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BatteryWe put the Samsung Galaxy S24 through our rigorous DXOMARK Camera test suite to measure its performance in photo, video, and zoom quality from an end-user perspective. This article breaks down how the device fared in a variety of tests and several common use cases and is intended to highlight the most important results of our testing with an extract of the captured data.
Overview
Key camera specifications:
- Primary: 50MP 1/1.56″ sensor, 1.0µm pixels, 24mm equivalent f/1.8-aperture lens, Dual Pixel PDAF, OIS
- Ultra-wide: 12MP 1/2.55″ sensor, 1.4µm pixels, 13mm equivalent f/2.2-aperture lens, Super Steady video
- Tele: 10MP 1/3.94″ sensor, 1.0µm pixels, 67mm equivalent f/2.4-aperture lens, PDAF, OIS, 3x optical zoom
Scoring
Sub-scores and attributes included in the calculations of the global score.
Samsung Galaxy S24
Use cases & Conditions
Use case scores indicate the product performance in specific situations. They are not included in the overall score calculations.
Outdoor
Photos & videos shot in bright light conditions (≥1000 lux)
Indoor
Photos & videos shot in good lighting conditions (≥100lux)
Lowlight
Photos & videos shot in low lighting conditions (<100 lux)
Friends & Family
Portrait and group photo & videos
40th
4th
Pros
- Accurate photo exposure and contrast in most conditions
- Pleasant photo colors in bright light and indoors
- Accurate photo autofocus in most conditions in photo
- Artifacts fairly well under control
Cons
- Photo and video noise in most conditions
- Color inaccuracies and color shading in low light
- Artifacts such as hue shift, fusion artifacts and flare
- Some focus failures in video
The Samsung Galaxy S24 performed well for a range of attributes in the DXOMARK Camera evaluation. Overall, our testers observed some nice improvements over the previous S-series generation in photo mode, but video mode showed some room for improvement. Photo exposure was well-balanced across all test conditions, Samsung’s HDR technology offered pleasant and faithful contrast in bright light and indoors, and the autofocus system ensured sharp subjects in most scenes. However, some limitations were noticeable. The camera had difficulties capturing the precise moment in fast-moving scenes with a high dynamic range or in low light. Images also showed significant noise levels that were higher than on the S24 Ultra and even the predecessor S23.
The S24 offers a tele camera module with an equivalent focal length of 67mm, in addition to an ultra-wide camera. Even with this fairly simple setup, the device managed ultra-wide and tele zoom images with good exposure and pleasant colors.
In video mode, the S24 recorded clips with accurate exposure and color in most conditions, but our testers found exposure and white balance to be less stable than on the S23, similar to what we had observed in our test of the S24 Ultra. In addition, in video mode, the camera consistently produced autofocus errors, which we had not seen on the S24 Ultra or the S23. Texture was comparable to the S24 Ultra, but video noise levels were noticeably higher, especially when recording in low light.
Test summary
About DXOMARK Camera tests: DXOMARK’s Camera evaluations take place in laboratories and in real-world situations using a wide variety of subjects. The scores rely on objective tests for which the results are calculated directly by measurement software on our laboratory setups, and on perceptual tests in which a sophisticated set of metrics allow a panel of image experts to compare aspects of image quality that require human judgment. Testing a smartphone involves a team of engineers and technicians for about a week. Photo, Zoom, and Video quality are scored separately and then combined into an Overall score for comparison among the cameras in different devices. For more information about the DXOMARK Camera protocol, click here. More details on smartphone camera scores are available here. The following section gathers key elements of DXOMARK’s exhaustive tests and analyses. Full performance evaluations are available upon request. Please contact us on how to receive a full report.
Photo
Samsung Galaxy S24
160
For scoring and analysis, DXOMARK engineers capture and evaluate more than 2,600 test images both in controlled lab environments and in outdoor, indoor and low-light natural scenes, using the camera’s default settings. The photo protocol is designed to take into account the main use cases and is based on typical shooting scenarios, such as portraits, family, and landscape photography. The evaluation is performed by visually inspecting images against a reference of natural scenes, and by running objective measurements on images of charts captured in the lab under different lighting conditions from 1 to 1,000+ lux and color temperatures from 2,300K to 6,500K.
The Samsung S24 delivered a solid performance, that was relatively close to the S24 Ultra, in our photo tests. The autofocus system did a good job, and images showed nice contrast and pleasant colors. However, the level of image noise was quite noticeable and higher than on the predecessor Galaxy S23. Like the Ultra, the standard S24 embeds a gain map in its image files that applies HDR rendering when photos are viewed on a compatible display. This feature was responsible for most of the still image quality improvements over the Galaxy S23.
Exposure
Samsung Galaxy S24
123
Exposure is one of the key attributes for technically good pictures. The main attribute evaluated is the brightness of the main subject through various use cases such as landscape, portrait, or still life. Other factors evaluated are the contrast and the dynamic range, eg. the ability to render visible details in both bright and dark areas of the image. Repeatability is also important because it demonstrates the camera's ability to provide the same rendering when shooting several images of the same scene.
Color
Samsung Galaxy S24
125
Color is one of the key attributes for technically good pictures. The image quality attributes analyzed are skin-tone rendering, white balance, color shading, and repeatability. For color and skin tone rendering, we penalize unnatural colors but we respect a manufacturer's choice of color signature.
Autofocus
Samsung Galaxy S24
123
Autofocus tests concentrate on focus accuracy, focus repeatability, shooting time delay, and depth of field. Shooting delay is the difference between the time the user presses the capture button and the time the image is actually taken. It includes focusing speed and the capability of the device to capture images at the right time, what is called 'zero shutter lag' capability. Even if a shallow depth of field can be pleasant for a single subject portrait or close-up shot, it can also be a problem in some specific conditions such as group portraits; Both situations are tested. Focus accuracy is also evaluated in all the real-life images taken, from infinity to close-up objects and in low light to outdoor conditions.
Texture
Samsung Galaxy S24
124
Texture tests analyze the level of details and the texture of subjects in the images taken in the lab as well as in real-life scenarios. For natural shots, particular attention is paid to the level of details in the bright and dark areas of the image. Objective measurements are performed on chart images taken in various lighting conditions from 1 to 1000 lux and different kinds of dynamic range conditions. The charts used are the proprietary DXOMARK chart (DMC) and the Dead Leaves chart.
Noise
Samsung Galaxy S24
116
Noise tests analyze various attributes of noise such as intensity, chromaticity, grain, structure on real-life images as well as images of charts taken in the lab. For natural images, particular attention is paid to the noise on faces, landscapes, but also on dark areas and high dynamic range conditions. Noise on moving objects is also evaluated on natural images. Objective measurements are performed on images of charts taken in various conditions from 1 to 1000 lux and different kinds of dynamic range conditions. The chart used is the Dead Leaves chart and the standardized measurement such as Visual Noise derived from ISO 15739.
Artifacts
Samsung Galaxy S24
82
The artifacts evaluation looks at lens shading, chromatic aberrations, geometrical distortion, edges ringing, halos, ghosting, quantization, unexpected color hue shifts, among others type of possible unnatural effects on photos. The more severe and the more frequent the artifact, the higher the point deduction on the score. The main artifacts observed and corresponding point loss are listed below.
Bokeh
Samsung Galaxy S24
85
Bokeh is tested in one dedicated mode, usually portrait or aperture mode, and analyzed by visually inspecting all the images captured in the lab and in natural conditions. The goal is to reproduce portrait photography comparable to one taken with a DLSR and a wide aperture. The main image quality attributes paid attention to are depth estimation, artifacts, blur gradient, and the shape of the bokeh blur spotlights. Portrait image quality attributes (exposure, color, texture) are also taken into account.
Like the Galaxy S24 Ultra, the S24 uses its tele lens in bokeh mode, offering a better portrait focal length than wide-angle camera modules. Subject isolation from the background was good, and images had a nice blur gradient. However, our analysts noticed some segmentation instabilities and errors.
In bokeh images, there was a noticeable difference between subjects and background in terms of noise. Given the S24’s fairly high noise levels, noise was quite noticeable on the subject, but blurred away on the background.
Preview
Samsung Galaxy S24
91
Preview tests analyze the image quality of the camera app's preview of the image, with particular attention paid to the difference between the capture and the preview, especially regarding dynamic range and the application of the bokeh effect. Also evaluated is the smoothness of the exposure, color and focus adaptation when zooming from the minimal to the maximal zoom factor available. The preview frame rate is measured using the LED Universal Timer.
Our testers noticed a slight difference between the image capture and the preview on the screen, especially in terms of dynamic range, which was more limited in the preview.
Zoom
Samsung Galaxy S24
160
DXOMARK engineers capture and evaluate over 400 test images in controlled lab environments and in outdoor, indoor, and low-light natural scenes, using the camera’s default settings and pinch zoom at various zoom factors from ultra wide to very long-range zoom. The evaluation is performed by visually inspecting the images against a reference of natural scenes, and by running objective measurements of chart mages captured in the lab under different conditions from 20 to 1000 lux and color temperatures from 2300K to 6500K.
The Samsung Galaxy S24 uses the same ultra-wide module as the flagship device S24 Ultra. Therefore images produced by the two cameras were very similar, with good texture, as well as accurate color and exposure. However, our testers observed some slight processing differences. The S24 Ultra managed to maintain high levels of detail even in the corners of the frame, while the S24 showed a significant loss of sharpness around the edges. When shooting with the tele, the S24 delivered an overall good performance at medium range, despite high levels of noise.
Wide
Samsung Galaxy S24
121
These tests analyze the performance of the ultra-wide camera at several focal lengths from 12 mm to 20 mm. All image quality attributes are evaluated, with particular attention paid to such artifacts as chromatic aberrations, lens softness, and distortion. Pictures below are an extract of tested scenes.
Tele
Samsung Galaxy S24
118
All image quality attributes are evaluated at focal lengths from approximately 40 mm to 300 mm, with particular attention paid to texture and detail. The score is derived from a number of objective measurements in the lab and perceptual analysis of real-life images.
Video
Samsung Galaxy S24
158
DXOMARK engineers capture and evaluate more than 2.5 hours of video in controlled lab environments and in natural low-light, indoor and outdoor scenes, using the camera’s default settings. The evaluation consists of visually inspecting natural videos taken in various conditions and running objective measurements on videos of charts recorded in the lab under different conditions from 1 to 1000+ lux and color temperatures from 2,300K to 6,500K.
Like the S24 Ultra, the S24 was tested in HDR video mode. Like on the flagship device, the S24 video clips offered good exposure, nice colors and even decent texture. The main difference between the two devices was video noise, which was stronger on the S24 than on the S24 Ultra and on the S23. Noise was noticeable even when recording in bright light. In addition, our testers noticed more autofocus issues than on the S23 and other S-series phones, with a consistent loss of focus in some test scenes.
Exposure
Samsung Galaxy S24
116
Exposure tests evaluate the brightness of the main subject and the dynamic range, eg. the ability to render visible details in both bright and dark areas of the image. Stability and temporal adaption of the exposure are also analyzed.
Color
Samsung Galaxy S24
119
Image-quality color analysis looks at color rendering, skin-tone rendering, white balance, color shading, stability of the white balance and its adaption when light is changing.
Autofocus
Samsung Galaxy S24
119
Autofocus tests concentrate on focus accuracy, focus repeatability, shooting time delay, and depth of field. Shooting delay is the difference between the time the user presses the capture button and the time the image is actually taken. It includes focusing speed and the capability of the device to capture images at the right time, what is called 'zero shutter lag' capability. Even if a shallow depth of field can be pleasant for a single-subject portrait or close-up shot, it can also be a problem in some specific conditions such as group portraits; Both situations are tested. Focus accuracy is also evaluated in all the real-life images taken, from infinity to close-up objects and in low light to outdoor conditions.
While the Galaxy S24 managed a good autofocus performance in most scenes, some strong focus issues were observed in the lab tests, where both the predecessor S23 and the S24 Ultra version did well. Our testers also noticed the same slightly slow reaction to changes in the scene that we had already seen on the Ultra.
Texture
Samsung Galaxy S24
118
Texture tests analyze the level of details and texture of the real-life videos as well as the videos of charts recorded in the lab. Natural videos recordings are visually evaluated, with particular attention paid to the level of details in the bright and areas as well as in the dark. Objective measurements are performed of images of charts taken in various conditions from 1 to 1000 lux. The charts used are the DXOMARK chart (DMC) and Dead Leaves chart.
Noise
Samsung Galaxy S24
119
Noise tests analyze various attributes of noise such as intensity, chromaticity, grain, structure, temporal aspects on real-life video recording as well as videos of charts taken in the lab. Natural videos are visually evaluated, with particular attention paid to the noise in the dark areas and high dynamic range conditions. Objective measurements are performed on the videos of charts recorded in various conditions from 1 to 1000 lux. The chart used is the DXOMARK visual noise chart.
The Samsung Galaxy S24 showed higher noise levels than most competitors and even some other Samsung S-series devices. Noise was especially noticeable in low light, but fine luminance noise could also be spotted on most outdoor scenes, especially in blue skies.
Stabilization
Samsung Galaxy S24
118
Stabilization evaluation tests the ability of the device to stabilize footage thanks to software or hardware technologies such as OIS, EIS, or any others means. The evaluation looks at residual motion, smoothness, jellow artifacts and residual motion blur on walk and run use cases in various lighting conditions. The video below is an extract from one of the tested scenes.
The Samsung S24 delivered well-stabilized video footage when recording in outdoor conditions. However, we observed some sharpness differences between video frames, especially in low light, where the difference to the flagship S24 Ultra was most noticeable.
Artifacts
Samsung Galaxy S24
86
Artifacts are evaluated with MTF and ringing measurements on the SFR chart in the lab as well as frame-rate measurements using the LED Universal Timer. Natural videos are visually evaluated by paying particular attention to artifacts such as aliasing, quantization, blocking, and hue shift, among others. The more severe and the more frequent the artifact, the higher the point deduction from the score. The main artifacts and corresponding point loss are listed below.
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