We're comparing 200 photos taken on the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 6 and Galaxy Z Fold 4 to see which is the better notebook-style phone for photography. We will also look at how well Samsung has improved the Z Fold 6’s camera performance with a 2 year gap over the Z Fold 4. Only one phone can come out on top. This is Photo Shoot|out!
#galaxyzfold6 #galaxyzfold4 #photoshootout
#galaxyzfold6 #galaxyzfold4 #photoshootout
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TechTranscript
00:00Samsung talks a lot on how they improve the cameras in its new phones but not everyone's
00:03always looking to upgrade their phones yearly. That's why I want to take a look at differences
00:07between the Galaxy Z Fold 6 and Fold 4 because that's just enough time for more meaningful
00:12improvements. Just like my other videos, I've captured over 200 photos between them to see
00:17how they compare in different scenarios to see which is the best phone for photography.
00:21What's interesting is that their camera specs look identical on paper.
00:25This turns out to be a triple camera setup that consists of a 50 megapixel main camera,
00:2912 megapixel ultrawide, and a 10 megapixel telephoto with three times optical zooms.
00:34Their selfie cameras are also identical with 10 megapixel cameras on the outer screen
00:39while there's a 4 megapixel under display one in the inner screens. Knowing that the setup
00:43is identical, it obviously will come down to how the Z Fold 6 tweaks its photos with newer
00:48image processing algorithms and AI. And with that, let's begin. The shots close to the New York
00:54Public Library look almost identical at first glance but the Z Fold 6 is pulling in better
00:58contrast with the Chrysler building in the far background and in the brickwork of the nearby
01:03building on the left. As a result, it adds more clarity to the shot that makes those fine details
01:07pop out a little bit more. But if you don't pixel peep, you could argue that the Z Fold 4 delivers
01:12just as good results. This one's tricky because it was a really cloudy day so everything around
01:18Bryant Park was exposed to even lighting. However, I end up pointing at the American
01:22Radiator building because of its darker facade. It's pretty apparent that the dynamic range
01:27performance is better with the Z Fold 6. Not only does the building get treated to a pleasant glow,
01:32but the Z Fold 6 also brightens up the shattered areas of the surrounding trees at Bryant Park.
01:36Although the Fold 4 still puts up an excellent shot. While neither has a dedicated macro mode
01:42to get me ultra close to subjects, I still end up taking these close-ups of this hibiscus flower.
01:47My eyes are instantly drawn to the Z Fold 6's shot mainly for how it captures more fine detail
01:52of the pollen around the stem in addition to how there's more definition in the petals.
01:56It's not a bad photo with the Z Fold 4, but notice how those details aren't as sharp to the eye.
02:03Due to the brighter image of the Z Fold 4's shot, it overexposes the red and green peppers
02:07in these shots. Whereas the Z Fold 6 has a more neutral exposure that results in more vibrant
02:12colors. This also extends into the greens of kidneys on the top shelf as well as the brown
02:17ginger root on the bottom. I'm not sure what Samsung's doing to tweak the outer screen selfie
02:23with the Z Fold 6, but I'm constantly seeing it over sharpening the background. It doesn't look
02:28good when you look at these shots side by side. On one hand, both managed to capture all the fine
02:32details of my face including the fabric and stitching patterns of my shirt, but the background
02:36just looks more crisp to me with the Z Fold 4. Finally, there's one for the Z Fold 4. I'm
02:41inclined to not recommend using their inner screen selfie cameras unless you absolutely
02:46have to because they're the weakest cameras on both phones. Since they're under display cameras,
02:51they suffer from extreme softening due to how they're shooting through the display panel
02:55rather than the obstructed view in typical selfie punch outs. Between them, the Z Fold 4 has a
03:00softer look which I can see when I zoom to my face in the shots. Notice how the background also looks
03:05fuzzier with the Z Fold 4. The Galaxy Z Fold 4 is too generous with how it brightens up these shots
03:11and these portrait photos at one time zoom prove it again. While it's great that it gives my face
03:15a nice glow, it lacks the natural exposure of the Z Fold 6. While also blowing out the colors of my
03:20shirt in the process. Do you see any differences in these shots of the buildings overlooking Bryant
03:25Park at three times zoom? I know I don't. It's not until I crop into the images that I realize
03:30the Z Fold 6's telephoto camera picks up more of the finer details that the Z Fold 4 misses.
03:35For example, I can make out more of the brickwork in the building with the water tower on top of it
03:40whereas they're fuzzier, more indistinct with the Z Fold 4. Meanwhile, the water tower itself
03:44in the middle of the photo has a little bit more definition in it with the Z Fold 6.
03:49Both mobiles do a pretty good job at capturing panoramic photos, especially when there's the
03:53option to switch between the main camera and the ultrawide. But between them, I'm going to give it
03:57to the Z Fold 6 largely because of its even exposure. The Fold 4 has a tougher time with
04:03high contrast scenes, which results in the highlights being overexposed. You can see it
04:07here in the shot of the fountain at Bryant Park. I've always been pleased with the low light
04:11performance of the Z Fold 4, but the Fold 6 does a much better job. Partly because of how it boosts
04:16the exposure in the shadows. Take this tree for example, Maillard, where it better exposes the
04:20leaves and branches. The only downside of how the Fold 6 handles low light is that it casts too much
04:25of a warmer color temperature, whereas the Fold 4 has a more natural tone. Am I surprised by how
04:30this one turned out? Not really. New phones are expected to be incrementally better. However,
04:36I was expecting greater results out of the Fold 6 given the two-year gap it has over the Fold 4.
04:41While it cruised in just about every category, the margin of victory was minimal at most,
04:45which is probably due to how the cameras are essentially identical.
04:49What do you guys think? Let me know in the comments below. Don't forget to watch our
04:52Z Fold 6 video on our channel. Make sure to follow us on social,
04:55at Tom's Guide. I'm Jon V, and I'll see you in my next video.