[Samsung Galaxy S7 Edge Guides, News, & Discussion] koboltzz:
Hey guys!

You may ask yourself at some point how the hell can it be that Galaxy S7/S7edge/S8 camera is so highly praised? If you are into photography and look closer at the taken pics you will most likely be disappointed.

Let's go through the critical reviews found by google:

[COLOR="Red"][B]#[/B] Oversharpened photos
[B]#[/B] Overexposed photos
[B]#[/B] Oversaturated photos
[B]#[/B] Too much noise reduction[/COLOR]

Well, you are right, at some point. Let's take a look at my sample pic:

100% crop, unedited, S7edge, stockROM, stock camera, stock settings=auto mode

Ah yes, yes, I see it: oversharpened check, too much noise reduction check, oversaturated che... wait! no. After trying to get the best out of my S7edge camera, I think the main problem is by default samsung adds

too much contrast

. Here is how to 'fix' the camera:

Important:

[COLOR="Red"][B]#[/B] These settings are made for S7 Flat and S7 Edge models but most likely will improve your S8/S8+ camera too. Exynos only!
[B]#[/B] Some settings require root access. Do it at your own Risk! Your warranty is void.
[B]#[/B] I'm not responsible for damage to your equipment.
[B]#[/B] Photo 'quality' is a very subjective, some people prefer keeping natural grain, some prefer cristal clear photos.
[B]#[/B] Sample photos are taken with two Galaxy S7 edge (one stock, one modified), both isocell sensor, at the same time to have the same lightning conditions.[/COLOR]

First, how it could be:

100% crop, unedited, S7edge, stockROM, Zero Camera Mod, Pro mode custom settings

Wait! 'Looks like ****, too' you think? Then this thread is not for you. Look closer and you will see this is a lot more 'natural'. The lower contrast will reveal more details, the lower sharpness won't look that 'plastic', the lower denoise will work well with it. Btw if you think the metal pipe looks now blueish... it has a blue tint in reality!

Second another example:

Before:

1/10s f/1.7 ISO320

After:

1/10s f/1.7 ISO640

Well, yeah there is a lot of noise now, but there is a lot of detail too, at this point you can reduce noise in photoshop if you like, but you cannot reveal lost details. Again, the lower contrast let's us recognize the shape of this subwoofer. You may ask, why higher ISO? I will explain later.

Third the settings:

First screenshot shows app by zeroprobe. Default settings are '5' for 'edge' and '5' for 'denoise'. If we lower each value, we lower sharpness(='edge') and lower denoising. You can try out other values (1-10) but the effect will be drastic and don't look good anymore. This app requires root and you can buy it here for S7/S7edge and here for S8.

Fourth the final touchup

... and the promised explanation for higher ISO and using auto flash: Use a polarization filter! No, not things like that:

This will work but to be honest it adds bulk, looks ugly and you have to always carry with you. So instead use this:

Yeah, just look at ebay (or elsewhere) for some polarization filter

film

manufacturer. Important, don' buy anything thicker than 0,2 millimeter because this will let too little light in and buy a self-adhesive one. Normally there will be some offer kind of 100x100x0,2 millimeter film.

Yes, you cannot adjust the filter if it is 'glued' to camera lens (easily to peel off if your are not satisfied), but you don't have to!

This is not

our goal (we have adjusted saturation already):

Instead

this is

your gain:

before and after (less reflections=more details)

You can now use flash because it won't introduce ugly glare (like on someones forehead):

before and after using flash without other light source

Another notice: Every 90 degree you rotate the film before attachement, other light reflecions will be filtered (0° and 180° is the same of course). Find the one that bother you the most and apply that way (just use a tripod while testing). The polarization film has to be applied on the led flash too but 90° off the direction you chose for the camera. That way flash reflections will be filtered.

This film, even it's only 0,2 millimeter thick will reduce the light coming in and therefore the software raises ISO and will make use of flash earlier but that's good now :)

So , have fun!