Galaxy S9 vs. Xperia XZ2 shootout

02 April 2018
Samsung has the Plus, Sony has the Compact, but the two companies see the base size differently. It's these regular versions that we'll now be taking a closer look at - this is the Galaxy S9 versus Xperia XZ2 camera comparison.

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  • l
  • lek
  • PA7
  • 05 Apr 2018

Tanase Adrian, 05 Apr 2018The Xperia's images have some extra fine detail that the S9... moreS9's noise is slightly less than ideal (if not ideal), but to my eyes, it's just perfect. while XZ2, it's way too much, plus the sharpening, makes the image look like a brush painting (weird artifact is visible enough).
in daylight, the dynamic range isn't quite match up with S9 makes the over lighting subject appears to blown out in XZ2 image.

    • ?
    • Anonymous
    • I8m
    • 05 Apr 2018

    Tanase Adrian, 05 Apr 2018The Xperia's images have some extra fine detail that the S9... moreCause the natural non digital detail difference of the two is not as much different as the resolutions would suggest. The galaxy uses a lot less sharpening.

      The Xperia's images have some extra fine detail that the S9's lower-res sensor can't quite resolve.The flipside is that the Galaxy's photos are significantly smoother, with noise competently and almost completely weeded out.

      Well,what good is no noise if you lack details in your photos?!How can the lack of noise compensate for the lack of details?!And the details ARE VISIBLE in those shots.

        • A
        • Anonymous
        • 4S2
        • 05 Apr 2018

        Anonymous, 03 Apr 2018Actually objectively the s9 pretty much did come out overal... moreWhy do you deny? Even gsmarena admits it this time.

          • ?
          • Anonymous
          • vV5
          • 05 Apr 2018

          Anonymous, 04 Apr 2018Because some user can handheld the device very stable and t... moreIt is better to cater to most users for auto mode, and allow some people to slow down the shutter if they wish in manual mode.

            Also, have to share this beauty.

            Interpolated to 60fps, but 4k HDR video from XZ2:

            https://youtu.be/BtPyV4O581Y

              • ?
              • Anonymous
              • vV5
              • 04 Apr 2018

              Anonymous, 02 Apr 2018Nice balanced review. Pretty much said what I said earlier ... moreBecause some user can handheld the device very stable and than better photo in low light, not everyone love too much image processing that lost the details and come with weird color that painting by so call high-grade algorithm.

                Tann Hauser, 04 Apr 2018I am sorry Nick, but you got it all wrong with "basic featu... moreAnd mind you, that f1.6 and OIS camera phone got 97 on dxo.

                  Nick, 04 Apr 2018Calling the omission of basic features for high-end smartph... moreI am sorry Nick, but you got it all wrong with "basic features". Here a compare of XZ2 to wider f1.6 apperture and OIS camera:
                  https://youtu.be/fzMUzV6gcD4

                  Definitely not basic features for a quality camera like XZ2.

                    Tann Hauser, 04 Apr 2018True. Manual mode capabilities have never been tested. It ... moreLG is the one that suffers the most, especially with it's V series.
                    Who would buy one of those top of the line LG phones for the cameras... to use only manual mode? Those tests that insist on using automatic mode are a mockery to the public.

                    And as Nick and Tann Hauser touched, the Superior Auto should be better explained and investigated.
                    Modes like that don't only resize the images, they apply a different processing. Failing to recognize this is like getting a Nokia PureView and only use full resolution missing that the standard is the lower resolution.

                      Nick, 04 Apr 2018That's most likely because the camera on XZ2 doesn't turn d... moreOne thing that I forgot to say.
                      I mentioned that the larger aperture makes the image softer right? Well, old Xperias had this problem... "corner softness". That "G Lens" was a scam, IMO. Wasn't good enough to deserve a name, but now miraculously it seems that Sony put a good lens in this XZ2, at least it seems more sharper at the corner compared to the S9.

                        • ?
                        • Anonymous
                        • LQX
                        • 04 Apr 2018

                        AnonD-476622, 04 Apr 2018pity that Sony STILL have this over-processed approach to p... morePost processong is the same of their mirrorless.

                        Pics of Pixel are artificial. HDR when not necessary ( too much light) makes photos look fake.

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                          • ‏Idariush
                          • aut
                          • 04 Apr 2018

                          Good job sony, but i still waiting for xz2 premium , i need a real camera phone

                            • J
                            • Jim
                            • tDP
                            • 04 Apr 2018

                            This is just opinion from GSMArena. In many review, XZ2 wins in mayor aspect. Regarding to more noise In XZ2, that is still under acceptable by human eye capability.
                            I personality prefer like XZ2, on bright light and low light where XZ2 shot is more detail and more real colour.

                              • C
                              • Chrsjns
                              • vgN
                              • 04 Apr 2018

                              Good job Sony! You nailed it this time.... Now, I dont mind buying a Sony flagship with the camera on par with other brand flagship..... However, you have another homework for next year, even though they are greatly reduced this year compare with other flagship they are still huge, bottom and upper bezels....

                                • ?
                                • Anonymous
                                • I8m
                                • 04 Apr 2018

                                AnonD-476622, 04 Apr 2018pity that Sony STILL have this over-processed approach to p... moreYour post just seems really informed.
                                Yes the Sony processing is still not the best, but definitely not that bad anymore.
                                And googles processing relies in heavy sharpening with big contrast boosts to look more appealing.
                                Samsung are the ones that went for natural this year.
                                Even Sony went for more natural look than Google.
                                But they to include ois, bump the aperture, and still improve the software some. Not as much now though. But that's all mainly for quality. Not realistic or over blown

                                  • D
                                  • AnonD-476622
                                  • yuq
                                  • 04 Apr 2018

                                  pity that Sony STILL have this over-processed approach to photo processing, photos still look like water colour paintings... Sony really need to take a leaf from Google's processing, which has natural looking results. REALLY sad to see SONY still pushing their horrid processing, when people have been moaning about it for years now!

                                    • ?
                                    • Anonymous
                                    • vV5
                                    • 04 Apr 2018

                                    lek, 04 Apr 2018I never said that noise is bad. but Sony applies way too mu... moreSamsung wipe and lost details.

                                      • T
                                      • TonyMoso
                                      • mbm
                                      • 04 Apr 2018

                                      [deleted post]Your every post was same like always from Sami fans - "is better! because? because!

                                        • M
                                        • ME
                                        • ncr
                                        • 04 Apr 2018

                                        The Sony Camera is much better,in everything.
                                        Sorry fanboys but that's how it is.