The Samsung S24 Ultra Camera
In mobile photography, the Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra has really made a comeback in the Android lineup. As an Apple user primarily, I was pretty taken aback at how good the camera was (don't kill me, I'm just being honest).
It boasts a suite of features catering to a wide range of creators — an ultra-wide camera that performs nicely in bright light conditions, a versatile zoom capability, a ton of A.I. functions to make any bad photo even better, and a 10x telephoto camera for super close details. The phone now offers two tele modules to emphasize detail and maintain a better image quality across long-range shots.
Samsung’s strategic inclusion of a 5x portrait lens directly challenges its Apple and Pixel industry rivals. The 50-megapixel sensor’s ability to offer a cropped 10x zoom at 12 megapixels positions the S24 Ultra as an adaptable tool for concertgoers and soccer moms needing to capture a subject extra far away. Combined with effective stabilization, these features are actually useful and do a great job of getting the shot.
For video, though, I do think the S24 Ultra lacks considerably compared to the iPhone 15 and 16 pro series. Despite software and hardware enhancements that yield more natural colors and improved noise reduction (something Samsung cameras have always struggled with), the S24 Ultra struggles with exposure and color stability in tougher lighting situations. This inconsistency doesn’t feel great for someone who relies on their phone to perform on all-day shoots.
⚡Feature Callouts:
- Primary: 200MP sensor, 23mm equivalent f/1.7-aperture lens, AF, OIS
- Ultra-Wide: 12MP sensor, 13mm equivalent f/2.2-aperture lens, AF
- Tele 1: 10MP sensor, 67mm equivalent f/2.4-aperture lens, OIS, AF
- Tele 2: 50MP sensor, 111mm equivalent f/3.4-aperture lens, OIS, AF
- Video: 8K at 24/30fps, 4K at 30/60/120fps, 1080p at 30/60/240/960fps, HDR10+