S22 Ultra camera Lens usage question

[bertsirkin]

I've been trying to figure out how the S22 ultra uses the 4 lenses. I know that the phone does pixel "binning" to improve light-gathering and image quality. (binning combines multiple pixels into a single pixel - and the 108mp sensor combines groups of 9 pixels into a single pixel to create a 12mp image [108 / 9 = 12] ).

To see how each lens is used, I took images at different resolutions and covered one or more lenses to see if the image would be affected. Here's what I found:

Magnification		Lens(es) Used
0.6x		top only
1x		middle-left & top-left lenses
2x		middle-left lens only
3x		middle-left lens only
5x		middle-left lens only
10x		bottom-left lens only
> 10x		bottom-left lens only w/digital zoom

What I can't figure out is that when taking an image at 1x magnification, TWO lenses are used - the top-left and middle-left. If I cover either one of those lenses, the image taken is blank.

Can anyone explain why two lenses are used for 1x images??

Thanks,
bert

 

[anon(40376)]

Only thing I can think of it is programmed to use the ultra-wide with the wide (normal) lens for a better depth of field. One gives a closer focus the other allows for a better depth of field. But not sure, since my experience with photography is with large cameras with only one specialized lens attached.

In your review, you don't mention the periscope tele lens; bottom-right. That would be used for 10x since it is 10x optical lens. But I guess under certain circumstances (lighting conditions, etc), the 3X (bottom-left) could be used to give a digital 10x shot.

 

[L0n3N1nja]

I don't have the S22 Ultra but I do know on previous Samsung phones if the light wasn't ideal they crop the main lens with digital zoom rather than use the telephoto lens. Odds are the 3x lens won't get used unless outside on a bright sunny day.

 

[bertsirkin]

Only thing I can think of it is programmed to use the ultra-wide with the wide (normal) lens for a better depth of field. One gives a closer focus the other allows for a better depth of field. But not sure, since my experience with photography is with large cameras with only one specialized lens attached.

In your review, you don't mention the periscope tele lens; bottom-right. That would be used for 10x since it is 10x optical lens. But I guess under certain circumstances (lighting conditions, etc), the 3X (bottom-left) could be used to give a digital 10x shot.

I had a typo - the 3x uses the bottom-right lens (not the left). This is correct:

0.6x top only
1x middle-left & top-left lenses
2x middle-left lens only
3x bottom-right lens only
5x bottom-right lens only
10x bottom-left lens only
> 10x bottom-left lens only w/digital zoom

Here is what each lens does:



I understand that the wider-angle lens has more DOF, but I can't imagine they can combine 2 different focal lengths to achieve more DOF - and FWIW, you may not want more DOF. I haven't been able to find any info on those 2 lenses data being combined, but if you cover up either lens, you won't get a picture at 1x. Strange.

bert

 

[s2kdriver80]

The only scenario of which I can think is when the main lens is using the "focus enhancer" mode. In Samsung's newer phones, if you get close enough to a subject using the main lens, the camera system automatically switches to the ultrawide (and crops to match your main lens' field of view) for better focus (since the ultrawide lens has a smaller minimum focusing distance). If you weren't shooting close up subjects during your testing, than I imagine your finger or whatever you used to cover up the lenses fooled the AF into thinking you were taking a macro shot.

 

[Laura Knotek]

Only thing I can think of it is programmed to use the ultra-wide with the wide (normal) lens for a better depth of field. One gives a closer focus the other allows for a better depth of field. But not sure, since my experience with photography is with large cameras with only one specialized lens attached.

In your review, you don't mention the periscope tele lens; bottom-right. That would be used for 10x since it is 10x optical lens. But I guess under certain circumstances (lighting conditions, etc), the 3X (bottom-left) could be used to give a digital 10x shot.

Would you be able to test on the S22 Ultra camera when your new one arrives?

 

[s2kdriver80]

Looks like the OP is MIA, so i went ahead and tested this issue. I confirmed what I saw in reviews where the phone in main lens mode, switches to the ultrawide lens for macro when you get close enough to the subject. This may give the illusion that the phone is somehow using both lens, but this happens in only certain situations. If you're using the main lens and your subject is nowhere near the phone, it shouldn't use the ultrawide at all. If it does, the only thing I can think of is if the user accidentally fools the AF into thinking they were taking a macro shot with their finger or whatever they used to cover up the lenses.