The iPhone 7 Plus camera feels slow compared to the competition

[dpham00]

I had the note 7 and before that, the s7 edge. Both cameras seemed to have significantly faster focus speed,and after focused, the time to shot seemed significantly longer. I am not sure if I missed something, but I couldn't find a way to speed this up in the settings.

For my situation,I have a very active young child so I much prefer a camera that takes a shot quickly, as sometimes I only have a few seconds to get the shot. I am OK with a slightly lower image quality...I would rather take that over a missed image.

 

[Jtshurtleff]

Turn off Live Photos, should help, although my phone takes very quick pictures. I took a picture of a bee in a flower this weekend and it looked damn good; as you can imagine bees move very quickly. I too have a toddler and take frequent photos of her and have no issue with camera speed.

 

[AndrewMelder]

I also have the S7 (same camera in all Samsung flagships this year) and indeed the autofocus is better compared to the 7 Plus. Turning off Live Photos doesn't do much to improve this from my experience.

But I have two (hyper) kids, and while I may have a few frames here or there that the S7 would have gotten I'm much happier with Apple's image processing.

 

[jdfry15]

I believe Samsung current lineup has the fastest focus of any smartphones available. Very nice with active children.

 

[Evilguppy]

I believe Samsung current lineup has the fastest focus of any smartphones available. Very nice with active children.

I believe you: I've read reports that say frying kids is the best way to slow them down.

 

[nokia4life]

The camera is not slow I would lable this title to be more not being happy with autofocus speeds but that doesn't mean your camera is slow there is alot more that has to taken into context here like from start to finish how fast the app opens, focus (which is where your complaint is) the press of the button to snap the picture to the time of capture and render. So unelss all of these aspects are slow it should be not happy with auto focus as Samsung is faster in that catagory. I think that may have to do with the sensor they use as well as it lets in way more light.

 

[iN8ter]

I believe you: I've read reports that say frying kids is the best way to slow them down.

That's actually hilarious but to be honest the AF speeds are slower than the Note 7. Not sure how Samsung accomplished that (not up on the technical details of their camera system), but it's very impressive. I've used an Galaxy S7 an an amusement park, and the focus tracking while recording video was out of this world. The thing could track rides moving at incredible speeds without a hitch.

Also, keep in mind that the Note 7 uses the same Processor Package and Camera Sensor/Software as the S7 and S7 Edge, so it's not a "Note 7" specific disparity. The S7 and the S7 are equally faster to focus than the iPhone 7 [Plus], and equally superior in Low Light as well. No one is burning children with those phones, last I checked.

I also think Apple should revamp their Camera Software. Really. It's time, Apple... You can do so much better.

The low light in Samsung's cameras are still well ahead of Apple's latest iPhone, and this also gives them an advantage in low light which is even more of a disparity than the daylight differences - particularly in focus speeds.

 

[dpham00]

The camera is not slow I would lable this title to be more not being happy with autofocus speeds but that doesn't mean your camera is slow there is alot more that has to taken into context here like from start to finish how fast the app opens, focus (which is where your complaint is) the press of the button to snap the picture to the time of capture and render. So unelss all of these aspects are slow it should be not happy with auto focus as Samsung is faster in that catagory. I think that may have to do with the sensor they use as well as it lets in way more light.

I guess what I care about is the time until the shot is taken. On Samsung,you can double tap the home button on any screen or phone off and it will open the camera almost instantaneously . the iPhone also opens the camera almost instantaneously but if you are using the phone,then you have to hit the home button then the camera button to open . then wait for it to focus then take a shot, both of which take significantly longer than the note 7 or s7 edge. We are not talking about much but sometimes I only have a few seconds to get the shot or the moment is gone. So every little bit helps. This is much more noticeable indoors in more limited lighting situations.

 

[Paradocks]

From Samsung: Every single pixel on the Dual Pixel Sensor is used for phase detection, enabling autofocus that's so incredibly fast and seamless that even the most sudden movements are caught in the act, even when the light starts to fade.

Could be a reason why the Samsung cameras feel faster than the iPhone cameras.

 

[anon(1733)]

I guess what I care about is the time until the shot is taken. On Samsung,you can double tap the home button on any screen or phone off and it will open the camera almost instantaneously . the iPhone also opens the camera almost instantaneously but if you are using the phone,then you have to hit the home button then the camera button to open . then wait for it to focus then take a shot, both of which take significantly longer than the note 7 or s7 edge. We are not talking about much but sometimes I only have a few seconds to get the shot or the moment is gone. So every little bit helps. This is much more noticeable indoors in more limited lighting situations.

Whole true but if your using the phone just swipe up from the bottom to open the command center and the camera button is right there. Easy. But I agree that the double tap on Samsung devices is easier.

 

[dpham00]

True you can use the command center too

 

[BenitoC]

Turn off Live Photos, should help, although my phone takes very quick pictures. I took a picture of a bee in a flower this weekend and it looked damn good; as you can imagine bees move very quickly. I too have a toddler and take frequent photos of her and have no issue with camera speed.

You're right, turning off live photos gets the camera going much faster, thanks for the tip.

 

[victormb]

You're right, turning off live photos gets the camera going much faster, thanks for the tip.

Glad you received a satisfactory fix

 

[MelCali82]

From Samsung: Every single pixel on the Dual Pixel Sensor is used for phase detection, enabling autofocus that's so incredibly fast and seamless that even the most sudden movements are caught in the act, even when the light starts to fade.

Could be a reason why the Samsung cameras feel faster than the iPhone cameras.

i think the iphone 6 and up have the same thing. phase-detection auto focus. wonder if the 7 has improved that part of the camera.