Galaxy S7 ISOCELL vs Sony IMX260 sensors comparison: low-light performance
posted by Daniel P.
/ Mar 18, 2016, 5:23 AM
Samsung ISOCELL
Sony IMX260
Galaxy S7 sample taken with Samsung ISOCELL and Sony IMX260 sensors
Are there any differences in photo quality from a Galaxy S7 with the Sony or Samsung pieces, though? Well, we already posted one comparison in daylight, so you be the judge, but now someone has taken two S7 units that have the different camera sensors in them, and did a direct comparison in low light scenarios. There are indeed subtle deviations in detail, color saturation and contrast, and most of those are slightly in favor of the Samsung sensor, it seems, so you should stop complaining if you have that one in your phone, but overall the image quality is very, very similar, as it should be. On the other hand, the shots with Samsung's sensor seemingly use less compression, as they are typically with the large file size of the two samples.
Be patient, as these are the full-size unretouched photos straight outta S7, so they might take some time to load. Alternatively, you can use our direct comparison tool for a quick overview of a few sample shots below.
![Samsung]()
Galaxy S7 with Samsung ISOCELL or Sony IMX 260 sensors low-light comparison
Samsung ISOCELL
Sony IMX260
Samsung ISOCELL
Sony IMX260
source: NaimC (XDA-Devs)
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58 Comments
1. johanbiff
Posts: 415; Member since: Mar 31, 2015
I like the britecell more.
posted on Mar 18, 2016, 5:28 AM 26
21. vincelongman
Posts: 5628; Member since: Feb 10, 2013
BTW its an ISOCELL, not a BRITECELL
See the official Samsung announcementhttps://news.samsung.com/global/samsung-elevates-mobile-phone-picture-quality-with-dual-pixel-technology-in-its-newest-image-sensor
Samsung's BRITECELL sensors haven't been used yet AFAIK
BRITECELL should bring a more sensitive RWB filter (vs the usual Bayer filter/RGB filter)http://image-sensors-world.blogspot.com/2015/11/samsung-updates-on-image-sensor.html
posted on Mar 18, 2016, 6:04 AM 7
50. j2001m
Posts: 3061; Member since: Apr 28, 2014
All means nothing as dxomark as made it there best cam it's tested anywayshttp://www.dxomark.com/Mobiles/Samsung-Galaxy-S7-Edge-Mobile-Review-A-new-champion
posted on Mar 18, 2016, 12:57 PM 0
53. vincelongman
Posts: 5628; Member since: Feb 10, 2013
Just correcting a mistake in this article (and many other articles on other sites/forums too)
Also means Samsung have another ace up their sleeve for the Note 6 or S8
posted on Mar 18, 2016, 4:19 PM 0
58. vincelongman
Posts: 5628; Member since: Feb 10, 2013
IMO very very high chance for the S8
IMO its 60:40 (yes:no) for the Note 6
There's also already phone with a similar RWB camera
Ironically its the Gionee S8http://www.gsmarena.com/gionee_s8_mwc_2016-review-1395.php
posted on Mar 21, 2016, 12:15 AM 0
46. zeeBomb
Posts: 2318; Member since: Aug 14, 2014
The isocell wins for me like it did for the S6. Better color reproduction, better white balance and in low light shots the yellow tint from the IMX260 is GONE with the isocell. Props to sammy to making better innovation
posted on Mar 18, 2016, 10:31 AM 1
56. Hallyu
Posts: 790; Member since: Jul 21, 2015
This will completely shut Sony fanboys up. LOL
Thea reason why Samsung uses variant sensor just because there's supply shortage with ISOCELL sensor or else there's no way Samsung orders that lame Sony sensor. I can't wait till BRITECELL sensor is ready, and I'll laugh at Sony ugly face again.
posted on Mar 19, 2016, 11:37 AM 0
2. surethom
Posts: 1618; Member since: Mar 04, 2009
Very nice Samsung competing with Sony sensor, in fact I think the Samsung has slightly better colour, but that is probably software related.
The main Problem With Sony as a company with there phones & even more with there compact cameras, is they always OVER compress compared to other companies that uses there Fantastic sensors.
posted on Mar 18, 2016, 5:29 AM 8
8. Adreno
Posts: 755; Member since: Mar 12, 2016
IMX260 is actually a Samsung-designed sensor fabbed by Sony under Samsung's command.
It isn't a native Sony sensor like the IMX230!
posted on Mar 18, 2016, 5:38 AM 6
12. Felix_Gatto
Posts: 942; Member since: Jul 03, 2013
And how did you know that?
posted on Mar 18, 2016, 5:44 AM 2
19. Adreno
Posts: 755; Member since: Mar 12, 2016
How did I know that? Google it.
Heck, Apple's iSight sensor is actually a custom Sony-fabbed sensor for Apple.
Just like how the Apple AX series of chipsets are a Samsung/TSMC fabbed chipset under Apple's design and command for it's iPhones.
Google it, man.
posted on Mar 18, 2016, 6:02 AM 0
24. Felix_Gatto
Posts: 942; Member since: Jul 03, 2013
l already googled it, and still can't find it. Besides why does Samsung want Sony to make their own-designed sensor if they can make it by themselves.
posted on Mar 18, 2016, 6:12 AM 7
36. kabiluddin
Posts: 273; Member since: Feb 28, 2015
He probably pick it up from here, most probably from the tyrionTheWise's comment. You wouldn't find it anywhere in the Internet that Apple or Samsung design their own camera sensor and Sony just manufacturer it. If Samsung really did design their own sensor and Sony just fabbed the sensor for them then Samsung wouldn't let Sony call it IMX***. They would have call it S*K*** , as with all Samsung design sensor. Apple custom design their own SoC but use various semiconductor to manufacturer it but always call the SoC "A" series regardless of which company fabbed it for them. All you need to do it look at the sensor/SoC's branding to easily determine which company design the it.
posted on Mar 18, 2016, 7:20 AM 1
25. Felix_Gatto
Posts: 942; Member since: Jul 03, 2013
Here's the best full explanation about IMX260 l can find:
http://www.chipworks.com/about-chipworks/overview/blog/samsung-galaxy-s7-edge-teardown.
Read it, and you'll understand.
posted on Mar 18, 2016, 6:19 AM 4
35. Finalflash
Posts: 4063; Member since: Jul 23, 2013
It's a custom job specified by Samsung. They are different sensors designed by different companies. That is why they are slightly different in their qualities. A fabrication based on a single design would usually come out exactly the same.
posted on Mar 18, 2016, 7:05 AM 1
3. tyrionTheWise unregistered
It's not BRITECELL. Just because Samsung has Britecell technology doesn't mean the S7 has one. It's very much still ISOCELL.
Here's the link: http://www.gsmarena.com/samsung_announces_own_dualpixel_12mp_sensor-blog-17132.php
When BRITECELL comes, there will be a notable change in the images.
posted on Mar 18, 2016, 5:30 AM 8
7. Ted_Clubberlang
Posts: 8; Member since: Mar 14, 2016
Totally off-topic: - I can't help but, whenever I read your comments, I read it in Tyrion's voice inside my head. Just unavoidable!
posted on Mar 18, 2016, 5:36 AM 1
14. tyrionTheWise unregistered
You're not the first one to say this.
posted on Mar 18, 2016, 5:46 AM 0
18. Felix_Gatto
Posts: 942; Member since: Jul 03, 2013
You're right Tyrion.
Here's more proof: http://www.gsmarena.com/samsung_britecell_camera_detailed_white_pixels_replace_green_ones-news-15073.php
posted on Mar 18, 2016, 5:57 AM 0
