The new iSight camera packed into iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 Plus is Apple’s best yet, according to tests carried out by the experts at DxOMark. It has been improved by a wider aperture, support for a wide color gamut, and faster autofocus.
But it’s not quite enough to beat the cameras found in Samsung’s latest Galaxy smartphones.
DxOMark tested the iPhone 7 (its iPhone 7 Plus review is coming soon) and awarded it a score of 86. In comparison, the iPhone 6s and iPhone 6s Plus scored 82 and 84 respectively. This might not sound like a massive jump, but Apple has made some significant improvements.
[contextly_auto_sidebar] One of the biggest is the introduction of optical image stabilization, which helps you capture sharper images, smoother video, and improves low-light photography — and was previously only available in Plus-sized iPhones.
We also get a wider f/1.8 aperture with this year’s iSight camera, up from f/2.2 last year, which allows the camera sensor to absorb more light. Apple has added support for the DCI-P3 wide color gamut, too, and added an improved image processor.
This is a camera upgrade that’s not to be sniffed at, then — and that’s proven in DxOMark’s tests, which found the iPhone 7 delivers significant improvements over the iPhone 6s series in still image quality, thanks to superior texture quality and greatly reduced artifacts.
“With very few weaknesses, the iPhone 7 secures a podium position with one of the top three scores among all the mobile phone cameras we have tested,” reads the review. “Delivering superb photos and videos in a variety of shooting conditions, the iPhone 7 offers a visible improvement in image quality over the iPhone 6s Plus.”
However, all these improvements aren’t quite enough to knock Samsung’s latest smartphones off the podium.
The Galaxy S7 edge, which boasts the same camera as the Galaxy Note 7, maintains its crown as one of the best-performing cameras DxOMark has ever tested, achieving a score of 88. Last year’s Galaxy S6 edge+ is also a step ahead of the iPhone 7 with a score of 87.
If you’re an avid iPhone fan, then, Apple’s latest devices will provide you with the best shooting experience for your money. But there’s no doubt that in recent years, rival smartphone makers have overtaken Apple in the camera department, and it hasn’t quite caught up yet.
Killian Bell is a freelance writer based in the U.K. He has an interest in all things tech and also covers Android over at CultofAndroid.com. You can follow him on Twitter via @killianbell.
24 responses to “iPhone 7 camera loses to Samsung in expert tests”
“The Galaxy S7 edge, which boasts the same camera as the Galaxy Note 7, maintains its crown as one of the best-performing cameras DxOMark has ever tested”
It’s so good, it’s on fire! NO LITERALLY, IT’S ON FIRE!!!!!
Assclown,
35 out of 2.5 million is 0.0014%.
hardly catastrophic.
That plus 3 people died using iPhones.
And no S7’s have issues.
And now their washing machines are blowing up too…..is this new detonation feature going to be showcased on all Samsung products? lol
Keep on keepin’ on, Fandroid Man!
and you are representing samsushi here? no because they are well documented of how they are “motivating” their rice eaters “fans” around Internet .. disgusting company, disgusting and cheap “fans”
I’ve seen you mention that “3 people died using iPhones” before. Do you have a source for this?
(Also: if a total product recall isn’t “catastrophic”, then I don’t know what is.)
He’s counting selfie mishaps.
S7 edge on fire? You high?
“which boasts the same camera as the Galaxy Note 7”
I’m not high, I just know how to read. ;D
X which has same camera as Y is on fire” Now common sense dictates X is on fire.
Common sense dictates Y is on fire, since Y is ACTUALLY ON FIRE!
Wow someone needs to go back to school. There are ZERO issues with the S7 edge so it is NOT on fire.
I am not quite satisfied, it is seeming like comparison between Apple and Oranges.
their shitty products not even are lagging, looking like chinese copy of iphone, bringing nothing new to the table, cheating on benchmark, no removable battery, no radio (just like iphone) and now are even exploding… EXPLODING… this is because they are not inventing nothing, they need to push a product in market within month and that’s it..
My old eyes will never discern the difference.
Not surprising – Samsung has nice cameras. I’m interested to see how iPhone 7 performs. So far I’m impressed with the portrait mode feature.
As if specs will make one a better photographer.
86 vs 88 – so who can tell the difference only those clowns who love to compare stuffs for the sake of splitting hair.
Can’t believe this was even published, the difference between 86 and 88 would not be visible to the human eye, especially if your phone is on fire.
Still….both 88 and 87 is a higher number than 86.. ;)
Most of you guys are idiots. Samsung makes very good phones. So does Apple. Remember a few years ago when Apple sold an iPhone that couldn’t get reception? Sometimes manufacturers make mistakes.
Yes, some mistakes makes you drop a call and other mistakes can burn you to death. Apple vs. Samshit.
Samshit, Well, it is your opinion and What I am thinking here that Apple and Samsung are different than to each other.
Totally agree. As much as many would like to believe that one is far superior than the other that just isn’t true. Both make great phones and both make errors. Both copy each other as well. At the end of the day the so called best phone is the one that meets your personal needs the best.
It’s become forced comparison. Apple is ten times best as compared to Samsung.