- I'm Andru Edwards, and you're watching "Gear Live."
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Smartphone cameras have been getting
really, really good over the past three years,
but one area where we haven't seen a ton of innovation
is in keeping photos in focus when zooming.
Apple uses its triple lens system
to achieve a 4X optical zoom,
and Google has Super Res Zoom on the Pixel,
which does a decent job,
but the new Space Zoom feature
on the Samsung Galaxy S20 Ultra
is here to change the game completely.
In this video, I give you a look at why Space Zoom
is out of this world.
What's going on Tech Squad?
Andru Edwards here, Editor in Chief of gearlive.com
and as I mentioned, I was able to get my hands
on the new Samsung Galaxy S20, S20+, and S20 Ultra.
And before I get to my full review and full camera review
I had a couple of features that I wanted to talk
to you guys about right away,
as soon as Samsung allowed me to go public with them.
Now the other day I gave you a look
at my favorite feature of the new Samsung Galaxy S20
camera system, that being single take mode.
And it works on the S20, S20+, and S20 Ultra.
- Now if you missed that video, I'll leave a link to it
down in the description below
as well as up here if you want to check it out.
In this video I'm giving you a look
at another really cool and unique camera feature
found on the Galaxy S20 lineup, this one called Space Zoom.
Now when I tried out Space Zoom I was shocked
at how good it was.
Here's how it works.
Space Zoom is a combination
of hybrid optic zoom and AI-powered digital zoom
working together to create high-quality zoomed images.
Now I think everyone who's tried
to zoom in on a subject to get a really
nice, sharp, clear picture knows
that it's pretty much an exercise in frustration
when you take those photos on a smartphone.
However, here in 2020 that is one of the key areas
where Samsung focused this year with its camera.
Now it should be said that Space Zoom is different
when you compare the Galaxy S20 and S20+ versus
Space Zoom on the S20 Ultra.
Let me break down the differences for you right now.
On the S20 and S20+ Space Zoom
will allow you to do 3X optical zoom.
That's a zoom without any loss in quality,
as well as a 30X digital zoom.
And again, that 30X digital zoom is gonna use AI
to make those pictures as crisp and as sharp as possible.
However, if you pick up a Samsung Galaxy S20 Ultra instead,
that's where you're in for a treat.
On the Galaxy S20 Ultra, Space Zoom
is on a whole other level.
Thanks to the 20 Ultra's first-of-its-kind folded zoom lens.
The lens is positioned sideways inside the phone
and folds in on itself, taking in light through a prism
to squeeze the most out of it.
As a result, the zoom that you get on the S20 Ultra
is unmatched by any other smartphone.
First you get a 10X optical zoom.
So again, that means you can just zoom in
on a subject magnified 10 times,
and you will have a crystal clear photo
because it's optical zoom.
But from there you can go up to 100 times
with the digital zoom.
That's like being up in an airplane
and taking out your Galaxy S20 Ultra, zooming all the way in
100 times, and capturing one specific building
on the ground.
That is absurd.
Now I tested Space Zoom in a room
and zoomed in here on Kevin Nether's face as you can see.
As I zoom in, the AI focusing goes to work,
and when I get to the 30X zone roughly, you can see
that it continues to bring things into focus.
Now 100X while standing in the same room as something
is a little bit ridiculous,
but I figured I'd try it anyway just to see.
However, it's very obvious
that this is gonna be great when you wanna take a photo
of something outdoors, or you're taking a picture
of something really far away.
Maybe you're at a concert and wanna get a photo
of what's happening on stage.
There are plenty of reasons in this world
that you might wanna take a photo of something
that's so far away, but still looks worthy
of having its photo taken.
The Galaxy S20 Ultra
is gonna allow you to do that with ease.
But I'm curious to hear your thoughts.
What do you guys think of the new Super Zoom feature
on the Galaxy S20, S20+, and especially on the S20 Ultra?
Let me know down in the comments below,
and I will meet you there for further discussion.
Again, if you missed my other video
on my favorite feature
of the S20 camera system, that being single take mode,
I will leave a link in the description below
as well as right here in order for you to catch that one.
Now if you wanna get your hands on the Samsung Galaxy S20,
the phones will be up for pre-order on February 21st
and will then go on sale on March 6th.
The Galaxy S20 will cost $999.99.
The Galaxy S20+ will cost $1199.99,
and the Galaxy S20 Ultra will cost $1399.99.
If you wanna hear even more about the Galaxy S20 Ultra
and my thoughts, be sure to check out
the "Geared Up" Podcast.
"Geared Up" is a podcast I do every week
with Jon Rettinger,
where we bring you the latest in tech, gadgets and games.
And this week we have a bunch more to say
about our hands on time with the new Samsung Galaxy devices.
Be sure to hit that subscribe button
if you want to stay up to date on all future releases
including the S20 review, the S20 camera review,
and much more.
But for now, thank you guys so much for watching.
I appreciate your support.
I'm Andru Edwards, and I will catch you in the next video.
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