Can a smartphone replace a compact one

camera?

This complete test of the Samsung S20 Ultra compared to the Panasonic TZ90 and TZ200 will give you the answer.

The S20 Ultra has three sensors and lenses.

• A sensor with a size of 12000x9000 pixels, that is, 108 megapixels, which can also be used in a resolution of 4000x3000 or 12 megapixels. 108 MP images have low quality, unless reduced to 25%, which gives an image of 27 MP, in which case the quality is the same as 12 MP, but with a resolution similar to that of the APS-C camera, which, depending on models, is 24 or 26 MP.
  This sensor is associated with a large aperture lens 1.8.
• 13 mm ultra-wide sensor with an aperture of 2.2. We will not talk about this in this comparison, because no compactness gives such a wide view, it is enough to know that the image quality is average here.
• Tele object 103mm F3.5. We will tell you about this in detail in the section on zoom .

Image quality with primary sensor

Its 25mm lens is the equivalent of a 16mm APS-C or 12mm Micro 4/3. The telephoto object of 103mm corresponds to it 67mm or 51mm, so it could be compared with 16-67mm APS-C or M43 12-50, or more, but this will be discussed further. The focal length of the TZ90 is 24-720 mm, the TZ200 is 24-360 mm.

Cutting the 108MP image S20 changed to 20MP compared to the 20MP image TZ 90.

• Wide photo with S20 Ultra.
  The 108 MP cut out in the photo has been reduced to 20 MP.
• Big photo with TZ90.
  Carved in the photo 20 megapixels.

The image of the smartphone is sharper and without grain.

Dynamic Beach: Terrible

!

The ability to get optimal brightness throughout the entire part of the photo, even when the one with shadow areas is very good on all the latest smartphones.
The image below is a perfect example...

• Wide photo with S20 Ultra. Cut from 108 MP image reduced to 20 MP.
• Big photo with TZ200. Cut from 20MP image.

It can be seen that the foliage is clearly visible from the S20, while you have a black zone with compactness. It would be worse with the TZ90 and its smaller sensor.

Close-up

The S20 Ultra has a 103mm telephoto object in 12MP, which is used here. In relation to this focus, all zoom levels are digital, based on the main sensor below 4X and on this telephoto lens above, up to 100x.

On the contrary, the TZ90 has optical scaling up to 30 times (720 mm), and TZ200 up to 15 times (360 mm). Even if an image loses quality as it approaches its maximum focal length, it remains much higher than the digital zoom.

The photos below were taken in the interior, where TZ200 TZ90 better. The images are larger because 20MP for compactness versus 12MP for a smartphone.

It doesn't use Samsung's 108MP mode as it needs very good brightness due to its tiny photocytes.

4x magnification to 103 mm:

6x 150mm scale:

The compact has a clear advantage of 6 times with optical zoom, the digital S20, but not 4 times.

Zoom 30 times 750 mm and 720 mm, respectively.

The difference in sharpness here is dramatic. It is clear that if you want to get images taken over long distances without cluttering up the bridge (the image of which would be even better), then compactness remains indispensable.

Conclusion

When you can use the 108MP sensor outside in sunny weather, the S20 Ultra delivers resized images up to 20MP or even 27MP higher quality than the compact (and worthwhile APS-C).

In 12 MP mode 1 time or with 4x zoom, it is always protected. The problem is in intermediate foci, from 25 to 103 mm or more 103 mm. Then we are in digital mode and sharpness worsens.
This is a flaw that fixes, judging by the tests I've seen, on the Pixel 6 Pro or Samsung S22 +, but up to 10 times.
It is also possible that the GCam installation also offers an improvement, this will be the subject of another test.

The compact device retains utility for long focals. It also offers other benefits:

• Easier and faster use with dedicated buttons.
• Viewfinder.
• Often more natural images.
• Moving object tracking autofocus.
• Articulated screen.

Smartphone when it:

• It's less cumbersome.
Has
• higher dynamic interval.
• The depth of the field is greater.
• There is no tie-in on smartphones, the equipment is fully operated.

See also...

Comparison of smartphone cameras.