yashsingh1/xdaforums huggingface dataset:
[Galaxy S6 General] CLARiiON:
I doubt anyone could say whether it's ISOCELL or Sony form the photos. Both look good with slight variation. Not much 'practical' differene.
[Galaxy S6 General] NaimC:
ISOCELL vs IM2X40 - Full comparison soon

So I've been snapping with these two different lenses intermittently all day. I have a 64GB S6 Black with the ISOCELL, and a 64GB S6 Black with the Sony lens. Both phones are on Android 5.0.2, which looks to have updated the camera software, as the ISOCELL shots are now generally the same file size as the IMX240 one's, sometimes even larger. The EXIF data in my shots shows that both camera's in Auto mode (with HDR off), now also use pretty much the same exact settings (bar white balance, which I'm not sure about) for the same shots, which makes comparing the lens capabilities easier.

I'm going to post a new thread with a comprehensive comparison and breakdown later tomorrow (haven't had time today because of work), but for now I'll just say that the results are certainly interesting. The lenses do have their differences, but to those who are especially concerned about it all, don't be. Most of the differences you'd only notice pixel peeping the images, more so with the photo's blown up on a laptop screen. The differences are mostly minute, and unless you plan on using your device for any serious photography work (not likely), you will most probably be very content with both.

I should also add that I tested the ISOCELL S6 against the iPhone 6 camera, and the ISOCELL beat it in overall detail, edge sharpness, quality of depth of field, dynamic range, overall noise levels and shadow detail in nearly every shot. The only area where it lost from time to time was in colour accuracy, but even then it generally came out on top.
[Galaxy S6 General] morning thunder:
Isocell better
[Galaxy S6 General] le_lutin:
Fantastic news.

I'd be especially interested in the differences (if any) in shutter speed in low light situations. This would be important when taking pictures of people (children) in less than ideal lighting, the goal being to reduce motion blur as much as possible.
[Galaxy S6 General] leoni1980:
ISOCELL and IMX240 in the house here on a white 32GB S6 and a gold 64GB. Results slightly different in tone when taking photos side by side but nothing beyond the usual discrepancy you would expect in any CMOS of this type, device-to-device, since tolerances are not as strict as with a high end DSLR. One test I would like to see is two IMX240 side-by-side, because you can pretty much guarantee there will be some discrepancies there too.

In my non-scientific tests, the ISOCELL in the gold 64GB S6 produced slightly more accurate colours. Both phones output files within 100kb or so of each other in terms of size. I am happy with the results from both sensors though, and really do think this is a non-issue.
[Galaxy S6 General] le_lutin:
I wonder if there's any difference in the video output (low light etc)?
[Galaxy S6 General] xmfpdlemalnz@hotmail.com:
Looking forward to your review!
[Galaxy S6 General] Garner:
how do you find out what camera firmware you have?
[Galaxy S6 General] le_lutin:
http://xdaforums.com/showpost.php?p=60730611&postcount=1
[Galaxy S6 General] rajeshjsl:
I'm from India ,

Got the s6 black sapphire 32gb , it has Sony's sensor . Apparently made in Vietnam in March .
[Galaxy S6 General] Emieltes:
So I got my S6 today. It's a 64GB model.

SM-G920F

Made in Vietnam

Manufacturing Date: 20150305 (I'm not sure if that is 5th of march or 3rd of may)

Sony IMX240
[Galaxy S6 General] peppe01:
4k grab

frame from video 4k ( short with app. cinema fv-5)

Sensor Isocell
[Galaxy S6 General] trenzterra:
Any night shots to share?
[Galaxy S6 General] DevonSloan:
I think the one on the left is a night shot. That noise reduction is horrible.
[Galaxy S6 General] trenzterra:
Yeah. I wonder if the Sony units perform better on these? I tried a 4K video using my ISOCELL and the whole left side is smudged out.

Could we sue Samsung for a bait-and-switch?
[Galaxy S6 General] peppe01:
grab 4k SENSOR ISOCELL

frame from video 4k( short with stock camera Samsung)

Afternoon
[Galaxy S6 General] sdfsdfsfs:
how do you grab frames from video?

---------- Post added at 08:17 PM ---------- Previous post was at 07:58 PM ----------

frame from 4k video - sony sensor
[Galaxy S6 General] DevonSloan:
No, because they never promised a specific sensor.
[Galaxy S6 General] peppe01:
I use app. VidTrim Pro.

How do I put photos as you did not attach it?
[Galaxy S6 General] daniel.fanucchi:
But the only comparative with photos taken in the same place is posted back, possible that there is other?
[Galaxy S6 General] devguruXochitl:
I don't know actually but could be it is not similar sensor together with different sequence in between Isocell and imx240.
[Galaxy S6 General] leoni1980:
Until someone posts comparison photos of two Samsungs with IMX240 sensors to prove that the differences we are seeing aren't just a discrepancy - ie output from two identical sensors is IDENTICAL in quality, tone, colour etc - then I don't buy this. As far as my (admittedly limited) knowledge of consumer-level CMOS sensors goes, this difference could be just as noticeable on two sensors designed by Sony. All we have seen so far is comparisons between the ISOCELL and IMX240, with a difference so minimal as to be a manufacturing tolerance.
[Galaxy S6 General] le_lutin:
I'm coming at it from different angle:

It would surprise me more if two sensors from two different companies gave exactly the same results. Until someone demonstrates that they give the same output, then the logical assumption is that they would produce different results
[Galaxy S6 General] leoni1980:
Another angle to consider - Sony say they can't make enough sensors to fulfil demand, they give Samsung the blueprints to this sensor so they can produce it themselves, in their vast facilities on the proviso that Sony still get a percentage of the costs.
[Galaxy S6 General] trenzterra:
I wish that were the case. Refer here: http://xdaforums.com/galaxy-s6/general/galaxy-s6-camera-pink-tint-purple-flare-t3109199

In low-light conditions (in which case no comparisons have so far shown except for one posted earlier in this thread, where the low-light quality was indeed worse but we mistakenly attributed it to a lens issue), at the moment the Sony sensor is clearly superior, with lower noise at high ISOs. The Samsung sensors seem to add a pink overcast to high ISO images. This makes photos in low-light look... cheap and just like any other phone. I think the great contrast and deep blacks we still enjoyed on the Sony sensor even in low-light conditions made it exceptional and stood out from the rest.

Hopefully, Samsung manages to sort this out somehow in firmware, because otherwise the camera is really a dud and the f/1.9 lens can't save it much. Sadly, most people are buoyed by reviews and groupthink that they may still think their camera is awesome (though actually it really is, under the right lighting conditions), not realising that they've fallen prey to a bait-and-switch.

Anyway, we have no indication that the Samsung sensor used is an ISOCELL, so let's just call it a Samsung sensor. It's a good camera, just not as versatile as the Sony.
[Galaxy S6 General] leoni1980:
The camera is not a dud. That is clearly an exaggeration. I have an ISOCELL in my S6 and my wife's has an IMX240. We both couldn't be happier with the output from these cameras. I also have a Panasonic CM1 and (disappointingly) in many scenarios my S6 takes better photos than my 1" MOS sensor equipped Panny. I have to really fiddle with manual settings to best the S6. I've owned Sony Z series devices up to the Z3 Compact and the difference in quality is night and day. I've also gone from a 6+ to the Samsung, and chose to stick with the S6 simply because the camera is so excellent - even though I prefer using iOS day-to-day. If people are finding their cameras terrible then that's fine, and their opinion; but to declare that Samsung are somehow ripping people off is crazy. I'm fine to go on record as saying that I've never been a big fan of Samsung and I'm happy to criticise them for many of their choices...but I honestly can't tell the difference between the shots both me and my wife take on our S6es and I think, regardless of whose sensor it is equipped with, it is overall the best camera phone I've ever used. Photos on my device certainly don't look like 'typical mobile phone photos', that's for sure. If they did I would have sent mine back.
[Galaxy S6 General] trenzterra:
As I mentioned, the camera is great under normal conditions. However, have you tried taking photos under night conditions with low-light with both phones? It's a 'dud' in the sense that its performance in low-light is somewhat abysmal as compared to the IMX240, while still better than most other phones.
[Galaxy S6 General] leoni1980:
Over the last few days most of our photos have been in low light as we've been taking pictures of the cat ;) I honestly can't tell any difference. Low light certainly seems to be better than on the 6+. Also people can't seem to make their minds up - earlier on in this thread people were saying the ISOCELL was better in low light but that the Sony had better colours. With that level of inconsistency who can definitively declare that one is better than the other? People often find what they want to find, because they almost enjoy controversy.

I've just relaxed and taken snaps and they've been excellent so far. Honestly no complaints whatsoever. This S6 has moved me back to Android.
[Galaxy S6 General] DevonSloan:
I agree with everything you have said in your last few posts. I think you are spot on.

I quote that last line, though, because even though I've been mostly happy with the S6 - and especially the camera -, and even though I've been with Samsung since 2004, and I HATE iOS, after the S6 I'm switching to iPhone. I'm just done with Samsung's B.S., such as forcing us to accept the TOS of the "Enhanced Features".

But back on point - I full agree that ISO and SONY are too close to tell, certainly too close to say one is definitely worse than the other.
[Galaxy S6 General] trenzterra:
Well, since you have both sensors, if you could post comparative shots in true low-light, it would be great.

As to your point earlier, that's because SamMobile's comparison was at a low ISO and not really low-light where these problems don't crop up.

I don't enjoy controversy. In fact, all these issues with the S6 have been consuming me. I've done one 1-1 replacement, and sold and bought the S6 twice out-of-pocket just in pursuit of a less lemon-ey device. Call me crazy but I still think S6 is the best all-round phone out there, but these niggling problems make it hard to live with.

For me, I find my low-light shots to appear great in the phone, but when I transfer them to my computer I find myself wanting. I've seen great low-light photos on the S6 and then I wonder why mine don't appear that great. Perhaps it's just my skill and my using it as an excuse, or, it could be the camera.

Anyway, earlier in this thread someone posted comparison shots as well that's more reflective of a true low-light situation.

The Sony sensor seems to have better contrast and less of an orangey hue at night:

---------- Post added at 02:03 AM ---------- Previous post was at 01:49 AM ----------

Another example from the same user:
[Galaxy S6 General] gtg465x:
I have yet to find a Samsung sensor. I have played with about 10 Galaxy S6s now (some I ordered, some in stores), from the US, Germany, Italy, and Trinidad. All had Sony sensors.
[Galaxy S6 General] TheEndHK:
I think impossible to have identical result with two kinds of sensor. They can be similar but no way exactly the same.
[Galaxy S6 General] leoni1980:
Correct me if I'm wrong but the actual module is identical between the two isn't it? Optics, OIS and all the other setup? The only difference is the manufacturer of the small panel that catches the photons, which I assume Samsung have replicated in their own factory based on Sony's specs for the part?

---------- Post added at 10:16 AM ---------- Previous post was at 10:15 AM ----------

Most in the UK seem to be ISOCELL now.

---------- Post added at 10:21 AM ---------- Previous post was at 10:16 AM ----------

I don't really have the opportunity to do many comparisons as it is my wife's phone and I'm working nights of late so don't see much of her. I took some side-by-side photos of the cat on the bed in dim light though and the only difference - when looking on my Macbook Pro R - was that the Sony one seemed slightly yellower. If anything the ISOCELL does a better job than the Sony sensor on my unit, though both are so good that I wouldn't complain either way. I took some shots of the river at night yesterday with the phone set to auto and the output was surprisingly good, albeit fairly noisy - as is to be expected. It looks like the low light shots in the Samsung demo both at the S6 launch looked like, basically. I think perhaps the problem is that Samsung aren't optimising each device to create a consistent output from the devices.
[Galaxy S6 General] daniel.fanucchi:
in this test, rather than the difference between the sensors it seems to me that there are slow and not greasy sull'isocell on sony, with all due respect, but a halo that cuts in half the whole picture, or it is a very serious problem (not found elsewhere) or little care device
[Galaxy S6 General] le_lutin:
Yeah, that's the sensor, probably the most important part of the whole setup.

I wouldn't assume that at all.
[Galaxy S6 General] leoni1980:
Why wouldn't you? There's a given performance and spec requirement for this part. I also still haven't seen any definitive proof that the Sony is any better - just people's opinion. I have both in the house and don't see any issue with either.
[Galaxy S6 General] le_lutin:
Why on earth would I assume that "Samsung have replicated in their own factory based on Sony's specs for the part"?
[Galaxy S6 General] vincent2167:
Here is another comparison of the 2 sensors:

http://mobiltelefon.ru/post_1431961856.html
[Galaxy S6 General] leoni1980:
Because it's more likely than them NOT doing so? Manufacturers don't tend to court controversy if they can help it, and when selling a phone based on its camera prowess they wouldn't take the risk of intentionally using an inferior component in my opinion.
[Galaxy S6 General] le_lutin:
Manufacturers don't tend to share details on how they make their most successful mobile sensor to a rival manufacturer.
[Galaxy S6 General] leoni1980:
I think the simple answer to this is to either get a G4 or look for a Sony sensor equipped sensor if you're that bothered. Just looked at that Russian link and there is clearly no evidence that one is obviously better than the other, besides some slight difference in tone and chroma in some photographs (which could be standardised by Samsung in software). I prefer some on one and some on the other.

I'm happy with mine, if people aren't then let the moaning continue :)

Either way, Samsung aren't going to change anyone's hardware for them.
[Galaxy S6 General] le_lutin:
Yeah, I think we'll have to agree to disagree on this and move on.
[Galaxy S6 General] trenzterra:
Fair enough. Anyway I just wanted to point out that they are not likely the same stuff inside.

Unfortunately in the Russian post I could tell straight away the left one was the ISOCELL because of its pinkish blacks on the third image. If Samsung can solve this issue with the Samsung sensor I think I'll be perfectly fine with the sensor.
[Galaxy S6 General] sdfsdfsfs:
Here is my conclusions

1. iso has higher sensitivity at night

2 .sony has better high iso performance...less noise

3. Sony has more details at night

4.iso has warmer tons....Sony has colder tones

5. Sony has better white balance.

6. Details during day about the same
[Galaxy S6 General] Jonathan-H:
I find the opposite. Isocell has better detail, better colour balance, Sony is too cold to be natural. Fixing the pink/purple tint on extreme low light shots will make the isocell better than the sony. It's all subjective though, very little difference.
[Galaxy S6 General] Yannis Papadopoulos:
Little differences indeed.But yes,SONY is slightly better..to my eyes:)

My Sony in AM
[Galaxy S6 General] DevonSloan:
I think the last four posts sum this up perfectly - the sensors are so close there is no consensus on one being better.
[Galaxy S6 General] trenzterra:
I looked at the EXIF data, and boy the guy did a great job in matching up the ISO and shutter speeds.

At ISO 200, the Samsung absorbs more light than the Sony. But for some reason the reverse is true at higher ISOs. He took enough photos to show this was sort of a consistent trend.

In low light situations at higher ISOs the Samsung seems to smudge a little more detail. Not sure if noise reduction is more aggressive. Look at the picture with the Russian flag colours and the CCCP logo. The white stuff on the grass can clearly be seen on the Sony but is smudged out on the Samsung. Though I must say the ISO speeds on both shots were different. So that could be a factor.

IMO the pink tint really lends the impression that the Samsung sensor is inferior in low light, even when it's not. I see it in some of the night shots. Though it makes the overall image brighter, it also feels more hazy. Really hope they can do something about it.
[Galaxy S6 General] xmfpdlemalnz@hotmail.com:
The real questions is, is Samsung going to release a firmware to fix the pink issue on ISOCELL sensors.

I agree that both sensors take great photos at day time. Honestly if you don't zoom in on computer, you wouldn't even be able to tell the difference.

However, it's clear now that ISOCELL sensor suffers the pink issue at low light (really dark) conditions.

I hope this is something that can be fixed by a new firmware.
[Galaxy S6 General] dermotti:
Pink gate....screens now the camera..
[Galaxy S6 General] Timbukto:
The Russian samples are the best done comparison yet

The Russian samples are the best done comparison yet

IMO it shows that in situations with more light, the ISOCELL shoots slightly longer exposures because it has greater full well capacity (function of ISOCELL). At low light it seems that its ISOCELL that is just as sensitive if not more so than Sony. Sony has more traditional appearance of noise...often you can easily see noise in the 4 corners because that is where vignetting correction occurs to pull up shadows. Sony is more traditional random noise. ISOCELL has *less* noise but *more* banding appearance, however it is so slight that its a wash which you can prefer (i.e. more noise but random, less noise but very slight striping). Even though tests were well done there was still variation in focus. Neither sensor is ever possibly *sharper* or more detailed than the other, just sometimes one shot got away with less camera shake or had better focus/optics, etc due to chance.

IMO the sensors are so close...but overall I still think in daylight blue skies its the Sony that veers towards magenta purple which annoys me. This last test also puts to rest my concern that the ISOCELL was shooting longer exposures because it was less sensitive or efficient...these tests confirm that the Samsung ISOCELL is similarly efficient but *also* likely to have greater FWC/saturation point in good light which is a *good* thing. Take a look at the ISO200 'underexposed' car shot in the night. There is dirt on the front tire that is in plain sight on the Samsung but nearly invisible on Sony. Sony looks slightly sharper overall I would say to focus/optics variation.

Also I don't see any real issue with pinks in low light...at very low light and since some ISO was N/A which may have been from multiple exposure processing, you just don't know how the white balance is going to turn out. Also it only really occurs in one indoor setting perhaps due to whatever artificial lighting or environment was in that setting. I would be far far more concerned about magenta blue skies in daylight conditions which is a best case scenario for autoWB compared to artificial lighting with multiple/long exposure in door which is a worst case scenario.
[Galaxy S6 General] trenzterra:
The pink noise appears even when there is no light though. It seems related to the amp glow phenomenon on DSLRs.
[Galaxy S6 General] Timbukto:
Has nothing to do with amp glow, its white balance. If there was NO light the sensor wouldn't capture anything. Photography is the capture of light. You are just looking at white balance variation...honestly shooting a canvas painting in some artificial lighting...how on earth is AutoWB supposed to react? How do we know which is more accurate? Most likely they are both off but the Sony chose the more 'appealing' white balance by luck. Shooting some canvas painting in indoor lighting is a worst case scenario where you do not expect AutoWB to perform and you would want to adjust WB on the shot (in post in RAW or prior to capture in jpeg). However *outdoor* sunny day situations AutoWB should be working just fine, and its the Sony that keeps veering magenta here. Not that I find the Samsung to be absolutely perfect to my eye, but the skies are much better IMO.

I did Google Translate and the review seems very fair...they say the ISOCELL had better WB in low light except for a few exceptions. They say daylight on both is good. They think the Sony is sometimes more detailed but IMO that is because the focus is obviously different in a variety of images (some camera apps allows you to manually focus!). Indeed the magenta sky issue I have with the Sony is very very slight and is only noticeable for some folks in a side by side or only after pointing it out. The translation also points out that the ISOCELL is 'lighter' in various pictures hinting at greater sensitivity. They say the noise on the Sony is greater with occurrence of 'black' or pepper noise. IMO I agree the Sony is more noisy but the ISOCELL has more 'striping' or banding but its very hard to notice (IMO harder to notice than magenta tinted skies). Because the translated review makes no mention of the pink tint and in fact call out the ISOCELL as having better WB in low light particularly in the images where some folks are seeing a pinker tint, I am almost certain there is no pink circuit noise issue to speak of.
[Galaxy S6 General] trenzterra:
I put my phone flat on a black surface, and snapped a shot. The image turns out to have a 'hot' tint around the image and is not perfectly black, mostly at the sides, concentrated on the right and bottom. It happens only at higher ISOs, and is black(er) at lower ISOs. The Sony IMX240 does not exhibit this issue that much. How is this a white balance issue?
[Galaxy S6 General] Timbukto:
This is similar to a 'lens cap' shot on many cameras and typically draws the ire of many enthusiasts when the results are often misinterpreted by those that take them. There is nothing peculiar about the circuit noise on my ISOCELL, I see a vignette correction gradient but nothing out of the ordinary. The Nikon D3300, D5500, and D7200 all use the same Sony sensor each with various 'circuit' noise due to differences in electronics and housing, etc. I would imagine the surrounding electronics of an S6 ISOCELL to not differ much from the S6 Sony. In addition your lens cap test has zero bearing on the other results shown which are not lens cap tests. If you want to compare lens cap tests you should ask a Sony user to provide similarly meaningless shots to compare. Otherwise I have no doubt in my mind that the images shown on the Russian site have nothing to do with the 'pink' noise you see on your lens cap test.

Me thinks you are just being a bit OCD about your ISOCELL and are scraping for whatever possible defects it could possibly nitpicking well beyond what most DSLR enthusiasts would nitpick out of their DSLR sensors.

Almost every site that has done some investigation have said there is pretty much no clear advantage between either...personally I see an advantage in the ISOCELL if anything due to higher FWC and just as good sensitivity as well as overall better WB and non-magenta tinted skies. Others may think otherwise.