We subjected the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip4 to 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 explains how the device performed in a variety of tests and different common use cases and aims to highlight the most important results of our tests with an extract of the acquired data.
Overview
Key Camera Specifications:
- Main: 12 MP 1 / 1.76 ″ sensor, 1.8 μm pixels, f / 1.8 aperture lens, AF, OIS
- Ultra-wide: 12MP, f / 2.2 aperture lens, 1.12 μm pixel, 123º FOV
Pros
- Target exposure is generally accurate in photos and videos
- Efficient video stabilization
- Fast and repeatable autofocus in photos and stable in video
- High level of detail in the photos
- Accurate colors and white balance in videos
- Wide: Wide maximum wide angle view
versus
- Occasional inaccurate colors in indoor and outdoor photos
- Frequent visible artifacts such as ringing and hue variations
- Lost details are lost and a high level of noise in low-light videos
- Low exposure of the target in low light sequences
- Tele: details lost
Test summary
About SBMARK Camera Tests: SBMARK camera assessments take place in labs and real-world situations using a wide variety of subjects. Scores are based on objective tests for which results are calculated directly by the measurement software on our laboratory settings and on perceptual tests in which a sophisticated set of metrics allows a group of image experts to compare aspects of quality image that require human judgment. Testing a smartphone involves a team of engineers and technicians for about a week. The quality of photo, zoom and video is evaluated separately and then combined into an overall score for comparing cameras from different devices. For more information on the SBMARK Camera protocol, click here. More details on the smartphone camera scores can be found here. The following section collects the key elements of SBMARK’s comprehensive testing and analysis. Comprehensive performance evaluations are available upon request. Contact us to find out how to receive a full report.
The Samsung Galaxy Z Flip4 is a good choice for photo enthusiasts due to its overall good, stable and accurate performance when taking photos indoors or out. The foldable phone’s main camera takes photos that show generally accurate exposure along with a wide dynamic range. Autofocus is fast and accurate in most conditions tested in photos and videos. Colors are nicely rendered during video sequences. Photos are captured in a high level of detail, even when using the ultra wide-angle camera, with its maximum wide angle of view (123 °)
However, the main camera’s field of view is quite narrow at 83 °. Since the device does not have a tele module, the Samsung Z Flip4 is unlikely to appeal to smartphone photographers who like to zoom while shooting.
Videographers will find that low-light performance is poor, with images that are often underexposed. In such conditions, even details are often lost and noise is visible.
Samsung Galaxy Z Flip4 camera scores compared to Ultra-Premium
This chart compares the SBMARK photo, zoom and video scores between the tested device and the references. The average and maximum scores of the price segment are also indicated. The average and maximum scores for each price segment are calculated based on the SBMARK database of tested devices.
Photo
125
Honor Magic4 Ultimate
Honor Magic4 Ultimate
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 photographic protocol is designed to take into account the main use cases and is based on typical shooting scenarios, such as portraits, family photographs and landscapes. Evaluation is done by visually inspecting images Cons a natural scene reference and making objective measurements on graphical images captured in the lab under various lighting conditions from 1 to 1,000+ lux and color temperatures from 2,300K to 6,500K.
Samsung Galaxy Z Flip4 Photo vs Ultra-Premium scores
Photo tests analyze image quality attributes such as exposure, color, texture, and noise under various lighting conditions. Autofocus performance and the presence of artifacts on all images acquired under controlled laboratory conditions and in real-life images are also evaluated. All of these attributes have a significant impact on the final quality of the images captured with the tested device and can help in understanding the main strengths and weaknesses of the camera.
Exposure
110
Honor Magic4 Ultimate
Honor Magic4 Ultimate
Color
111
Apple iPhone 14 Pro
Apple iPhone 14 Pro
Exposure and color are the key attributes for technically good images. For exposure, the main attribute evaluated is the brightness of the main subject in various use cases such as landscape, portrait or still life. Other factors evaluated are contrast and dynamic range, eg. the ability to make details visible in both light and dark areas of the image. Repeatability is also important because it demonstrates the camera’s ability to deliver the same rendering when shooting multiple images of the same scene.
For color, the analyzed image quality attributes are skin tone rendering, white balance, color shading, and repeatability. For the rendering of color and skin tone, we penalize unnatural colors but respect the manufacturer’s choice of the chromatic signature.
Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 4 – Target exposure is precise and dynamic range is extended
Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 3 5G – Target exposure is precise and dynamic range is extended
Sony Xperia 1 III – The target exposure is precise and the dynamic range is extended
Autofocus
98
Apple iPhone 12 Pro Max
Apple iPhone 12 Pro Max
Autofocus tests focus on focus accuracy, focus repeatability, shutter lag and depth of field. The shutter lag is the difference between the time the user presses the capture button and the time the image is actually taken. It includes focus speed and the ability of the device to capture images at the right moment, what is called “zero shutter lag” capability. While shallow depth of field can be nice for a single-subject portrait or close-up, 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 real-life images taken, from infinity to close-up objects and in low light to outdoor conditions.
Autofocus irregularity and speed: 1000Lux Δ2EV Daylight Handheld
This graph illustrates focus accuracy and speed as well as zero shutter lag capability, showing edge sharpness versus shutter speed measured on the AFHDR setting over a series of images. All photos were taken at 1000 Lux with the Daylight Highlighter, 500ms after blurring. In this scenario, the backlit panels in the scene are set to simulate a fairly high dynamic range: the luminance ratio between the brightest spot and an 18% reflective gray spot is 2, which we denote with an exposure value difference of 2 The edge sharpness is measured on the four edges of the Dead Leaves graph and the shutter speed is measured on the Universal Timer LED.
Structure
107
Oppo Find X5
Oppo Find X5
Texture tests analyze the level of detail and texture of subjects in images taken in the laboratory as well as 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 charts used are the proprietary SBMARK (DMC) chart and the Dead Leaves chart.
SBMARK CHART (DMC) detail retention score versus lux levels for tripod and handheld conditions
This graph shows the evolution of the DMC detail retention score with the lux level, for two retention conditions. The DMC detail retention score is derived from an AI-based metric trained to evaluate texture and detail rendering on a selection of crops from our SBMARK chart.
Noise
86
Honor Magic4 Ultimate
Honor Magic4 Ultimate
Noise tests analyze various attributes of noise such as intensity, chromaticity, grain, texture on real-life images and graphical images taken in the laboratory. For natural images, special attention is paid to 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 graphical images taken under various conditions from 1 to 1000 lux and different types of dynamic range conditions. The graph used is the Dead Leaves graph and standardized measurement such as visual noise derived from ISO 15739.
Evolution of visual noise with lighting levels in handheld condition
This graph shows the evolution of the visual noise metric with the lux level under portable conditions. The visual noise metric is the average of the visual noise measurement across all Dead Leaves chart patches in the AFHDR setting. SBMARK visual noise measurement is derived from the ISO15739 standard.
Manufactured goods
74
Google Pixel 6
Google Pixel 6
Artifact evaluation examines lens shading, chromatic aberrations, geometric distortion, edge ring, halos, ghosting, quantization, unexpected variations in color tone, among other types of possible unnatural effects on 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.
Main penalties for photographic artifacts
Preview
125
Honor Magic4 Ultimate
Honor Magic4 Ultimate
The preview tests analyze the image quality of the camera app image preview, with particular attention to the difference between capture and preview, especially with regards to dynamic range and application of the bokeh effect. The smoothness of exposure, color and focus adaptation are also evaluated when zooming from the minimum to the maximum available zoom factor. The preview frame rate is measured using the Universal Timer LED.
Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 4 – Preview – Visible crop in bright areas
Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 4 – Capture – Better brightness retention than preview
Enlarge
60
Honor Magic4 Ultimate
Honor Magic4 Ultimate
Learn about SBMARK camera zoom tests
SBMARK engineers capture and evaluate over 400 test images in controlled laboratory environments and outdoor, indoor and natural scenes in low light conditions, using the camera’s default settings and zooming in at various zoom factors, from ultra wide angle to ultra-long range zoom. Evaluation is done by visually inspecting images Cons a natural scene reference and making objective measurements of graphs captured in the lab under different conditions from 20 to 1000 lux and color temperatures from 2300K to 6500K.
Zoom scores Samsung Galaxy Z Flip4 vs Ultra-Premium
This graph illustrates the relative scores for the different zoom ranges evaluated. The abscissa is expressed in a focal length equivalent to 35 mm. The zoom-in scores are displayed on the right and the zoom-out scores on the left.
Wide
103
Honor Magic4 Ultimate
Honor Magic4 Ultimate
These tests analyze the performance of the ultra-wide-angle 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 tested scenes.
Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 4 – Large maximum field of view with extended dynamic range
Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 3 5G – Large maximum field of view with extended dynamic range
Sony Xperia 1 III – Extended dynamic range. However, the maximum focal length is shorter than for reference devices
Tele
30
Honor Magic4 Ultimate
Honor Magic4 Ultimate
All image quality attributes are evaluated at focal lengths from about 40mm to 300mm, with a focus on texture and detail. The score is derived from a series of objective measurements in the laboratory and from the perceptual analysis of real-life images.
Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 4 – Close range
Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 3 5G – Close range
Sony Xperia 1 III – Close range
video
113
Apple iPhone 14 Pro
Apple iPhone 14 Pro
About SBMARK Camera Video Tests
SBMARK engineers capture and evaluate over 2.5 hours of video in controlled laboratory environments and natural low-light scenes, indoor and outdoor, using the camera’s default settings. The assessment consists of visually inspecting natural videos taken under various conditions and carrying out objective measurements on graphical videos 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 Z Flip4 vs Ultra-Premium 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, exposure uniformity and stability, white balance, and autofocus transitions.
Exposure
90
Apple iPhone 14 Pro
Apple iPhone 14 Pro
Color
100
Apple iPhone 14 Pro
Apple iPhone 14 Pro
Exposure tests evaluate the brightness of the main subject and the dynamic range, eg. the ability to make details visible in both light and dark areas of the image. The stability and temporal adaptation of exposure are also analyzed.
Image Quality Color Analysis examines color rendition, skin tone rendition, white balance, color shading, white balance stability and adaptation when the light changes.
Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 4 – Skin tone rendering and white balance are generally pleasant
Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 3 5G – Skin tone rendering and white balance are generally pleasant
Sony Xperia 1 III – Skin tone rendition and white balance are generally pleasant
Structure
99
Xiaomi Mi 11 Ultra
Xiaomi Mi 11 Ultra
Consistency tests analyze the level of detail and texture of real-life videos, as well as graph videos recorded in the lab. Natural video recordings are evaluated visually, with particular attention to the level of detail in bright areas and dark areas. Objective measurements are performed on images of graphs taken under various conditions from 1 to 1000 lux. The charts used are the SBMARK (DMC) chart and the Dead Leaves chart.
SBMARK CHART (DMC) detail retention video 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 texture and detail rendering on a selection of crops from our SBMARK chart.
Noise
98
Apple iPhone 14 Pro
Apple iPhone 14 Pro
Noise tests analyze various noise attributes such as intensity, chromaticity, grain, texture, temporal aspects on real-life video recordings and graph videos taken in the laboratory. Natural videos are evaluated visually, with a focus on noise in dark areas and high dynamic range conditions. Objective measurements are performed on card videos recorded under various conditions from 1 to 1000 lux. The graph used is the SBMARK visual noise graph.
Spatial evolution of visual noise with the level of illuminance
This graph shows the evolution of spatial visual noise with the level of lux. Spatial visual noise is measured on the visual noise graph in the video noise setting. SBMARK visual noise measurement is derived from the ISO15739 standard.
Time evolution of visual noise with the level of illuminance
This graph shows the evolution of temporal visual noise with the level of lux. Visual temporal noise is measured on the visual noise graph in the video noise setting.
Stabilization
114
Apple iPhone 14 Pro
Apple iPhone 14 Pro
The stabilization assessment verifies the device’s ability to stabilize footage using software or hardware technologies such as OIS, EIS, or any other means. The assessment 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 from one of the tested scenes.
Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 4 – Residual motion is slightly visible during walking sequences
Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 3 5G – Stabilization is well compensated for while walking but frame shifting is sometimes visible
Sony Xperia 1 III – Residual motion is slightly visible during walking videos
Manufactured goods
75
Xiaomi 12S Ultra
Xiaomi 12S Ultra
Artifacts are evaluated with MTF and ring measurements on the SFR graph in the lab, as well as frame rate measurements using the Universal Timer LED. Natural videos are visually evaluated with special attention paid to artifacts such as aliasing, quantization, locking and toning, among others. The more severe and frequent the artifact, the greater the point deduction from the score. The main artifacts and the corresponding point loss are listed below.
Main penalties for video artifacts
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