Samsung's New Portrait Video Mimics Professional Lens Depth

Samsung Electronics has unveiled a significant upgrade to its Galaxy Z series cameras, introducing a feature designed to replicate the visual depth of professional photography equipment. The new Portrait Video mode automatically keeps a subject in sharp focus while softly blurring the background, an effect traditionally associated with high-end lenses that have large apertures.

This innovation was not developed in isolation. It resulted from a collaboration between Samsung Research and the Mobile eXperience Business unit. According to reports from GN technics/mobile (en-US), the feature represents a shift from experimental research to a commercial product, allowing users to achieve a cinematic look without carrying separate professional hardware.

Simulating Optical Physics With AI

The core challenge was making the blur look natural rather than artificial. To solve this, engineers analyzed the specific optical characteristics of real camera lenses. They then developed an AI-powered video processing system that mimics how light interacts with these lenses. The result is a background blur that changes naturally based on the distance between the subject and the background.

A key aspect of this technology is the rendering of small light sources in the background. Instead of appearing as harsh points, they are transformed into soft, rounded shapes known as bokeh. This detail helps create a sense of atmosphere and depth, making the main subject stand out more clearly in the frame.

From Lab Concept To Product

Turning this research into a usable feature required extensive testing. The collaboration involved the Mobile eXperience team taking the AI technology from the research stage and optimizing it for actual devices. This process included shooting countless videos under various conditions to ensure the subject remained correctly focused while the background blurred appropriately.

The development process was hands-on, with experts from both teams serving as models for one another. This practical approach allowed them to identify subtle errors in how the software separated people from their surroundings, ensuring the final product feels intuitive and reliable for everyday users.

User Control Over Focus

The feature also offers post-production flexibility. Users are not locked into the focus point chosen during recording. After filming, they can shift the focus to a different subject or adjust the level of background blur. This adds a layer of creative control that allows for easier editing without requiring complex software.

While the technology promises a professional look, it relies on computational processing rather than pure optics. This means the quality of the effect can depend on the complexity of the background and the lighting conditions, though the system is designed to handle these variables automatically for a consistent result.