The best four Android camera phones this year have finally met in our Ultimate Camera Comparison and review. Between the LG G5, Samsung Galaxy S7, HTC 10, and Sony Xperia Z5, which do you think is better and probably the best in camera this year?
There’s only one way to find out that and that’s through our Manila Shaker’s style camera comparison.
More reviews, comparisons
Before we start, all phones have been updated to the latest software version. The Xperia Z5 is running on Marshmallow while HTC 10 with the latest version and has the widest angle lens in its main sensor followed by LG G5 and Galaxy S7. We used the main camera of LG G5 but the wide angle secondary sensor is really fun to use, check full review of LG G5 here.
Meanwhile, the Canon EOS 70D with regular kit lens is our reference camera here.
Samsung Galaxy S7 |
Sony Xperia Z5 |
HTC 10 |
LG G5 |
| 12MP f1.7 aperture | 23MP f2.0 aperture | 12MP 1.8 aperture | 16MP f1.8 aperture + wide angle 8MP f2.4 |
| 1/2.6″ size, 1.4um pixel | 1/2.3″ size | 1/2.3″ size, 1.12um pixel | 1/2.6″ size main, 1.12um pixel |
| 4K video | 4K video | 4k video | 4K video |
| Dual Pixel Focus, LED flash, OIS | Phase detection, LED Flash, Hybrid stabilization | Laser focus, LED Flash, OIS | Laser sensor, Color Spectrum Sensor, LED flash, OIS |
| 5MP f1.7 selfie, QHD video | 5MP f2.4 selfie, FHD video | 5MP f2.0, FHD video | 8MP f2.0, FHD video |
On the first image with HDR off, the Xperia Z5 showed the closest color reproduction as on the Canon with close to realistic shot, though a little greenish. Preserved sharpness on HTC 10 is top-notch with deeper contrast level, but I think it’s far from the smoother and finer details of what you can see on the other shooters. S7 has modest sharpness and color rendering. Meanwhile, the G5 is too warm, albeit high saturation is more noticeable.
Next with HDR off, Z5 is impressive here and showed smoother details and close color to the Canon 70D. This is followed by the LG G5 but with a slightly artificial sharpening. The sharpening process on Galaxy S7 looks worse with the jagged details and far from natural. HTC 10 has really good detail preservation, though you can see some yellow tint. In the end, the choice will depend on your preferences.
With HDR off again, LG G5 edges out the 3 with a brighter shot, but the highlights on the sky are overblown. HTC 10 did a good job by keeping the blue color of the sky. Colors on S7 are little off and pale if you look at the leaves. Z5 has modest dynamic control here yet with smooth details but a little greener.
Turning on the HDR, the LG G5 really showed crisper details and deeper contrast level followed by the Xperia Z5. The HDR on HTC 10 is subtle and has more neutral colors. The HTC 10 and S7 have softer details but the latter have warmer white balance.
HDR shooting
Next shot with HDR, the Xperia Z5 has the closest color and white balance to the Canon 70D. Look closely at the power lines, you would notice that ghosting on LG G5 is more apparent than the rest and even similar to its non-HDR photos. But the G5 nails the details here followed by S7. HDR on HTC 10 is again subtle with a little yellow overcast.
HDR shooting no. 2
In this indoor shot, we will be focusing on the noise level. But first, for the color rendering, the Z5 trumps the 3 with its near natural color as the Canon. It is followed by HTC 10 and LG G5. On the other hand, the noise is more apparent and visible on the Z5 and HTC 10. The S7’s large f1.7 aperture really helped in producing well-exposed with least noise among the group.
Indoor shooting
On the first low light shot, the S7 produced the brightest image and surprisingly the color is as natural as to the Canon 70D. The Z5 did well in lifting the dark areas but the color is greenish and the details are inferior. I think the HTC 10 did a pretty job here and better than LG G5 despite the yellow overcast.
Low light, night shooting
Next night shot shows how impressive the Z5 in colors and details if compared to the quality of the DSLR. The S7 is really good too with a crisper shot and deeper contrast on it. Both the G5 and HTC 10 overblown the highlights here.
Low light, night shooting no. 2
On another night shot, the S7 showed more consistent image quality here. It’s followed by LG G5 and Xperia Z5 in details. On the other hand, HTC 10 keeps the shot brighter than the rest.
Low light, night shooting no. 3
In selfie shooting, I think the S7 did far a better job the rest in dynamic range handling. The proof is on the leaves on the top. Both G5 and HTC 10 have really good selfie shots too. The Xperia Z5 keeps the natural colors but it’s bluish.
Selfie in daylight and low light
The HTC 10 has the only selfie camera with Optical Image Stabilization. With the main camera, all can shoot up to 4K video with SloMotion support. The Z5 beats the rest in stabilization, thanks to the technology behind its SteadyShot feature.
It’s really hard to award the best cameraphone from among these shooters. I think all are exceptional and currently the best in the market. You can’t go wrong with any of these shooters. In the end, the decision will still matter to you and the inclusion of other features such as the display, battery life, processor, and much more.
As usual, let us know which camera phone do you think is the best in this shootout.
ManilaShaker is a tech media producing insightful and helpful content for our local and growing international audience. Our goal is to create a premier Philippine digital consumer electronics resource that provides the most objective reviews and comparisons globally.
Alex says:
2012 Nokia 808 pureview this camera better all phone camera 2016, sensor size much bigger.
jose29354 . says:
emmm, no
Alex says:
Amazing
Cholo says:
Can you compare the lg v10 and g4 to the lg g5? I want to know if the screen still has the screen retention issue that the v10 and g4 suffers from and which has the best displays of them all. And how would the two old phones compare to the s820 of the g5. keep up your good work. I’ve watched your reviews on youtube and you’re by far the best filipino tech reviewer out there.
Just a piece of suggestion… improve your diction, pronunciation and accent. I’m not saying that your accent is bad. It’s just that “mas may dating kapag maganda yung accent” that’s all. maybe invest on a good mic condenser microphone or something. This is coming from a dude that’s watching youtube tech reviews for 4 years now. Watched technobuffalo’s review on the galaxy S7 (not the s7 edge). In my opinion, that’s by far the best tech review on youtube right now (delivery, content and cinematography wise).
Jade Jardinico says:
i will take a look if i can get the g4 from LG PH. And by screen retention issue, what do you mean about it?
Thanks for the feedback, will surely digest it. 😉
Cholo says:
Ooops. Sorry for the few typos on my comment above. Di ko nadouble check before mag post.
****
Just a piece of suggestion… improve your diction, pronunciation and accent. I’m not saying that your accent is bad. It’s just that “mas may dating kapag maganda yung accent” that’s all. maybe invest on a good condenser microphone or something. This is coming from a dude that’s watching youtube tech reviews for 4 years now. Watch technobuffalo’s review on the galaxy S7 (not the s7 edge) if you haven’t. In my opinion, that’s by far the best tech review on youtube right now (delivery, content and cinematography wise). Good luck!
Jade Jardinico says:
Full resolution of images can be found here:
Kyle Ruggles says:
oh btw, the color spectrum sensor is a LG exclusive feature, its not on the S7.
Jade Jardinico says:
Here’s the full resolution:
Kyle Ruggles says:
Thanks man 😀 oh btw the 10 has a pixel size of 1.55µm not 1.12
Jade Jardinico says:
Oh, sorry for the mixed up specs and missing features. We updated it. Thanks.
Preparing to add the full res on an Google Photos album.
Kyle Ruggles says:
Hey no worries, it’s fine by me, I know the specs already, but for your viewers, glad to help 🙂 Oh also the 10 has a pixel size of 1.55µm
Awesome! thanks mate.