Samsung Galaxy S10 cameras overview: multiple lenses, variable aperture, HDR10+ video recording and more

Samsung launched many new Galaxy phones with many new cameras and camera tricks at its Unpacked 2019 keynote event in San Francisco last night. While there’s been a growing debate around how the megapixel race is making a comeback this year, Samsung seems content being out of that race for now. Instead, it is taking the foundation it laid down with the Galaxy S8 and Galaxy S9 and refining it further in the Galaxy S10. Offering greater versatility along the way – the Galaxy S10 in fact has the most versatile camera system on a Galaxy phone ever.     

The Galaxy S10, Galaxy S10+, Galaxy S10E, Galaxy S10 5G and even the straight out of the future Galaxy Fold each have their own unique take on the premium smartphone camera at varied price points – there's a little something for everybody, and you won’t likely feel left out (much) in case you go with any of the new options, even the most affordable Galaxy S10E. This is because the Galaxy S10 lineup, at its heart, tries to do the same thing across the board with regards to the camera – only a higher-specced variant will give you some extra cheese to make it worth your extra cash.  

So, let’s start with the things that are in common. The Galaxy S10, Galaxy S10+, Galaxy S10E, Galaxy S10 5G and Galaxy Fold all have the same variable aperture primary rear camera – which is also pretty similar to what you got in last year’s Galaxy S9 from a pure specs point of view. It is a 12MP wide (77-degree field of view) sensor with variable f/1.5-f/2.4 aperture and dual pixel OIS. Dual aperture will allow the Galaxy S10 (like the Galaxy S9 before it) to shoot photos with more detail in low light (f/1.5), and photos without any metering issues when lighting is more than adequate (f/2.4).  

The Galaxy S10, Galaxy S10+, Galaxy S10E and Galaxy S10 5G all have the same primary front camera as well – a 10MP sensor with f/1.9 aperture.  

All the Galaxy S10 phone can record UHD videos using both the rear and front cameras, and HDR10+ videos with the rear camera. 

Now, the differences: 

-The Galaxy S10E has dual rear cameras with a secondary 16MP ultra-wide (123-degree field of view) sensor with f/2.2 aperture and fixed focus. 

-The Galaxy S10+ has five cameras in all - triple rear cameras with an additional 12MP telephoto sensor with OIS, and dual front cameras with a secondary 8MP sensor with f/2.2 aperture for depth sensing. 

-The Galaxy S10 has the same triple rear cameras as the Galaxy S10, but it has only a single front camera. 

-The Galaxy S10 5G has six cameras in all – four on the back and two on the front. It adds 3D Time-Of-Flight cameras on the front and back. 

-The Galaxy Fold also has six cameras in all - triple rear cameras dual front cameras and another 10MP camera on the cover. 

To sum up: 

-The Galaxy S10E comes with three cameras 

• Rear: 12MP wide (77-degree field of view) sensor with f/1.5 aperture and OIS, and a secondary 16MP ultra-wide (123-degree field of view) sensor with f/2.2 aperture and fixed focus 
• Front: 10MP sensor with f/1.9 aperture

-The Galaxy S10 comes with four cameras 

• Rear: 12MP wide (77-degree field of view) sensor with f/1.5 aperture and dual pixel OIS, a 16MP ultra-wide (123-degree field of view) sensor with f/2.2 aperture and fixed focus, and a 12MP telephoto sensor with OIS 
• Front: 10MP sensor with f/1.9 aperture

-The Galaxy S10+ comes with five cameras 

• Rear: 12MP wide (77-degree field of view) sensor with f/1.5 aperture and dual pixel OIS, a 16MP ultra-wide (123-degree field of view) sensor with f/2.2 aperture and fixed focus, and a 12MP telephoto sensor with OIS 

• Front: 10MP sensor with f/1.9 aperture and a secondary 8MP sensor with f/2.2 aperture for depth sensing 

-The Galaxy S10 5G comes with six cameras 

• Rear: 12MP wide (77-degree field of view) sensor with f/1.5 aperture and dual pixel OIS, a 16MP ultra-wide (123-degree field of view) sensor with f/2.2 aperture and fixed focus, a 12MP telephoto sensor with OIS, and a 3D Time-Of-Flight sensor 

• Front: 10MP sensor with f/1.9 aperture and a secondary 3D Time-Of-Flight sensor 

-The Galaxy Fold comes with six cameras 

• Rear: 12MP wide (77-degree field of view) sensor with f/1.5 aperture and dual pixel OIS, a 16MP ultra-wide (123-degree field of view) sensor with f/2.2 aperture and fixed focus, and a 12MP telephoto sensor with OIS 

• Front: 10MP sensor with f/2.2 aperture and a secondary 8MP sensor with f/1.9 aperture 

• Cover: 10MP sensor with f/2.2 aperture 

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