We subjected the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip5 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 analyzes how the device performed in a variety of tests and several common use cases and aims to highlight the most important results of our tests with an excerpt of the data captured.
Overview
Main camera specs:
- Main: 12MP 1/1.76″ sensor, 1.8μm pixels, f/1.8 aperture lens, PDAF, OIS
- Ultra wide angle: 12 MP sensor, 1.12 μm pixels, 123° field of view, f/2.2 aperture lens
Pros
- Good exposure and wide dynamic range
- Accurate white balance in daylight and indoors
- Good texture with ultra wide angle camera
- Fast and stable autofocus for photos and videos in most conditions
- Low noise levels in daytime videos
- Effective video stabilization
Against
- Frequent white balance casts, especially in low light conditions
- Noise in photos under most conditions, especially near edges
- Strong moving texture artifacts on faces in low light
- The lack of a dedicated telephoto lens results in a low level of detail in telephoto shots
- Some intrusive image artifacts, including aliasing, ringing, blending, and quantization artifacts
In SBMARK Camera tests, the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip5 showed some notable improvements over its predecessor Z Flip4, making it one of the best options with a foldable form factor. When shooting still images, our testers particularly liked the accurate white balance in daylight and indoor conditions, as well as the good exposure in most conditions. Combined with the fast and stable autofocus, this makes the Z Flip5 a good option for capturing everyday life around you. Also, the Samsung offered good details when shooting with the main and ultra-wide-angle cameras, as well as in video mode. When recording video, the stabilization also worked effectively and image noise was kept in check.
On the downside, the lack of a dedicated telephoto lens meant that the telezoom showed significantly lower levels of detail than most other premium devices. Additionally, image noise was quite visible in all lighting conditions, particularly around the edges of the frame, negatively impacting still image quality.
Trial summary
About SBMARK Camera Tests: SBMARK’s camera evaluations are conducted in labs and in 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 lab setups and perceptual tests where a sophisticated set of metrics allows a panel of image experts to compare aspects of quality of the image that require human judgment. Testing a smartphone involves a team of engineers and technicians for about a week. Photo, zoom, and video quality are rated 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 smartphone camera scores can be found here. The following section compiles the key elements of SBMARK’s exhaustive testing and analysis. Full performance evaluations are available upon request. Please contact us on how to receive a full report.
Samsung Galaxy Z Flip5 camera scores compared to Ultra-Premium
This graph 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
132
Huawei P60Pro
Huawei P60Pro
SBMARK camera photo test information
For scoring and analysis, SBMARK engineers capture and evaluate more than 2,600 test images in both controlled laboratory environments and outdoor, indoor, and low-light natural scenes using camera presets. The photographic protocol is designed to take into account the main use cases and is based on typical shooting scenarios, such as portrait, family and landscape photography. Evaluation is performed by visually inspecting images Cons a natural scene reference and by performing objective measurements on laboratory-acquired graph images under various lighting conditions from 1 to 1,000+ lux and color temperatures from 2,300 K to 6,500 K.
When shooting still images, the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip5 delivered good exposure under most test conditions, including difficult backlit and high-contrast scenes. However, our experts have often observed slight exposure instabilities, especially in terms of tone mapping. The colors captured were vivid, and the auto white balance system worked accurately in daylight and typical indoor conditions. That said, our testers did notice an unnatural rendering of skin tones.
The level of detail captured 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 often appeared in all lighting conditions. Quite fast and stable autofocus helped to keep the subject in focus, and the absence of shutter lag made it possible to instantly capture the decisive moment, even in low light conditions. That said, blending artifacts were often evident on moving subjects, and strong aliasing was observed in all shooting conditions. Overall, our testers found the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip5 to be a great device for landscape photography and for capturing still life images, such as food photography.
Samsung Galaxy Z Flip5 vs Ultra-Premium photo 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 are also evaluated on all images acquired under controlled laboratory conditions and on real-life images. All of these attributes have a significant impact on the final quality of the images captured with the tested device and can help you understand the main strengths and weaknesses of the camera.
Exposure
110
Huawei P60Pro
Huawei P60Pro
Color
108
Huawei P60Pro
Huawei P60Pro
Exposure and color are 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 light and dark areas of the image. Repeatability is also important because it demonstrates the camera’s ability to provide the same rendering when taking multiple images of the same scene.
For color, the image quality attributes analyzed are skin tone rendering, white balance, color shading, and repeatability. With regards to color rendition and skin tone, we penalize unnatural colors but respect the manufacturer’s choice of color signature.
Samsung Galaxy Z Flip5 – Accurate exposure, vivid colors, slightly inaccurate skin tones
Oppo Find N2 Flip – Accurate exposure, slight color cast, natural skin tones
Google Pixel Fold: Slight underexposure, natural color cast, inaccurate skin tones
Auto focus
103
Huawei P60Pro
Huawei P60Pro
Autofocus tests focus on focus accuracy, focus repeatability, shutter lag, and depth of field. Shutter lag is the difference between when the user presses the capture button and when the image is actually taken. It includes the speed of focusing and the ability of the device to capture images at the right moment, the so-called “zero shutter lag” capability. While a shallow depth of field can be nice for a single-subject portrait or close-up shot, it can also be a problem in some specific conditions like group portraits; Both situations are tested. Focus accuracy is also evaluated in all real-life images taken, from infinity to close-up objects and low-light to outdoor conditions.
Autofocus Ruggedness and Speed: 1000Lux Δ0EV Daylight Handheld
This graph illustrates focus accuracy and speed, and also zero shutter lag capability by showing edge acuity versus shooting time measured on the AFHDR setup over a series of images. All photos were taken at 1000 Lux with Daylight illuminant, 500 ms after blurring. Edge sharpness is measured on the four edges of the Dead Leaves graph and shooting time is measured on the Universal Timer LED.
Structure
107
Oppo Find X6 Pro
Oppo Find X6 Pro
Texture tests analyze the level of detail and texture of subjects in images taken in the lab as well as 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 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-powered metric trained to evaluate texture and detail rendition on a selection of crops from our SBMARK chart.
Noise
80
Honor Magic5 Pro
Honor Magic5 Pro
Noise tests analyze various noise attributes such as intensity, chromaticity, grain, texture on real-life images and lab-captured graph images. For natural images, special attention is paid to noise on faces, landscapes, but also dark areas and high dynamic range conditions. Noise on moving objects is also evaluated on natural images. Objective measurements are performed on chart images captured 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 illuminance levels in portable conditions
This graph shows the evolution of the visual noise metric with lux level under palmar conditions. The Visual Noise metric is the average of the Visual Noise measurement across all patches of the Dead Leaves graph in the AFHDR configuration. The SBMARK visual noise measurement is derived from the ISO15739 standard.
Artifacts
77
Google Pixel 6
Google Pixel 6
Artifact assessment examines lens shading, chromatic aberrations, geometric distortion, ringing edges, halos, ghosting, quantization, unexpected color tone shifts, among other types of possible effects unnatural on photos. The more serious and frequent the artifact, the greater the deduction of points from the score. The main artifacts observed and the corresponding loss of points are listed below.
Major penalties for photographic artifacts
Preview
65
Apple iPhone 14 Pro Max
Apple iPhone 14 Pro Max
The preview tests analyze the image quality of the camera app’s image preview, with particular attention to the difference between the capture and the preview, especially regarding the dynamic range and the application of the bokeh effect. The uniformity of exposure, color and focus adaptation when zooming from the minimum to the maximum available zoom factor is also evaluated. The preview frame rate is measured using the Universal Timer LED.
Samsung Galaxy Z Flip5 – Preview – More limited dynamic range than the acquisition
Samsung Galaxy Z Flip5 – Capture
Zoom in
95
Huawei P60Pro
Huawei P60Pro
About SBMARK Camera Zoom Tests
SBMARK engineers capture and evaluate over 400 test images in controlled laboratory environments and natural outdoor, indoor, and low-light scenes using camera presets and pinch zoom at various zoom factors from ultra wide to very long zoom. Evaluation is performed by visually inspecting images Cons a natural scene reference and by performing objective measurements of lab-captured map images under varying 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-angle camera offers a wide field of view in this class of device. When shooting in broad daylight, our testers found the ultra-wide’s colors to be highly saturated—perhaps oversaturated for some users. Details were generally sharp, with some hum, and overall the Flip5’s ultra-wide performance was some of the best we’ve seen.
In terms of tele quality, the Flip5 was held back by the lack of a dedicated camera module. When it comes to tele quality, the lack of a tele module makes it difficult for the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip5 to deliver good quality. At equivalent focal lengths above ~60mm, image quality was poor in all lighting conditions. At closer telephoto zoom levels (40mm-60mm) performance was on par with the Oppo Find N2 Flip, but low-light noise reduction was more efficient on the Samsung.
Zoom scores Samsung Galaxy Z Flip5 vs Ultra-Premium
This graph illustrates the relative scores for the different zoom ranges evaluated. The abscissa is expressed in focal length equivalent to 35mm. Zoomed scores appear on the right and zoomed scores on the left.
Wide
103
Huawei P60Pro
Huawei P60Pro
These tests analyze the performance of the ultra wide angle camera at different focal lengths from 12mm to 20mm. All attributes of image quality are evaluated, with particular attention to artifacts such as chromatic aberrations, lens softness and distortion. The images below are an excerpt from the tested scenes.
Samsung Galaxy Z Flip – wide field of view, saturated colors
Oppo Find N2 Flip – Narrower field of view
Google Pixel Fold: narrower field of view
tele
60
Huawei P60Pro
Huawei P60Pro
All image quality attributes are evaluated at focal lengths from approximately 40mm to 300mm, with particular attention to texture and detail. The score comes from a series of objective laboratory measurements and perceptual analysis of real-life images.
SBMARK CHART Detail Retention Score (DMC) 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 detail retention metric score: higher value means better quality. Large dots correspond to the zoom ratio available in the camera application UI.
SBMARK CHART Detail Retention Score (DMC) 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 detail retention metric score: higher value means better quality. Large dots correspond to the zoom ratio available in the camera application UI.
SBMARK CHART Detail Retention Score (DMC) 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 detail retention metric score: higher value means better quality. Large dots correspond to the zoom ratio available in the camera application UI.
SBMARK CHART Detail Retention Score (DMC) 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 detail retention metric score: higher value means better quality. Large dots correspond to the zoom ratio available in the camera application UI.
video
128
Apple iPhone 14 Pro Max
Apple iPhone 14 Pro Max
About SBMARK Camera Video Tests
SBMARK engineers capture and evaluate more than 2.5 hours of video in controlled lab environments and low natural light scenes, indoors and out, using the camera’s default settings. Evaluation consists of visually inspecting natural video taken under various conditions and performing objective measurements on lab-recorded graph video under various conditions from 1 to 1000+ lux and color temperatures from 2,300K to 6,500K.
In video mode, the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip5 offered good overall image quality. Video stabilization was effective in both static and moving scenes during recording. Autofocus was fast and accurate in all conditions, allowing for sharp video footage of sporting events or running pets. In daylight conditions the camera managed to keep noise levels down and offered good exposure with a wide dynamic range. However, our testers did notice a drop in quality when recording indoors or in low-light conditions. In such conditions, we often saw underexposed footage and strong moving texture artifacts on faces. We also noticed strong white balance variations in daylight and indoors.
Samsung Galaxy Z Flip5 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
94
Apple iPhone 14 Pro Max
Apple iPhone 14 Pro Max
Color
99
Apple iPhone 14 Pro Max
Apple iPhone 14 Pro Max
Exposure tests evaluate the brightness of the main subject and the dynamic range, e.g. the ability to make details visible in light and dark areas of the image. The stability and temporal adaptation of the exposure are also analysed.
Image quality color analysis examines color rendition, skin tone rendition, white balance, color shading, white balance stability and its adaptation when the light changes.
Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 5 – Slight underexposure and highlight clipping, moving texture artifacts on face, slight exposure jitter towards end of clip
Oppo Find N2 Flip – Good exposure, orange/pink color cast, color slightly inaccurate
Structure
96
Oppo Find X6 Pro
Oppo Find X6 Pro
Texture tests analyze the level of detail and texture of real-life videos as well as graphics 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 of card images taken under various conditions from 1 to 1000 lux are performed. The charts used are the SBMARK (DMC) chart and the Dead Leaves chart.
SBMARK CHART (DMC) video score for detail retention versus lux levels
This graph shows the evolution of the video DMC detail retention score with the level of lux in the video. The DMC Detail Retention Score is derived from an AI-powered metric trained to evaluate texture and detail rendition on a selection of crops from our SBMARK chart.
Noise
105
Samsung Galaxy A23 5G
Samsung Galaxy A23 5G
Noise tests analyze various noise attributes such as intensity, chromaticity, grain, texture, temporal aspects on real-life video recording, as well as graph videos taken in the lab. Natural videos are evaluated visually, with an emphasis on 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 level of illumination
This graph shows the evolution of spatial visual noise with lux level. Spatial visual noise is measured on the visual noise table in the video noise setup. The SBMARK visual noise measurement is derived from the ISO15739 standard.
Time evolution of visual noise with level of illumination
This graph shows the evolution of visual noise over time with lux level. Temporal visual noise is measured on the visual noise table in the video noise setup.
Stabilization
110
Huawei P60Pro
Huawei P60Pro
The stabilization rating tests the device’s ability to stabilize footage using software or hardware technologies such as OIS, EIS, or any other means. The evaluation looks at 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 5 – Good exposure, fairly wide dynamic range, slight highlight clipping, some camera shake and frame shifts while running
Oppo Find N2 Flip – Good exposure, limited dynamic range, highlight clipping, heavy camera shake, especially while running
Artifacts
77
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 Universal Timer LED. Natural videos are visually evaluated by paying close attention to artifacts such as aliasing, quantization, blocking, and pitch shifting, among others. The more severe and frequent the artifact, the more points will be deducted from the score. The main artifacts and the corresponding point loss are listed below.
Top penalties for video artifacts
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