Test – Samsung Galaxy S7 edge – Digital Focus

 Overview

We had the opportunity to take control of the Samsung Galaxy S7 edge , high-end smartphone earlier this year at the Mobile World Congress 2016. As Galaxy S6 at the time, this new terminal could well be one of the best Photo smartphones of 2016.

Although at first sight less innovative than the LG G5 P9 or Huawei, the S7 has indeed strong arguments in its favor, starting with the image quality to which we have become accustomed Samsung and the adoption of a sensor with the Dual Pixel AF technology.

  Samsung Galaxy edge S7 and S7 Galaxy (both smartphones share the same camera module).

 Features

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

main sensor:	Sony IMX260 12MP
Main optical block:	26 mm f / 1.7
Screen:	Super Amoled, 5.5 inch (14 cm), 2560 x 1440 px
Stabilization:	optical
Focus:	phase detection (Dual Pixel AF technology)
Flash:	Led
Manual mode:	yes
RAW:	yes
AF modes:	AF-S, AF-C
Metering:	center-weighted, spot, matrix
Shutter Speed:	10 to 1/24 000 s
ISO Sensitivity:	100-800 ISO
Video mode:	2 160p 30fps, 440p 30fps 1, 1 080p 60 fps, 720p 240 fps
Front camera module:	5MP 22mm f / 1.7, 1 080p 30fps video
Internal memory:	32 GB
Memory Card:	yes (microSD)
mobile chip	Samsung Exynos 8890 Octa 8
Processor:	4x Samsung Exynos 2.3GHz M1 + 4x ARM Cortex-A53 1.6GHz
GPU:	ARM Mali-T880 MP12
RAM:	4 GB
Battery capacity:	3600 mAh
Operating system:	Android 6.0 Marshmallow
Dimensions:	150.9 x 72.6 x 7.7 mm
Weight:	157 g

 Camera Module

Samsung has opted for a back camera module with an aperture of f / 1.7 and a sensor 4/3 and definition 12MP, increasing size of photosites to 1.4 micron (1.12 micron against the GS6 family). The Korean manufacturer contributes to announce the end of the race megapixels, justifying this choice by the fact that a narrow definition provides better results in terms of image, especially for rendering in low light.

Rappelons more than what Sony Exmor RS IMX260 sensor has the Dual Pixel AF technology, auto focus system developed by Canon for its 70D SLR and used later in the 7D Mark II, 1D X Mark II and more recently in the . 80D

Implemented for the first time in a smartphone, this technology is based on the following principle: a photosite being composed of two photodiodes, the signal difference between them is used so as to make a bet developed by phase correlation. The advantage lies in the increased speed to auto focus: indeed, all the photosites of the sensor then participate in the AF measurement, while in the case of Galaxy S6, only 5% of the sensor surface contributing to this measurement .

Note that the Dual Pixel AF seems, however, result in general, decreased image quality at high sensitivities and a lower dive sensation.

 Getting Started

If the Galaxy and the Galaxy S7 S7 edge will equip both a Super AMOLED panel with a WQHD resolution (2560 x 1440 pixels) and of very good quality (especially with regarding the color rendering and the accuracy of the white balance), the first offers a screen diagonal of 5.1 “(13 cm approx.) while the second features a screen size of 5.5″ (14 cm approx.). Side finishes, both smartphones are still entitled to a mixture of aluminum frames and glass plates.

En worthy heir of the Galaxy S6 and S6 edge edge +, Galaxy S7 edge has little ergonomic developments. We thus find the curved screen representing the hallmark of this series of high-end smartphones. The ridges are less pronounced than those of the Galaxy S6 edge, this slight exuberance is primarily an aesthetic argument and have little impact on the smartphone grip and comfortable reading in situations of shooting.

Un smartphone always being at hand, its camera module must be running quickly in order to capture the most fleeting moments. Like its predecessors, the Samsung Galaxy S7 edge thus acquires a shortcut well worth: two pressures on the “Home” button provide direct access to the terminal’s photo application

Comme on most smartphones, one can assign the trip function on the touchscreen or the volume buttons. If the location of these falls relatively well in hand, we would have appreciated that the Galaxy S7 edge is distinguished by the presence of a dedicated button conveniently located under the index finger of the right hand when the camera is positioned at horizontally.

finally, note that the addition of a microSD port and waterproof character Samsung Galaxy edge S7 grant him flexibility in terms of storage capacity and a character all terrain. We regret the lack of removable battery.

 Interface

The shooting interface of smartphones surged forward last year and Samsung high-end terminals have been pioneers in this field. The Galaxy S7 and again – almost line for line – shooting the options proposed by the mode “Pro” of Samsung Galaxy S6 edge +: selection of the focus mode and exposure metering, setting the balance white, ISO sensitivity, shutter speed, etc. in
fixed, only the diaphragm aperture can not be changed. Users put off by the complexity of these parameters can however switch to the automatic mode available.

Quant to the editing interface despite a slight redesign, its fundamentals have not changed. If a filter string of – applicable from the shooting or post – and some editing tools are available, we prefer them those available in dedicated applications

Notez otherwise the Galaxy S7 edge can capture images in RAW format (as DNG files), but the smartphone has no native application for editing. We must therefore use applications such as Lightroom or Snapseed Mobile to enjoy the flexibility qu’octroie using that format at the editing stage.

 lab test

The sensitivity range of the Samsung Galaxy S7 edge extends from 100 to 800 ISO. Although it may seem relatively small, it should be recalled that the photographs from competing smartphones and captured a sensitivity of ISO 800 are marked by a sharp deterioration in image quality.

> Download the original files

100 and 200 ISO, the Samsung Galaxy S7 edge delivers detailed JPEG images, but already marked by strong software accentuation micro-contrast. The emergence of digital noise is well controlled over the entire sensitivity range, but the loss of detail is visible from 400 ISO and is actually detrimental to ISO 800.

Comparison with RAW files reveals that the treatment chosen by Samsung aims to camouflage the intrinsic defects of the raw images. They prove indeed quite disappointing regarding the transcription of details and accuse the presence of digital noise from 100 ISO. Note that these imperfections are probably related to the adoption of the Dual Pixel AF.
Technology

 Field Test

If the range of smartphones Galaxy S6 has acquired its letters of nobility, not only for the quality of procured image, but also for the comfort provided by a clear shooting and an interface velocity foolproof. The Galaxy S7 edge registered not only in this line, but instead the bar even higher, thanks to the Dual Pixel AF technology. Whatever the light conditions, the autofocus of the camera has always been extremely responsive.

 & Gt; Download Image in full definition: RAW / JPEG

 & Gt; Download Image in full definition: RAW / JPEG

 & Gt; Download Image in full definition: RAW / JPEG

 & Gt; Download Image in full definition: RAW / JPEG

 & Gt; Download Image in full definition: RAW / JPEG

 & Gt; Download Image in full definition: RAW / JPEG

 & Gt; Download Image in full definition: RAW / JPEG

 & Gt; Download Image in full definition: RAW / JPEG

 & Gt; Download Image in full definition: RAW / JPEG

 & Gt; Download Image in full definition: RAW / JPEG

 & Gt; Download Image in full definition: RAW / JPEG

 & Gt; Download Image in full definition: RAW / JPEG

 & Gt; Download the image in full resolution JPEG / RAW

With regard to image quality, the Galaxy S7 edge has good management color and white balance. The shots captured in the field, however, corroborate our lab tests: a strong presence on RAW files, digital noise is content with a heavy processing JPEG files

 Verdict

After a range Galaxy S6 widely praised for its picture capabilities, Samsung strikes again very strong in providing the Galaxy S7 series of the swifter market picture module. The performance is all the more praiseworthy he is not here a simple business case highlighting the performance of autofocus, but a real step ahead decision on same-generation smartphones.

This gain in performance however has a price: the adoption of Dual Pixel AF technology seems to cause a decrease in image quality, compensated somehow by treating the little subtle JPEG files. Farewell to the character both soft and quilted pictures of GS6: Samsung Galaxy S7 edge delivers images in micro-contrast sliced ​​and sometimes rude. More experienced users can however perform their own editing RAW files and take advantage of the good management of color and white balance of the GS7.

An important point regarding the user experience, the Galaxy S7 enjoys a neat camera interface, complete and accurate. If it has changed little since the previous generation, the Korean manufacturer retains some margin ahead of most of its competitors (LG is currently only par).

Although the choice of Samsung consisting sacrifice some image quality to gain speed of execution to criticism, the Galaxy S7 only remains the smartphone of 2016 which provides the experience of taking the more fluid view. This fact, combined with the intrinsic qualities of the smartphone and inheritance picture of the Galaxy range, gives the Samsung Galaxy S7 edge our recommended label.

highlights	Weaknesses
manual mode	disappointing image quality (sharpness, transcription of information, electronic noise)
RAW format support	JPEG file Processing too pronounced
clear shooting interface, complete and effective
Autofocus very fast and good general responsiveness
Good management white balance and color
optical stabilization
quality Screen

& gt; The complete test of the Samsung Galaxy S7 on The Digital

 & Gt; The complete test of the Samsung Galaxy S7 edge on The Digital

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