The step down in resolution from the Galaxy S6’s 16 MP camera to the S7’s 12 MP camera had many people puzzled. Samsung did improve on other aspects of the camera in the S7. However, people secretly hoped that the S8 would see the return of a higher camera resolution, which is not the case.
What exactly does the Galaxy S8 have for a camera?
Resolution and low light capabilities Samsung Galaxy S8 has a rear 12 MP camera and a front 8 MP camera. The S6’s 16 MP camera was one of the best in the market and a reduction in pixels ensured that the South Korean company did not continue with the legacy. It also has the f/1.7 aperture.
However, the sensor is the same size as in its predecessor and in the S6. The advantage is that it allows a lot of light in which makes the pixels larger and the pictures brighter and sharper. This makes the camera suitable for low light environments, a problem that many other cameras have. Samsung have therefore not lost their edge in having high quality cameras.
Normal light capabilities and access to the camera
While the S8 is great for low light conditions, it is also favorable in normal light conditions. The camera has a dual pixel sensor which is Samsung’s brain child, first implemented in the S7. This feature which is used in DSLR cameras improves the quality of photographs as well as providing for faster autofocus.
When it comes to accessing the camera, double tapping the home screen grants you access without having to close another app. The volume controls can also be configured to zoom in and out instead of having to touch the screen for these functions. This is very convenient.
Autofocus and different modes
Unlike in the S7, the S8 has autofocus on the front facing camera which is an improvement. The front camera also has an iris scanner which enables the user to heighten security when it comes to things such as making online payments. The rear camera also has autofocus and image tracking which enhances the experience while taking photos and shooting videos.
The S8 snapper offers different modes such as selective focus, panorama and slow motion video. One of the best modes, Pro Mode allows the user to control some of the settings while taking photos. These include the brightness, contrast, shutter speed and ISO among others. It also allows the user to save the photos in RAW files in addition to the JPEG format.
Conclusion
While the S8 camera is not the best it could be, it is still a very impressive camera compared to other flagship cameras. Its dual pixel sensor still places it light years ahead of some of the cameras on other phones.
However, it is still a far cry from a DSLR. The whole point of manufacturers upgrading their phones to bring new models is so that they can make the phone as multifunctional as possible. This means that even taking of photos and videos should be so good that one does not need to buy or carry around a DSLR camera in addition to their phone. As such, Samsung still have a long way to go.
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