to capture moving images of animals or kids even in proper daylight. I took probably 30 photos and I'd say two or three came out decent. in the exact same moments I press the shutter button on my pixel 4 XL and captured 26 good images. this is the stuff that I'm talking about when it comes to usability. no one wants to put their phone on a tripod. not everyone has steady hands like a surgeon. The pixel accounts for these things and makes sure that your image looks as though it were on a tripod.

this phone is going back as quickly as it got here. well not quite because I requested next day shipping.

Well said

 

[kolyan2k]

Not crazy about the smaller version?

I dont know. Pretty much the same size as my Note 10 but more comfortable to hold. 120hz is nice. I think skin tones have improved. Haven't played that much with it, came from work 10pm

It's the same story....$1000 bucks....hell no. Roughly 330 that I paid for it (with Note trade) + leather case and fast wireless changer, well that's almost free If I needed a phone, didn't have a trade, I would never buy S20, and its nuts to pay 1400 for Ultra Pixel is a much better deal now.

 

[Peter Scooze]

I dont know. Pretty much the same size as my Note 10 but more comfortable to hold. 120hz is nice. I think skin tones have improved. Haven't played that much with it, came from work 10pm

It's the same story....$1000 bucks....hell no. Roughly 330 that I paid for it (with Note trade) + leather case and fast wireless changer, well that's almost free

Hows the camera? Same issues as the ultra?

 

[kolyan2k]

Hows the camera? Same issues as the ultra?

Not sure. Probably will have to use it till weekend to get any results. It's still very disappointing that it's not a clear winner.

Edit: can only comment that camera offered to use 64mp outside and details were much better then on Note. Inside it made no difference

 

[milehigherik]

Not sure. Probably will have to use it till weekend to get any results. It's still very disappointing that it's not a clear winner.

$1400 should present a crystal clear winner.

 

[mjs2011]

https://twitter.com/UniverseIce/status/1235058499312177158?s=20