Galaxy S21 ULTRA vs. $6000 PRO DSLR Camera: Will the 108 megapixel sensor win?

This is a FUN comparison of the Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra photo features to a $6000 PRO DSLR camera (not a mirrorless camera). If you're looking for the answers, hit the 'show more' button...
** ANSWERS **
Comparison #1: Galaxy S21 Ultra is 2 (image on the right).
Comparison #2: Galaxy S21 Ultra is 1 (image on the left).
Comparison #3: Galaxy S21 Ultra is 2 (image on the right).
Comparison #4: Galaxy S21 Ultra is 2 (image on the right).
Comparison #5: Galaxy S21 Ultra is 1 (image on the left).
Comparison #6: Galaxy S21 Ultra is 2 (image on the right).
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** TECHNICAL NOTES **
Galaxy S21 Ultra pictures are completely unedited, aside from light cropping. They were shot in .jpg format using the native camera software, using various modes (including 'pro' mode, night mode, and portrait mode).
Canon 1DX Mark II pictures were shot in .cr2 format, lightly cropped and processed to match the colors of the Galaxy S21 Ultra, then exported in .jpg format. Examples of 'light processing' would include adding +20 to the shadows or slight white balance adjustments. No clarity, tone curves, or anything more significant.
Why did I lightly edit the Canon 1DX Mark II pictures instead of the Galaxy S21 Ultra pictures? Because the highly compressed .jpg images coming out of the Galaxy S21 Ultra would probably have fallen apart if I tried to push the color as much as I did with the Canon 1DX Mark II.
This comparison is FOR FUN, meant to demonstrate a bit more about how megapixels actually work, and NOT highly technical or serious.
--
Thank you to professional photographer and video producer Stephen Kazumi for the shots of Dundas Square:
/ stephenkazumi
Also a thank you to professional actor Tim D. for working with me on this:
/ @timothyyy
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** GEAR IN THIS VIDEO **
Canon 1DX Mark II: geni.us/11DGBvg
Galaxy S21 Ultra: geni.us/nipr
** MY RECORDING GEAR **
Canon R6: geni.us/g3fjbkF
Canon 24-70 f/2.8: geni.us/kBTH
Canon 16-35 f/4: geni.us/Gbcg68P
Sony a6500: geni.us/rR3CNVg
Sigma 16mm f/1.4 Lens: geni.us/YQfQLAo
Manfrotto 055 Tripod: geni.us/RtWu
Manfrotto 502 Video Head: geni.us/Btr1
Oktava MK-012-01 Microphone: geni.us/uKRLZNA
Glide Gear TMP100 Teleprompter: geni.us/Gga7A
Godox SL-60W LED Light: geni.us/zRuwx
Newwer 36" Softbox: geni.us/kCdh
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** SHORTENED TRANSCRIPT **
Kevin Raposo here with speedyphotographer.com - and today, we’re comparing the photo features of the Galaxy S21 Ultra to a $6000 professional-grade DSLR: the Canon 1DX Mark II.
The Galaxy S21 Ultra has four lenses: a 13mm ultra-wide, a 26mm wide, a 70mm telephoto, and a 240mm super-telephoto.
The Galaxy S21 Ultra has a 108+ megapixel sensor - almost five times more than the Canon 1DX Mark II.
Phone manufacturers often like to focus on this number - because many consumers, like you and I, might be inclined to think that more is better.
In some cases, it is. The more megapixels you have, the more detail in your shot, which can increase the perceived sharpness of the picture.
This is because of a technique called down sampling, which involves taking a picture with a high number of megapixels and reducing it to a low number of megapixels. And if done correctly, it can help to hide imperfections like camera noise or motion blur.
But megapixels are only one part of the equation - but it also comes down to the size of your lens and the physical dimensions of your camera sensor.
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** TAGS **
photography,speedy photographer,iphone photography,android photography,iphone,computational photography,phone photography,improve phone pictures,smartphone photography, galaxy s21 ultra, galaxy s21 ultra camera, IPHONE 12 PRO vs. PROFESSIONAL CAMERA // PORTRAIT MODE & LENSES, iPhone 12 Pro vs Canon M50, iPhone 11 Pro VS $7500 Pro DSLR Camera, IPhone 12 Pro VS Canon EOS RP For Portrait Photography, iPhone 12 Pro VS $40000 CINEMA CAMERA | B-Roll Camera Test, Galaxy S20 Ultra vs Professional Camera - Photographer Review!, Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra - Camera First look and Pro Photographers Tips, Galaxy S21 Ultra vs Galaxy S20 Ultra Camera Test Comparison: Upgrade?, Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra vs iPhone 12 Pro Max Camera Test Comparison, Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra CAMERA review, Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra CAMERA review, Galaxy S22 Ultra, S22, Galaxy S22

[@phillippugh2161]

the s21 ultra is a beast and to me the best cell phone camera

[@hypermotion1354]

I think the same

[@snxi1]

Its a smart phone not a cell phone

[@phillippugh2161]

@@snxi1 huh ....ok??? Your really bored huh

[@snxi1]

@@phillippugh2161 yea I am

[@phillippugh2161]

@jude Godwin the p40 is DOA ...... without Google that's a hard pass on $1000 phone . Soooo that makes the ultra the beast mood smartphone .... Your money though do what you want

[@hansmayer7814]

At 100% I could spot the better images from the canon right away - but I also am viewing on a large screen at 4k. However, considering the size difference between said cameras, lenses, and sensors, it's amazing how far phone photography has come - especially with computational photography. It leaves me rarely even using my interchangeable lens cameras anymore since I just pull out the phone and capture the spontaneous moment.

[@lolerie]

Nothing amazing. Our eyes are capable of many things too. For example dynamic range. Or CIE coverage. 🤪 Worse in ultraviolet parts and dark vision.

[@shmadmanuts]

for casual shots - the smartphone will do, for planned/trips - smartphone ergonomics are just killing me. Also, for how far smartphone cameras have come... the price came far, too (Europe here) The S21 Ultra is 1550$ here !! Iphone 12 Pro reaches 1600$ !!! - and that will live, what, 3 years with intense use, maybe 4? If money is no issue - by no means, but for that money a kit D750 will reap them apart for dedicated photography. Oh, and yes, a good lens will live for decades, on more than 1 body. For ~1500$, Z50(+FTZ bundle, for my small collection of lens) for the next 5-10 years and a V60 (that has nice camera, too, AND tremendous audio quality) for the next 5(hopefully)

[@AliYassinToma]

@@shmadmanuts the s21 ultra here in Kuwait is 900$ the iPhone 12 pro max is 1200$ the iPhone will be updated for 5 years (but wont live more than 3 years tbh cuz batteries apple use are trash) the s21 ultra is an android phone it can last up to 4 years with no custom ROMs after that u could change the battery (prob will be at 75% health) and install a custom rom u can get 3 more years out of it... don't forget if u buy a camera u still need a phone. 2 years ago i needed a new phone but was leaning towards buying a camera... since the budget wasn't enough for a mid range and a great camera i just bought a s20 plus for 600$. now 2 years later it still takes flagship quality photos and videos and for sharing photos on social media a phone is more than enough because of compression. battery health is at 97% atm ill give it 4 more years and buy a new one

[@edwardhoffenheim3249]

I'm on an s21 and I could spot them pretty easily. The 1080 plus model btw

[@MrBooster999]

So unless you want to take slightly better night shots spending an extra $5,000 is not the way to go.

[@JuanSanchez-zz3me]

That's why you buy an entry level nikon for like 500, including a lens, used of course, and you get arguably better image quality than that canon 1dx mkii That canon was made more for sports photography and speed, rather than image quality, and isn't even the newest of that camera line, so can actually be bought for slightly less than 3k, nowhere near the original msrp of 6k

[@peridot180]

This was helpful. I don't know why there are so many downvotes. I shoot DSLR and have a s21 Ultra. I appreciate the comparison. Megapixels are definitely not everything and DSLRs will always have better image quality due to the sensor size and just plain physics. The s21 Ultra is a great phone, though, and is great for what it is. It's nice to have the telephotos available in such a small size. Nothing will replace my DSLR and telephoto lenses, though. I do wildlife photography, so they are a must. Thank you for the video!

[@kevinraposo]

To join Speedy Photographer or watch my FREE training: www.speedyphotographer.com You can follow me here: instagram.com/kevinraposo instagram.com/speedyphotographer Thank you to photographer and video producer Stephen Kazumi and professional actor Tim D. for their contributions to this one. Check them out: Stephen: instagram.com/stephenkazumi Tim: kzbin.info/door/cePPnuYOU3CIgZ3ZK993Zw

[@mrdmas5574]

Thank you for review and helpful information!

[@howchal5229]

Man you're doing really good I just finished your 1 hour free training course and it's really amazing I learned a lot of new things in really short time really amazing keep going the helping work for newcomers

[@kevinraposo]

I appreciate it, glad it was helpful!

[@grincadorna4753]

Smartphone has all the benefits, only the hobbies will buy dslr, & ML

[@antwilliamson9011]

Thank you - What full frame budget camera and two lenses do you recommend for golf course, food, landscapes, architecture and wildlife shoots? Thank you

[@euroschmau]

Replace your SLR with a flagship phone, your back and neck will thank you.

[@pepitoalbano]

Great video Kevin! Keep it up 😉

[@kevinraposo]

Thanks! Will do!

[@Glizzy_bublech]

hey Kevin! I got a quick question. What is in your opinion the best smartphone for photography at the moment? I'm looking for a smartphone I can use for shooting fashion/clothing. Looking forward for your anwser!

[@TheDexterOfficial]

This is exactly what famous tech vloggers should discuss about. Good job ❤

[@mikemanjo2458]

I have been looking for a comparison like this. Thank you for this! I found it very interesting. ❤️

[@kevinraposo]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@HJN67]

Two things' people have to remember when they see videos like this, is what quality did they watch the video in and more important, what is your screen resolution? Mine is 1920x1080. Not exactly 24Megapixels. Good short video, well edited and to the point and easy to understand explanation.

[@kevinraposo]

Absolutely. Uploaded it in 4K for that very reason. Appreciate the feedback!

[@dans.8198]

Indeed, however a 24 MP camera only has 12MP for green, 6 MP for red, and 6 MP for blue. They are arranged behind a bayer matrix, and 66% of the color information in a photo captured by that digital camera was never captured (i.e. made up by means of interpolation).

[@alekssandov9053]

@@dans.8198 Well, so what? my Canon 5d only has 12MP ... And for image quality it will just destroy this 108MP Samsung ...)

[@lolerie]

@@kevinraposo 4k is still Ycbcr 4:2:0, just FYI.

[@ENGLISHISBEST]

@Aleks Sandov 12mp beats 128 mp?. I own both and no there is nothing in it apart from latest tech enhancements. So for versatility my samsung s21 Pro wins over my Canon.

[@gamerboyyylive742]

Nice video, one question, sir you wrote there 108mp on wide lens only? Can we use it normally with no wide angle or no zoom?

[@kevinraposo]

The 108 MP mode only works on the wide-angle lens. All other modes use a lower resolution

[@h4ndrix]

Thanks for that man. Concise and informational. Cheers!

[@kevinraposo]

No problem!

[@FRAMEDSKATEKREW69]

ok ive been debating on switching back to samsung and get the s21 ultra its been almost 3 years since i got the iphone xs i honestly just wanted to mess with android for daily driver if im not happy then ill just switch to iphone when iphone 13 comes out but this video sold me, I still love getting new phones for camera shots ive been starting to travel more (not right now cause of covid) and since i dont see my relatives that often since im in the east coast it would be nice to get the best picture quality because i love looking back at memories.

[@troublesome121]

Hello! I am trying to find out which the best phones would be for taking moving photos, I have bought the Pixel 6 and I am not at all happy with it, although it takes gorgeous still photos. Is the Galaxy S21 Ultra something you would recommend? Thanks.

[@kevinraposo]

Still one of the best options out there in my opinion

[@babybear4524]

I assume there is no point and shoot currently on the market which produces photos as clear and crisp as the galaxy s21 ulta or is there? I would really like to know your opinion. Thank you

[@adoatero5129]

Instead of guessing cameras, I chose the best looking photos, as it felt more fair and made more sense to me. In every case the best photo was taken by Canon. Some icy areas of the second photo pair were close, though. They look good in both photos, just in a different way, although the one taken with Samsung looks kind of more manipulated. For me the most important thing is that my camera can take photos that look as close to the reality as possible. It's easier to adjust the colours and other things afterwards to match my possible creative vision, when colours aren't off to begin with. I think this was an interesting comparison, and an educating one for me. I wouldn't mind doing another one some time. Thanks!

[@kevinraposo]

Appreciate the detailed feedback. I'll make sure to do another one of these in the future!

[@bryan7906]

Cool Video. What about RAW and can you export it into Lightroom?

[@kevinraposo]

I wanted to do this - but unfortunately, it isn't possible to shoot in RAW and 108 MP mode at the same time.

[@EspacioMindfulness]

Is it better to take the pictures in pro mode just to get raw format or jpeg auto mode 108 mpx?

[@kevinraposo]

RAW format, in my personal opinion

[@rubenhinners9100]

Thank you for the comparison!

[@kevinraposo]

No problem!

[@zyzzyvacation]

0:48 I wish more Tech Gurus like you, when comparing the latest iPhone and Samsung, for example, instead of displaying side-by-side photos from each device with the name of each phone showing beneath the shots, would show A1 / B1... A2 /B2, instead. Let the viewer determine which phone was responsible for the series of photos. Only reveal the answers at the end of the demo. That way when die-hard Apple or Android fans have to make a choice between shot A and shot B there won't be a bias in favor of one phone over the other. Great video!

[@kevinraposo]

It definitely adds more fun to the experience. Glad you enjoyed it.

[@VoicesofMusic]

In terms of methodology, I don't think it is meaningful to compare A to B this way. There's sample variation and, more importantly, it's not really possible to focus exactly on the same spot in the detail comparisons. There's such a huge difference between the cameras. The phone camera can produce amazing deep focus, the DSLR can do paper thin DOF, and either camera can use one trick or another to simulate the strengths of the other. Night photos IMHO should not have that sort of noise if using, as one should, very long exposures. There are many examples online of excellent S20 photos of even starry nights with very little noise, and one can use a smart watch to avoid shutter shake. Having said that, there wasn't much difference, and then the question becomes whether the small differences are greater than the methods used in a comparison. That's why some ppl opt for multiple sets of lenses, cameras and samples.

[@kevinraposo]

All valid comments. Appreciate the thoughtful feedback.

[@shmadmanuts]

@@kevinraposo also, a Nikon Z5 about the same image quality as the Canon and costs less than the S21 ultra ;)

[@grincadorna4753]

Only the professionals and hobbies will know about dof, but the majority now is smartphones easy access to the social media

[@kuyarobbie8633]

This comparison is actually a good help for those people deciding to buy DSLR or smartphone with good camera.

[@pk10006]

Nice review, but it's not "physically impossible" for phones to capture the same amount of light / detail. It all comes down to exposure. How fast does the sensor read / process the data. Phone snapdragon processors are several orders of magnitude better than camera processors. So phones take 10 to 20 images and pixel-shift them together, often resulting in more detail than most cameras.

[@kevinraposo]

Valid feedback, thanks. When I made that comment, I was referring specifically to the physical dimensions of the sensor and lens with no computation - but I didn't make that very clear.

[@OttoLP]

You are mostly right, but modern camera processors are way waaaay faster than any phone cpu. The processor in the "old" DSLR used in this video is definitely slower tho.

[@OttoLP]

I really hope camera manufacturers will soon realize what power computational photography brings, and start to implement it into actual cameras.

[@af4396]

I just used the sharpening on the zoomed-in bits to easily spot it. However, if I didn't have the zoomed-in bits I wouldn't be sure in most cases shot in good light, unless I zoomed in or saw a more intense natural bokeh

[@aGGeRReS]

5/6 correct. Failed on the second comparison: didn't expect THAT level of noise on 1DX II. However, if I thought a bit more I should have been possible to recognize "classic" Samsung sunset/rise orange on that lighthouse.

[@lolerie]

Maybe bad color managment somewhere, it is dojng wide gamut after all.

[@semperfi6801]

Kevin, great video. I purchased a Sony RX100 VII as I wanted an excellent camera for some trips overseas, and after doing some research, I've decided to return the camera and upgrade my phone to the iPhone 13Pro Max. I could have gone with the Pro and saved $100 for the same camera but they're back ordered and my trip is coming up. I'm not an avid photographer, and in terms of knowledge, I'd say I'm still at the beginner level. After watching many KZbin comparisons between cameras and phones, I got 4 out 6 correct with your photo comparisons. I was impressed with getting that many correct. If I was going to become an amateur photographer I'd definitely opt for the more expensive mirrorless camera over a phone but as you mentioned in your video, the one photo had you double checking to see which one it was. Keep bringing the reviews and thank you.

[@kevinraposo]

glad you enjoyed it!

[@akhilanugrah]

good information, just a quick question any difference if you shoot using the RAW mode on the s21 ultra could it matchup with a professional gear ?

[@kevinraposo]

The only thing that shooting in RAW would accomplish is being able to post-process your images more effectively, not much change in terms of quality

[@akhilanugrah]

@@kevinraposo thank you Kevin, appreciate your response! :)

[@Banniesartistry]

Loved it thanks

[@kevinraposo]

glad it was helpful!

[@360History]

which mic you use please ?

[@kevinraposo]

I have another tutorial on my channel covering exactly what I use

[@360History]

@@kevinraposo Ok thanks I'll search. Love from India 💐

[@The1983333]

High quality channel you made,I hope until the end of 2023 or maybe 2024 we celebrate your 100K subscription...

[@kevinraposo]

I hope so, too!

[@jakegerardo6587]

I have S21 Ultra... I dont know if u notice that the display color gets warmer like the faces in the videos and pictures faces gets warmer and kinda yellowish even when i tone it to cooler tone. Still gets warmer. I dont know why is that. Im strict when it comes to color so yeah. Besides the color quality display everything is percect. Plus if you notice in NETFLIX some of the new Movies and shows gets dimmer and warmer.

[@babybear4524]

So are you saying that its worth it to have a heavy S21 ulta if I want to take awesome photos and that the only way I can come close to taking pictures of this quality would be to buy a much larger and heavier not to mention more expensive professional camera such as a the dslr pro $6000 model you tested?

[@Amocles]

I do macro I think there would be even bigger of differences for me as far as satisfaction between the phone and the DSLR. Maybe if they made the minimum focusing distance like 2 cm and added a macro lens with one to one I might start using my phone.

[@FragmentsDHistoires]

Hello. I am a young photographer, but I really start doing this and all my pictures are coming from my IPhone XR. I really don’t have some kind of experience with professional camera, should I take the Samsung S21 ultra for my everyday pictures or take a camera ?

[@kevinraposo]

If you're looking to become more serious about photography, get an entry-level camera like the Canon Rebel SL3. You'll be able to learn a lot more, and you can begin expanding with different lenses as you improve over time. Not only that, it'll be cheaper than the phone. Unless you already need a new phone - and if that's the case, the Galaxy S21 Ultra will be awesome. Probably the best smartphone camera I've ever used.

[@CeoABcompany]

Bro I have a sl3 with 50mm 1.8 prime lense.. dont buy it...i use it for vlogging (different lense...too heavy and big) live streaming (i used another lense for it but it gets dark, not a good quality..it actually lost to my macbook pro mid 2012 WEB cam which is ridiculous... ) and here is my latest embarassing moment with sl3... i was called to do a food photography today... went in got all my lightings and background... i did every possible settings and angles to take good photos in raw+jpeg... unedited.. and my mom has her s21 ultra... we both took photos and right on the spot her photos look like it was shot by a professional and mind needs to be edited because it's darker and doesn't pop out unlike s21 ultra it's already done. DSLR are dead and im selling my new sl3... biggest mistake I've ever done.

[@Jornbue777]

is the s21 ultra the exynos or snapdragon version ?

[@nathanhunnisett6199]

Great video

[@demsrules]

Very good review! 👍🏾 I like not having to use a bulky camera to accomplish basically the same thing my S21 Ultra can do.

[@CozmoNz]

I've got a 5D 2 and a 21 ultra, oh and the go pro 9 too - the point is, I usually only have the 21 when our and about, unless I'm on holiday or it's a planned shoot, all your going to get is photos from my phone. And for that, she's good enough 😀.

[@semirhuskic8028]

I've got 5 of six right, the first tricked me, but i had to search closely for the differences, wasn't expecting this, one of the better comparisons to a dslr with the matching of focal lengths it's done right

[@dimitristsagdis7340]

The only one I didm't get right was #2 and I think this is because of the section that was cropped/chosen to be magnified. If there was another selection maybe I would have got that one right too. Obviously it is impressive how far mob phone photography has come but I think once you import both images in any post-processing s/w one should be able to tell. For viewing on Instagram or utube, etc. a $60,000 and a 600 camera look the same so why not a phone and a DSLR. That is, there is more variation within photographic cameras. At any rate a camera is much more about other things like shallow DoF, or AF with moving subjects, dynamic range, specialist lenses. So sure you can use a hammer as a screw driver or flat head screw driver or even a point kitchen knife to tighten a Philips head screw but... no chef would fillet a fish with the screw drivers or a hammer :-))

[@piffdaddy420]

Yo it's absolutely crazy that a cell phone camera can even compare to a $6,000 SLR unbelievable.

[@bodoherlyn877]

While a comparison with a 6000$ pro dslr sounds very impressive, the entry level full frame Nikon Z5 for for a similar price of the samsung (ok, plus lenses) would have even performed better than the Canon. Anyway, nice to watch the video, and it confirms why I prefer my dedicated camers (Panasonic G9, Sony A7riii and Fuji XF10).

[@earthenergytours]

Great job! We have a couple S21 Ultra. Scene /Settings / Setup make a huge diff. Tripod, etc. The best tool for the job will always be the phone because it's always with you. Without the inconvenience for that very slight difference overall, in many cases. If your seeking that perfect professional image and willing to put in 75% more effort to get it. The big rigs are the way to go. Life is short, I don't look back at 10% of the pictures captured over the years, regardless of quality. So the bigger question is... who are you taking the pictures for ? Thanks

[@augustineapdrai]

Good review. Still I am impressed with the S21 Ultra, which, I recently purchaced when my note 10 screen gave trouble. Smartphones are going to push the megapixels thing. I intend to test the night mode with tripod.

[@KurtLust]

I think one should also note that there is a difference between a 108 MP sensor with 3x3 pixel binning and a regular bayer 108 MP sensor. Each pixel has only one third of the colour information, so for the information on the other two colours from the (R,G,B)-triplet, one has to look at neighbouring pixels. In a bayer sensor without the pixel binning, you can always find the information for the other colours in the next pixels, either diagonally or horizontally/vertically. However, in the 108 MP Samsung sensor, you'll always have directions where you won't find information in the next pixel but may have to skip over one or two pixels. With respect to colour, the sensor is more like a 12MP sensor. The true quality will be somewhere between a 12MP regular Bayer and 108 MP regular Bayer sensor. And that - besides the fact that it is doubtful that the lens can support the full resolution - is the reason why the difference between the Samsung S21 Ultra and the iPhone 12 Pro with its 12 MP sensors is far smaller than you would expect. A comparison between the 40 MP front camera of the S21 Ultra (which I suspect uses 2x2 pixel binning) with a Canon EOS R5 or other full frame mirrorless in the 40MP range would also be fun. It would be great though if we could download the photo's somewhere to compare. The image compression used in the videos probably makes both pictures worse than they were and more similar than they were.

[@RockPolitics]

Excellent write-up, and spot-on. The phone is good, for a phone. And it's good for certain situations. The comparison stops there.

[@mrtech2259]

Amazing video!

[@kevinraposo]

Thanks a lot!

[@sapfiron366]

Who is better taking a photo of the iphone 12 pro max or galaxy s21 ultra in your opinion? Ths

[@kevinraposo]

They're so close in almost every way. I give a slight edge to the Galaxy S21 Ultra because of the 108 megapixel sensor

[@juanpaulr]

Got yah, but can your DSLR make phone calls, send text messages, edit photos, surf the internet, allow you to place an order online, send photos, use it as a flash light, record messages, watch your home security cameras, watch movies, video conference. I'm just messing.

[@elkins_guy]

I've got to say that the S21 Ultra did an amazing job in this comparison. Especially up against an L series lens that's almost double the price of the phone About 8x the price of the phone when you take the price of the camera and lens combined into consideration. Definitely a great camera and far cheaper too.

[@pendulumandraven9338]

Got it right :3 (It's understandable that one is doing it with help of software and another one is doing it optically totally)

[@abcvzz]

if we're came to the point that we can even compare this two devices thats enough for me!

[@angrybird2107]

Thank you

[@sonarvord]

I guess a big advantage for me with a smartphone is getting those unplanned or opportunistic shots. Like a sunset on the way home, etc. I actually have a OnePlus 9 Pro with a fun XPAN mode. I have seldom used DSLR. Anyhow, thanks for a entertaining video.

[@kevinraposo]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@Chris-bb2cb]

how about testing out the pixel 6 pro?

[@miroslavturiak4578]

I have got all six right, mainly because I am using camera and also because I have S21 Ultra too and I can see the difference.

[@Steph6n]

I am only a bit surprised at photo number 2 I would have guessed the other way around for that one

[@mikebrigoli9446]

Do you have samples of panning shots using samsung s21 ultra vs dslr?

[@kevinraposo]

I don't, unfortunately.

[@sonya832]

thank you for sharing. 💕

[@kevinraposo]

Thanks for watching!

[@alextab25]

What lens were you using with the DSLR?

[@kevinraposo]

mixture of different lenses, but mostly the 24-70 f2.8 EF lens

[@Paulnaijacomedy]

Love ur channel from nigeria 🇳🇬 ❤

[@eddyblanco7210]

What I have learned with smartphones and their camera tech; Composition and the right vision + idea go a long way. My old Galaxy S4, I used to tripod still on starbucks cups. With the right angle, the pictures would come out great enough that people on social media then thought I taken photos with my digital cameras then. Mind you up until then I had been shooting photography for 21 years, since getting into it in my youth from fam into schooling. So when I am bored, I'll pull out my galaxy to snap the moment. For when I don't have my dslr or mirrorless cameras with me or don't want to lug around the equipment everywhere. The technology has been getting better to the point it can rival the even more expensive world of photography. But end of the day; a camera can be controlled and set to capture a moment to paint a picture of a thousand words. No matter how many MP's you put in a smartphone, you shoving information through a sensor so small. While digital cameras have bigger sensors that can take in more information, no matter how few the MP's are.

[@damienlobb85]

I would be curious as to how the S21 does with RAW pics (Pro Mode with RAW capture on). There's also something to be said about the noise profile on the larger 108mp

[@kevinraposo]

I did want to test it, but the 108 MP was limited to JPEG at the time. Not sure if this was changed by a more recent update

[@damienlobb85]

@@kevinraposo I believe that's still the case. I don't know. My 12mp raw shots are 24MB so I assume the 108mp raw would be quite substantial.

[@damienlobb85]

@@kevinraposo edited: they're 24MB not MP lol.

[@SamuelVII]

Kevin, which one do you think is the best professional camera right now out there in the market?

[@kevinraposo]

The answer depends on the type of work you're shooting - but if I had to pick JUST one, it's the Sony A1

[@kevinraposo]

With that said, the A1 is total overkill for most photographers and you can save a lot of money by just figuring out exactly what you want to shoot and buying something targeted to it

[@SamuelVII]

@@kevinraposo thanks for responding Kevin, oh I read about this camera and she really is fantastic, a shame it's so expensive, here in Brazil is going to cost around 35.000R$ basically the salary of a deputy, its a shame but completely understandable, anyway nice vid and again thanks for responding

[@kevinraposo]

If you want a more realistic answer from me (because I just named the most expensive pro camera) - any camera can be a professional tool in the right hands. You don't need to spend thousands of dollars to shoot high-quality work. Even an entry-level Canon T7 can get the job done

[@SamuelVII]

@@kevinraposo it's like a instrument, what it matters is the person and not the accessories, you're right, thanks

[@yujirohanma2715]

Does it use 3x telephoto for portrait mode??

[@kevinraposo]

There's a wide and a telephoto option in portrait mode.

[@RAYTHEONGAMING]

This is like comparing a Lexus RX350 to a Maybach GLS600.

[@aakashj.6297]

At first i watched this video on my phone and thought why the hell am i not able to see to any difference what so ever; then i slapped myself after watching it on the TV.

[@kevinraposo]

Glad you enjoyed it enough to watch twice! I talk about this in my iPhone 12 comparison video. Delivery format is everything when it comes to hiding imperfections

[@UltimateLF]

Watched video on my S9+, easily guessed which one is where. Oversharped samsung photos easy to track

[@ishtiaqhussainbutt5240]

Also tell me about XIAOMI MI 11 VS SAMSUNG GALAXY S21 PLEASE I AM

[@happylifmindfully]

Scribed just listening only two statements... So nice...💎

[@andrewm8450]

My canon mirrorless camera shines on lowlight photography, f1.4 prime lenses are awesome.

[@kevinraposo]

The Sigma 24mm f/1.4 will always be my favourite prime!

[@ponloksne2644]

Wow very nice brother I loved that.+41 all up full....

[@rezarachmadhanihermawan8708]

Wich one is the best S21 ultra or iphone 12 in video and photo?

[@kevinraposo]

Both are extremely close. Slight edge to the Galaxy S21 Ultra, my personal preference.

[@doplere6364]

Nice video. It's incredible how far phone camera's have come but just remeber something... The human eye is small compared to a large sensor dslr but still can produce better image quality using computations ie the brain..

[@KurtisPape]

I got all right except for #6. I thought the S21 was trying to exaggerate the detail in night mode, but it wasn't. The sunglasses test was a good 1, I straight away was drawn to the dynamic range through the sunglasses. A smartphone just cannot compete

[@kevinraposo]

glad you enjoyed it!

[@KHULAAASMANSTUDYADDA]

Wow best review sir thanks very much sir

[@ElGrecoDaGeek]

Got all but one. The 2nd image was the one I got incorrectly. Computational Bokeh is atrocious... ;). Details in the last image were mush so that helped give it away.

[@kevinraposo]

I'll say that the computational bokeh has become really good at faking depth (i.e. blur increases at further distances from the camera). But when it comes to fine detail like the texture in the grass or wood, it starts to fall apart and become more obvious

[@ElGrecoDaGeek]

@@kevinraposo I feel it's often heavy handedly applied and too uniform in how it is applied to the background. Little to no graduation or not properly applied across the frame. Borders between foreground and background can often be janky depending on the implementation, especially fine details like hair in portraits. Foreground Bokeh it's also poor or non-existent. I have seen some people say they prefer it to avoid foreground blur but that characteristic of optics provides additional separation if properly applied (proper focal length lens and aperture used for portraiture etc).

[@DanCortesPodcast]

Thanks for this comparison. I found it easy to spot the phone. Classic posterized look, lack of ability to resolve detail especially in highlights/bit depth, darks are more crushed, poor skin tones, looks smudgy like a water color image. That said, it can still be used for production work. More forgiving if you have a compelling story. Edit: Also good to keep in mind these are stills. Once you start moving the camera it really begins to show.

[@kevinraposo]

1000% agree with everything you've said, motion is much easier to detect than stills - did a similar iPhone comparison based on video. Thanks for watching!

[@BenjaminHari]

I've guessed each of them correctly just because of Samsung extreme over sharpening lol, the over sharpening is still something Samsung needs to "fix". Phone cameras won't be able to compare to real DSLR anytime soon you're very right, not to mention the grain that DSLR produce is also more appealing to the eye. But for making everyday memories mobile cameras are still a lot easier to carry than the whole camera. As the ancient saying goes "The best camera is the one you have with you. :)

[@Face_RC]

It's pretty obvious which is which excerpt for the first one. I got that one wrong because the background looked identical, but there was slightly better definition in the foreground rocks. Looking back, that's probably the S21 using software to sharpen up the scene. The rest though are no contest. The Canon flat out took much better photos. I'd like to see a comparison of both cameras at their absolute best. Take some architecture photos with the S21 and compare it against the Canon with a tilt lens, just as an example. People see comparisons like this and think "Oh a smartphone is plenty because it looks nearly as good as a DSLR" because the DSLR or mirrorless is always being held back in order to be compared "equally" against the best the phone can do (and even with that leveling of the playing field the phones never comes out ahead even when compared apples to apples), Phone cameras are never compared against the best that the dedicated camera can do, and they still can't win. But yet, you still have people going on about how their miracle phone is all they'll ever need.

[@bluebull399]

I have a Nikon d3500 with a Sigma wide angle lens and an external flash. I run an airbnb management agency and use the Nikon for photo shoots. I've just ordered a Galaxy s21 Ultra. Would this take pictures as good as the Nikon? One thing that really helps the photo shoots is the flash. We point it up at the ceiling and it fills the room with light. I can't imagine a smart phone flash being able to compete with that. My question is, can I get a gadget that will allow me to connect my external flash to my phone. I would love to ditch the bulky Nikon.

[@jesuscares8696]

This was the best explanation of how dedicated cameras work in comparison to phone cameras. Still..the 21 ultra did do amazingly well!

[@kevinraposo]

glad you enjoyed it!

[@WTFENIGMA]

Like all I want is sharp products photos thats all.... can I get some help...

[@riowinaryo18_86]

Where's the video?

[@hooked4lifeca]

I see the pier in Burlington. Got 'em all right, BTW. This thing about MP in phone cameras is really just marketing bull. I have some old product shots done with a Pentax K10D and a 35mm macro. The photos were of a machined fishing reel and the lens/sensor at 200% image size, resolved tiny tooling marks that were invisible to the naked eye. That camera had a 10MP cropped sensor. Good luck seeing that with a phone camera.

[@SubaruWRC1996]

There's definitely a small difference but to get that from a mobile phone is very impressive. Plus can also get very good pictures from far and close range with it

[@Face_RC]

Yeah but there is still a difference in the DSLRs favor. Also keep in mind that the DSLR is competing at a reduced level to keep the playing field equal. In these comparisons the real camera is always restricted to the specifications of what the phone camera can do. The phones are never compared to the best that the DSLR or mirrorless can do, because that somehow wouldn't be "fair" to the phone camera. Just my two cents.

[@idkanymore3382]

dude stop coping

[@ryanparr868]

Often the better-looking image is the cell phone. . . but the S21 seems to perform poorly with telephoto which might be due to a weaker sensor since the S20 Ultra has one telephoto with 48 megapixel instead of two 10MP, though I will look into this more since some argue that the newer sensors are better image quality and optical zoom. I would still prefer to use my Full frame Sony A99 with an adapted Leica-R 50mm Summilux, or the Minolta 300mm F/4 G APO lens, or even 100mm f2.8 for macro, and perhaps even 16mm fisheye lens if it seems suitable (digitally cropping eliminates much of the peculiar appearance of the images and makes it function similarly to regular 16mm.) Good comparison images, and it does highlight the excellent job they did with the Ultra camera capabilities (and many have been comparing it to outperforming dedicated cameras at similar price point to when new, and you can still buy these cell phones for significantly cheaper than dedicated cameras, since so many people just discard the cell phones in favor of newer ones even though they really shouldn't. One benefit of the S20 is it has an SD card slot, and you could even swap out the memory and operate similarly to a pro camera (even if not using it professionally.) I was tempted to switch to a Sony E-mount camera and cell phones really are just that much more convenient and cheaper overall.

[@bunyaadi]

As far as comparisons go, it doesn't really make sense in terms of technology standards. However it is a good way to see how far mobile photography has come. A fairer comparison would be Sony Xperia Pro-I against the Canon DSLR. The S21 Ultra in Pro mode where things are more lonfigurable and using RAW (DNG) format is probably the best way to compare these telephones. The iPhone 13 Pro Max also uses computational photography to mask or enhance photographs. I think it is important to remember, even though these are marketed as professional cameras; they are clearly only hitting the surface of proferssionalism. Only when you utilise software like Adobe you can tap into the potential of them alas the tools that come with them aren't proper professional grade. This is reflected in their price. That aside, it is only a matter time before consumer grade catches up with professional photography if people are willing to put the time into getting the results. I am no expert just for the record, just refershing to see an unbiassed poinyt of view.

[@shortcut101]

The only guy who do reviews with facts in dslr vs smartphone

[@HokgiartoSaliem]

But it is important with same phone series to get more megapixel of the same / near same sensor type. Example Redmi 9 has 13 mpx, the successor 9T has 48 mpx. I also use Google camera Mod on my Redmi Note 7, and it great vs EOS M. The funny thing about megapixel war is after processes / default on phone, the camera megapixel is a lot smaller than normal SLR. Most phone now aim at 12 mpx. Even with EOS M at 18 mpx, EOS M has 50% more megapixel. Another difference, with Gcam ultimate setting, it really slow, EOS M can 5 fps raw only vs 1x seconds (more than 10 seconds) gcam best setting on Redmi Note 7.

[@chrishoyt3032]

A phone should never be a replacement for a pro DSLR. A phone camera is for those quick moments you want to capture, sure having a few nice mp her and there and features on a phone are nice. But I have a DSLR for those deep depth and detailed photos I want to get.

[@akbarshoed]

Thank you

[@Quoutub]

The amount of light doesn't necessarily play a role here as the effective diameter of the Canon lens at 24mm is only ≈1.6(!) times as large (6mm vs 3.72mm) as the effective diameter of the Samsung lens, so the effective diameter of the Canon lens isn't much larger, therefore the Samsung phone only needs to merge 1.6² ≈ 3 frames (with same exposure settings) in order to capture as much light in low light conditions (even less, if the Canon lens/camera doesn't have image stabilization and needs a shorter exposure time). In good light conditions it would need to merge more frames in order to get good shadows, but Samsung phones combine frames with different camera settings, so shadows of high dynamic range scenes are not necessarily an issue either. Moreover, the 1DX II sensor is not as effective as smaller sensors, for example at Iso 50000 or Iso 100000 equivalent exposures the raw data performance is similar to a Nikon Z50 or Sony A6600 Aps-c camera, so possibly the S21 Ultra only needs to combine 2 frames in order to outperform the 1DX raw data in extremely low light conditions, if the 108 megapixel resolution has no disadvantage.

[@Quoutub]

A Vivo X60 Pro+ captures even more light per time than the S21 Ultra and would only need to combine two(!) frames with the same exposure settings in order to capture as much light as a full frame camera + f/4 kit lens at 24mm in high Iso equivalent light conditions. Note that smartphones usually combine many more frames than two.

[@JaredRibic]

Too bad Samsung doesn't include a *microSD card slot* in the Galaxy S21. The Canon 1Dx Mk2 has *two* card slots! I guessed every image correctly.

[@phillippugh2161]

The 256 gig ultra is way more memory then the average sd card most will put in a camera both my camera only have a 32 gig card in them right now

[@JaredRibic]

@@phillippugh2161 - I use 128GB cards in my camera and it's only 45MP, not 108MP. Plus, I only have pictures and video written to the card in my camera, on a phone that 256GB of memory is also being used for apps and storage. I just hope Samsung brings the microSD card slot back eventually.

[@morselrafez3722]

Are those Cannon samples edited ?

[@kevinraposo]

Full technical breakdown can be found in the description.

[@morselrafez3722]

@@kevinraposo So, they were edited. So, I must say the comparison was unfair.

[@kevinraposo]

It depends on your interpretation of this video. It was never a fair comparison, because the Canon 1DX Mark II wins in literally every category - aside from the megapixel count. And that was my focus: to demonstrate how a high-megapixel sensor inside a phone compares to a low-megapixel sensor inside a professional-grade camera. There would be no point in me comparing ergonomics, settings, or really anything else.

[@morselrafez3722]

@@kevinraposo Comparison should be straight out of devices. Or even a donkey knows a pro camera will have better images after editing. No need to watch your videos separately.

[@KurtLust]

@@morselrafez3722 I don't agree. For me as an amateur photographer, the comparison should be between the best I can get out of each picture with processing, because that is what I do. And the jpeg out of a smartphone allows far less processing than the RAW out of a Canon.

[@brokenguy4925]

What chip does this samsung have? Snapdragon or Exynos ??

[@kevinraposo]

Snapdragon

[@AlexanderWare3]

In almost every image it’s almost impossible to tell without punching in

[@kevinraposo]

It's definitely tough, which is why I decided to add that 200-300% zoom window at the bottom. I kept having to check the file names while editing lol

[@mediatech1588]

I can. The one that has better dynamic range is is probably from Smartphones (you can edit the one with the dslr, it keeped all the informations)

[@SDK2006b]

It's easy - the photo that looks sharpest and most vivid is most likely to be the one taken using a phone camera

[@milosgrujic9118]

For average consumer, its like having a pro camera in pocket. Who will, except nerds, notice those tiny details which make difference between pro camera and phone camera...?

[@juanpaulr]

Only way to match a DSLR will be to bulk up the phone.