We put the Samsung Galaxy S23 FE through our rigorous SBMARK Camera test suite to measure its performance in terms of photo, video and zoom quality from an end-user perspective. This article analyzes the behavior of the device in a series of tests and several common use cases and aims to highlight the most important results of our tests with an excerpt of the acquired data.

Overview

Key Camera Specifications:

  • Main: 50 MP sensor, f/1.8 aperture lens, Dual Pixel AF, OIS
  • Ultra wide angle: 12 MP sensor, f/2.2 aperture lens
  • Tele: 8 MP sensor, lens with f/2.4 aperture

Pros

  • Beautiful color rendering
  • Accurate target exposure and wide dynamic range
  • Good ultra-wide performance
  • Effective video stabilization

Against

  • Autofocus instability and artifacts, such as moving textures, in low-light video
  • Ghosting effect on moving subjects
  • Noise in low light, especially in photo mode

The Samsung Galaxy S23 FE delivered a very solid overall performance for a device from the high-end segment in the SBMARK Camera test. The overall score is very close to that of the more expensive Galaxy S23 and is noticeably higher than the cheaper Galaxy A14 5G. Colors, and skin tones in particular, were rendered well and images offered rich detail. A wide dynamic range ensures decent detail in the shadows and highlights in high-contrast scenes, and good ultra-wide camera performance makes the Galaxy S23 FE a good option for landscape photography. The downside is that some artifacts such as ghosting on moving subjects may be noticeable, especially when capturing low-light scenes.

Results in video mode were also quite good, especially when recording in daylight conditions. The video stabilization worked effectively and the recorded footage had high levels of consistency. However, as light levels decreased, artifacts appeared, most notably a juddering of certain areas of the frame.

Test summary

About SBMARK Camera Tests: SBMARK camera evaluations take place in laboratories and real-world situations using a wide variety of subjects. Scores are based on objective tests whose results are calculated directly by the measurement software in our laboratory setups, and on perceptual tests where a sophisticated set of metrics allows a panel of imaging experts to compare aspects of image quality images that require human judgment. Testing a smartphone involves a team of engineers and technicians for about a week. Photo, zoom and video quality are evaluated separately and then combined into an overall score for comparing cameras on different devices. For more information on the SBMARK camera protocol, click here. More details on smartphone camera scores can be found here. The following section compiles key elements of SBMARK’s comprehensive testing and analysis. Full performance evaluations are available upon request. Please contact us to find out how to receive a full report.

Samsung Galaxy S23 FE camera scores

This graph compares SBMARK photo, zoom, and video scores between the tested device and the references. The average and maximum scores of the price range are also indicated. The average and maximum scores for each price segment are calculated based on the SBMARK database of tested devices.

Photo

124

Huawei Mate 60 Pro+

Huawei Mate 60 Pro+

About SBMARK Camera Photo Tests

For scoring and analysis, SBMARK engineers capture and evaluate more than 2,600 test images in both controlled laboratory environments and natural outdoor, indoor, and low-light scenes, using the camera’s default settings. The photography protocol is designed to take into account key use cases and is based on typical shooting scenarios, such as portrait, family and landscape photography. Evaluation is performed by visually examining images Cons a natural scene reference and performing objective measurements on laboratory-captured graph images under varying lighting conditions from 1 to 1,000+ lux and color temperatures from 2,300K to 6,500K.

Samsung Galaxy S23 FE photo scores

Photography tests analyze image quality attributes such as exposure, color, texture and noise under various lighting conditions. Autofocus performance and the presence of artifacts are also evaluated on all images captured under controlled laboratory conditions and in real-life images. All of these attributes have a significant impact on the final quality of images captured with the tested device and can help understand the camera’s key strengths and weaknesses.

Exposure

106

Apple iPhone 15 Pro

Apple iPhone 15 Pro

Color

108

Apple iPhone 15 Pro Max

Apple iPhone 15 Pro Max

Exposure and color are the key attributes for technically good images. For exposure, the main attribute evaluated is the brightness of the main subject across various use cases such as landscape, portrait or still life. Other factors evaluated are contrast and dynamic range, e.g. the ability to make details visible 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 multiple images of the same scene.
Regarding color, the image quality attributes analyzed are skin tone rendering, white balance, color shading and repeatability. Regarding color and skin tone rendering, we penalize unnatural colors but respect the manufacturer’s choice of color signature.

Samsung Galaxy S23 FE – Beautiful colors and wide dynamic range

Samsung Galaxy S23 – Beautiful colors and wide dynamic range

Samsung Galaxy A14 5G – Limited dynamic range, hue shift in the sky, clipping of highlights

Auto focus

102

Huawei Mate 60 Pro+

Huawei Mate 60 Pro+

Autofocus tests focus on focus accuracy, focus repeatability, shutter lag, and depth of field. Shutter delay is the difference between when the user presses the capture button and when the image is actually taken. It includes focusing speed and the device’s ability to capture images at the right time, the so-called “zero shutter lag” capability. While a shallow depth of field can be nice for single-subject portraits or close-ups, it can also pose a problem in some specific conditions such as group portraits; Both situations are tested. Focus accuracy is also evaluated in all real-world images taken, from infinity to close-up objects and low-light to outdoor conditions.

Autofocus irregularity and speed: 1000Lux Δ0EV portable daylight

This graph illustrates focus accuracy and speed as well as zero shutter lag capability by showing edge sharpness versus shooting time measured with the AFHDR setup over a series of images. All photos were taken at 1000 Lux with daylight illuminant, 500 ms after blur. Edge sharpness is measured on the four edges of the Dead Leaves chart and shooting time is measured on the LED universal timer.

Structure

108

Apple iPhone 15 Pro

Apple iPhone 15 Pro

Texture tests analyze the level of detail and texture of subjects in images taken in the lab and in real-life scenarios. For natural shots, special attention is paid to the level of detail in the light and dark areas of the image. Objective measurements are performed on map images taken under various lighting conditions from 1 to 1000 lux and different types of dynamic range conditions. The papers used are the proprietary SBMARK (DMC) paper and the Dead Leaves paper.

SBMARK CHART (DMC) Detail Retention Score vs. Lux Levels for Tripod and Handheld Conditions

This graph shows the evolution of the DMC detail retention score with lux level, for two retention conditions. The DMC Detail Retention Score is derived from an AI-based metric trained to evaluate the performance of texture and detail on a selection of crops from our SBMARK chart.

Noise

79

Honor Magic5 Pro

Honor Magic5 Pro

Noise tests analyze various noise attributes such as intensity, chromaticity, grain, texture on real-life images and on graph images taken in the laboratory. For natural images, particular attention is paid to noise on faces and 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 graph images taken under various conditions from 1 to 1000 lux and different types of dynamic range conditions. The graph used is the dead leaf graph and standardized measurement such as visual noise derived from ISO 15739.

Evolution of visual noise with illuminance levels under handheld conditions

This graph shows the evolution of the visual noise metric with lux level in handheld conditions. The visual noise metric is the average of the visual noise measurement across all areas of the Dead Leaves graph in the AFHDR configuration. SBMARK visual noise measurement is derived from the ISO15739 standard.

Artifacts

66

XiaomiRedmi 12 5G

XiaomiRedmi 12 5G

Artifact evaluation examines lens shading, chromatic aberrations, geometric distortion, ringing edges, halos, ghosting, quantization, unexpected color tone changes, among other types of possible unnatural effects on the photos. The more severe and frequent the artifact, the greater the point deduction from the score. The main artifacts observed and the corresponding point loss are listed below.

Major penalties for photography artifacts

Preview

67

Apple iPhone 14 Pro Max

Apple iPhone 14 Pro Max

Preview tests analyze the quality of the camera app’s image preview, with a focus on the difference between capture and preview, particularly regarding dynamic range and the application of bokeh. The smoothness of exposure, color and focus adaptation when switching from the minimum to the maximum available zoom factor is also evaluated. The preview frame rate is measured using the LED universal timer.

Samsung Galaxy S23 FE – Preview – Highlight Crop

Samsung Galaxy S23 FE – Capture – Wider dynamic range than preview

Zoom in

123

Huawei P60Pro

Huawei P60Pro

Learn about SBMARK camera zoom tests

SBMARK engineers capture and evaluate more than 400 test images in controlled laboratory environments and in natural outdoor, indoor, and low-light scenes, using default camera settings and pinch zoom at various zoom factors from ultra wide zoom to long range zoom. The evaluation is performed by visually examining the images Cons a reference of natural scenes and performing objective measurements of map images captured in the laboratory under different conditions from 20 to 1000 lux and color temperatures from 2300K to 6500K.

Samsung Galaxy S23 FE Zoom Scores

This graph illustrates the relative scores for the different zoom ranges evaluated. The abscissa is expressed in focal length equivalent to 35 mm. Zoomed scores appear on the right and zoomed scores appear on the left.

Wide

109

Huawei Mate 60 Pro+

Huawei Mate 60 Pro+

These tests analyze the performance of the ultra-wide camera at different focal lengths from 12mm to 20mm. All image quality attributes are evaluated, with particular attention to artifacts such as chromatic aberrations, lens softness and distortion. The images below are an excerpt of the tested scenes.

Samsung Galaxy S23 FE – 13mm equivalent – ​​Good texture rendering

Samsung Galaxy S23 – 13 mm equivalent – ​​Unnatural texture rendering, orange color cast

Tele

86

Huawei P60Pro

Huawei P60Pro

All image quality attributes are evaluated at focal lengths between approximately 40mm and 300mm, with particular attention to texture and detail. The score is derived from a series of objective measurements in the laboratory and perceptual analysis of real-life images.

SBMARK CHART (DMC) detail retention score by focal length

This graph shows the evolution of the DMC detail retention score versus the full-frame equivalent focal length for different lighting conditions. The x-axis represents the equivalent focal length measured for each corresponding shooting distance, and the y-axis represents the maximum score of the detail retention metric: a higher value means better quality. The large dots correspond to the zoom ratio available in the camera application user interface.

SBMARK CHART (DMC) detail retention score by focal length

This graph shows the evolution of the DMC detail retention score versus the full-frame equivalent focal length for different lighting conditions. The x-axis represents the equivalent focal length measured for each corresponding shooting distance, and the y-axis represents the maximum score of the detail retention metric: a higher value means better quality. The large dots correspond to the zoom ratio available in the camera application user interface.

SBMARK CHART (DMC) detail retention score by focal length

This graph shows the evolution of the DMC detail retention score versus the full-frame equivalent focal length for different lighting conditions. The x-axis represents the equivalent focal length measured for each corresponding shooting distance, and the y-axis represents the maximum score of the detail retention metric: a higher value means better quality. The large dots correspond to the zoom ratio available in the camera application user interface.

SBMARK CHART (DMC) detail retention score by focal length

This graph shows the evolution of the DMC detail retention score versus the full-frame equivalent focal length for different lighting conditions. The x-axis represents the equivalent focal length measured for each corresponding shooting distance, and the y-axis represents the maximum score of the detail retention metric: a higher value means better quality. The large dots correspond to the zoom ratio available in the camera application user interface.

video

131

Apple iPhone 15 Pro

Apple iPhone 15 Pro

About SBMARK Camera Video Tests

SBMARK engineers capture and evaluate more than 2.5 hours of video in controlled laboratory environments and natural low-light scenes, indoors and outdoors, using default camera settings. The evaluation consists of visual inspection of natural videos taken under various conditions and performing objective measurements on videos of graphs recorded in the laboratory under different conditions from 1 to 1000+ lux and color temperatures from 2,300 K to 6,500 K.

Samsung Galaxy S23 FE video scores

Video tests analyze the same image quality attributes as still images, such as exposure, color, texture or noise, as well as temporal aspects such as speed, smoothness and stability of exposure, white balance and autofocus transitions.

Exposure

96

Apple iPhone 15 Pro

Apple iPhone 15 Pro

Color

103

Apple iPhone 15 Pro

Apple iPhone 15 Pro

Exposure tests evaluate the brightness of the main subject and the dynamic range, e.g. the ability to make details visible in both bright and dark areas of the image. The stability and temporal adaptation of the exposure are also analyzed.
Image quality color analysis examines color rendering, skin tone rendering, white balance, color shading, white balance stability and its adaptation when the light changes.

Samsung Galaxy S23 FE – Good colors and dynamic range

Samsung Galaxy A14 5G – Good colors, limited dynamic range, exposure instability

Samsung Galaxy S23 – Good colors and dynamic range

Structure

109

Oppo Find X6 Pro

Oppo Find X6 Pro

Texture tests analyze the level of detail and texture of real videos and graphics videos recorded in the lab. Natural video footage is assessed visually, paying particular attention to the level of detail in bright and dark areas. Objective measurements are performed on chart images taken under various conditions from 1 to 1000 lux. The cards used are SBMARK (DMC) card and Dead Leaves card.

SBMARK CHART (DMC) Video detail retention score versus lux levels

This graph shows the evolution of the DMC detail retention video score with the lux level in the video. The DMC Detail Retention Score is derived from an AI-based metric trained to evaluate the performance of texture and detail on a selection of crops from our SBMARK chart.

Noise

107

Apple iPhone 15 Pro

Apple iPhone 15 Pro

Noise tests analyze various noise attributes such as intensity, chromaticity, grain, structure, temporal aspects on real video recordings and on videos of graphs taken in the laboratory. Natural videos are evaluated visually, with particular attention to noise in dark areas and high dynamic range conditions. Objective measurements are performed on graph videos recorded under various conditions from 1 to 1000 lux. The graph used is the SBMARK visual noise graph.

Evolution of spatial visual noise with illuminance level

This graph shows the evolution of spatial visual noise with lux level. Spatial visual noise is measured on the visual noise graph in the video noise setup. SBMARK visual noise measurement is derived from the ISO15739 standard.

Temporal evolution of visual noise with illuminance level

This graph shows the evolution of temporal visual noise with lux level. Temporal visual noise is measured on the visual noise graph in the video noise setup.

Stabilization

115

Apple iPhone 15 Pro

Apple iPhone 15 Pro

The stabilization rating checks the device’s ability to stabilize footage thanks to software or hardware technologies such as OIS, EIS or any other means. The evaluation examines residual motion, smoothness, yellow artifacts, and residual motion blur in walking and running use cases under various lighting conditions. The video below is an excerpt of one of the scenes tested.

Samsung Galaxy S23 FE – Effective stabilization (4K 30fps), only a little instability

Samsung Galaxy A14 5G – Strong differences in sharpness between consecutive frames (1080p 30fps)

Samsung Galaxy S23 – Very good stabilization (4K 60fps)

Artifacts

78

Xiaomi 12S Ultra

Xiaomi 12S Ultra

Artifacts are evaluated with MTF and ringing measurements on the SFR graph in the lab, as well as frame rate measurements using the LED universal timer. Natural videos are visually evaluated paying particular attention to artifacts such as aliasing, quantization, blocking, and hue shifting, among others. The more severe and frequent the artifact, the greater the deduction of points from the score. The main artifacts and the corresponding point loss are listed below.

Top penalties for video artifacts

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Philip Owell

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