Dual cameras, quad cameras, why does it matter? Why are people going gaga over the quantity of camera on a phone? I don’t know myself, but the dual rear cameras of the Samsung Galaxy J7+ and the iPhone 8 Plus serve specific purposes. With the iPhone 8 Plus being over twice the price of the J7+, is it actually worth it for the camera alone?
Cameras’ Specifications
Phone | Rear Camera | Front Camera |
Samsung Galaxy J7+ | Dual 13 MP (f/1.7, autofocus) + 5 MP, f/1.9, LED flash
Video: |
13 MP, f/1.9, LED flash
Video recording: up to 1080p@30fps |
Apple iPhone 8 Plus | Dual 12 MP, (28mm, f/1.8, OIS & 56mm, f/2.8), phase detection autofocus, 2x optical zoom, quad-LED (dual tone) flash Video: Up to 2160p@60fps |
7 MP, f/2.2, HDR
Video recording: |
Unidentified the J7+’s camera sensors may be, they have a life of their own. And to add, the dual cameras cannot work independently except for the main, since both are to be used for Live Focus. One’s responsible for the RGB output, and the other for the monochrome. Another differentiating feature that the J7+ has is its front flash that you will see at work in the results later.
Both can do Portrait mode, with the J7+’s being labeled as Live Focus. There’s also a software-assisted Selfie Focus for the front camera which does the same. On the iPhone’s end, it can adjust lighting conditions in post-processing.
Also, with the introduction of a new encoder for iOS 11, the iPhone lineup this year is capable of 4K60 videos, but since I render in 24, I’d not be able to show you that fluidity.
Do note that settings on both are left on auto. Without further ado, let’s get to the results, starting with shots under daylight.
Daylight-assisted Shots
By no means would the J7+ stand against the iPhone 8 Plus, even in the most favorable conditions. It would be sufficient to say that the difference is night and day between the two. Nevertheless, the J7+ does well to hold up on its own for a twenty-thousand-peso smartphone. Colors tend to be more natural and flat on the iPhone with the J7+’s being more vibrant with preserved whites or lacking. For more distant shots, the iPhone 8 Plus takes it away with its 2x telephoto lens.
Lowlight Shots
When the sun finally sets, the J7+’s f/1.7 rear camera takes the stage. Photos are more vibrant and brighter with the J7+’s Night Mode without introducing significantly more noise, as opposed to the iPhone 8 Plus’s. Focusing on a specific subject in extreme conditions may prove to be tricky, but both perform within acceptable autofocus standards. The quad-LED flash on the iPhone 8 Plus tends to work better with a more natural lighting than the J7+’s dual-LED flash.
HDR
With HDR, the iPhone 8 Plus’s outputs suddenly drop, having a little-to-no difference between the shots with HDR off and with it on. It might just be the lack of software optimization, but this is Apple. As for the J7+, it works as it should – trying to distribute exposure evenly in the bright and dark areas of an image.
Portrait Mode/Live Focus
In Portrait Mode or Live Focus on the J7+, neither are great in low-lighting conditions. Both employ the same imaging technique for picking out the subject from the picture and blurring the background. The main lens takes the RGB layers while the other is responsible for the monochrome counterpart. Both perform similarly in terms of isolating the subjects with bits of artifacts on the J7+’s end. In post-processing, it is only the iPhone that has real-time lighting filters that are then applied on the subject.
Selfies
Moving to the front cameras, the iPhone 8 Plus comes off with aggressive detailing. That said, the J7+’s front camera takes images that are easier on the eyes with the assist of beautification options. The J7+ still prioritizes whiter whites whilst the iPhone 8 Plus captures more accurate colors.
Video Capture
Let’s start off with the rear camera first – the iPhone 8 Plus undoubtedly outputs the video with the more detail, even in low-lighting condition. The iPhone spits out more stabilized videos, and with faster autofocus too. Colors are, again, more lively on the J7+. As for the front cameras, this is where the playing field is leveled – stabilization is the same, and the colors are still more natural on the iPhone 8 Plus.
Verdict – “What should I buy?”
Even if it were the camera that you’re prompted to check first in a camera, the iPhone 8 Plus isn’t a great bargain at its price point considering that the J7+ performs similarly in most conditions. And like most features, many tend to die down once the hype dissipates.
However, this still depends on you – the end-consumer. What is it for you after our camera comparison? Is it Samsung’s Galaxy J7+ or Apple’s current flagship, the iPhone 8 Plus? Let us know in the comments below!
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