With manufacturers such as Xiaomi, Realme or OnePlus offering phones with the most advanced technology sheets available in the market, at a price far beyond four figures, on those products that continue to bet on the "traditional" end. : photos.
And everyone does it in their own way. With the latest Galaxy S20, Samsung is trying to show that, in photos, numbers are everything – everything which is why it equips its star models with multimedia applications that have never been seen on any other mobile phone. Instead, some like Google believe in the idea that good software and performance simulation are very important in addition to its sensor type or megapixels.
But beliefs are useless when the results are inconsistent. We have been able to analyze the Global S20 Ultra and Pixel 4 XL, the last two jewelery in each company's catalog, which has proven to be a true wonder when it comes to photography. Now we have decided face to face to look at which of the two offers a better class of images.
These are the Galaxy S20 Ultra and Pixel 4 XL cameras
The first notable difference between the cameras of both phones appears from the moment we look back at them. Samsung too bet on various things which involves having a separate sensor for each type of situation, thus adding to the total three rear cameras and a “ToF” sensor. In addition, the S20 Ultra is outstanding for increasing its numbers significantly by owning 108 megapixel sensor, a 48 megapixel “telephoto” that allows photos to be captured with 4x Optical zoom and 100 digital zoom, and a 40-megapixel front camera.
For our part, Google continues to maintain its own philosophy of meaning more doesn't have to be better, and at that time offered the Pixel 4 XL with two sensors in the back, one of them, the chief, of 12.2 megapixel resolution -The same Sony Exmor RS IMX363 has been in the family since the Pixel 3, with varying focal lengths, and software-enhancements, has been added to the 16-megapixel "telephoto" sensor with a slightly better zoom-in zoom 1, 8-folds.
| Genres | Samsung Galaxy S20 Ultra | Pixel 4 XL |
|---|---|---|
| The central sensor | 108 MP f / 1.8 (79˚) with PDAF and OIS 1 / 1.33 ″ size |
12.2 MP f / 1.7 (77º) 28 mm equivalent to PDAF, Dual Pixel and OIS + EIS |
| "Telephoto" sensor | 48 MP f / 3.5 (24˚) with PDAF and OIS 4x Optical Zoom / 10x Hybrid / 100x Digital 1 / 2.0 ″ size |
16 MP f / 1.7 (52º) 48 mm equivalent to PDAF, spectrum and flicker sensors, OIS + EIS 1.8x Optical / 8x Digital Zoom |
| Ultra-Wide Sensor | 12 MP f / 2.2 (120˚) 1 / 2.55 ″ in size |
No. |
| "ToF" sensor | Samsung DepthVision | No. |
| The front sensor | 40 MP f / 2.2 (80˚) | 8 MP f / 2.0 (90˚) |
| Image methods | 108MP mode, single shot, "Pro" mode, panorum, feed mode, night, dynamic focus, event correction, QR scanner, RAW capture, HEIF capture, automatic HDR | Night vision, photo mode, panoramic, spherical image, RAW capture, motion capture |
| Video recording – rear camera | 8k @ 24 FPS 4K @ 60FPS FullHD @ 60FPS with "Super Stable" mode | 4K @ 30FPS FullHD @ 60FPS |
| Video recording – front camera | 4K @ 60FPS FullHD @ 60FPS |
FullHD @ 60FPS |
Camera apps
The formula for both companies is also different when combining all their operations and their processes respectively camera apps integrated into their institutions. Samsung, on the other hand, has done a great job incorporating the endless options offered by the camera to an easy-to-use display, displayed by its main screen quick access to the most commonly used methods In addition, it is possible to customize which options appear in the app settings, with as many fun activities as possible switch quickly between different cameras which make up a great photographic program.
Instead, Google has moved to greater technology. When we turn on the Pixel 4 camera system we only go to it shut down button you're surrounded by direct access to the gallery and the option to use the sensor on it selfies, and a low-cost carousel that lets you switch between the various options available. Alternatively, the arrow at the top of the screen allows access the camera options menu… And that's it. There is no direct access to the "telephoto" camera, and a slide that allows you to change the balance between light and shadow in a photo only appears when touch the view area.
Functionality shared by both applications "More" menu Located at the end of the mode carousel, which in both cases allows access to some less important or less frequently used functions.
Image comparisons
We already know the numbers. Now, let's discuss the consequences. Which cell makes the best pictures? Almost like every living thing, the answer is as clear as it is disappointing: to.
It is clear that both of these photographic programs have their advantages and disadvantages, and even though they were years ago Google's superiority over Samsung would not be available, this generation Samsung has corrected some of its weaknesses, although it is true that it still holds some of the old issues that we have seen for years on mobile cameras.
How was the test done?
Various tests performed during this comparison were performed under the same conditions for each of the devices. Both terminals correspond to the the latter types for each model, and then you have the latest software available in each case –G988BXXU1ATBM firmware on the Galaxy S20 Ultra, and the Pixel Feature Drop for the month of March on the Pixel 4 XL-.
Modes or options that are unusual for both devices are not included – wide angle, 8K video, 100x zoom – but comparisons are limited to those options available on both phones.
Otherwise, all photos were taken under the same conditions. Full resolution files are available in the Google Play folder provided in the link below these lines.
Rear camera – main sensor
That both phones are capable of capturing the best pictures With their standard sensors, when light conditions are good, it shouldn't surprise anyone in this regard. However, by analyzing the pictures taken with each call, we can find them notable difference which shows us what decisions each company made when deciding on a software for proper processing.
In the case of Samsung's end, we get photos, usually, they seem to have more details, or, surprisingly, Google's phone usually keeps things edges better when it comes to expanding the capture, despite low sensor adjustment. Logically, this benefit is fully restored when the "10 megapixel mode" of the S20 Ultra is activated, at the cost of long processing time.
The way cameras interpret colors is different. Another year, Samsung decides to offer a white balance that draws the warmer side, in addition to adding a bit of tone even if it makes it difficult to make "scenes" included in the camera app– for example, blue skies and grass is a bit more realistic in Pixel's photography.
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Galaxy S20 Ultra
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Pixel 4 XL
The most important difference in this comes from, of course, as faces appear on the scene. Many years later, Samsung continues to carry the same processing problem and it often does over smooth facial features. Quite the opposite of what happens in the case of Google Pixel, whose processing, if something is found, is due give as much detail as possible of faces in this type of photography.
Rear camera – "telephoto" sensor
By looking at each device's data sheet again, it's easy to seduce which model will give the best results to zoom in close. Because even though different algorithms and technologies are based on machine learning where Google equip their phones leads to the best digital zoom in up to 8x, Samsung's 48 megapixel camera
For photos with zoom levels around 2x – when Pixel goes from using the primary lens using "telephoto" -, differences in detail they are less visible, and in fact Google's phone surpasses its rival in some cases, largely because of processing resulted in more accessible tones and the fact that software is for great G. It's rarely "raising the shadows" as Samsung does.
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Galaxy S20 Ultra
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Pixel 4 XL
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Galaxy S20 Ultra
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Pixel 4 XL
Problems – for Pixel – arise from exceeding that limit: today, I doubt there is a better cellular zoom than the one offered by the Samsung Galaxy S20 Ultra between 4 and 10 climbs. The difference in terms of detail, contrast and color is simply unbeatable for Google's phone camera, unless you are able to do a good job up to a maximum of eight magnices, especially when we look at what we're talking about. digital zoom system.
Rear camera – night mode
Both calls include a "Night mode" it aims to find scenes where lighting is inconsistent, and in both cases it works the same way: in capturing the most exposed images which are subsequently compiled based on the algorithms produced by each company. At the time, we have already explained more details on how Google's "Night Vision" mode works on all of its Pixels.
If I had to choose, I would say that today the work done on Google terminals is still great on any of these models, including the night mode integrated into the Galaxy S20 Ultra camera.
While both devices are capable she found lots of light on the scene, key in this case to white balance and color distribution. Although the street lights that illuminated the incident had a yellow tone, this was not over as revealed by the Samsung Galaxy S20 Ultra camera. The Pixel somehow managed to completely eliminate the yellow color, until it was able to accurately capture the various colors of the scarf, even the color of the evening sky – to the left of the image, among the trees.
The same thing happened in the second picture, when the Pixel did not lose power they are well represented by the different colors of the park barsIt also did a better job of reducing the amount of noise coming from the sky to the right. The Galaxy, of course, confronts the chest based on the details of the capture.
Rear camera – image mode
I realize that Samsung's picture flash mode – or, as they call it, "Dynamic Blur" – It's never been one of my favorites. However, I am pleased to say that, this year, Samsung has improved, and more, the functionality of this mode, and in some cases it can even be on the status of the image mode installed on Google phone.
In this first case, both devices do a good job of paste the title into the front
Besides, in this particular incident the smoothness of the Samsung terminal on the face is less noticeable -Probingly because the image was taken in low light, and the software chose to retrieve more detail instead of fixing the features-. And, surprisingly, The Green S20 is better solved for color photosWhile the new AI-based version of the Pixel 4 has been compromised and ended up producing a very yellow image.
In the second picture, you can see how Google chooses to reduce the image contrast to include more detail of the topic beforehand, unlike the Korean signal that provokes the difference to the point of almost eliminating the details in the darker parts of the title.
Front camera – selfies
When we talk selfiesI'm afraid there is a clear win. And are those smooth and white balancing issues of the Galaxy S20 Ultra's advanced camera system proven by using the front camera, preventing all the "beauty" and "efficiency" features that Samsung integrates into your camera software.
Default photos taken with Google's phone looks more natural, detailed, with real colors and, in short, more progress than the one that allows the capture of the 40-megapixel camera of the Samsung Galaxy S20 Ultra.
Video recording
Today, only the iPhone 11 Pro can pass the Samsung Galaxy S20 Ultra in video recording… even with nuances. The images and audio quality that a Samsung phone can capture is higher than that of a Google phone, though it's important to pay attention to that focus on problems they can greatly blur the experience when recording with Samsung's latest phone.
Either way, it can be hoped that soon these problems will be fixed with a software update. For now, and despite the fact that Samsung's model capabilities are clearly high, I'm afraid of that look for a tie.
Now which one is better?
Samsung has long lost its crown in the field of mobile photography. As soon as companies such as Apple, Huawei and especially Google began to do their act together, the South Korean company retaliated a few steps below its main competitors in this regard.
With the Samsung Galaxy S20 Ultra, many of us expected what it should be a radical change in terms of photography within the company's mobile catalog. And somehow, it's always been that way. Aside from pulling off some of the classic issues of this series of phones, including an oversized facial feature, or a very warm white balance, Samsung finally offers a flexible camera system as powerful, which ultimately lags behind the test results provided by previous generations, such as the Glass S10 or Galaxy Note10
But then again, Google shows that, in pictures, numbers are not everything, and the fact that few cameras added to good software and properly installed algorithms can cause additional neurological deficits.
That is why, to the question of best mobile to take pictures, the answer is. Depending on what you want to get the best results in important aspects such as detail, maximum range or color accuracy, or if it's most important to you. to have a variety of flexibility having a –good camera for each situation, or knowing that its effects, often and unless we talk about the video, will be subject to the key market signals. If it would help, I, one year more, kept a Pixel camera.
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