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

Video comparison

Naturally, we shot a few low-light videos with both phones. The first batch of videos we captured in 4K and in 1080p resolution around the lake in Central Park, just after sunset.

In the 4K videos, the LG G5 demonstrated the higher dynamic range and overall better understanding of the scene. The Galaxy S7 edge, on the other hand, outed more pleasing colors though its image is much darker.

Both camcorders resolved an equal amount of detail, but the foliage on the Galaxy S7 edge looks better. Still, the LG G5 4K video is the one to win this particular setup.

LG G5 4K snapshot • Galaxy S7 edge 4K snapshot

Switching to 1080p resolution turned up to be a whole different scenario. While both phones did great in capturing fine detail and keeping the noise levels down to a minimum, the Galaxy S7 edge was way ahead of the LG G5 with higher dynamic range, color balance, and higher contrast.

LG G5 1080p snapshot • Galaxy S7 edge 1080p snapshot

We used the tripod for the next scene, as we did for the still samples. Shooting at 4K downtown proved the Galaxy S7 edge to be noisier than the LG G5 while the colors and contrast were on par. Both phones did very well, but we prefer the clearer image of the G5.

LG G5 4K snapshot • Galaxy S7 edge 4K snapshot

Opting for 1080p video recording allowed the Galaxy S7 edge to shine again. Its 1080p video has more fine detail, less noise, higher dynamic range, better colors, and contrast. Apparently, the Samsung Galaxy S7 edge records pretty amazing 1080p videos.

LG G5 1080p snapshot • Galaxy S7 edge 1080p snapshot

So, the LG G5 turned out to be the better 4K camcorder, even though only by a whisker on top of the Galaxy S7 edge. If you are after the better 1080 camcorder, then the Galaxy S7 edge is the master of this video mode, especially in low-light sceneries.

Here is a YouTube playlist with all eight videos we shot for this comparison.

Conclusion

Capturing low-light scenes with the LG G5 and the Galaxy S7 edge is a hassle-free task on both phones. They are well equipped with OIS and wide apertures to handle low-light scenery, and you can't go wrong with either of them.

Still, the LG G5 has the advantage when capturing still images - it has a higher resolution sensor, with wider FoV. Throughout the scenes we shot, the G5 bettered the Galaxy S7 edge almost every time, even though not by much.

Switching to 4K video recording, the LG G5 once again edged the Galaxy S7 edge (forgive us the pun!), which makes it the overall winner in this shootout.

The Galaxy S7 edge has a significant advantage over the LG G5 at 1080p recording, capturing amazing videos unmatched by the G5 and it also offers a wider field of view in this mode. It often outed better colors than the G5 and is a lot more capable when shooting indoors where the light is really low.

So with the 1080p videos and the indoor shot aside, the LG G5 consistently won over the Galaxy S7 edge, so if we are to pick a winner for this low-light shootout - it has got to be the G5, though not by a large margin. Once again, though, both phones are very well equipped to handle any low-light situation you may decide to shoot, so you won't be disappointed by either of them.