In order for you proof that foldable telephone cameras have come a great distance, look no additional than the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7 and the Google Pixel 10 Professional Fold.
For years, design and area constraints on foldables led to scaled-back cameras, leading to subpar pictures. However the Galaxy Z Fold 7 and the Pixel 10 Professional Fold have surpassed these {hardware} limitations. Every telephone boasts spectacular cameras which can be on par with what you may discover on extra conventional slab telephones, which is a formidable feat.
So, how do pictures on the Galaxy Z Fold 7 and the Pixel 10 Professional Fold evaluate? I took every digital camera for a spin to see how the telephones stack up.
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First, although, some digital camera specs. The Galaxy Z Fold 7 has a 200-megapixel wide-angle (identical to the S25 Extremely), a 12-megapixel ultrawide and a 10-megapixel telephoto digital camera on the again. It additionally has 10-megapixel selfie cameras on the quilt and principal shows.
These specs are particularly spectacular contemplating the Z Fold 7 is wildly skinny for a foldable, measuring simply 4.2mm thick when open and eight.9mm thick when closed. That innovation is mirrored within the whopping $2,000 price ticket.
In the meantime, the Pixel 10 Professional Fold has a 48-megapixel wide-angle, 10.5-megapixel ultrawide and a ten.8-megapixel telephoto digital camera on the again. Moreover, each the quilt and inside shows have 10-megapixel selfie cameras.
The Pixel 10 Professional Fold did not slim down as a lot because the Z Fold 7, however it nonetheless would not really feel obtrusively cumbersome. It is 5.2mm thick when open and 10.8mm thick when closed. The ten Professional Fold prices $1,799. It additionally packs some spectacular new AI pictures options like Digital camera Coach, which makes use of Gemini that will help you take higher pictures.
Digital camera bumps aren’t factored into both telephone’s measurements, so anticipate just a little additional bulk there — however fortunately, nothing too obtrusive.
Galaxy Z Fold 7 vs. Pixel 10 Professional Fold digital camera comparability
Let’s begin off with my favourite approach to seize pictures: Portrait mode. This helps the topic — on this case, a shocking flower association at The Palace Resort in San Francisco — stand out and be the clear focus.
Each footage seize the vibrancy of the floral centerpiece, however the Galaxy Z Fold picture is noticeably brighter. The colours are extra vivid within the foreground, and there are fewer shadows between the petals, which helps them stand out extra. Even the background within the Galaxy picture appears better-lit. The chandeliers look much less like a blob of sunshine, and you’ll truly decipher among the particular person crystals. It is that added stage of element that makes me gravitate towards the Galaxy Z Fold 7 right here.
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Galaxy Z Fold 7
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Pixel 10 Professional Fold
This comparability is a bit trickier. These photographs had been shot in Portrait mode at 2x zoom.
You may once more discover the Galaxy picture has barely richer colours, particularly once you have a look at the roses on the teacup. However the shadows are additionally just a little harsher.
In the meantime, the Pixel does a superb job of brightening up every thing from the teacup to the desk to the sofa within the background. The lighting appears extra balanced throughout.
Every picture is a winner in my ebook, however I used to be compelled to decide on, I would go for the better-lit Pixel shot.
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Galaxy Z Fold 7
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Pixel 10 Professional Fold
Talking of portraits, here is considered one of CNET’s Patrick Holland. Each do a superb job with focus and lighting, however I like how the Pixel 10 Professional preserves pores and skin tone. Wanting carefully, you may see Patrick has a extra pure, pink undertone within the Pixel picture, slightly than the marginally gray hue on the Galaxy picture. There’s additionally just a little extra element on the Pixel shot, which makes me gravitate towards that one.
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Galaxy Z Fold 7
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Pixel 10 Professional Fold
Switching to the selfie digital camera, the Pixel has a extra flattering smoothing impact on my face. Even the flowers on my hijab look rather less granular than they do on the Galaxy shot. And once more, my pores and skin tone within the Pixel picture has a extra natural-looking pinkish tone, versus the marginally greyer undertone of the Galaxy picture. Additionally, the shadows are extra subdued within the Pixel’s shot. So, the Pixel takes the prize right here.
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Galaxy Z Fold 7
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Pixel 10 Professional Fold
You may discover a key distinction between these photographs. Even after I’m not capturing in Portrait mode, the Pixel will add a extra noticeable bokeh impact to the background. I choose this look as a result of it helps put the give attention to the topic.
In the meantime, the Galaxy shot appears just a little too busy with each the foreground and background in clearer focus — and I’d go for Portrait mode to assist offset that right here. However I admire the blur on these pillows from the Pixel’s principal digital camera. It is the pure bokeh from the lens and I need not flip Portrait mode on for it.
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Galaxy Z Fold 7
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Pixel 10 Professional Fold
The ultrawide cameras on each the Galaxy Z Fold 7 and the Pixel 10 Professional Fold do a superb job of minimizing distortion, so you do not get a bizarre fisheye impact. Each telephones give a pleasant sweeping view of this corridor.
The Galaxy picture was taken at .6x zoom, whereas the Pixel one was shot at .5x zoom — the default settings for every ultrawide digital camera. There’s hardly any discernible distinction there.
However as soon as once more, what speaks to me is how a lot brighter the Galaxy picture is total, so I am giving some extent there.
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Galaxy Z Fold 7
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Pixel 10 Professional Fold
And at last, let’s zoom all the way in which in to 20x digital zoom.
The Pixel 10 Professional Fold has a characteristic referred to as Tremendous Res Zoom, which makes use of AI to reinforce photographs which can be punched in as much as 20x, so you do not get a blurry, grainy mess.
Samsung additionally makes use of AI to shine zoomed-in pictures. The Galaxy Z Fold 7 can transfer in even nearer, as much as 30x. However I saved this picture at 20x for a 1-to-1 comparability with the Pixel.
That is one other instance the place each the Galaxy Z Fold 7 and the Pixel 10 Professional Fold carry their weight. The numbers on the clock and the gilded gildings surrounding the face are sharp sufficient in every picture, given how shut I punched in. The metallic on the Pixel picture has a richer gold hue, however the clock face on the Galaxy shot is brighter and reveals the lighter specs in larger element. Finally, this one’s a toss-up.
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Galaxy Z Fold 7
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Pixel 10 Professional Fold
Remaining ideas
Each the Galaxy Z Fold 7 and the Pixel 10 Professional Fold are able to taking nice pictures, as evidenced by how cut up I used to be all through this digital camera comparability. The Z Fold 7 will usually serve up brighter photographs, whereas the ten Professional Fold tends to use a pleasant smoothing impact to individuals and objects. I additionally like how the Pixel’s lens naturally provides a extra noticeable bokeh impact once you’re centered on a topic, so you do not even have to modify to Portrait mode.
Like so many digital camera comparisons, it boils down to non-public choice. However the important thing takeaway is that you simply not need to compromise on digital camera high quality when choosing a foldable telephone. And contemplating how a lot they value, the least you could possibly ask for is a few Instagram-worthy pictures.