LG G4 vs Samsung Galaxy S6 / S6 Edge – Camera Shootout
The LG G4 and Samsung Galaxy S6/edge are currently some of the best Android phones you can get your hands on. Both handsets have received no shortage of compliments, and deservedly so. We’ve already pit the flagships from the two Korean giants against each other in a comprehensive comparison but, as promised, today we’re going to focus on one particular aspect that makes both these devices amazing: the camera experience.
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- Samsung Galaxy S6
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- LG G4
Kicking things off with their respective self-portrait taking capabilities, looking at the image above and in the video, it’s obvious that the LG G4 does tend to overexpose some parts of these photos, and the field of view of the 8 MP front-facing shooter is somewhat narrow. The 5 MP front-facing unit of the Galaxy S6 does comes with a wider angle lens, and also benefits from a Wide Selfie Mode that allows you to use a panoramic motion in order to get more people into your shot. On the other hand, the LG G4 comes with a slew of gestures in order to make taking selfies a little more exciting, but the most useful of the lot is the ability to bring down the phone to a viewing angle that automatically lets you see the selfie you just took.
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- Galaxy S6
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- LG G4
Moving onto the rear cameras, the Galaxy S6 and Galaxy S6 Edge pack 16 MP rear shooter with a f/1.9 aperture and OIS, while the LG G4 also features a 16 MP unit with f/1.8 aperture and OIS+, as well as a laser guided auto-focus system and a color spectrum sensor that flank the camera.
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- Samsung Galaxy S6
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- LG G4
In lower light situations, the G4 still ends up over exposing the shot a little too much, and when there is a prominent light source on the subject, it will tend to be more blown out. Testing these cameras out during a concert, with the band members on stage being under very bright lights, you can see that even with spot metering you’re not going to be able to get a very good shot in the basic mode. That is where the Pro Modes comes in.
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- Samsung Galaxy S6
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- LG G4
The Pro Mode of the Galaxy S6 isn’t very robust, and there aren’t a whole lot of settings that you can manipulate, but you can bring the exposure compensation slider down, for example to -2, that does make for a somewhat better shot. The G4 did a better job with the exposure, despite the fact that, with the faster shutter speed that ISO had to compensate for, there ended up being a lot of grain in the shot. So in this situation, you’ll have to take your pick between a shot that is a little bit more overexposed with the Galaxy S6, or a better looking photo in terms of color and exposure with the LG G4 but with a lot more grain in the image.
As you may have noticed in the videos taken during the concert, taking a video makes the settings revert to what you get with the auto mode, and it is disappointing that the manual settings don’t have any effect on the video content.
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- Samsung Galaxy S6
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- LG G4
Moving to the outdoors and other well-lit situations, both cameras do an excellent job, but unsurprisingly, the Galaxy S6 does tend to oversaturate the shots a little bit. In some instances, this means the availability of deeper blacks and more contrast, and the punch in the colors can get to be a little much, even if some people do prefer that. In the case of the LG G4, the color reproduction is a lot more accurate because of the color spectrum sensor.
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- Samsung Galaxy S6
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- LG G4
There were a few rare instances where the G4 actually saturated the photo a little bit more than the Galaxy S6, as you can see in the second set of images above. The G4 also lets you cater the shot more to you liking with the more robust Manual Mode that it features, and of course, you also have the ability to shoot in the RAW format, and use the RAW capture photo in a program like Lightroom to make it look exactly the way you want it.
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- Samsung Galaxy S6
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- LG G4
Apart from the image quality possible with both cameras, a mention has to be made with regards to the picture taking experience itself. Samsung introduced a new shortcut with the Galaxy S6 that allowed you to double tap the home button up front to bring up the camera app and start shooting right away. The LG G4 has its own shortcut as well, a double tap of the volume down button, but this isn’t just to launch the camera app, as it also ends up taking a photo. Now, if you haven’t already framed the scene correctly without the viewfinder, or if there is nothing to take at the time, the camera will still take a picture, and only then can you begin to cater your shot, making the G4 just a little bit slower in going from the prone position to actually being able to take photos.
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- Samsung Galaxy S6
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- LG G4
Testing the optical image stabilization available with either device, you can see in the video above that the larger sensor of the G4 and the enhanced OIS does a great job in keeping things stable, while the resulting video with the Galaxy S6 is not as steady in comparison, and is a really big feather in the cap of the LG G4.
Samsung Galaxy S6 Camera Samples
While the Galaxy S6 tends to oversaturate, and the LG G4 has a penchant for overexposure, when it comes to capturing detail, both of these devices do a fantastic job. It’s only when you really zoom in to the photos that some disparities might come up, but is nothing significantly noticeable. You may see that the post processing that goes on results in a slight loss of sharpness in the case of the LG G4, but is something that is noticeable only when really zooming in to the shot.
LG G4 Camera Samples
So there you have it for this in-depth look at the LG G4 vs Samsung Galaxy S6 / S6 Edge camera! As you may have noticed throughout the video, the Galaxy S6 does tend feature very punchy colors, but the color reproduction with the LG G4 is far from bland, and the shots still look really nice. Bottom-line, users will likely be happy regardless of which smartphone camera they end up choosing. It cannot be emphasized enough how great both of these cameras are, and we’ve come to a point in the Android world where the smartphone tech is getting more than good enough to replace regular point and shoot cameras. This is a wonderful thing to happen, and it will only continue to get better over the course of this year and beyond.
Deal: Pick up two LG G4 leather backs for the price of one from LG through 6/30
If you’re the owner of a brand new LG G4 or plan on owning one in the near future, LG has quite the deal for you. From now until Tuesday, June 30th, you can buy two LG G4 leather back covers for the price of one. Replacement back plates usually run at a pricey $69.99, but now LG is giving you a chance to save some money. Available colors include Blue, Orange, Pink, Red and Yellow, though the T-Mobile-exclusive Brown and the Black leather options unfortunately can’t be purchased separately.
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In our full color comparison, we told you that the leather back covers for the G4 feel as premium as (if not more than) a nice wallet or the leather backs that can be found on the Moto X (2nd Gen). While all of the covers feel great in the hand, the Red option definitely has the smoothest texture, and the others feature a rougher texture, almost akin to crocodile skin.
If you own a G4 and plan on swapping out the back covers at all, you might want to take advantage of this deal. Remember, orders need to be placed before June 30th! Head to the link below to order yours today.
Samsung shows off the Galaxy S6 Edge features in 60 seconds
The Galaxy S6 Edge may have been available for purchase for a couple of months now, but that doesn’t mean that Samsung’s big-budget marketing department is going to let up in boasting about its features. Today we have a video called “S6 in :60″ showing off the handset’s main specifications, and yes, its sixty seconds long.
You can hit the link below to watch the promo video. You can also see the Galaxy S6 Edge surviving a trial-by-water here and even getting thrown onto the floor here if Samsung’s video is a little tame for your liking.
Click here to view the embedded video.
Source: Samsung Mobile USA
Come comment on this article: Samsung shows off the Galaxy S6 Edge features in 60 seconds
Leaked spec list for Lenovo’s upcoming flagship smartphone surface online
It was just last week that Lenovo’s upcoming flagship smartphone of 2015, bearing the model number PB1-770N, passed through China’s official certification database, TENAA, and now a leaked specifications list for the handset has popped up online revealing details of its internals.
In terms of dimensions, the device measures 186.6 x 96.6 x 7.7mm and weighs in at 230g — so it’s neither thin nor lightweight which may have something to do with whats under the hood.
The handset will pack a whopping 6.8-inch Full HD display, an unidentified 1.5GHz octa-core processor, 2GB of RAM, 32GB of expandable storage, a 13-megapixel rear-facing camera, a 5-megapixel front-facing shooter and 3,500 mAh non-removable battery.
That’s all the information we have on the PB1-770N for now, but be sure to check back as we’ll definitely be hearing more about this smartphone over the course of the next few days/weeks.
Source: TENAA
Come comment on this article: Leaked spec list for Lenovo’s upcoming flagship smartphone surface online
Asus made a profit in June selling its smartphones, momentum should continue well into July
Asus was able to make it profit selling its smartphones last month, reaching 1.5 million sales. The company is expecting to sell another 2 million this month. This comes just a month after the Taiwanese-based company made the Asus ZenFone 2 available in North America, and for cheap.
While Asus does expect sales to climb through June, the company expects the ball to continue growing well into July with the launch of the ZenFone Selfie, a smartphone with a 13-megapixel camera on the front and back.
Beyond smartphones, Asus is planning to sell 8 to 10 million tablets in 2015. The company hopes its new ZenPad line, announced recently at Computex, will help boost those figures. At this point, Asus’ biggest problem is advertisement. In some of the world’s biggest markets, most people don’t think Asus, but they do think Samsung and Apple, and that mainly has to do with advertising.
The best thing the Taiwanese-based company can do is get its name out there, and show the world it’s just as good as the giants in the market, particularly Samsung and Apple.
source: DigiTimes
Come comment on this article: Asus made a profit in June selling its smartphones, momentum should continue well into July
Tesla won’t build more battery swap stations
If you’ve ever taken your Tesla to a battery swap station then, according to Elon Musk, you’re in a minority. At the company’s shareholders meeting, the CEO revealed that the uptake on the service has been miniscule. Musk said that, by this point, every Model S owner in California had been invited to book an appointment, but only a handful took them up on the offer. As such, it’s highly unlikely that the company will persist with the plans, instead focusing its time, money and resources on building out its popular supercharger network.
It is possible to think that, perhaps, the whole battery swapping plan was intentionally holed below the water line from the start. After all, the company’s first round of invites went to just 200 users, of which only four or five expressed a positive interest. Part of that is because people don’t normally book scheduled appointments to visit the gas station, so it’s not something that they’re used to. Then there’s the fact that nobody’s going to pay another $60-plus for “instant charging” when a Supercharger is free and you get to visit the restroom at the same time.
Musk also spoke about his company’s international network of EV refueling stations, and admitted that some people were taking advantage of the free electricity. They may be intended only for re-juicing your engine during long trips, but locals have been sneakily using them for short top-ups. Those who have been identified have been sent a polite, but firm, note saying that it’s cool every now and again, but to stop ruining it for everybody else.
The CEO also made mention of the fact that the Supercharger network is currently sourcing its power from conventional energy sources. Musk has pledged that, wherever it’s possible to do so, the network will be outfitted with solar panels and a Powerwall battery so that “the entire Supercharger network is powered by sunlight.”
[Image Credit: AFP/Getty]
Filed under: Transportation
Source: Tesla, Seeking Alpha
Microsoft’s Surface Hub pen display costs from $6,999 to $19,999
You’d be forgiven if you forgot what the Surface Hub is. After all, Microsoft announced it the same day as its futuristic HoloLens headset — arguably the more interesting of the two products. Even so, though, the Hub is a compelling device in its own right: a big pen display designed for conference rooms, making it easier for employees to brainstorm, even if some people are tuning in remotely. We took one for a brief spin back in January, but at the time it was unclear when it would be available or how much it would cost. Today, Microsoft clarified that the 4K, 84-inch version we tried will cost $19,999 and go on sale in July, right around the time Windows 10 comes out. In addition, there will be a smaller, 55-inch version available for a much lower price of $6,999. (For the money, you get 1080p resolution on that one, which is just fine considering how relatively small the screen is.) Both should ship in early September.
We know, we know: That sounds like a lot of money for what appears to just be a display. But keep in mind that the Surface Hub is actually a fully functioning Windows 10 PC, capable of running any app that would run on any other Windows machine. Also, Microsoft claims the price is competitive compared to traditional video-teleconference systems (the company estimates, for instance, that outfitting a room for 8 to 12 people would otherwise cost upwards of $38,000, nearly twice the price of the 84-inch model).
If nothing else, the Hub will be easier to use. Without logging into it, you can just walk up to the screen and start writing. The display comes with two pressure-sensitive pens, each of which attach magnetically to the side of the Hub and charge there, too. And because the display supports 100 simultaneous touch points, you can have multiple people writing at once, or doing things like holding and dragging elements across the screen. In our time with it, both at the launch event and a recent behind-closed-doors meeting, everything from writing to pinch-to-zoom felt smooth and controlled on the display. We’re also fans of the display’s matte, slightly textured finish: It doesn’t feel slippery like other touchscreens, and it makes writing feel a little more natural as well.
Throughout, too, you can loop in remote coworkers via a built-in Skype app, as well as use any Miracast-enabled device (say, an Android phone or tablet) to wirelessly mirror the presentation. From there, you can “write back” notes from the Hub to these various devices, and anyone tuning in remotely will see the notes drawn in real-time, as if they were there in person. When you’re finished with your meeting, you can press an “I’m done” button, have the device email you the notes, at which point it’ll wipe itself before someone else uses the conference room. Can your current video-teleconference setup do that?
For the most part, it’ll be corporate IT departments buying the Hub, and luckily for them, they can buy it through the same channels as, say, the Surface Pro. (Microsoft says it was important that businesses be able to purchase the Hub the same way they would traditional A/V gear.) Even if you’re just a regular consumer, though, you might get your chance to play with the Hub after all: It will eventually be on display in Microsoft Stores, meaning anyone who walks in will be able to have some playtime.
Tabletop display turns your phone’s images into 3D holograms
If you’ve ever thought that the apps and videos on your phone were flat and lifeless, H+ might have an answer. It’s crowdfunding the Holus, a tabletop display that turns 2D content from phones and PCs into 3D holograms that you can see from any direction. All you do is plug in — after that, you can play virtual board games, educational titles and any other app with support for the extra immersion. There’s even motion tracking that will make sure content follows you when you wander around. H+ hopes that Holus will revive the lost art of real-life get-togethers without making you revert to that Monopoly game gathering dust in your closet. That’s a bit optimistic (as are the impossibly high-quality promo shots), but it’s hard to deny the allure of a living room holographic display that you don’t have to wear.
It won’t surprise you to learn that Holus will be pricey. You’ll have to pledge $550 as an early backer to get one ($650 for a Holus Pro with HDMI video input), and it’s more likely that you’ll be spending $850 to $950 for the privilege. As it stands, the first units aren’t expected to ship until March, so you’ll have to be patient. If the hardware lives up to the hype, though, it could be worth the investment for technology that was sci-fi just a few decades ago.
Source: Kickstarter
‘Abzu’: a scuba diving game that’s part Zen, part ‘Journey’
Abzû, the debut game from game development house Giant Squid, may as well have the subtitle Journey 2 or maybe even Flower 3. Studio founder Matt Nava, the former thatgamecompany art director of those aforementioned art house gaming touchstones, is making yet another emotionally bald, deeply pretty game about communing with nature through fluid controls here. In playing Abzû, though, any cynicism born out of its similarity to Nava’s past work floats away like so much foam on a wave.
This undersea adventure is immediately familiar, clearly of a piece with Journey‘s nomadic wandering and Flower‘s breezy environmentalism. Even in just a brief demo session, though, Abzû is equally transcendent. Of all the games from E3 2015 I got to play at early events, Abzû is the one I didn’t want to stop playing. Even in a pre-alpha state, Giant Squid’s game makes you feel like you’re somewhere else.
Rather than Journey‘s desert or Flower‘s verdant pastures, Abzû drops you into the middle of the ocean as a young woman sporting a black-and-yellow wetsuit as well as some miraculous scuba gear. During a brief introduction at a pre-E3 event, Nava explained that he and his team want your time as a submariner to be totally uninterrupted by onscreen displays or a pressing need to fill up on oxygen. Abzû‘s heroine can stay underwater indefinitely, peering into submerged caves and kelp fields as she moves forward. Rather than break the illusion of exploring the ocean floor, the unreality of your scuba gear is freeing, letting you come to terms with the diver’s initially tricky, but ultimately silky swimming controls.
What Abzû lacks in terms of technological realism, it makes up for with ichthyology accuracy. The elegant icy caverns and sun-dappled reefs you swim through are heavily populated, with what Nava describes as “tens of thousands” of fish. Not only are they modeled to look like their real-world selves, but also they behave like actual fish, flowing in tight schools. The effect of swimming smoothly into an open, shallow area after sneaking through a cave only to find it teeming with fish ranging from teensy to enormous is mesmerizing. The fish can also lead you farther into the sea you’re exploring.
Holding the PlayStation 4 controller’s trigger — the pre-alpha build on hand was running on Sony’s machines — the diver automatically schools with whatever creature’s closest. In a large horde of silvery fish, she’ll merge into the center and follow along as they loop and pirouette in the current. When I caught up with a sea turtle lackadaisically tooling around a giant rock, the schooling button made the diver do a little flip before she lightly clung to the amphibian’s shell. While I didn’t catch up to any in the demo, Nava told me that I could even meet up with whale pods later on.
The effect of swimming smoothly into an open, shallow area after sneaking through a cave only to find it teeming with fish ranging from teensy to enormous is mesmerizing.
Schooling with the fish is an odd gaming reward. More often than not, video games reward action with more action. Shoot a red drum; it explodes. Complete a row of Tetris blocks; the blocks disappear and a bright noise sounds. In Abzû, merging with a school following its movements is a passive act, but deeply affecting. You give yourself over to the simulation of nature and seeing your almost abstract, minimally detailed diver merge with the hyper-detailed fish elicits a catharsis startlingly similar to actually exploring the natural world. Like all moving art, it exaggerates and imitates the real world to evoke something fundamental. Sitting in the basement of a hotel surrounded by humming computers, I couldn’t help but get swept away by Abzû.
It’s not all reenacting the final scene of Tom Hanks blissfully swimming off with Daryl Hannah in Splash in Giant Squid’s game; there is a steady sweep forward. Unfolding in a similarly linear fashion to Journey, the demo did indeed have goals, even if they were simplistic. In exploring the caves, I ran into passages blocked by sand or frigid water that I couldn’t get past. While a solution to the cold wasn’t on hand in this version, there was an answer to the sand. Periodically you’ll find small, yellow submersible drones that can be reactivated.
As long as you have at least one with you — Nava said that there’s currently no limit on how many you can have with you, but there will be a cap in the final version — it will vacuum up any sand blocking passages into new areas. Being tiny, the drones can be easy to miss, and they’re vulnerable to the ocean’s less friendly elements. A nosy great white shark destroyed one of my companions after I cleared the way into the final area of the demo. (I asked if you’d even have a chance to make friends with the shark later in the game. Nava, answering me very specifically, did confirm that the shark will be “less of a dick” later on.)
After the shark messed up my drone, the demo took control of the diver as well. She swam out and out into the open sea as the camera pulled back revealing an even wider swath of creatures than I’d seen to that point. Manta rays, whales, giant schools of luminescent fish in a panoply of colors. While Abzû won’t be released until 2016, its fundamentals are already well in place. Nava has made yet another game about peaceful exploration and observation that conjures up intense emotion. Whether it feels as complete as Journey and Flower will depend entirely on how it comes together over the next year. With this demo, though, his studio has produced something that made me all too reluctant to get out of the water.
The Leica Q is a compact and stylish full-frame camera
Leica’s been relatively quiet since Photokina 2014, where it revealed a full set of cameras for every different budget and taste. Today, though, the German manufacturer is stepping out of the shadows and introducing the Leica Q, a beautiful small camera with some powerful attributes. It features a 24-megapixel, full-frame CMOS sensor, an ISO range of up to 50,000, a 3-inch, 1.04 million-dot LCD screen, NFC, WiFi and 1080p video-recording at 30 or 60 fps. Leica says the sensor powering the Q was custom built for it, designed to work perfectly in conjunction with the Summilux 28mm f/1.7 fixed lens. Like with most of the company’s cameras, however, you’ll have to break the bank to own one of these. The Leica Q is available now for a cool $4,250 — which, if it helps, does include a free copy of Adobe Photoshop Lightroom 6.
Filed under: Cameras
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