Camera test: LG G3 vs Samsung Galaxy S5

Judging only by these parameters, the advantage in terms of shooting quality should be on the side of the Galaxy S5. Whether this is so, we will find out further in the comparative photographs. The LG G3’s trump cards include the presence of optical image stabilization, while the Galaxy S5 has only electronic stabilization.

The LG G3 uses an interesting laser autofocus system. In addition to the usual contrast method for determining focus, a special system has been added that sends infrared rays to determine the distance to the object. It is difficult to say exactly what contribution this system makes; the manufacturer claims very fast autofocus speed. For our part, we are ready to confirm this: autofocus is indeed very fast, but, subjectively, we would not say that the LG G3 focuses faster than the Samsung Galaxy S5 or HTC One (M8). By the way, autofocus in the Galaxy S5 is also not easy. It is hybrid using phase detection autofocus sensors.

Camera control interface in LG G3

In terms of processing finished photographs (adding various effects, adjusting shades, adding blur, etc.), the LG G3 is prepared well, there is something to “play with”. We especially note the “Magic Focus” mode. This mode is something similar to focus bracketing. A series of shots are taken, focusing at different distances, and then you can select a shot that focuses on the part of the frame that interests you. Such solutions have not been seen before. If desired, you can expand the depth of field (depth of field of image space – depth of field) in the frame. The camera will “collect” all in-focus areas from different frames into one shot (All in focus button in the screenshot). The “Magic Focus” effect can be useful when shooting macro, because in this mode the depth of field is relatively small, and you can make a mistake and focus in the wrong direction when different objects are located almost at the same distance from the lens.

Magic Focus effect LG G3

Serial shooting, shooting using two cameras at once, the main one and the front one to add the shooter’s face into the frame, HDR, taking pictures during video recording, panoramas – all this is present here, but competitors allow a little more. For example, the G3’s burst shooting doesn’t allow for special effects like the Galaxy S5 does. The LG G3 doesn’t even know how to automatically select the best shot from a series. The panorama is also normal; spherical panoramas are available in the Galaxy S5 and HTC One (M8). The Galaxy S5 allows you to expand the capabilities of the camera by downloading special applications; the LG G3 cannot boast of this either.

LG G3, like Samsung Galaxy S5, can shoot video in 4K format (resolution 3840×2160). The Galaxy S5 has the ability to shoot Full HD video at 60 fps; this format (1080p60) is not available in the LG G3. The devices can shoot slow-motion Slow Motion video. Although the output is videos with a resolution of 1280×720, you shouldn’t count on HD quality. Quite large pixels are noticeable in recordings from both smartphones in this mode. By the way, when playing videos from the LG G3 on a computer, and not on the smartphone itself, the Slow Motion effect does not work. The video simply plays back at the same speed as it was filmed.

In general, if we talk about the arsenal of capabilities associated with the camera without assessing the quality of the pictures, the Samsung Galaxy S5 looks richer in this regard.

In this review, we focus exclusively on the main (rear cameras), comparing recordings and videos obtained with these cameras, and not with the front cameras.

Examples of photos and videos taken with Samsung Galaxy S5 and LG G3 smartphones

To obtain comparative images, we did not use a tripod, which, of course, introduced some likelihood of blurry images, especially when shooting in low-light conditions, but it brought us closer to the actual usage model. Taking into account normal handheld shooting, as well as the fact that the camera lenses had different equivalent focal lengths (different viewing angles), in paired photographs you can sometimes notice slightly different framing, tilt angle, etc. For both smartphones, the automatic shooting mode was used. In the Samsung Galaxy S5, shooting was done with “image stabilization” activated. As we saw earlier, activating this mode greatly affects the quality of pictures taken in very low light. And we are not talking about the fight against “grease.”

Please note that on cropped images with 100% zoom, the image scale is different. This is due to the different resolution of the images of the two smartphones.

By clicking on the image, you can download original, non-reduced photographs. Captions indicating the cameras with which the frames were taken refer to the pictures under these captions

1.LG G3

1.Samsung Galaxy S5

Section of the LG G3 frame with 100% zoom

Section of the frame of the Samsung Galaxy S5 with 100% zoom

2.LG G3

2. Samsung Galaxy S5

Section of the LG G3 frame with 100% zoom

Section of the frame of the Samsung Galaxy S5 with 100% zoom

3. LG G3

3. Samsung Galaxy S5

Section of the LG G3 frame with 100% zoom

4. LG G3

4. Samsung Galaxy S5

5. LG G3

5. Samsung Galaxy S5

Section of the LG G3 frame with 100% zoom

6. LG G3

6. Samsung Galaxy S5

Section of the LG G3 frame with 100% zoom

7. LG G3

7. Samsung Galaxy S5

Section of the LG G3 frame with 100% zoom

8. LG G3

8. Samsung Galaxy S5

Section of the LG G3 frame with 100% zoom

9. LG G3

9. Samsung Galaxy S5

Section of the LG G3 frame with 100% zoom

Section of the frame of the Samsung Galaxy S5 with 100% zoom

10.  LG G3

10. Samsung Galaxy S5

When shooting macro, the scale of the resulting images is approximately the same with a slight advantage on the side of the LG G3

As previously with the HTC One (M8), the LG G3 smartphone has an unpleasant feature when shooting macro. Even if you bring the camera too close to the subject, when the focusing system can no longer cope, the device still provides a graphic and audio signal that everything is in order with focus. As a result, you have to control the threshold when the image appears clear on the screen itself, and this is not always convenient

In both devices, the high dynamic range (HDR) mode is often useful. In scenes with a large difference in brightness, it helps to “highlight” image details in underlit areas or “bring out” them in overexposed areas of the image. In both the LG G3 and the Samsung Galaxy S5, the mode works quite correctly, without the “cartoon” effects that are far from reality, which you often get when you experiment with HDR photos on your own.

We did not notice any noticeable difference in the dynamic range of the cameras.

11. LG G3 без HDR

11. LG G3. With HDR

11. Samsung Galaxy S5. Without HDR

11. Samsung Galaxy S5. With HDR

12. LG G3 Without HDR

12. LG G3. With HDR

12. Samsung Galaxy S5. Without HDR

LG G3 (2LGG3.mp4, 47 МБ)

Samsung Galaxy S5 (2SamsS5.mp4, 29 МБ)

LG G3 (3LGG3.mp4, 45 МБ)

Samsung Galaxy S5 (3SamsS5.mp4, 49 МБ)