Street Photography
Pro Photographer using a Flip Phone | Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 5 Camera Review
Have you ever wondered if it’s possible to capture stunning photographs using a flip phone? Well, wonder no more! In this blog post, we will explore the world of professional photography through the lens of the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 5, a revolutionary flip phone with exceptional camera capabilities. Despite its unconventional design, this compact device boasts a cutting-edge camera system that rivals some of the best smartphones on the market. Join us as we dive into the review of the Galaxy Z Flip 5’s camera and discover how it can transform your photography game, proving that you don’t need a bulky DSLR to capture breathtaking shots.
Pro Photographer using a Flip Phone | Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 5 Camera Review
Today I’m training my professional eye on a modern smartphone, the Galaxy Z Flip 5. We’re going to answer one important question: is this thing any good for photography?
Inspiration Behind Mobile Photography
Thinking to Squarespace for sponsoring today’s video. This video is inspired simply by my curiosity around mobile photography. I’ve known about these foldable LCD phones that Samsung is making for a while now, but the Galaxy Z Flip 5 came out last week and I thought this was the perfect opportunity to finally try one out. Now, the reason I’m so intrigued by mobile photography is because, for the most part, cameras like this one are not really advancing technologically. Mobile photography has a lot of room to get better, and it’s fun for me to share my perspective as a professional photographer using these devices because I’m like everyone else. I hope one day this camera phone that is in my pocket every day can make an image as good as a mirrorless camera. But are we getting any closer to that with this Galaxy Z Flip 5? That’s what I wanted to find out.
The Camera Features
This thing has two cameras: one is a 12 millimeter ultra wide equivalent, and the other is a standard 24 millimeter. Both focal lengths seem like they should be good and very versatile. Also, this phone allows you to capture raw photos, which, for me, is a big deal because I think that is the benchmark for mobile photography right now, and it’s a good comparison to what I’m used to with a mirrorless camera. It allows me to provide a lot of perspective.
The Foldable Design
The first thing that caught my attention about this camera is its foldable design. I thought this was a little bit of a marketing gimmick from Samsung, but there are a lot of practical uses for this. The main practical use is the fact that you have a tripod built into the camera. So, if you’re doing a long exposure or a time lapse for video, or just recording yourself or taking pictures of yourself, you can simply set the camera up on a flat surface and you have a tripod. Another great feature of this foldable design is the ability to essentially use this like a flip-out screen. So, let’s say you want to take a photo at a low angle or maybe you’re capturing a photo that is kind of awkward. Having the ability to flip the phone in half and get a top-down view is great and something that I found useful when we were out testing it. Furthermore, the giant screen on the front of the phone is one of the biggest upgrades to the Z-Flip line series, and a cool feature is the fact that you can wave your hand to that screen when it’s unfolded and set up like a tripod, and you will trigger the timer on the phone. This makes it easy to create a selfie image of whatever you’re doing.
Image Quality and Editing
As far as image quality goes, I would say this phone falls in line with what you would expect from mobile photography. Some of the images look great, while others look less than great. It seems like with any mobile device, when you’re in a situation where the lighting conditions are optimized for the sensor, you can get a good photo. However, when you’re in situations that are less than optimal, sometimes the results can vary. When it comes to editing, I did some tests with raw files in Lightroom Mobile. The raw files seemed very malleable on the phone screen, but when viewed on a computer, I noticed some issues with noise and artifacting being introduced to the shadows. It wasn’t anything egregious, and it can be easily corrected with denoise features, but it didn’t meet my expectations in terms of noise control. Another great aspect of this device is the fact that both the raw files and JPEGs are shown in your picture gallery, making file transfers very easy.
The Ultra Wide Angle Lens
One big disappointment with this camera was the ultra wide-angle lens. There was a lot of softness in the top of the image, along with noise and grain. The distortion was completely out of control, and even using transform in Lightroom couldn’t correct it. If I were using this phone every day, I would be skeptical of the ultra wide-angle camera and not want to use it all the time.
The Aperture
One thing to note about this phone is its constant aperture of 1.8. While this may not be a big deal for most people, from a nerdy photographer standpoint, it results in a loss of clarity in certain lighting conditions where there is a lot of light. This could be a factor in the disappointing image quality I experienced.
In conclusion, the Galaxy Z Flip 5 offers some unique features for mobile photography, such as its foldable design and tripod functionality. However, it falls in line with other mobile devices when it comes to image quality. While some photos look great, others have their flaws. The ultra wide-angle lens was a letdown, but overall, there is potential in this device for capturing good photos. With editing tools like Lightroom, noise and other issues can be easily corrected. Mobile photography still has room to improve, but for now, the Galaxy Z Flip 5 is a capable camera for those looking to capture moments on the go.
Frequently Asked Questions – Pro Photographer using a Flip Phone | Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 5 Camera Review
Q: Can a pro photographer effectively work with a flip phone in today’s digital age?
A: Absolutely! While the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip may be a flip phone, it packs impressive camera capabilities that allow professional photographers to capture stunning shots.
Q: What makes the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 5 camera stand out for photographers?
A: The Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 5 boasts a versatile 5-camera setup, including a main 12MP camera, an ultra-wide 12MP camera, a telephoto 12MP camera, a depth sensor, and a front-facing 10MP camera. This combination offers photographers a wide range of creative possibilities.
Q: Can the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 5 camera produce high-quality images?
A: Yes, indeed! With its advanced camera hardware and software features, the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 5 captures sharp, detailed, and vibrant images. Photographers can confidently rely on this device to deliver professional-grade results.
Q: Is it challenging to use a flip phone camera for professional photography?
A: While the form factor might appear different, the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 5 camera interface is user-friendly and intuitive. Photographers can easily navigate through settings, adjust exposure, focus, and other essential parameters, just like on traditional smartphones.
Q: What are some advantages of using a flip phone for photography?
A: There are a few advantages to using a flip phone for photography, such as its compact size and portability. The clamshell design provides added protection for the camera when closed, making it an ideal choice for photographers on the move.
Q: Are there any limitations when using a flip phone camera for professional photography?
A: While the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 5 camera is highly capable, it may have some limitations compared to larger DSLR or mirrorless cameras. These limitations may include slightly reduced low-light performance and the absence of specialized lenses or accessories typically found in professional gear.
Q: Can I edit and post-process images captured with the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 5 camera?
A: Absolutely! The Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 5 allows you to capture images in RAW format, providing flexibility for professional editing and post-processing. You can use popular editing software and apps to enhance your photos and showcase your photography skills.
Q: Is the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 5 camera suitable for professional photographers who primarily shoot portraits?
A: Yes, the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 5 excels at portrait photography as well. With its versatile camera setup, photographers can capture stunning portraits with beautiful background blur (bokeh) effects and excellent subject detail.
I hope you find useful my article Pro Photographer using a Flip Phone | Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 5 Camera Review, I also recommend you to read my other posts in my blog at this link.
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