The Samsung Galaxy S20 FE, a fan edition of the S20 series, has been making waves in the smartphone market with its impressive features and affordable price tag. One of the most talked-about features of the S20 series is its camera capabilities, particularly the Live Focus feature. But does the S20 FE live up to the expectations, or has it compromised on this feature to make it more budget-friendly?
What is Live Focus?
Before we dive into whether the S20 FE has Live Focus, let’s understand what this feature is and why it’s so popular among smartphone users. Live Focus is a camera feature that allows users to capture professional-looking portraits with a blurred background, similar to what you would get with a DSLR camera. It uses advanced software algorithms to separate the subject from the background, creating a stunning bokeh effect.
Live Focus is particularly useful for taking selfies, as it helps to eliminate distractions in the background, making the subject stand out. It’s also great for capturing portraits of friends and family, as it adds a level of sophistication to the photos.
The S20 FE’s Camera Capabilities
The S20 FE boasts an impressive camera system, with a quad-camera setup that includes a 12-megapixel primary sensor, a 12-megapixel front camera, and a range of other features like Super Steady video stabilization, Hyperlapse, and more. However, when it comes to Live Focus, things get a bit murky.
Does the S20 FE have Live Focus?
The short answer is no, the S20 FE does not have Live Focus. Samsung has opted to exclude this feature from the FE edition, likely to keep costs down and differentiate it from the more premium S20 models. This might come as a disappointment to fans of the S20 series who were hoping to get the same camera features at a lower price point.
But Wait, There’s More!
While the S20 FE might not have Live Focus, it does have a feature called “Depth” mode, which is similar in concept but not quite as advanced. Depth mode uses the camera’s dual lenses to create a sense of depth in portraits, but it doesn’t have the same level of sophistication as Live Focus. You can still get some nice bokeh effects, but it’s not as seamless or natural-looking as the Live Focus feature.
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As you can see from the table above, the S20 FE has Depth mode, but it lacks Live Focus. On the other hand, the S20 series has Live Focus, but it doesn’t have Depth mode.
What’s the Alternative?
If you’re looking for a Samsung smartphone with Live Focus, you might want to consider the S20 or S20+ instead of the FE edition. These models have the more advanced camera features, including Live Focus, but they come at a higher price point.
Alternatively, you could consider third-party apps that offer similar features to Live Focus. There are several apps available on the Google Play Store that use AI algorithms to simulate a bokeh effect, but keep in mind that these might not be as advanced or seamless as Samsung’s native Live Focus feature.
Software Updates
It’s worth noting that Samsung has been known to update its camera software to add new features or improve existing ones. While there’s no guarantee that the S20 FE will get Live Focus through a software update, it’s possible that Samsung might add some similar feature or improvements to the Depth mode in the future.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the S20 FE might not have Live Focus, but it still has a solid camera system with some impressive features. While the lack of Live Focus might be a disappointment for some, it’s essential to remember that the FE edition is a more budget-friendly option designed to appeal to a wider audience.
If camera capabilities are your top priority, you might want to consider the S20 or S20+ instead. However, if you’re looking for an affordable smartphone with a range of features, the S20 FE is still an excellent choice.
Ultimately, it comes down to your priorities and what you’re willing to compromise on.
Whether you’re a photography enthusiast or just a casual smartphone user, the S20 FE is still a great option that offers a lot of value for its price. So, don’t let the lack of Live Focus hold you back – focus on the essentials and get the most out of your smartphone experience!
What is Live Focus?
Live Focus is a feature in Samsung Galaxy series that allows users to capture professional-looking portraits with a blurred background, making the subject stand out. It uses advanced algorithms to identify the subject and separate it from the background, resulting in a bokeh effect that is similar to DSLR cameras.
Live Focus is more than just a simple portrait mode, as it provides users with various options to customize the blur effect, including adjusting the level of blur and even changing the shape of the blur. This feature is particularly useful for those who want to take stunning portraits without the need for extensive editing.
Does the S20 FE have Live Focus?
The S20 FE, also known as the Fan Edition, does not have Live Focus. Although it shares many features with the flagship S20 series, Live Focus is unfortunately not one of them. Instead, the S20 FE has a more basic portrait mode that still allows users to capture decent portraits, but with limited customization options.
While the absence of Live Focus might be a disappointment for some, the S20 FE still offers excellent camera capabilities, including a high-quality primary sensor, ultra-wide-angle lens, and telephoto lens. Additionally, the phone’s portrait mode can still produce good results, especially in well-lit conditions.
Why was Live Focus excluded from the S20 FE?
Samsung likely excluded Live Focus from the S20 FE to keep the cost of the phone lower and make it more attractive to budget-conscious buyers. By removing this feature, Samsung could reduce the phone’s price without sacrificing too much in terms of overall camera performance.
Live Focus requires advanced software processing and hardware capabilities, which can increase the phone’s production cost. By omitting this feature, Samsung could allocate resources to other areas, such as improving the phone’s battery life, display, or performance.
Can I still take good portraits with the S20 FE?
Although the S20 FE lacks Live Focus, it is still capable of taking excellent portraits, especially in well-lit conditions. The phone’s primary sensor is highly capable, and the portrait mode can still produce decent results. Additionally, users can experiment with different angles, lighting setups, and editing techniques to enhance their portraits.
However, users who want advanced portrait capabilities might find the S20 FE’s portrait mode limited. Those who frequently take portraits and want more control over the blur effect might need to consider other options, such as the flagship S20 series or other high-end smartphones with advanced portrait modes.
Are there any alternatives to Live Focus?
While the S20 FE does not have Live Focus, there are third-party apps and editing software that can help enhance portrait photos. Some popular alternatives include Adobe Lightroom, Photoshop Express, and Google Photos, which offer advanced editing tools to blur the background and enhance the subject.
Additionally, users can experiment with different camera modes, such as the phone’s built-in pro mode, to capture portraits with a shallower depth of field. However, these alternatives might not offer the same level of customization and control as Samsung’s Live Focus feature.
Is the S20 FE still a good choice for photography enthusiasts?
Despite the lack of Live Focus, the S20 FE is still an excellent choice for photography enthusiasts who want a well-rounded camera system. The phone’s primary sensor, ultra-wide-angle lens, and telephoto lens provide plenty of flexibility for capturing a wide range of scenes and subjects.
Additionally, the S20 FE’s camera app is highly customizable, allowing users to adjust settings, such as ISO, shutter speed, and focus, to capture high-quality photos. While it might not have Live Focus, the phone’s overall camera capabilities make it a solid choice for those who want a reliable camera phone.
Can Samsung add Live Focus to the S20 FE through a software update?
It is possible, but unlikely, for Samsung to add Live Focus to the S20 FE through a software update. While the phone’s hardware is capable of supporting advanced camera features, the lack of Live Focus is likely a deliberate design choice to differentiate the S20 FE from the flagship S20 series.
Even if Samsung were to add Live Focus to the S20 FE, it’s unclear whether the phone’s hardware would be able to handle the feature’s advanced software processing requirements. As such, users who want Live Focus should consider purchasing a flagship S20 series phone or waiting for future Samsung devices that may include this feature.