Samsung Galaxy S6 and LG G4 is probably the hottest Android smartphones in which producers put so much emphasis on the camera. And in fact, the Samsung Galaxy S6 very positively surprised me with quality pictures. Let’s see how in this respect fell LG G4.
The Samsung Galaxy S6 photographed during a vacation, where smartphone proved to be great. At my review you have asked for a similar test LG G4, so happy to fulfill your request. Unfortunately I had no opportunity to test a second time smartphone on leave, but the assumptions to the test remained the same: checked, as smartphone can handle in real life.
As a happy coincidence that the period of testing both smartphones interlocks so I could compare directly the LG G4 with Samsung Galaxy S6. I decided to use this opportunity, and the results of the comparison will find a few paragraphs below. But let’s start from the main character of today’s text, which is the LG G4.
LG G4 on paper
On the smart phone market LG G4 camera stands out above all the brightness of the lens. Things like that, but aperture of f / 1.8 on your smartphone impressive. The large focal ratio has two advantages – firstly, it provides more light on the matrix, which is particularly important in low lighting conditions. The camera does not have then unduly raise the ISO sensitivity so that images are less noisy and generally have better quality. The second benefit is the ability to easily blurs the background behind the subject. Obviously smartphone can not compete in this respect with the SLR, but I was surprised possibilities of the LG G4.
The matrix camera has 16 million pixels extending over an area of 1 / 2.6 inch. On paper, the LG G4 converter therefore has the same parameters as the Samsung Galaxy S6. This second smartphone has a somewhat darker lens with f / 1.9. Both smartphones are also optical image stabilization.
A very successful application of the camera and RAW
The ace up its sleeve LG G4 is very successful camera application that offers quite an extensive professional mode gives access to many exposure. Moreover, in this mode we have the ability to save RAW files in the DNG format.
The application allows you to change the camera white balance, focus, exposure, ISO sensitivity, shutter speed and exposure lock AE-L. Apart from the iris control, so we have everything you need for happiness. The iris is of course a constant value of f / 1.8, and we can not turn a blind. An interesting feature of the application is also a live histogram, and digital level. The latter is, however, a bit too much inertia.
If the above description seems a little overwhelming to you without fear. Camera application offers two other modes: Simple and Basic. In the first we have available virtually to any variable, and the other I think is the best mode for everyday shooting. Basic mode provides for access to only a few key features and settings (such as the flash and HDR mode). For everyday shooting it is enough. In practice, you can set the Auto HDR mode and forget about changing the parameters. Camera algorithms are doing really well and in most cases not worth the bother.
Laser autofocus
LG G4 camera is equipped with a system, which the manufacturer calls “laser autofocus.” Before shooting the smartphone emits very weak laser beam that is reflected from the subject and returns to the sensor placed next to the camera. Thanks smartphone calculates the distance from the object and sets the focus correctly. The system works best for objects that are a short distance from the lens. This focusing system is safe for the eyes.
In addition to the unusual laser AF, LG G4 also uses the contrast and – interestingly – phase autofocus that works by phase detection cells placed on the matrix. There’s quite a few, but most important is the fact that all these systems simply work, and the camera focuses quickly. In the case of Samsung Galaxy S6 I complained that the camera sometimes gets lost when you want to quickly focus on Biska object. The LG G4 this problem does not occur.
I was amused by the camera application visualization showing the active AF points, which looks like copied straight from the focusing screen SLR camera. However, this is one of the elements that emphasize that we are dealing with an advanced camera.
Image Quality
Generally speaking, images of the LG G4 are really great and definitely are in close forefront on the shelf smartphones. For some scenes really you can collect jaw off the floor while in severe shock, that what we see has produced a camera in your smartphone. I am particularly surprised by blurring the background easily LG G4 – of course only in scenes of semi-macro, but it makes an impression. HDR mode also works great, although I feel that in auto-HDR LG G4 is more restrained than the Galaxy S6.
Sometimes, however, the image quality is disappointing, because they look very “smartfonowo”. This effect is the fault of insufficient die and tonal range of the camera a little too rarely uses HDR mode. In some scenes, the camera loses contrast and really too difficult to predict when that will happen. Probably has something to do with respect to the sun setting.
Utility Issues
Just like the Samsung Galaxy S6, so and LG G4 gives you quick access to the camera by double-pressing the button. In this case it is lower the volume button. Shortcut works excellent, and the camera turns on even faster than Samsung Galaxy S6! In terms of speed of action and reaction on the shutter button, the camera LG G4 is almost ideal. I do not exaggerate if it finds that there are approaching speeds until recently reserved for SLRs, and it’s a really big achievement.
Unfortunately, after two weeks of testing the LG G4 did not convince me to his unusual arrangement of buttons. I prefer the classic distribution controls. Do not have developed a proper muscle memory which often ended up with that, instead of clicking on the button, the camera slides touched. As a result, I had to constantly clean of fingerprints. Moreover, in practice it works better quick access to the camera from the “home”, as in the Galaxy S6. It is much easier to take this shortcut holding the phone with one hand.
RAW images with LG G4
LG G4 lets you shoot in RAW mode. Files are saved with the extension DNG and always occupy 19 MB. JPG image takes between 5 to 10 MB.
Anyone who has even a little experience with processing of RAW files certainly appreciate the flexibility of these files. LG G4 once again brought home to me, however, that the RAW format itself does not make spring. To be completely happy you need a big matrix, and this smartphone can not deliver.
I expected that RAW-y with LG G4 will give the treatment a real kick, so Lightroom will squeeze the last juices from photos. It turns out, however, that this is a game not worth the candle. Unfortunately, in practice the DNG file processing capabilities are almost the same as regular JPG floor. Almost, because a little better allow you to control the white balance. In raw-edged LG G4 does not have any particularly large decks information hidden in the lights, and burnout is simply a burnout. Similarly, the shadows – we can learn from them detail, but with them noise, which is awesome, colorful structure.
Raw files are faced with lots of problems ranging from noise, through a vignette, to the strange zafarby . Even during prolonged treatment is difficult to bring photos to the initial appearance JPG floor. You can see by the fact that the engine JPG built-in LG G4 is doing a good job. Indeed, in practice it is better to simply work a JPG image. The effect will be as good (or and better …) and will be devoted to it in much less time.
LG G4 vs Samsung Galaxy S6
The Samsung Galaxy S6 and LG G4 is now probably two Photographic best Android smartphones. It so happened that the two smartphones could be tested in parallel, albeit for a very limited time for only one day. I decided to use this time and do comparative handful of photos in various conditions. Although the smartphones on the paper are very similar, in practice, pictures are quite different. Below you will find several galleries of photos taken smartphones. Pictures of LG are always on the left.
Scene One:
Zoom 1: 1.
Can you imagine that these images come from smartphones? Just a few years ago it was quite impossible. Photos differ slightly, but both smartphones coped with the task. Green in the picture with LG G4 is slightly warmer, and the same picture is slightly brighter. Both cameras all fitted together after the exposure time of 1/35 sec, the LG G4 set the ISO sensitivity to 150, and Samsung to 80. Magnification 1: 1 reveals that there is a slight movement, but that’s not important, because even at full screen, 1920 × 1080 two images present themselves very well.
Scene Two:
Zoom 1: 1.
In the pictures the day you can see that between the cameras is a lot of difference . Highlights include a slightly different selection of white balance, sharpening, and another degree HDR mode operation. In this scene Samsung coped better. The sky is definitely less burned out, for magnifications can see much more detail, and also the camera pulled out more information from the shadows. Both cameras photographed Auto HDR mode.
It is difficult to assess the levels of sharpening, because once the sharper the image generates Galaxy S6, and once LG G4. I found here such regularity that the Samsung Galaxy S6 retains more detail in distant objects and LG G4 in the foreground. Unfortunately, LG G4 uses a strange method of sharpening, making pictures look a bit like a watercolor painted. Well shown in the following section 1: 1 (LG G4 left).
Important Note: These differences are visible only when their looks, and so only at high magnification. Images viewed on the smartphone screen, monitor, and TV looks just fine.
Scene Three:
Magnification 1: 1.
When you see pictures of night again differently auto white balance and other noise and details. It results from other approaches to exposure. LG G4 has chosen shutter speed of 1/30 sec at ISO 1000. Samsung pushed the boat and returned to the ISO 200 setting the shutter speed to 1/13 sec. As you can see, it is difficult to somehow logically explain the workings of the algorithms in both cameras. They just live their own lives, particularly in Auto HDR. Generally, however, the tendency is that the LG G4 willing to enter the higher sensitivity, which unfortunately is reflected in the quality of pictures at night. Well you can see it below.
Scene Four:
The photo shows a magnification of 1: 1 two identical frames (standard, LG G4 is on the left). Here we can see how, in practice, increasing sensitivity: for an umbrella appear yellow-purple strange artifacts, and a little higher on the tile, you will see the turn purple noise. In the photo from Samsung such a situation does not occur.
To sum up – the devil is in the details
If I have not tested the Samsung Galaxy S6, I think that the LG G4 would consider the best photo-smartphone. Being able to compare but I would choose the Samsung Galaxy S6. The point is not that the latter offers a significantly higher quality images. The quality is indeed very comparable, although in my opinion slightly better cope Galaxy S6.
SGS6 wins but by the details that at first glance are irrelevant – access to the camera application via the button under the thumb, or the fact that the camera lens is not every time covered with fingerprints (which is LG G4 is widespread, due to the location of the buttons). Such things are a lot more – Samsung Galaxy S6 when reviewing images lies flat on the table and LG G4 is constantly swinging. Less suits me too overlay system and leather trim. In addition, the picture on the Samsung Galaxy S6 look slightly better. Super AMOLED screen more to my liking, even if slightly turns up the colors.
But the little things determine the quality of the product. Shooting Galaxy S6 was a pleasure, while LG G4 was not always so. Therefore, if I could recommend a camera in LG G4? Definitely yes. Can I recommend this smartphone, however, looking in general? Here I have my doubts.
Feel free to download the package with photos in full resolution. You can find a lot more personnel (including those comparison with Samsung Galaxy S6), as well as some of the DNG file. ZIP archive 431 MB.
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