Despite the fact that the key feature of iPhone SE 2020 is precisely its compactness, in fact, there are reasons to love this smartphone much more. This is a high level of performance, a relatively low price, and, of course, a camera. The camera iPhone SE 2020 is generally the subject of a separate conversation, because, although Apple and used the module from iPhone 8, the A13 processor and support for artificial intelligence made it possible to expand its capabilities and achieve high quality shooting comparable to the flagship models iPhone costing 90 and 100 thousand rubles. True, if you are an adherent of Android, you have no need to spend money even on iPhone SE 2020. After all, there is the Galaxy A51.
The Galaxy A51 costs less than the iPhone SE 2020 and shoots in much the same way. No, well really
Colleagues from CNET conducted their own comparison of cameras iPhone SE 2020 and Galaxy A51, testing them in a variety of shooting scenarios. They took several consecutive shots in good lighting conditions, at night when there is almost no natural light, took a couple of portrait shots and tested how smartphones cope with the transfer of colors. After all, they weren't measuring megapixels, right? But, before you move on to the comparison, I consider it necessary to focus on the prices and positioning of smartphones.
Whose camera is better: Galaxy A51 or iPhone SE 2020
You may find it strange that iPhone SE 2020 is compared to the Galaxy A51, because their prices differ at least twice. But this is on the Russian market, while on the American market they cost $ 399 each and are devices of the same category. It will be all the more interesting to compare how much the quality of photos taken by their cameras differs, and whether it is worth, living in Russia, to overpay almost two prices for a new CD from Apple. And if you are too lazy to read everything, then here's a subjective spoiler: no, you shouldn't.
These are landscape photos taken during the day in good lighting conditions. If you do not look closely, you get the impression that the pictures are almost identical, but this is not entirely true. Due to its wider viewing angle, the Galaxy A51 (26mm equivalent) captures significantly more detail than the iPhone SE 2020 (28mm equivalent).
Landscape shot with Galaxy A51
Landscape shot on camera iPhone SE 2020
And it's not even an ultra wide angle lens. If you use it, you get the following result (equivalent to 12 mm). You can even cut out the desired area from this photo, in fact, simulating an optical zoom. It's a pity that iPhone SE 2020 does not have such a feature, so there is nothing to compare the result of the Galaxy A51 with.
This is a shot with the Galaxy A51 ultra wide-angle camera.
On this pair iPhone, the SE 2020 has worked out the colors more naturally compared to the Galaxy A51. True, I like the picture of the Samsung more. It leaves an impression of greater juiciness and richness. In addition, in my opinion, the Galaxy A51 did a better job of displaying the leftmost branch, keeping it in focus and retaining its colorfulness.
Snapshot on camera iPhone SE 2. It is more natural
Snapshot on Galaxy A51. He's prettier, isn't he?
But with apples, the Galaxy A51 clearly messed up. Looking at this pair of shots, one gets the impression that either the Korean did not have enough lighting, or the photographer hurried and did not let the smartphone focus. This can be seen from the blurred edge of the top right apple. But, one way or another, there is a clear advantage for iPhone SE 2020, in which the photo already rings with sharpness.
Snapshot on Galaxy A51. He has something wrong with the sharpness
Snapshot on camera iPhone SE 2. You can immediately see that its autofocus worked at 100%
The portrait photos of the Galaxy A51 and iPhone SE 2020 are of high quality, but differ in shooting approaches. The iPhone blurs the background more, for which it even selects objects in the foreground like a plastic chair. Galaxy A51 lathers the frame more gently, observing the rules of the foreground and background. Because of this, the Korean result seems more natural and deep to me.
Portrait photo on camera iPhone SE 2020
Portrait photo with Galaxy A51
At night, both smartphones shoot frankly so-so. In general, if you do not look closely, you can safely write off both the one and the other picture, because they do not represent any artistic value. However, if you want me to give preference to someone, then here I am also for the Galaxy A51. In my opinion, his photo does not make much noise.
Night shot on camera iPhone SE 2020
Galaxy A51 night shot
And these both shots were taken with the Galaxy A51 macro lens, which iPhone SE 2020 does not have either. Not to say that their quality is completely satisfactory to me, but the very fact that they support macro shooting is already commendable.
Leaf in the Galaxy A51 macro lens
Flower in Galaxy A51 Macro Lens
If you remember, I made a conclusion at the beginning of the article, indicating that I definitely don't see any point in overpaying for iPhone SE 2020 two prices. Another thing is that if you are choosing a smartphone solely for the camera, most likely you should pay attention to camera phones like the Galaxy S20 Ultra, Huawei P40 Pro or Pixel 4 XL. But, if your goal is to save money, then, most likely, you will not find a better option than the A51.