T-Mobile AT&T Verizon Sprint Samsung LG Android Camera

Samsung Galaxy S7 beats the LG G5 by a mile in our blind camera comparison

posted by Nick T. / Apr 13, 2016, 10:28 AM

Samsung Galaxy S7 beats the LG G5 by a mile in our blind camera comparison

What's the smartphone with the best camera? – this is one of many questions we get asked all the time, and also one of the questions we can't give a definite answer to. Some cameras we applaud for their image quality, others excel when it comes to ease of use, and then there are the cameras that give you total manual control over the image, making you feel like a pro photographer.

Our readers, however, seem to favor the Galaxy S7's images quite a lot. Or at least that's the conclusion we can make looking at the results from last week's camera comparison, where we put the Galaxy S7 vs LG G5 head to head.

Six were the scenes we invited you to vote on, not knowing which phone took which photo. Once all votes were in, it became clear that five of the scenes were won by Samsung's flagship phone. The Galaxy S7 collected a total of 19,870 votes, which made it a clear winner in this blind comparison. Only the last scene – the one testing the cameras' low-light capabilities – was where the LG G5 scored a point.

Yet despite the results from this blind camera comparison, we'd still say that the LG G5 and Galaxy S7 are in the same category when it comes to camera performance. Perhaps the LG G5 will shine in our next camera test? We'll give it another chance soon. Until then, here's another look at the pairs of images and at the votes our readers cast.

Scene 1: Relax room

< LG G5 (Photo A) Galaxy S7 (Photo B) >

Scene 1: Which photo do you like better?

LG G5 (Photo A)

22.52%

Galaxy S7 (Photo B)

77.48%

Scene 2: Burning rubber

< LG G5 (Photo C) Galaxy S7 (Photo D) >

Scene 2: Which photo do you like better?

LG G5 (Photo C)

33.33%

Galaxy S7 (Photo D)

66.67%

Scene 3: Stellaria Holostea

< Galaxy S7 (Photo E) LG G5 (Photo F) >

Scene 3: Which photo do you like better?

Galaxy S7 (Photo E)

68.4%

LG G5 (Photo F)

31.6%

Scene 4: Red Tulips

< Galaxy S7 (Photo G) LG G5 (Photo H) >

Scene 4: Which photo do you like better?

Galaxy S7 (Photo G)

89.46%

LG G5 (Photo H)

10.54%

Scene 5: Office hours

< LG G5 (Photo I) Galaxy S7 (Photo J) >

Scene 5: Which photo do you like better?

LG G5 (Photo I)

22.07%

Galaxy S7 (Photo J)

77.93%

Scene 6: Toys in the dark

< LG G5 (Photo K) Galaxy S7 (Photo L) >

Scene 6: Which photo do you like better?

LG G5 (Photo K)

61.29%

Galaxy S7 (Photo L)

38.71%

The gallery below contains the original, uncompressed images we used in this comparison, in case you're curious to look at them. They might take a while to load, though, so be patient.

High-resolution photo samples

View more + 7 images

Related phones

View Full specs

PhoneArena Rating:

9.0

Read Full Review

User Rating:

8.5

Based on 19 Reviews

Display 5.1" 1440 x 2560 pixels

Camera 12 MP / 5 MP front

Processor Qualcomm Snapdragon 820, Quad-core, 2200 MHz

Storage 32 GB + microSDXC

Battery 3000 mAh(28h 3G talk time)

View Full specs

PhoneArena Rating:

8.3

Read Full Review

User Rating:

8.9

Based on 20 Reviews

Display 5.3" 1440 x 2560 pixels

Camera 16 MP / 8 MP front

Processor Qualcomm Snapdragon 820, Quad-core, 2200 MHz

Storage 32 GB + microSDXC

Battery 2800 mAh(25h talk time)

FEATURED VIDEO

Options

119 Comments

1. theo14461 unregistered

LG should have used all the features, and specs from the V10.

posted on Apr 13, 2016, 10:32 AM 3

13. maherk

Posts: 6879; Member since: Feb 10, 2012

I might be wrong about it, but doesn't the V10 has the same sensor as the G4 and G5? As for the test, clearly the S7 produce the better pictures, but the G5 is no slouch either. The G5 still produced amazing photos, plus it got another trick up it's sleeve, and that is the fantastic wide angle sensor.

posted on Apr 13, 2016, 10:51 AM 15

33. android1234

Posts: 203; Member since: Feb 09, 2010

It doesnt make sense for LG not to include its manual video features from the V10. If the G5 is the flagship, and is fully capable and then some to handle the video features of the V10, then LG shouldnt intentionally keep it. The S7 does have all video and photo features from the Note line, there isnt a difference. I think by the time LG realizes that it should update the G5 with video features, it'll be too late. The G5 is already getting sketchy reviews regarding it's build quality compared to other high end flagships, so LG's video feautes form the V10 could have given it a little more candy to attract buyers.

posted on Apr 13, 2016, 11:33 AM 1

127. razraptre

Posts: 168; Member since: Oct 21, 2014

They left out manual video, rear curtain flash sync and worst of all, they left behind a phone :P

posted on Apr 18, 2016, 1:14 AM 0

27. Mxyzptlk unregistered

The V10 was a step in the right direction, but someone in production and design seriously thought the G5 was a better follow up than the V10.

posted on Apr 13, 2016, 11:20 AM 2

40. TerryTerius unregistered

Didn't LG say that the V10 was going to have a sequel? At first I thought that the G5 was replacing the design language of the V10, but if that's the case then it's not something to worry about. Though they still need to suss out some styling changes for the G line in its next iteration

posted on Apr 13, 2016, 11:58 AM 0

46. Unordinary unregistered

What happens when you take away the over contrasting/saturating algorithms used by Samsung to enhance photos?

posted on Apr 13, 2016, 12:13 PM 1

61. sachouba

Posts: 266; Member since: Jun 08, 2014

Actually, you also pay for the algorithms of the camera, when you buy a smartphone, not only for the sensor (just look at Sony's smartphones). And actually, I wouldn't buy a $700 smartphone that only shoots RAW photos. :(

posted on Apr 13, 2016, 1:36 PM 19

64. JumpinJackROMFlash

Posts: 464; Member since: Dec 10, 2014

It's not like LG can't do the same if that's your definition of a great photo. Apparently most readers prefer the Samsung look.

posted on Apr 13, 2016, 1:47 PM 0

79. marorun

Posts: 5029; Member since: Mar 30, 2015

most readers here Jumping Jack many other website give oposite result.

posted on Apr 13, 2016, 3:54 PM 1

88. iushnt

Posts: 3105; Member since: Feb 06, 2013

Lol...Butt hurt? Links?

posted on Apr 13, 2016, 8:28 PM 6

71. dazed1

Posts: 800; Member since: Jul 28, 2015

You use manual mode, and then its even easier to destroy ANY smartphone on the market.

posted on Apr 13, 2016, 2:17 PM 0

80. marorun

Posts: 5029; Member since: Mar 30, 2015

Manual mode ( for picture ) is better on the G5 than S7..

posted on Apr 13, 2016, 3:54 PM 2

104. DerryAhmad

Posts: 296; Member since: May 05, 2012

Proof? The S7 has about the same feature as the G5 in manual mode for still photos. Also, manual mode is more difficult to judge since we cannot apply the same settings for both phones. Each probably has different settings to obtain maximum photo quality.

posted on Apr 13, 2016, 10:49 PM 0

73. Hoggington

Posts: 356; Member since: Feb 23, 2016

Doesn't matter what they're doing. It's working. It takes amazing pics.

posted on Apr 13, 2016, 2:31 PM 2

78. marorun

Posts: 5029; Member since: Mar 30, 2015

One of the few time Unordinary is right. You guys never saw those place they took pictures in so you dont know what reality look like. The biggest fault of the S7 is its transform reality to a point the picture look better than what you see in real life. So if you looking for realistic colors , contrast ect the s7 not for you.

posted on Apr 13, 2016, 3:51 PM 0

89. iushnt

Posts: 3105; Member since: Feb 06, 2013

We looking for great pictures. It's a treat when it looks better than real life.. We all know you hate Samsung :)

posted on Apr 13, 2016, 8:30 PM 2

90. Unordinary unregistered

Yet you guys get all butt hurt and cry like a bunch of schoolyard babies when there's some (EDITED) photo album released by a photographer using a Sony or Apple device lmao. Yes, we all know who hates who lol.

posted on Apr 13, 2016, 8:39 PM 0

91. iushnt

Posts: 3105; Member since: Feb 06, 2013

That's not me..sorry..

posted on Apr 13, 2016, 8:53 PM 0

125. mitchytan92

Posts: 92; Member since: Mar 02, 2015

I don't know anything much about camera but isn't the motorcycle and the red tulips photos examples of s7 camera's contrast winning over the g5?

posted on Apr 16, 2016, 12:50 PM 0

2. TheRealist

Posts: 16; Member since: Feb 06, 2016

LG is using the LG G4 camera which is bound to be outclassed by sammys newer sensor so no surprises here.

posted on Apr 13, 2016, 10:32 AM 2

3. Landon

Posts: 1245; Member since: May 07, 2015

Now all we need is a S7 vs HTC 10 camera comparison. Bring it on!

posted on Apr 13, 2016, 10:33 AM 20

59. JesseJames

Posts: 226; Member since: Feb 22, 2015

The 10 camera is good, better than any htc camera this far and can hold its own now but still not as good as what is on the s7.

posted on Apr 13, 2016, 1:30 PM 6

67. Clars123

Posts: 1078; Member since: Mar 16, 2015

I assume you've used the Htc 10 then?

posted on Apr 13, 2016, 2:00 PM 7

81. marorun

Posts: 5029; Member since: Mar 30, 2015

Love those moron who speak before seeing result.

posted on Apr 13, 2016, 3:55 PM 2

4. johanbiff

Posts: 415; Member since: Mar 31, 2015

And here comes tyrion "s7 has a s**tty camera! " (sorry dude, like your comments just had to :)

posted on Apr 13, 2016, 10:33 AM 20

15. tyrionTheWise unregistered

Hahahaha, very funny. So according to you, if you beat a one year old camera in a blind test, your camera is better. I stand by my point still. It's just that the G5 is even worse than S7. Bring in the 6P or the HTC 10 and you'll see how bad the S7 is.

posted on Apr 13, 2016, 10:56 AM 2

19. maherk

Posts: 6879; Member since: Feb 10, 2012

How bad the S7 is? Lol Dude, you're becoming arrogant with statements like these. I ve seen bunch of S7 vs 6P vs whatever phone you might pick, and the overall score was ALWAYS going in favor of the S7. You just dont want to admit you was wrong. Everyone compliments Samsung for delivering a 12mp camera with the sharpness of a 16mp one, or atleast close to it. I have the S7 Edge, had the Note 5 and S6E, my wife and brother still has the S6, and I can definitely notice how faster and brighter the images delivered by my S7E. Again, to say the S7 is bad, you have lost all your credibility.

posted on Apr 13, 2016, 11:04 AM 30

22. tyrionTheWise unregistered

http://www.androidpolice.com/2016/04/09/camera-shootout-nexus-6p-vs-galaxy-s7edge/ ^and the 6P wasn't even using HDR+. It is fast and it is bright. But the brightness is issue for me. It overexposes a lot. It may be better than s6, but that's to be expected. It can't even beat a 300$ nexus 5X, which is a shame. Not to mention the phones to come later this year.

posted on Apr 13, 2016, 11:11 AM 3

28. maherk

Posts: 6879; Member since: Feb 10, 2012

I can copy paste atleast 10+ links that have the S7 as the winner when compared to the 6P, but you will still find a reason to hate. Now you say it maybe better than the S6? You ve been saying the opposite since the release of the S7, so what changed? Again, no one knows why, but you always seems to he the 1st to hate on the S7 and S7 Edge on any article of theirs.

posted on Apr 13, 2016, 11:23 AM 21

view all comments