Samsung Galaxy S7 edge will revolutionize professional photography

From Instagram to Exhibit Walls

The smartphone cameras nowadays are better than ever. In fact, it’s so good that it has practically rendered the standard point-and-shoots obsolete. Yes, that is a very impressive technological milestone but that hasn’t stopped tech giant Samsung from trying to raise the bar even further.

The existing trend when it comes to judging smartphone cameras has always been very 1-dimensional. Basically, people think the higher the megapixel count, the better the quality. It does not take into consideration the other factors that make for great cameras such as aperture, shutter speed and fast auto-focus, just to name a few.

Since almost all smartphone manufacturers think the same way, seeing a real difference when comparing camera quality can be quite difficult. However, Samsung is poised to stand out by putting its camera to the ultimate test – Can it replace a professional DSLR camera?

SAMSUNG GALAXY S7 EDGE | S7 PRESENTS: DARK BLUE


Yes, it sounds extremely ambitious to say a smartphone could ever compete with a DSLR but that’s exactly what Samsung was able to do in its one-night photo gallery called “Dark Blue” at the Green Sun last Friday, May 13.

The gallery was divided into 2 exhibits placed on opposite sides of the room. The first was called Own The Night, a low-light, neon-themed shoot by BJ Pascual with Georgina Wilson-Burnand as the muse.

Taking a cue from the low-light feature it showcased, the exhibit was barely lit, making the high-fashion and colorful shots of Georgina really stand out. The second exhibit, Into The Blue, features an ethereal underwater shoot by Mark Nicdao with the beautiful Solenn Heussaff. The area was beautifully accented with a soft, blue light, creating a somewhat underwater feel.



REVOLUTIONIZING PROFESSIONAL PHOTOGRAPHY

More than just unveiling a photo gallery, there was a bigger, more impressive story behind each of the images. Samsung commissioned two of the country’s top fashion photographers, BJ Pascual and Mark Nicdao, to push the phone to its limits by mounting photoshoots, one in low-light and one underwater, using just the Galaxy S7 edge.

Even if the photographers and muses were absolutely excited by the concept of full shoots using just a phone, this definitely didn’t come without skepticism.

“I was both hesitant and thrilled when I was first offered the project,” said Mark. “First, I haven’t done an underwater shoot, and second, I’ve never done a fashion shoot with just a smartphone. Combining the both was a real challenge.”

Even Solenn, who is no stranger to underwater shoots and a long-time Samsung loyalist, had her doubts. “I’m a water baby and so I was super excited upon hearing the concept. I’ve done an underwater shoot before but with just a smartphone? I honestly thought people would just take behind the scenes with it, I did not expect the Samsung Galaxy S7 edge to be used as the main camera for campaign materials because you’d always need the specs to be really high for these things,” says Solenn.

While most professionals would balk at the idea of a mobile phone replacing DSLRs, BJ Pascual and Mark Nicdao dared to go beyond all the conventional notions of their field, breaking barriers in the process.

“There’s a lot you can do with a camera phone, given the right conditions, combined with a great eye, an understanding of the basics, and knowing how to frame an image,” asserts BJ Pascual. “But I have to be honest that I was really skeptical at first because I’ve never done a professional shoot before with just a smartphone and what added to my hesitation was that the set-up had to be dark and photos can get really grainy. But I’m really happy I took on this project. It’s a source of pride for a first-time feat.”

Mark Nicdao was similarly impressed by the phone, saying, “There’s this unprecedented shift that’s happening in photography that’s driven by more people having access to the tools that allow them to find their voice. If smartphone brands, such as Samsung are able to help them find their passion and tap into their talent, it’s at least worth putting their claim to the test.”

RETHINKING WHAT A PHONE CAN DO

As the photographers and models saw the shots they were able to take using the Galaxy S7 edge, all the initial hesitation they felt quickly dissipated, turning into pure amazement and disbelief.

“Thanks to the Samsung Galaxy S7 edge, I think it’s about time that we take smartphone cameras seriously,” says BJ Pascual as he and Mark pour over the quality and sharpness of the images.

“It’s a very different process since it was faster and simpler,” Georgina narrates. “But more importantly, I think it gives skeptics, like some of our friends, a chance to see that Samsung knows what they’re talking about.”

“It’s not something you’d consider doing with a smartphone and so I’d consider this stunt as revolutionary for Samsung, and I’m just proud to be part of it,” says Solenn.

With this awe-inspiring stunt, the Samsung Galaxy S7 edge has delivered on its claim that it would make us rethink what a phone can do.

“Quality is important, but so is enthusiasm to explore new things. This was certainly a daring move and a new experience for us, but it just highlights how technology can really be a game changer. Capturing a great picture using a smartphone is no less rewarding than if you had taken it using a DSLR,” states Chad Sotelo, Corporate Marketing Head of Samsung Electronics Philippines Corporation.

Samsung Officially Released the Samsung Galaxy A7 and Samsung Galaxy A5 2016 Series

When choosing a smartphone, aesthetics play as much value as features. It should be able to do all the things you would expect a smartphone to do while looking good on the job—and even better if you can get it at a great price.

The first brand that comes to mind? Samsung—specifically their Galaxy A Series, where everything you love about their flagship smartphones are translated into a more accessible but equally stylish and powerful device that rises above its competitors. Earlier this year, the Galaxy A5 (2016) was introduced, and now the latest addition to this line—the 2016 Galaxy A7 .


Absolutely Sleek

Samsung is no stranger to design innovation. The brand is known to rise above in design aesthetics, and their capability of building that design around a powerful and highly capable device. It’s not surprising therefore that this continues to demonstrate itself in the Galaxy A Series.

Taking design cues from Samsung’s flagship line, the Galaxy A Series (2016) adds style to your life with an all new sleek, metal and glass design that showcases a youthful and premium vibe.

The slim design fits comfortably and perfectly borders the Galaxy A7’s FHD 5.5-inch Super AMOLED display, while the Galaxy A5 has a slightly smaller 5.2-inch screen.

Complementing the luxurious feel of the smartphones is the confidence that the Galaxy A Series’ sturdy build can easily keep up and even rise above with the fast-paced lifestyles of its users. The screen is made of durable Gorilla Glass 4, so no need to worry about nicks and scratches.

Absolutely Powerful

What use is a great looking smartphone—which you have to carry around and use everyday—if it’s not good enough to keep up with your needs? This goes beyond basic communication capabilities, because while it is important, your smartphone should help you rise above every situation.

The smartphone market is so competitive that brands would do anything to capture the market’s attention. Why anyone would want a smartphone with limited screen size, lower resolution, and poor quality camera, no one would know. But with Samsung’s Galaxy A Series, there’s no need to compromise to subpar features and inferior hardware.

For starters, the camera has a Quick Launch feature that allows you to turn it on in just 0.7 seconds so you can capture moments as they happen. Easily take clear and crisp photos with a 13MP rear and 5MP front camera, F1.9 lens and Optical Image Stabilization. So whether you’re shooting in low light, taking a panoramic shot, or just want to snap a quick Selfie, the Galaxy A Series will make sure your photos rise above.

The Galaxy A Series (2016) is powered b an Octa Core 1.6GHz processor for topnotch performance. For added security, both models have the fingerprint scanner so you can unlock your device by just a touch of a fingertip. It is also LTE Cat6 for fast downloading and uploading of high-quality videos and files. For those who have a lot of friends and a lot of content, the Galaxy A Series is Dual SIM hybrid with an expandable memory of up to 128GB so you don’t need to worry about not having enough memory space.

And to make the most out of all these features, Samsung made sure that both devices come with equally powerful fast-charging batteries, which goes from 0 to 100% in just 110 minutes. The Galaxy A7 and the Galaxy A5 are backed with 3,300mAH and 2,900mAh batteries respectively, allowing for extended, heavy usage. The Galaxy A Series (2016) will surely help you rise above your tasks with its powerful and highly efficient performance.

Rise Above With The Galaxy A Series

All in all, the new Galaxy A Series (2016), whether it’s the Galaxy A5 or the Galaxy A7, offer powerful and essential smartphone options that rise above compromise when it comes to quality, functionality, and design. The Galaxy A5 (2016) is now available at Samsung Experience Stores while the Galaxy A7 (2016) will be available starting April 29, 2016.

Samsung Galaxy S7 and Samsung Galaxy S7 Edge Introduced Dual Pixel Technology for their Image Sensor

Samsung Electronics, a world leader in advanced semiconductor technology, announced its newest 12 megapixel (MP) image sensor for smartphones, which will elevate the quality of mobile phone pictures. Already in mass production, this 1.4μm-pixel-based image sensor is equipped with Dual Pixel technology that has been reserved for DSLR cameras. The technology enables rapid auto-focus for fast photo shooting while producing premium image quality on mobile devices, even in low light situations.

Samsung’s new image sensor with Dual Pixel technology employs two photodiodes located on the left and right halves of a pixel, while a conventional image sensor dedicates less than five percent of its pixels, with one photodiode each that converts light particles into measurable photocurrent for phase detection. As each and every pixel of the Dual Pixel image sensor is capable of detecting phase differences of perceived light, significantly faster auto-focus has become possible. With such groundbreaking improvements, the image sensor ensures clear and sharp images especially for moving objects even in poor lighting conditions.

Just to have a clear picture on what is the benefit of Dual Pixel Image sensor on your phone, here are some videos explaining the said technology:


“With 12 million pixels working as a phase detection auto-focus (PDAF) agent, the new image sensor brings professional auto-focusing performance to a mobile device,” said Ben K. Hur, Vice President of Marketing, System LSI Business at Samsung Electronics. “Consumers will be able to capture their daily events and precious moments instantly on a smartphone as the moments unfold, regardless of lighting conditions.”

The image sensor has also adopted Samsung’s ISOCELL technology, which isolates the photodiodes in each pixel with a physical wall to further reduce color cross talk, maximizing the image sensor’s performance.

For top-of-the-line performance while keeping the size to a minimum, the new image sensor is built with cutting-edge chip-stacking technology. The Dual Pixel image sensor stacks a 65 nanometer (nm) sensor and 28nm logic chip together to deliver outstanding photo-taking experiences in today’s sleek smartphones.

The Secret to Pro Smartphone Photography

Let’s get one thing straight; megapixels aren’t the be all and end all of smartphone cameras.

Sensors, aperture size, lens quality, camera speed, and features are just some factors that lend itself to the quality of a shot—quite like how DSLRs work. Thankfully, smartphone photography is quickly catching up to professional photography. From 2MP cameras just a few years ago, today’s smartphones have more advanced cameras with up to 16MP.

Of course, not all smartphones are made equal—case in point, Samsung’s latest flagship devices, the Galaxy S7 edge and S7, which basically work as ready alternatives to the bulky DSLR kit by offering the best of both professional and point-and-shoot options. How? By being the world’s first smartphones to be equipped with dual photodiode technology (2PD) originally used in DSLR cameras.

But how does this exactly work for the Samsung’s Galaxy S7 edge and S7 to deliver the professional, magazine-worthy images that you want? Check out some of the smartphones’ biggest features below—

Defeat the dark

Even in challenging light conditions, think concerts, clubs and parties, the Galaxy S7 edge and S7’s rear camera is capable of shooting premium, Instagram worthy images. With the Galaxy S7 edge and S7’s Dual Pixel camera equipped with dual photodiode technology, taking shots in the dark has never been clearer and brighter. This technology gives the smartphones’ camera a DSLR-like quality promising better shots.

Whether you’re feeling a bit lazy or like a pro, Samsung lets you shoot high-grade photos in two different modes- Pro and Auto. Just like a pro, the Pro mode allows users to shoot in RAW, a crucial feature for professional photographers which allows for stunning post-processing results. Even without editing, the Galaxy S7 edge and S7’s Pro mode also allows users to have full control over the camera's settings, such as aperture, shutter speed, ISO light sensitivity, and manual focus.

Faster Auto-Focus

Not all photo-worthy moments can be captured in one swift click. Sometimes, it’s so fleeting that you don’t have time to set your ISO to 800 or your shutter speed to 1/800. It’s a click or nothing. And because Samsung won’t let you miss your best moments, the camera is able to take stunning, vibrant photos with your subject on-point, anytime, anywhere. Again, thanks to the Galaxy S7 edge and S7’s Dual Pixel camera, the result is the Super Fast Auto Focus that lets you clearly capture your subjects without fuss. The camera is also equipped with optical image stabilization (OIS), which eliminates unwanted shakes.

Here's a video showing the potential of the auto-focus system of Samsung Galaxy S7 and S7 Edge:


Intuitive Front Facing Camera Features

After much cooing over the impressive rear camera, it’s the front-facing 5-megapixel camera’s time to shine. If there was ever a front camera made for selfies, this is it. Life the rear camera, the front camera also sports a F/1.7 aperture lens for brighter selfies.

It also comes with a wide array of customized settings and filters, which add a distinctly artistic touch to front-facing shots. Even more, it is equipped with the popular Beauty Face feature that eliminates the need for touch-ups using third-party software. In the Galaxy S7 edge and S7, the Beauty Face feature adds another effect to its selection – the Spotlight. This lets you capture selfies with the effect of natural light to highlight your face and features.

In addition, it also has the Motion Panorama and Hyperlapse features. With Motion Panorama, not only can you take panoramic shots but you can also preserve the movement to make the shots seem alive. And with Hyperlapse, taking time-lapse videos has never been more fun or easier! The Hyperlapse will surely give you clearer and more stabilized videos than any other smartphone camera. It also compresses the file into a much smaller size without compromising the quality, making it easier to share.

Professional photographers, beginners, and those just looking for a quick shot will find something to love about the Galaxy S7 edge and S7’s camera. Those looking for the convenience of a smartphone camera and the capabilities of a DSLR camera, the Galaxy S7 edge and S7 are the perfect options for you. Go to nearest Samsung Experience Store and check them out. For more info, visit www.samsung.com/ph.