The Galaxy S5 was one of the best camera phones Android. An important task is now up to S6: do at least as well. Samsung and Apple shifted out their terminals in the S6 will also have to measure up to the iPhone 6, one of the most efficient appliances market picture. A confrontation where the Lumia 930, High Representative of the Windows Phone family, of course its say. Here we are embedded in a duel to three (the first one that says “trowel” comes out …)
Between S4 and S5, Samsung was increased from 13 to 16 megapixels and inaugurated an imaging device owner called Isocell. For Galaxy S6, the resolution does not change. However, Samsung abandons his home sensor to adopt as the Note 4 chip Sony IMX240. The component is always of type 1 / 2.6 inch larger than the iPhone 6 (1/3 inch) and slightly smaller than the Lumia 930 (1 / 2.5 inch). This results in relatively large pixels on the iPhone 6 (1.5 μ), thanks to its “low resolution” 8 megapixels compared to other 1.12 μ on the Galaxy S6 and the Lumia 930 (respectively 16 and 20 megapixels).
The other big change is the optical unit. The new lens opens to f: 1.9 (against 2.2 above), it uses a shorter focal length (equivalent 28mm versus 31mm on the S5) and acquires optical stabilization (as on the Note 4) . AF is also supposed to have benefited from improvements, however the IMX240 remains devoid of the hybrid system to phase the old Isocell sensor detection.
What do the two rivals on these points? The iPhone 6 has an optical block equivalent to 29 mm, which opens at f: 2.2 and a digital stabilization (optical stabilization being reserved for the iPhone 6 Plus). The autofocus iPhone 6 is based on contrast and phase detection hybrid system (Focus Pixel). The side of the Lumia 930, this is where the angle is wider (26 mm) but the opening, the most “narrow” (f: 2.4). The PureView system stands out in contrast with the double digital zoom algorithm without loss or oversampling. And optical stabilization is here.
The Galaxy S6 always filmed in 4K (3840 x 2160 pixels) at 30 frames / s, but also qHD (2560 x 1440 pixels) or 1080p at 60fps / s. As the S5. The front sensor switches meanwhile February to May megapixels. He always shoots in FullHD and novelty, it inherits the “Auto HDR” of the main sensor. The latter has two advantages: it performs treatments in one view avoids duplication of contours, and displays the minutes to the screen in real time, unlike conventional HDR modes that make an assembly post multiple views and thus can not display the record before capturing views
The iPhone 6 is satisfied him full HD, but at 60fps / s.; and a front sensor 1.2 Megapixel, but also with automatic HDR. The Lumia 930 films in 2160p at 30 frames / s since the last update of the application Lumia Camera, its front camera itself also capped at 1.2 megapixel HDR without function.
Results photo
Speed
We decided to measure three different sizes to gauge our three smartphones: the delay before first trigger, the speed of development ranging latency and burst. We knew the iPhone 6 very fast and the Lumia 930 rather slow, the issue was mostly “How the Galaxy S6 he positioned? “The answer is clear: the Galaxy S6 itself as a new reference. Apart from starting the photo layer, slightly longer than the iPhone 6 (1.49 versus 1.23 s s) but much less than the Lumia 930 (2.74 s), the others are placed chronos quite clearly in favor of the South Korean smartphone
The development is frighteningly fast. it was nice enquiller views, S6 never exceeds 0.15 s, sometimes it borders on 0.10 s. Under the same conditions, the iPhone 6 is between 0.25 and 0.30 s, a score already excellent but now beaten. The Lumia 930 is more unpredictable: it just perform a refresh of its development, shooting takes only 0.20 seconds. However, if one falls right on a point research cycle, the clock can reach 0.95 s.
burst Galaxy S6 reached the impressive rate of 12 frames per second at full resolution against 10 fps for the iPhone 6. However, the latter has the advantage of not being limited in buffer , while Samsung limit the burst at 30 frames. Lumia 930 side, the burst takes 4 images per second on 7 views, and the rate drops to 3.4 fps. This with the application “Camera”, because with “Lumia Camera” pace is slower. If it is possible to use the “Select an instant” on a video shoot: then has 25 frames per second, but in 2880 x 2160 pixels maximum
Image quality.
In this field, there are differences but there are no bad student. Let’s say it bluntly: the Lumia 930, when photography DNG (RAW raw format) far exceeds its two competitors. We then amount of detail and more dynamic and clearly superior digital noise much less destructive than Jpeg.
The same extract ISO 400 Lumia 930 captured in JPEG and RAW
But then, use the DNG requires a digital development, that is to say post-processing computer and therefore time. For mobile use, it is not necessarily convenient, at least not for everyone.
If one sticks to the product by the smartphone Jpeg, spreads tightened sharply. There, the Lumia 930 pictures appear well contrasted with a measure basic dark enough exposure, low dynamics and a generous level of saturation. Rendering well-typed. The Galaxy S6 offers a measure of white balance similar to the Lumia 930. But the new protected from Samsung is distinguished by a sharper image of his mind, a more accurate exposure, colorimetry softened and JPEG processing somewhat more conservative in details. The iPhone 6 loses details of the match, with a resolution of at least two times lower than that of its rivals, but there is no lack of finesse provided. In daylight, treatment reveals a good balance, allowing both to capture realistic textures but also retain more dynamic. The larger photosites fully play their role.
HDR processing, called Capture enriched on Windows Phone gives varying results. IPhone 6 and Lumia 930, the dynamic gain is pretty good but the outlines are duplicated on moving subjects. On the Galaxy S6, the dynamic gain is more uncertain, however the contours do not split.
What about the shadows? There is still the Lumia 930 wins the fight. In DNG mainly recording mode that preserves an impressive amount of detail, but especially that preserves the dynamics and colors. Because in Jpeg, if the digital noise is very content, colorimetry and dynamic collapse. Then it is preferred rendering iPhone 6 and Galaxy S6.
Other interest Lumia 930: it goes up to 3200 ISO, where the iPhone tops out at ISO 2000 and Galaxy S6 at ISO 800 and the switchable speed control allows for exposures of 4 seconds (on tripod). However, the very low oversampling with this 20 megapixel sensor here not used to much: the quality of the PureView 808 is far away. Now the iPhone 6 Galaxy S6 and are doing well too. The Samsung phone running a cleaner image processing than Apple ISO equivalent and remains usable up to its limit of 800 ISO. But the iPhone 6, when it does not drown in the darkness, managed to restore dynamics more than the others (the detail in the dark areas, blocked the Lumia 930 and Galaxy S6). And colorimetry remains relatively well.
remain the selfies , where there is the Samsung ascendancy, followed closely by the iPhone 6, far ahead of the Lumia 930. First, the resolution of 5 megapixels Samsung captures much more detail than the competitors in 1.2 megapixel. But the auto HDR mode can effectively manage against-day, even if the rendering of the iPhone 6 is better in this area. Samsung also offers its fashion beauty that smoothes the skin texture of faces (use sparingly). And fans selfies group will appreciate the wide angle chosen by Samsung (22 mm versus 31 mm on the iPhone 6). The meat colors are accurately reproduced Samsung and Apple, Nokia not offering us a blue-green and white still very sluggish dynamics.
interface, ergonomics and functionality
We found the interface of the Galaxy S5 comprehensive, although a bit loaded, Samsung has managed to lighten it without compromising anything. A discrete line white icons at the top of the screen provides access to the flash, self-timer, the HDR effects and camera settings. While below include the headband with two triggers (photo and video), access to the film, switching between back and front camera and modes of shooting.
camera parameters are considerably simplified: the new menu much clearer than the old. Same for the modes where we find only seven entries (over the Download ): automatic, pro, selective focus, panorama, slow motion, fast motion and virtual image. The pro mode sets colorimetry, focus, white balance, sensitivity, correction and exposure metering. Selective focus proposes to change the focus post and virtual image is used to create an animation around a subject to a kind of 3D presentation. Idle and accelerated motion are none other than video in slow-motion and accelerated, as already exists on the iPhone 6 and more smartphones.
The selective focus and virtual photo
Everything is easy to handle, the interface is quite fluid. One approaches the instinctive iPhone 6, which is still the standard for simplicity, while remaining true to the heritage of Android in terms of settings, it’s pretty well seen.
On can not be said of the Lumia 930 very confusing to the uninitiated. Multiplicity of photo applications that are duplicates, filters download separately and actually behave like applications, labels, and not always wise organization of menus. In short, this is of course a matter of taste and habits, but Nokia and Microsoft does not make our task.
What else to say on the Galaxy S6? USB read the DCIM directory Photo shows is quite slow, especially compared to the Lumia 930 and the iPhone 6. And Curved Edge Screen disrupted us more than anything else to use. Already the native 16/9 ratio is not very natural picture, then with two stripes curled up and down it even disrupts the horizontal alignment. It’s a little less annoying vertically, but one can not help thinking that this screen curvature is nothing aesthetic.
Results video
Galaxy S5 was very good at capturing videos, S6 again point by point all the forces of his predecessor. So filming in 1080p at 30 or 60fps / s, but also 2560 x 1440 (QHD, or the definition of the screen) and UHD (3840 x 2160 pixels) at 30 frames / s. Attention all higher modes Full HD 30fps / s are denied the video stabilizer (digital), AF tracking (tracking of the subject), the HDR or video effects. (Download a film clip Ultra HD)
H.264 stream at 17 Mbps (up to 48 Mbps UHD) is of very good quality. The good optical Galaxy S6 and sensor controlled by Samsung are not for nothing. Furthermore, the video stabilizer works well, although it must be remembered that it generates an important crop since digital. And autofocus responds wonderfully to change plans: iPhone 6 is largely tied on this issue. And exceeded if one takes into account the different capture formats Galaxy S6.
Lumia 930 is limping along here. If films also in UHD 30 im / s its last update, however it suffers from a sometimes risky colorimetry, lack of finesse in details and captured a bright enough and autofocus pump unpleasant way. The only point on which the Lumia 930 is able to compete with its competitors is the optical stabilization. Insufficient, especially as digital stabilization of the iPhone 6 and Galaxy S6 are particularly effective.
Let us complete this component by referring to the two new modes, idle and accelerated. They are reminiscent of the eponymous features of iOS 8 and better. Here it is possible to adjust the viewing slowed or accelerated sequence, but also to add a second and determine the idle factor or acceleration. Everything is easily exportable, with or without sound, in 1280 x 720 pixels at 30 frames / s and 8 Mbps (H.264). Really nice!
And if you lend an ear to the audio capture (on the relevant remarks of several readers)? The Lumia 930 comes into force. It comes with four microphones, two against the Galaxy S6 and one on the iPhone 6 (one that records video, the other two are used only for the attenuation of background noise during calls). The spatial experience is affected, even though the Samsung smartphone does a wonderful job in this regard. The Lumia 930 can also shoot by encoding audio in Dolby Digital Plus 5.1 (codec E-AC-3 384 Kbps to 16-bit and 6 channels). Quality side, the Lumia 930, which restores the wide frequency range, especially in the low end. The Galaxy S6 rises in second with also a very good sound (AAC at 256 Kbps, 48kHz 2ch). The iPhone 6 mono and highly compressed (64 Kbps 44.1 kHz) sounds much more narrow, both in terms of spatial frequencies that range reproduced.
Conclusion
not beat around the bush: the Galaxy S6 is an excellent camera phone. It is devilishly fast, with an autofocus quite effective, delivers beautiful images in most circumstances and provides useful features and smoothly conducted. Is it better than the Galaxy S5. Yes, but the progress is not spectacular. The arrival of the optical stabilization photo and the optics are significant brightness gain the best results in low light too. The streamlined interface makes the most direct and pleasant experience, additions such as slowed or accelerated can only rejoice. And the front camera has received a significant update (HDR resolution).
Now the Galaxy S6 is not necessarily more efficient than the Galaxy S5. And the video game has hardly evolved. What would it change the same time? If Samsung could include in its next smartphone to shoot in RAW raw format. It is the strong point of the major Lumia 930, which is displayed if not back on all other plans. The Galaxy S6 comes in any case seriously tickle the iPhone 6, the 8-megapixel starting to seem a bit limited. Apple’s smartphone still remains one of the best illustrations which the concept of “simple and effective”. But in absolute terms, we prefer the Galaxy S6 to take pictures and videos.
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