Galaxy S8 tipped to sport front camera with autofocus, still a rarity for the industry

posted by Daniel P.

Nov 29, 2016, 3:54 AM

Galaxy S8 tipped to sport front camera with autofocus, still a rarity for the industry

Given the proliferation of the selfie phenomenon, manufacturers are eager to deliver the best front cameras they can fit in the limited bezel space, and are constantly increasing the shooters' resolution and features.

The upcoming Galaxy S8 may not be an exception, according to Korean media, as it is tipped to sport a front-facing camera with autofocus abilities - still a rarity in the smartphone industry where most selfie snappers come with a fixed focus. A front camera with automatic focus will be able to take clearer pictures of objects that aren't just at arm's length, but are situated at various distances in the frame.

Samsung is said to employ an encoder-type actuator for the autofocusing tasks, as it allows for slimmer camera modules, but, naturally, when asked for comments, it replied with "We cannot discuss any information regarding new products that are not commercialized yet."

source: ETNews via SamMobile

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21 Comments

1. Nathan_ingx

Posts: 4769; Member since: Mar 07, 2012

Makes me wonder why auto focus is not standard while the megapixels are booming.

posted on Nov 29, 2016, 3:57 AM 10

4. Settings

Posts: 2943; Member since: Jul 02, 2014

Front cams are meant to capture pictures that are couple of meters away from the subject, in this subject it's the face. There's no significal difference either when compared to the rear facing camera images.

posted on Nov 29, 2016, 4:22 AM 0

5. Nathan_ingx

Posts: 4769; Member since: Mar 07, 2012

I agree...but there's no harm in adding an extra. Maybe a bokeh like effect on a selfie won't look so bad.

posted on Nov 29, 2016, 4:27 AM 6

19. Macready

Posts: 1830; Member since: Dec 08, 2014

You will only get to a couple of meters with a selfie stick. Using your arm, that will be anything between 20 cm to about 90 cm. With current apertures, focal lengths and sensor sizes used, that means a total depth of field (in focus area) of about 20 cm to infinity, if you have autofocus. But since current most front cameras don't they probably pick a fixed focus point at about 30 cm, limiting total depth of field (in focus) to about 20 cm to 80 cm (roughly 60 cm total). Using a selfie stick, will thus often result in a bit more blurry results from that alone, something that will get more and more obvious as resolution (both from sensors and what lenses resolve) increases. If they add autofocus, they can combine several images with focus stacking to either make everything sharp (foreground, subject AND background, regardless of distance) or get much better results with selective focusing, doing the exact opposite. Where out of focus shots are stacked with in focus shots to calculate depth and blur areas in front and behind the subject better and more naturally.

posted on Nov 29, 2016, 11:44 AM 0

21. Macready

Posts: 1830; Member since: Dec 08, 2014

And I forgot to add that some of the most popular selfies, are those with others or subjects in the more distant background (famous people, buildings, etc). This is where focus stacking can gain a lot of detail over a fixed focus lens.

posted on Nov 29, 2016, 11:50 AM 0

7. Martin_Cooper

Posts: 1774; Member since: Jul 30, 2013

Its an extra mechanism that makes the camera bulkier and more expensive and since most people take selfies which is perfect distance for it to work without autofocus it wasn't something that was really needed. But its a great addition if its added. Also most front facing camera with tiny sensors and apertures have infinite depth of field making everything in focus most of the time. But with autofocus its possible to have selfies with little bit of bokeh effect.

posted on Nov 29, 2016, 4:32 AM 0

12. xocomaox

Posts: 208; Member since: Dec 14, 2015

Yeah, autofocus is typically not needed for the front cam. But this news might point to a larger aperture on the S8? Or it's just more marketing to make it seem like a better phone.

posted on Nov 29, 2016, 6:54 AM 0

2. shaineql

Posts: 522; Member since: Apr 28, 2014

DualPixel auto focus on front cam , this will be insanely good and fast !!

posted on Nov 29, 2016, 3:57 AM 4

3. maherk

Posts: 7060; Member since: Feb 10, 2012

The whole Note 7 exploding fiasco will benefit us Android and mainly Samsung fans big time, it is pushing Samsung to release all the goodies they were holding for the S9 and S10 into the S8. They want to make sure they release a device that will make people forget about the Note 7.

posted on Nov 29, 2016, 4:05 AM 16

8. trojan_horse

Posts: 5868; Member since: May 06, 2016

^^ I second that, bruh! The Note7 issue will push Samsung to quickly release the stuffs they were reserving for future flagships, thus bolstering the already-powerhouse Galaxy flagships. DualPixel AF on the Selfie camera of the S8... holly s**t, dude!

posted on Nov 29, 2016, 4:34 AM 1

16. rd_nest

Posts: 1656; Member since: Jun 06, 2010

^ Absolutely. For sure there will be no holding back this time. They will bring out everything then can.

posted on Nov 29, 2016, 8:47 AM 2

17. darkkjedii

Posts: 31764; Member since: Feb 05, 2011

Agreed bro.

posted on Nov 29, 2016, 9:48 AM 0

6. kent-gaga

Posts: 609; Member since: Apr 10, 2012

it's uncommon, not rare many phones from Sony, HTC... already have the feature for awhile

posted on Nov 29, 2016, 4:28 AM 1

10. perfectnine

Posts: 201; Member since: Mar 11, 2016

The lack of marketing from HTC and Sony make so many people feel that Samsung is going to revolutionize the camera in the S8 again.

posted on Nov 29, 2016, 6:02 AM 2

13. Martin_Cooper

Posts: 1774; Member since: Jul 30, 2013

Yet almost no one knows that. Their marketing is pure garbage. Sony advertises xperia on Champions League matches, the biggest european football competition yet the only crap you see is text saying xperia, like anyone gives a f**k about it, maybe advertise your strengths as your name means s**t nowadays.