LG G5 vs Samsung Galaxy S7 edge: Low-light shooting

Sunset stills

The first set of samples was taken just before sunset, and even from these photos, we can sort of gauge how these phones are processing images to correct fuzziness or compensate for noise. For most scenes, we've taken one with HDR and another one without HDR to see how it affected them.

We've let both phones automatically decide how to set the correct exposure and focus, we have not tapped-to-zoom in any of these photos.

Notice here, the sun is just setting at Central Park. The G5 was able to capture the scene with better exposure under normal settings, and was able to show more detail in the grass around the sewer grate; the Galaxy S7 overprocessed the fine detail in the image noticeably.

LG G5 • Galaxy S7 edge

HDR helped both phones to represent better the scene going on, especially because of the sun setting. The LG G5 however managed to resolve more fine detail.

LG G5 HDR • Galaxy S7 edge HDR

The second sunset scene was captured better by the LG G5, as it recognized the conditions better and focused on capturing the sunset rather than exposing the foreground as the Galaxy S7 edge did.

LG G5 • Galaxy S7 edge

Turning on the HDR allowed both phones to capture the greatness of the sunset equally well though the Galaxy S7 resolved more fine detail. Still, the LG G5 has gone after a more pleasing color balance.

LG G5 HDR • Galaxy S7 edge HDR

We left Central Park and headed out to shoot some urban sceneries before nightfall. We liked those tall buildings for our first scene, so we took a few shots. The LG G5 chose to shoot at much lower ISO 50 setting and twice as low shutter speed (1/30 vs. 1/60), which helped it resolve more fine detail in both background and foreground. The colors and exposure were better on the LG G5, too.

LG G5 • Galaxy S7 edge

When we turned the HDR on, the LG G5 kept its advantage over the Galaxy S7 edge - thanks to the lower ISO and slower shutter speed it managed to do noticeably better. The Galaxy S7 edge has the sole advantage of the bigger vertical FoV for this particular scene.

LG G5 HDR • Galaxy S7 edge HDR

Turning the cameras towards the sidewalk was quite interesting. The Galaxy S7 edge failed to focus, and its non-HDR shot is quite soft while the LG G5 shined with impressive dynamic range, a great amount of fine detail, and accurate colors. Sure, there is some noise, but we suspect the lack of harsh noise reduction is one of the reasons for the better detail.

LG G5 • Galaxy S7 edge

The Galaxy S7 edge greatly benefitted from the HDR setting, and it outed a very pleasing shot though the LG G5 kept its coolness and still did better with more detail and accurate colors. While both phones got out more detail in the shadows with HDR, the LG G5 used a higher ISO setting and produced a more pleasing, brighter image.

LG G5 HDR • Galaxy S7 edge HDR

Nightfall stills

Downtown is where this shootout intensified. We had a tripod, so we shot the first very demanding scene with both phones mounted on it. Once again the LG G5 liked to use a lower ISO 500 setting (against ISO 800), and its slower shutter speed (1/10 vs. 1/30) gave it the noticeable advantage. Both phones outed two great wallpaper-grade shots, but the LG G5's image has more detail, less noise, and better colors.

LG G5 • Galaxy S7 edge

Both handsets benefited from the HDR option and got more detail out of the shadows. The LG G5 image is noisier but brighter due its higher ISO 450 (vs. ISO 320). The shutter speed was the same on both phones - 1/10s. We think both images are on par, so it's up to you to decide whether you prefer brighter but noisier over darker but smoother.

LG G5 HDR • Galaxy S7 edge HDR

For the next scene we ditched the tripod, and yet both contenders outed the same results - nothing short of excellent. The LG G5 was brighter (ISO 800 vs. ISO 400) but noisier while the Galaxy S7 edge was a bit darker but smoother.

LG G5 • Galaxy S7 edge

Turning on the HDR was a massive boost for both snappers though the LG G5 image has traces of motion blur. Tripod-free and HDR on the Galaxy S7 did better with very little noise and some impressive amount of detail. Its colors were more accurate and pleasing, and while its sample is once again darker (shot ISO 200 vs. ISO 350), it was the better shooter for the occasion.

LG G5 HDR • Galaxy S7 edge HDR

Before we called it a day, we snapped the final round between the LG G5 and the Galaxy S7 edge on our way to our restaurant table. Inside the premises, the Galaxy S7 edge came on top of the LG G5 by a mile. Its sample is far better with more detail, less noise, and while the colors are a bit more saturated, we like the result better.

LG G5 • Galaxy S7 edge