LG G7 ThinQ Camera Review: Enhanced AI Camera for Incredible Shots

Table of Contents

1. Introduction
2. Camera Improvements in the LG G7
3. Dual Camera Setup
4. Megapixel Jump and Pixel Binning
5. Low Light Photography
6. Comparison with the LG V30
7. Video Recording
8. portrait Mode
9. Software Design and Features
10. Camera Speed and Focus Time
11. Camera Quality and Image Processing
12. Front-Facing Camera
13. Conclusion

📷 Camera Improvements in the LG G7

The LG G7 has been making waves with its camera quality, and LG promises to up the Game even further with its latest flagship phone. The G7 boasts significant hardware improvements, especially in the camera department. Two out of the three sensors on the phone have been upgraded, resulting in LG's best G Series camera to date.

Dual Camera Setup

On the back of the LG G7, you will find a pair of 16-megapixel Sony IMX 351 sensors. These sensors are the same ones that power the main camera on the LG G7's predecessor, the V30. However, there is a difference in the lenses. The main sensor has an f-stop 1.6 lens with a 71-degree angle, while the secondary sensor is behind an f-stop 1.9 lens with a 107-degree angle. While the wide-angle shots are not as wide as those on the V30, they are still wider than most cameras on the market.

Megapixel Jump and Pixel Binning

One notable upgrade in the G7's camera is the increase in resolution from 13 to 16 megapixels on the secondary sensor. This Sony sensor supports pixel binning, a feature also seen in the V30's Oreo update. Pixel binning combines pixels to bring in more light, resulting in better low-light performance. This improvement is especially noticeable in the wide-angle lens, which is no longer overly dark in low-light situations.

Low Light Photography

The LG G7's low-light capabilities are on par with the V30, which means the low-light mode produces bright 4-megapixel shots. While the shots may lack some detail compared to other flagship phones like the Huawei P20 Pro and Sony Xperia XZ2, they still offer more visibility in darker scenes. However, some scenes may have blown out sections due to the high exposure values.

Comparison with the LG V30

Despite the upgrades on the G7's camera, it falls slightly short when compared to the LG V30. Shots taken with the V30 tend to be sharper, more detailed, and have better exposure and color reproduction overall. The G7's wide-angle camera, though useful for low-light photography, is not as effective as that of the V30. The processing quality on the G7 has also dropped, resulting in blown out highlights and missing detail in some shots.

Video Recording

One disappointing aspect of the G7's camera is the inability to switch between sensors while Recording video, a feature available on previous dual-camera LG phones. This limits the usefulness of the wide-angle lens during video recording. However, the G7 does offer 4K video recording with optical stabilization.

Portrait Mode

The LG G7 is the first phone in the G Series to feature a portrait mode. Overall, the portrait mode does a great job of separating the foreground from the background and adding blur in the right places. However, there are instances where the blur effect may look a bit strange, and the mode feels forced. Despite this, the new portrait mode adds versatility to the G7's camera capabilities.

Software Design and Features

LG's software design for the camera app is excellent. The mode switching and other quick functionalities are intuitive and easily accessible. The inclusion of Google Lens and AI camera integration enhances the overall camera experience. The Graphy feature, which offers presets to enhance photos, is a welcome addition and is built right into the camera software.

Camera Speed and Focus Time

One issue with the G7's camera is the noticeable pause between pressing the shutter button and the actual picture being taken. While not a major drawback, it can be problematic for capturing split-Second moments. Additionally, the focus times could be faster, as the camera mainly relies on laser autofocus, which can be inaccurate at times.

Camera Quality and Image Processing

Despite the improvements in hardware, the G7's camera quality is a step back from the V30. There is a tendency to overexpose shots, leading to blown out highlights and missing detail. The image processing seems to have decreased in quality, resulting in less impressive shots compared to the V30.

Front-Facing Camera

The front-facing camera on the G7 is an improvement in most areas. It features an 8-megapixel sensor with an f-stop 1.9 lens, offering better resolution and light capture compared to the V30. However, LG has opted for a more standard angle lens instead of a wide-angle lens, which is a step back in terms of capturing more people and objects in a shot.

Conclusion

The LG G7 brings about camera improvements, particularly in low-light photography and the addition of a portrait mode. However, when compared to its predecessor, the LG V30, the G7 falls slightly short in terms of image quality and processing. The camera experience on the G7 is still commendable, with features like Google Lens integration and the built-in Graphy presets. Overall, the G7's camera offers versatility and decent performance, although it may not be as impressive as expected.

Highlights

• The LG G7 features hardware improvements in the camera department.
• The dual camera setup includes 16-megapixel sensors with different lenses.
• The G7's wide-angle lens performs well in low-light situations.
• Video recording on the G7 lacks the ability to switch between cameras.
• The G7 introduces a portrait mode for better background blur.
• LG's software design offers quick functionality and integrates Google Lens.
• Camera speed and focus time could be improved on the G7.
• Image processing on the G7 is a step back from the LG V30.
• The front-facing camera on the G7 offers improved resolution and light capture.

FAQ

Q: Can the LG G7 switch between cameras while recording video? A: No, the G7 lacks the ability to switch between cameras during video recording, unlike previous dual-camera LG phones.

Q: Does the LG G7 have a portrait mode? A: Yes, the G7 introduces a portrait mode that effectively separates the foreground from the background and adds blur.

Q: How is the low-light performance on the LG G7? A: The G7's low-light mode produces bright shots in darker scenes, but some detail may be lost due to the resolution drop.

Q: What are the new features in the camera software on the LG G7? A: The G7's camera software includes Google Lens integration, AI camera features, and the Graphy feature for photo presets.

Q: How does the camera quality on the LG G7 compare to the LG V30? A: The camera quality on the G7 is slightly inferior to the V30, with overexposed shots and decreased processing quality.

Resources: AndroidHeadlines.com