AI Moon Debate: Samsung does not apply any image overlaying in Space Zoom

Samsung responded on Space Zoom, fake Moon shot, and AI overlay controversy. The company also said that the users can deactivate the AI-based Scene Optimizer, which will disable automatic detail enhancements to the photo taken by the user.

Last week, a user-generated Reddit post created controversy on Samsung Space Zoom technology with the blame for producing AI-generated fake images of the Moon. In an email reply to Tom’s Guide, the company confirmed that the AI-derived feature doesn’t apply any image overlaying to the photo.

Here is the official response from Samsung, delivered via email to Tom’s Guide:

“Samsung is committed to delivering best-in-class photo experiences in any condition.

When a user takes a photo of the Moon, the AI-based scene optimization technology recognizes the Moon as the main object and takes multiple shots for multi-frame composition, after which AI enhances the details of the image quality and colors. It does not apply any image overlaying to the photo.

Users can deactivate the AI-based Scene Optimizer, which will disable automatic detail enhancements to the photo taken by the user.”

Samsung Space Zoom Controversy:

A Redditor posted his experiment of testing Samsung phone’s camera feature, especially the Space Zoom and Moon Shot. The user used a downloaded image of the Moon, downscaled it, and blurred it further (mentioned below) to test what changes the artificial intelligence makes.

He displayed the Moon on a monitor and went back to the second corner of the room (to increase the gap) and pointed the camera with the zoom at the monitor. Samsung phone’s AI-based Scene Optimizer feature identified the Moon and optimized the image with sharpness and colors.

There are blames that Samsung is cheating with Space Zoom and Moon Shots by applying an overlay on the image. The reports are completely fake and there’s no cheating in the Space Zoom feature of your Galaxy. Even, the company itself announced the use of Scene Optimizer, starting with the Galaxy S21 series.