We put the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip5 through our rigorous DXOMARK Camera test suite to measure its performance in photo, video, and zoom quality from an end-user perspective. This article breaks down how the device fared in a variety of tests and several common use cases and is intended to highlight the most important results of our testing with an extract of the captured data.
Overview
Key camera specifications:
- Primary: 12MP 1/1.76″ sensor, 1.8μm pixels, f/1.8-aperture lens, PDAF, OIS
- Ultra-wide: 12MP sensor, 1.12 μm pixels, 123° field of view, f/2.2-aperture lens
Scoring
Sub-scores and attributes included in the calculations of the global score.
Samsung Galaxy Z Flip5
Use cases & Conditions
Use case scores indicate the product performance in specific situations. They are not included in the overall score calculations.
Outdoor
Photos & videos shot in bright light conditions (≥1000 lux)
Indoor
Photos & videos shot in good lighting conditions (≥100lux)
Lowlight
Photos & videos shot in low lighting conditions (<100 lux)
Friends & Family
Portrait and group photo & videos
Pros
- Good exposure and wide dynamic range
- Accurate white balance in daylight and indoors
- Good texture with ultra-wide camera
- Fast and stable photo and video autofocus in most conditions
- Low noise levels in daylight video
- Effective video stabilization
Cons
- Frequent white balance casts, especially in low light
- Noise in photos in most conditions, especially close to the edges
- Strong moving texture artifacts on faces in low light
- Lack of dedicated tele lens results in low level of detail in tele shots
- Some intrusive image artifacts, including aliasing, ringing, fusion artifacts and quantization
In the DXOMARK Camera tests, the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip5 showed some noticeable improvements over its predecessor Z Flip4, making it one of the better options with a folding form factor. When shooting still images, our testers particularly liked the accurate white balance in daylight and under indoor conditions, as well as the good exposure in most conditions. In combination with the fast and stable autofocus, this makes the Z Flip5 a good option for capturing daily life around you. In addition, the Samsung offered good detail when shooting with the primary camera and the ultra-wide, as well as in video mode. When recording video, stabilization also worked effectively and image noise was kept well under control.
On the downside, the lack of a dedicated tele lens means that tele zoom showed noticeably lower levels of detail than on most other premium devices. In addition, image noise was quite visible across all light conditions, especially around the edges of the frame, having a negative impact on still image quality.
Test summary
About DXOMARK Camera tests: DXOMARK’s Camera evaluations take place in laboratories and in real-world situations using a wide variety of subjects. The scores rely on objective tests for which the results are calculated directly by measurement software on our laboratory setups, and on perceptual tests in which a sophisticated set of metrics allow a panel of image experts to compare aspects of image quality that require human judgment. Testing a smartphone involves a team of engineers and technicians for about a week. Photo, Zoom, and Video quality are scored separately and then combined into an Overall score for comparison among the cameras in different devices. For more information about the DXOMARK Camera protocol, click here. More details on smartphone camera scores are available here. The following section gathers key elements of DXOMARK’s exhaustive tests and analyses. Full performance evaluations are available upon request. Please contact us on how to receive a full report.
Photo
Samsung Galaxy Z Flip5
169
For scoring and analysis, DXOMARK engineers capture and evaluate more than 2,600 test images both in controlled lab environments and in outdoor, indoor and low-light natural scenes, using the camera’s default settings. The photo protocol is designed to take into account the main use cases and is based on typical shooting scenarios, such as portraits, family, and landscape photography. The evaluation is performed by visually inspecting images against a reference of natural scenes, and by running objective measurements on images of charts captured in the lab under different lighting conditions from 1 to 1,000+ lux and color temperatures from 2,300K to 6,500K.
When shooting still images, the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip5 delivered good exposure in most test conditions, including difficult backlit and high-contrast scenes. However, our experts frequently observed slight exposure instabilities, especially in terms of tone mapping. Captured colors were vivid and the auto white balance system worked accurately in daylight and under typical indoor conditions. This said, our testers noticed some unnatural skin tone rendering.
The level of captured detail was quite decent and close to the predecessor Galaxy Z Flip4 which, given the very similar camera hardware, was to be expected. On the downside, image noise frequently made an appearance in all light conditions. The fairly fast and stable autofocus helped keep the subject in focus and zero shutter lag allowed for instant capture of the decisive moment, even in low light. This said, fusion artifacts were often noticeable on moving subjects and strong aliasing was observed across all shooting conditions. Overall, our testers found the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip5 to be a great device for landscape photography as well as capturing still life images, for example food photography.
Exposure
Samsung Galaxy Z Flip5
130
Color
Samsung Galaxy Z Flip5
130
Exposure and color are the key attributes for technically good pictures. For exposure, the main attribute evaluated is the brightness of the main subject through various use cases such as landscape, portrait, or still life. Other factors evaluated are the contrast and the dynamic range, eg. the ability to render visible details in both bright and dark areas of the image. Repeatability is also important because it demonstrates the camera's ability to provide the same rendering when shooting several images of the same scene.
For color, the image quality attributes analyzed are skin-tone rendering, white balance, color shading, and repeatability. For color and skin tone rendering, we penalize unnatural colors but we respect a manufacturer's choice of color signature.
Autofocus
Samsung Galaxy Z Flip5
125
Autofocus tests concentrate on focus accuracy, focus repeatability, shooting time delay, and depth of field. Shooting delay is the difference between the time the user presses the capture button and the time the image is actually taken. It includes focusing speed and the capability of the device to capture images at the right time, what is called 'zero shutter lag' capability. Even if a shallow depth of field can be pleasant for a single subject portrait or close-up shot, it can also be a problem in some specific conditions such as group portraits; Both situations are tested. Focus accuracy is also evaluated in all the real-life images taken, from infinity to close-up objects and in low light to outdoor conditions.
Texture
Samsung Galaxy Z Flip5
124
Texture tests analyze the level of details and the texture of subjects in the images taken in the lab as well as in real-life scenarios. For natural shots, particular attention is paid to the level of details in the bright and dark areas of the image. Objective measurements are performed on chart images taken in various lighting conditions from 1 to 1000 lux and different kinds of dynamic range conditions. The charts used are the proprietary DXOMARK chart (DMC) and the Dead Leaves chart.
Noise
Samsung Galaxy Z Flip5
117
Noise tests analyze various attributes of noise such as intensity, chromaticity, grain, structure on real-life images as well as images of charts taken in the lab. For natural images, particular attention is paid to the noise on faces, landscapes, but also on dark areas and high dynamic range conditions. Noise on moving objects is also evaluated on natural images. Objective measurements are performed on images of charts taken in various conditions from 1 to 1000 lux and different kinds of dynamic range conditions. The chart used is the Dead Leaves chart and the standardized measurement such as Visual Noise derived from ISO 15739.
Artifacts
Samsung Galaxy Z Flip5
82
The artifacts evaluation looks at lens shading, chromatic aberrations, geometrical distortion, edges ringing, halos, ghosting, quantization, unexpected color hue shifts, among others type of possible unnatural effects on photos. The more severe and the more frequent the artifact, the higher the point deduction on the score. The main artifacts observed and corresponding point loss are listed below.
Preview
Samsung Galaxy Z Flip5
93
Preview tests analyze the image quality of the camera app's preview of the image, with particular attention paid to the difference between the capture and the preview, especially regarding dynamic range and the application of the bokeh effect. Also evaluated is the smoothness of the exposure, color and focus adaptation when zooming from the minimal to the maximal zoom factor available. The preview frame rate is measured using the LED Universal Timer.
Zoom
Samsung Galaxy Z Flip5
164
DXOMARK engineers capture and evaluate over 400 test images in controlled lab environments and in outdoor, indoor, and low-light natural scenes, using the camera’s default settings and pinch zoom at various zoom factors from ultra wide to very long-range zoom. The evaluation is performed by visually inspecting the images against a reference of natural scenes, and by running objective measurements of chart images captured in the lab under different conditions from 20 to 1000 lux and color temperatures from 2300K to 6500K.
With a full-frame equivalent focal length of 13.7mm, the Flip5’s ultra-wide camera offers a wide field of view in this device class. When shooting in bright daylight, our testers found the ultra-wide’s colors to be very saturated, possibly too saturated for some users. Detail was generally sharp, with some ringing, and overall the Flip5 ultra-wide performance was among the better we have seen.
In terms of tele quality, the Flip5 was held back by the lack of a dedicated tele camera module. When it comes to tele quality, the lack of a tele module makes it difficult for the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip5 to provide good quality. At equivalent focal lengths longer than ~60mm image quality was low across all light conditions. At closer tele zoom levels (40mm-60mm) performance was on par with the Oppo Find N2 Flip but noise reduction in low light was more efficient on the Samsung.
Wide
Samsung Galaxy Z Flip5
122
These tests analyze the performance of the ultra-wide camera at several focal lengths from 12 mm to 20 mm. All image quality attributes are evaluated, with particular attention paid to such artifacts as chromatic aberrations, lens softness, and distortion. Pictures below are an extract of tested scenes.
Tele
Samsung Galaxy Z Flip5
120
All image quality attributes are evaluated at focal lengths from approximately 40 mm to 300 mm, with particular attention paid to texture and detail. The score is derived from a number of objective measurements in the lab and perceptual analysis of real-life images.
Video
Samsung Galaxy Z Flip5
159
DXOMARK engineers capture and evaluate more than 2.5 hours of video in controlled lab environments and in natural low-light, indoor and outdoor scenes, using the camera’s default settings. The evaluation consists of visually inspecting natural videos taken in various conditions and running objective measurements on videos of charts recorded in the lab under different conditions from 1 to 1000+ lux and color temperatures from 2,300K to 6,500K.
In video mode, the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip5 offered nice overall image quality. Video stabilization was effective both in static scenes and when moving while recording. The autofocus was fast and accurate in all conditions, allowing for sharp video footage of sports events or running pets. In daylight conditions the camera managed to keep noise levels low and offered good exposure with a wide dynamic range. However, our testers observed a drop in quality when recording under indoor conditions or in low light. In such conditions, we often saw underexposed footage as well as strong moving texture artifacts on faces. We also noticed quite strong white balance casts under daylight and indoor lighting.
Exposure
Samsung Galaxy Z Flip5
116
Color
Samsung Galaxy Z Flip5
120
Exposure tests evaluate the brightness of the main subject and the dynamic range, eg. the ability to render visible details in both bright and dark areas of the image. Stability and temporal adaption of the exposure are also analyzed.
Image-quality color analysis looks at color rendering, skin-tone rendering, white balance, color shading, stability of the white balance and its adaption when light is changing.
Texture
Samsung Galaxy Z Flip5
118
Texture tests analyze the level of details and texture of the real-life videos as well as the videos of charts recorded in the lab. Natural videos recordings are visually evaluated, with particular attention paid to the level of details in the bright and areas as well as in the dark. Objective measurements are performed of images of charts taken in various conditions from 1 to 1000 lux. The charts used are the DXOMARK chart (DMC) and Dead Leaves chart.
Noise
Samsung Galaxy Z Flip5
120
Noise tests analyze various attributes of noise such as intensity, chromaticity, grain, structure, temporal aspects on real-life video recording as well as videos of charts taken in the lab. Natural videos are visually evaluated, with particular attention paid to the noise in the dark areas and high dynamic range conditions. Objective measurements are performed on the videos of charts recorded in various conditions from 1 to 1000 lux. The chart used is the DXOMARK visual noise chart.
Stabilization
Samsung Galaxy Z Flip5
119
Stabilization evaluation tests the ability of the device to stabilize footage thanks to software or hardware technologies such as OIS, EIS, or any others means. The evaluation looks at residual motion, smoothness, jellow artifacts and residual motion blur on walk and run use cases in various lighting conditions. The video below is an extract from one of the tested scenes.
Artifacts
Samsung Galaxy Z Flip5
86
Artifacts are evaluated with MTF and ringing measurements on the SFR chart in the lab as well as frame-rate measurements using the LED Universal Timer. Natural videos are visually evaluated by paying particular attention to artifacts such as aliasing, quantization, blocking, and hue shift, among others. The more severe and the more frequent the artifact, the higher the point deduction from the score. The main artifacts and corresponding point loss are listed below.
DXOMARK encourages its readers to share comments on the articles. To read or post comments, Disqus cookies are required. Change your Cookies Preferences and read more about our Comment Policy.