It was the mono-topic of conversation yesterday among everyone who liked technology and the hangover from the presentation of the Samsung Galaxy S8 is far from dissipating. Now, Samsung with a little more calm tells us more calmly why the Galaxy S8 camera is not the same as the Galaxy S7.
On paper, it was easy to say "Samsung has repeated camera", but in reality the Korean company has done more than just put a sensor 12 MP Dual-Pixel and a aperture f / 1.7. Starting with the lenses that have been improved, the company has shelled out the peculiarities of the new terminal's camera and after reading them, it cannot be said that they have not put work on the terminal.
A totally different image processing
The first is what he calls Ā«multi-frame image processingĀ«, And it's a way to ensure perfectly lit photos no matter what the occasion. To do this, the camera takes three photos and chooses the best one, using the other two to focus better and have a better treatment of colors, shadows and lighting. This applies even when it comes to photos taken with zoom at night. And thanks to the processor in the S8, the camera is so fast that you don't notice the difference with other smartphones that only take a photo "of what comes out."
Beyond the number of shots, this multiple processing relies on a most powerful ISP capable of reducing noise without erasing fine detail, improve the Dynamic range and fine-tune the white balance in mixed scenes. The system takes advantage of the photodiodes of the Dual Pixel approach to calculate sharpness maps and merge the images with less blur. The practical result compared to the S7 is a greater consistency in skies, night lights and textures (stone, leaves, fabrics) when enlarged to 100%.
El dual photodiode PDAF focusing It remains instantaneous, but the tracking algorithm has been adjusted to preserve the subject in backlit or low-light conditions. In night shots with movement, the S8 is less prone to micro-blurring thanks to a faster reading from the sensor and a finer control of the optical stabilization (OIS).
Total change in the front
If we talk about the front camera, things have changed a lot since that of 8 MP vs. 5 MP for the Galaxy S7. Both have f / 1.7, a figure that is still one of the lowest on the market but also adds front autofocus and facial recognition.
More additions
Among other additions we also have that the company has added up to 16 filters to the camera, including 8 that serve to improve images and faces. In addition, given the fashion that there is, we also have 34 stickers and 50 stamps to add them to photos before sharing. But we also find the animated stickers. In the style of Snapchat, they will recognize our face and we can take funny selfies with them as if we were wearing masks, glasses, etc.
Finally, the Galaxy S8 incorporates a system of one-handed control for the camera ā and okay, the Galaxy Note 7 had that too, but not the Galaxy S7 ā with which, with several finger movements, we can access and control all the functions of the device's camera.
Is it really "the same camera"? What you don't see in the technical specifications.
That both mount 12 MP with Dual Pixel yf/1.7 This does not mean total equality. In the S8, Samsung uses a revised sensor (varying between suppliers) with faster reading, Lower electronic noise and refined color calibration. In different markets and batches, equivalencies have been seen between new-generation Sony and Samsung sensors (for example, evolutions compared to the modules used in the S7), with the same philosophy: 1,4 Āµm pixels, sensor size 1/2.55ā³ y 26mm lensBut with improved micro-lenses and anti-reflective coating. The result? The S8 delivers cleaner textures in shadows, less banding in harsh lights, and a Auto HDR more natural.
The platform jump (from the previous SoC to the one in the S8) brings a most capable ISPkey for multi-frame. This reduces the watercolor typical when applying noise reduction and preserves fine features like hair or branches. In backlightsThe S8 protects highlights better and avoids halos around buildings or trees that could appear in the S7 if the scene was extreme.
S8 vs S7 performance depending on the scenario
- Low lightThe S7 was already excellent; the S8 brings best definition y less chromatic noise in dark areas. Color stability also improves under warm lighting.
- Portrait and focusThe S8's continuous focus is more sticky and reliable with moving subjects. The separation of planes is very similar (same aperture), but the S8's micro-contrast produces more defined faces.
- ZoomBoth offer digital zoom; with multi-frame, the S8 retains cleaner edges and more legible letters when enlarged.
- Institutional4K at 30 fps on both with OIS. The S8 reduces Jello and exposure pumping compared to the S7 in fast pans, and the audio capture has less hiss.
Software, modes, and controls that make the difference
Beyond filters and stickers, the S8 enhances useful features such as HDR Auto smarter, pro mode with control of ISO, shutter speed, white balance and manual focus with focus peaking, as well as saved in RAW (DNG) for lossless editing. interface It's clearer, the swipes to change cameras or modes are more reliable, and the floating button It helps to shoot without stretching your thumb.
Unlike other generations, here there is no variable openness nor super slow motion of very high performance, features associated with later models; in S8 and S7 the focus is on constant quality with optical stabilization and solid 4K, and the real difference comes from indicted, autofocus and the Front camera with AF.
Quick tips to get the most out of the S8 camera compared to the S7
- Active HDR Auto and let the multi-frame resolve backlighting; in highly contrasted scenes, force HDR On.
- Indoors, use pro mode Reducing ISO and relying on OIS to maintain grain-free detail.
- For portraits with the camera facing forward, take advantage of the autofocus and shoots at medium range; the stickers are optional, but the AF already represents a clear technical improvement.
- In the video, he blocks exposure and focus with a prolonged touch to avoid jumps in panning.
The combination of sensor adjustments, frame fusion algorithms, focus, and software means that, without changing the 12 MP f/1.7 Dual Pixel headline, the Galaxy S8 delivers more consistent images, with better balanced colors y less noise than the S7 in the most demanding situations. For those coming from an S7, the improvement is especially noticeable in low light and in the frontal cameraWhile in a positive light both continue to compete at the highest level.
