The Galaxy S21 Ultra brightens up Samsung’s photo image

From the Galaxy S7 in 2016 to the Galaxy S9 + in 2018, Samsung was our champion Top 10 Best Photophones. Then came Hawaii. A Hawaiian that surpassed it in many technological terms. Further increased Chinese competition (such as Oppo and Asus) has highlighted Samsung’s relative stagnation. The shy S10 ate and the S20 launched New generation 108 ampix “super sensor”, itou. But South Korea has rolled its shirts with the S21 generation.

Obviously here we are not going to tell you about the power of its Exynos processor or its amazing 120 Hz screen. For this, Our test direction. What interests us is the photo area. Within the confines of the three minors of the S21 family, it is the primary S21 Ultra 5G that obviously caught our attention because it offers the most advanced imaging sharing. It strikes the Chinese in their chosen field: Ultrasound

Ultra-wide-angle and wide-angle side, the distribution of the three terminals is identical. You have to see the difference when it comes to telephoto. Or variations: The “normal” versions are fitted with a pseudo-telephoto lens (the 29mm equivalent 48MP sensor provides a fun optico-digital zoom), while the S21 Ultra 5G version does not receive one, but two telephoto modules. Real telephoto lenses at the moment: Two 10 ampix sensors with 70mm f / 2.4 and 240mm f / 4.9, respectively. Super Equipping Periscope Optic Type P40 Pro +, Our current top 10 champion.

At the purely physical level, if the theoretical optical zoom power is x18, Samsung’s algorithms allow the terminal to display an impressive optical-digital zoom of x30. Even louder: The terminal’s digital plant claims an x100 mega zoom.

If you compare Samsung to a manufacturer, you will understand that it is inferior to Apple, which is more conservative in terms of magnification power than an Oppo or Hawaii company.

Autofocus: Laser, 108 amp sensor support

Samsung is the only smartphone manufacturer capable of producing its image sensors. This legacy of its former photo division allows Sony to position itself as a serious competitor in the field of smartphone sensors sales. To meet its own needs and the needs of its customers, Samsung is investing heavily in R&D.

The main camera module of the S21 Ultra includes the more popular 108 megapixel sensor, which already animates the S20. A sensor that is highly sensitive to create the most beautiful displays at 12 Mpix. Although it is good to detect colors and reproduce details, this component has been detrimental to previous generations. Because it is so rich in photodiodes, this sensor is not based on the dual pixel technology of the previous 12 ampix sensors. By abandoning this technology, Samsung retreated in terms of autofocus. Consensus frustration among testers and customers – the S20 range sold out so badly – because the speed argument allowed Samsung to take the lead, especially in competition with the Galaxy S7.

While waiting to see the arrival of the first sensors that combine the Super Definition and dual pixel architecture (next year), Samsung has provided a crutch for its high-end terminal: a laser. He also supports the main camera module for quick focus. As we have already seen completely tricky tricks in the past, just like this terminal, Samsung has won its race.

AF finally (again) racing!

Unable to take first place in the competition, Samsung has once again landed in the dance of terminals with “pep”. Depending on the situation, triggering the use of the main module is fast enough. Low lights with infinite focus are not his strong point – beyond a certain distance, the laser is much less powerful.

As for the ultra wide-angle, things go even faster, thanks in part to a sensor based on dual-pixel technology. Wide angle coverage equal to 13mm f / 2.2 allows a lot of light to be collected and operated quickly. Same story for a 70mm equivalent moderate telephoto lens. Here again, the dual pixel provides a reactivity that is rarely achieved with most traditional PDAF sensors at this type of focal length.

Very logically, the fitted volume of 240mm f / 4.9 equivalent is still a small space below 70mm. Even with its dual pixel sensor, the very low angle coverage forces the camera to focus more. In broad daylight it is still nice, but, like all large telephoto lenses, is very hard in low light. Both in terms of AF and image quality.

Image quality 1: Extreme wide angle

The S21 Ultra’s ultra wide-angle camera module is optically optimized for 13mm f / 2.2 with a 12MP dual-pixel sensor in 1 / 2.55 ‘format. On paper, it looks like a sensor fitted to the Galaxy S7’s only core module. Larger dimensions compared to the competition தவிர except Hawaii (read below).

The optical defects of the module are well corrected and Samsung avoids most asymmetries of focal length, i.e. very visible distortions. There is no vignetting in the corners, the level of detail is very good செய்யப்பட்டது but analyzed at 100%, the shots are very smooth and there is little punch, the fault of a sensor is a little small.

In the end, the film manages to entertain as well as inform. But the P40 Pro / Pro + and other Matte 40 Pros far outperform Hawaii’s ultra-wide-angle modules. In this area, their giant sensor puts them in a completely different category.

Image Grade 2: Wide Angle (Main Volume)

Equivalent to 24mm f / 1.8, the main camera module takes full advantage of the 108MP. Oversampling provides 12 amp output definition with the highest detail in broad daylight. The typical dive is best, with the result that the cut leaf contours and reliefs of the trees stand out. SLR hybrid-like displays cannot be separated due to the wide angle focal length and the sensor which is much smaller than the full frame 24×36, but it does a good job.

In terms of dynamic range, Samsung’s HDR mode is not very aggressive, but we have yet to detect dim dark areas and some artifacts, which is a sign of the work of combining images carried out by means and sensor.

The result is slightly mixed in low light. It is very good up to ISO 1600, and the camera keeps the colors well and the algorithms are outlined. But beyond that, the smoothing of the details is sometimes very strong, especially in solid areas. The score is worse than Hawaii. The Galaxy S21 Ultra’s sensor is in Tito’s low light mode, which is less detailed than Huawei / Sony’s sensors.

Overall, the score is very good equivalent to presenting an iPhone 12, an advantage at the level of detail provided in broad daylight.

Image quality 3: Telephoto lenses and super zoom

Zoom power is an area that gives the S21 Ultra the best score. With two modules, the 70mm equivalent and the second 240mm equivalent, Samsung’s flagship provides the optical zoom coefficient x18 (240/13 = x18 Mr. Samsung, and not x10 because the base wide focal length to be taken). So, he sticks with our own focal lengths and he looks far and accurate until we shoot in daylight.

Although the sharpness is not at the level of the main module, the 70mm detail size is particularly good. 240mm less – thanks to the contrast – and creates images without relief, but is clean even for beautiful prints.

No wonder when it comes to low light photos, the digital noise level is too high for quiet use. Except for long-distance photos or scenes of the moon. According to Samsung’s marketing packaging, the terminal works very well. Unlike most super telephoto smartphones – Oppo, Hawaii – where you have to manually adjust the “center metering” output, the Galaxy S21 Ultra recognizes our satellite well and does the job automatically.

For those who are crazy about the super telephoto lens, be aware that the x100 zoom of the terminal only reveals a porridge that is only useful for spying purposes. Besides, games aside, this feature is undoubtedly used more by intelligence agents than real photographers!

On the photography side, the Galaxy S21 Ultra’s score can be summed up by returning to excellent autofocus, good image quality and good color continuity in broad daylight and zoom power suitable for the traveling public. Our grievances are seen on the side of the extreme wide angle, which is far from Hawaiian quality and the most ordinary telephoto lenses with low light performance. The Galaxy S21 Ultra alters Samsung’s photo image, but with extra large sensors (ultra wide-angle, telephoto), we’re definitely looking forward to moving to the Xiaomi style.