Samsung S24 Ultra VS. A Professional Photographer (camera test and review)

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Today we are testing the cameras on the Samsung galaxy s24 ultra from the perspective of a professional photographer.
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00:00 - 00:54 intro
00:55 - 01:36 vs. iPhone
01:36 - 02:14 raw vs. jpeg
02:14 - 03:11 200 megapixels
03:11 - 05:10 24mm camera
05:10 - 06:12 telephoto
06:12 - 06:54 ultra wide
06:54 - 07:49 low light
07:49 - 08:44 portrait mode
08:44 - 10:18 todays sponsor
10:18 - 10:58 samsung AI
10:58 - 12:12 final thoughts

[@RanftEvan]

I MADE A MISTAKE: Upon further testing I realized that the s24 ultra does not allow for DNG raw files in portrait mode. This was a user error on my part. I was however still very happy with the portrait mode result and the photos did still edit well. With that being said the part where I say I would use this for more serious portraits is something I would like to redact. Without Raw files portrait mode cannot be a tool id seriously consider for photography. Thanks for watching! Make sure to thumbs up the video if you want me to compare this camera to the iPhone and Leica sl2.

[@diegoskt5]

Evan, you should use pixel 8 pro, that phone have the best ultra wide of all smartphones

[@us3r11]

Would love to see iPhone x Samsung comparison from a photographer like you, Evan!

[@risan214]

You make that Atlanta Skyline look really good.

[@mdc3227]

​@@diegoskt5 Shame that it sucks for everything else.

[@CrazyGadgetGuy]

I just got my s24 ultra a few days ago and I am happy that I can take nicer pictures. I sold my camera a while back and I wasn't taking pictures but at least now I can take some cool shots until I get another camera.

[@RanftEvan]

It will definitely get the job done!

[@CrazyGadgetGuy]

@@RanftEvan thank you so much brother!

[@l6151]

I love that you put the editing settings next to pictures.

[@DVinstapics]

Hi Evan! Great video yet again, loved the shots you managed to get with a phone. Would you say the s24 ultra hat better results than the Oppo find n3 fold or the iPhone 15 pro max?

[@FlightMare23]

Thank you man, as an amateur photographer/video blogger who travels multiple times a year, so I’m getting into photography more and more. I have the iPhone 15 Pro Max mainly for the video capabilities, but I’m also gonna treat myself to the Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra as well (it’s just money, right?) As you so eloquently articulated, I don’t think either will replace my actual pro camera (Canon EOS 5D Mark IV) but I don’t always have my camera on me, so they are worthy alternatives for my everyday use. I’m extremely interested in your SquareSpace recommendations also. Thank you for your detailed video, it’s helped me make a few decisions pertaining to my choice of equipment. I’ve subscribed.✨

[@JesusRamirez-ez7ll]

Honestly I been wanting to do the same. I have a 15 pro and want to get an s23 ultra for that camera.

[@pietrodiwalsi5805]

Thanks evan.. nice review and pictures..

[@itsmahdisadeghi]

This was a great video. It helped a lot through my decision making process of buying this phone as an extension to my photography and cinematography activities or not. I was stuck between this and soxy xperia 1 V and now I know my answer. Keep on the great work. Thank you

[@DanielFazzari]

Nice testing! Definitely would like to see how the ND filter works for you.

[@kimduboisphotographeanimaliere]

Great video yet again ! :)

[@lefthandright01]

So, essentially its not 200 Mp, its 50MP with pixel shift capability. The kicker is in my country its $2K..for that price I can get a very decent second hand fujifilm and fast lens for half that price. I believe we are reaching the point that either make a great phone, or go in on making cameras, but don't try to rival a camera with a phone. 200mp cell phones just cant compete with 24 mp 5 year old full frame for less.

[@stu1wyatt]

Brilliant review , thanks for making this

[@Photo0021]

I've been shooting almost only on my S24 Ultra since first getting it. Noticed a few things not mentioned here, including how much bokeh that can be natively pulled from the 1x and 5x lens. Moving the 5x to objects at the closest the focus range can handle creates really nice bokeh, without portrait mode. I've shown photos to people, they thought I took an actual camera out for them. Also regarding the ultrawide, rumors are the 16 Pro will be getting a 48MP UW, and i imagine the S25 Ultra will follow!

[@bLaffix]

WOW being able to edit portraits as RAW files is something I hear for the first time in S24U reviews and it's something I really wanted ever since I got into mobile photography.... I wonder why noone else mentioned this and I've watched tens of reviews. EDIT: So you say that you can edit portraits as RAW files but you're actually editing a JPEG file at 8:16?

[@JeramieReeves]

So cool to see that you are in the Atlanta region. Nice. I'm also loving my s24 ultra 🥰

[@Nonaxisymmetric]

I like the Defender shot. Great video - smartphones have come a really long way. It's making me wonder why I carry an actual camera around :-)

[@LucaHulpea]

Love it❤

[@RanftEvan]

Thank you!

[@mydowntime6850]

The one with the ring lights was pretty dope and I like the car shots. I was going to switch from my pixel bc it has an issue I just can't stand but in terms of quality I think it's about on par. Have to think about this now.

[@sega.milkis]

What's the issue you mentioned?

[@mydowntime6850]

@@sega.milkis it happens when trying to take macro shots. It'll switch between two cameras depending on what it thinks I'm trying to do but almost always ruins the shot I'm trying to get. Also when it switches the color science is different between the two so that also gets annoying.

[@sega.milkis]

@@mydowntime6850 oh, I see. You're talking about "intelligent lens switching"? But you can always shoot in manual mode with the setting that allows for manual choice of the lense

[@Idance4nobody]

Hi Evan, I'm new sub, I really liked this video you did but I was wondering since you did a video about iphone 15 pro max and now samsung S24 ultra if you're also considering doing a video about pixel 8 pro because people say it has a great camera and I was wondering about what a professional photographer as you thinks about that phone, plus I just got that phone not so recently and would love to hear your tips and see how you operate with that device so I can also try to learn some new things

[@mkostial05]

Fantastic video!!!!!

[@bizzyb-tg1kc]

Wow. Nice takes. Any how to ?

[@predatorpro8708]

Best photographer video last decade for me

[@judeemclaughlin7394]

I'm still curious about the video/audio quality. As far as favorite pic - has to be one of the ones in the lower level of Ponce. The colors really popped.

[@RanftEvan]

Yeah I wanted to do a video test eventually but it didn’t really have a place in this video. Hopefully soon. And thanks! I love that one too

[@awetravelsOG]

​@RanftEvan please test raw video, you can shoot raw and log video through 3rd party apps like motion cam. Please don't do the same thing like other reviewers do concluding that iphone is the best for video based just on stock camera results.

[@SPIKE3725]

I would like to see the compensation to the S24 ultra & the I phone. But for a kicker, I would like to also see what your thoughts are on using a variable nd filter and a polarizing filter on both phones. Maybe even a pro mist filter to cut down on a lot of the sharpness from the phones.

[@RanftEvan]

Hmmmm not a bad idea! I’d have to look into one for the s24 though but that could be interesting

[@SPIKE3725]

@@RanftEvan you can try to find a clip on filter holder that can handle 52mm filters to be able to quickly swap from phone to phone. I found one on Amazon to replace an old one I have. But it's a idea.

[@kuau714]

Would love to hear your thoughts on comparing the iPhone 15 Pro Max in DNG mode main camera and how it compares to the S24 Ultra main camera when shooting RAW. I assume you were not using the Expert Raw app as I hears it bakes in a lot of AI / Sharpening that can’t be undone

[@irapbetter]

Need a comparison of the 3, Leica, Samsung, iPhone

[@mdc3227]

There's no parity between a mobile phone and even an entry-level mirrorless. I wish these channels would do more than photos of a street and portraits in near-perfect conditions. Try landscapes with high dynamic range, moving subjects or challenging DOF in low-light. The mobile cameras fall apart quickly.

[@jamespulver3890]

The other thing that falls apart is these are pretty misleading, though probably not intentionally. Look at the old Pro photographer crap camera from digital rev tv. A Pro photographer can get a good image from a 2010 era disposable camera. Especially if you're not pixel peeping and doing good conditions like daylight, and simple landscape shots. I think most hobbyists and pros have said any camera from ~ 2012 on (and for years now) can get you good images, so of course phone cameras count. But just telling inexperienced people "use pro mode" and "take the RAWs" isn't super helpful, I think on one of these reviews there were people asking them to explain ISO, WB, SS, etc and what "settings" to use. Apparently not realizing there are about a billion KZbin photography videos going over this already. The thing is - I'd also expect more discernment from a pro photographer, except that when you're a pro, you're looking for "good enough" to get paid, which I understand completely. But we also passed that point at least 5 years ago with phones for these sort of images IMO. The 1Mpix Instagram or ~12Mpix phone display for a second - none of these improvements really matter for that viewing. There's little to no reason to go from a 2 or 3 year old phone to this S24 Ultra if that's what you're doing. If you've actually spent some time looking at in person average phone snaps vs DSLR or MILC snaps, the difference is obvious. It's not at 720 or 1080 or 4K youtube compressed and bitrate limited. Then you talk about moving subjects etc - yes, being easily able to adjust shutter speed, or a plethora of other settings with actual physical controls is really a game changer. The ergonomics just cannot be replaced IMO.

[@mikeydoyle2002]

Looking to upgrade to either the iPhone 15 pro max or S24 Ultra so the comparison video would be a huge help. Side note, have you seen any drop in quality posting either photo or video to social media (being both posting edited photos and taking photos through the social media apps like the IG camera)?

[@niftyfiftyfilm4457]

Of course when you upload to instagram etc it works out to be around 2 megapixels

[@birkelandmedia]

Great video dude! I posted a unboxing video/short aswell and they where almost identical lol

[@phival2003]

You did a good job bro

[@tughralraja8241]

Samusng does make things better every year. It's not only about camera, but the overall practicality of the features that enhance ur experience also gets better every year

[@adarshmenon5018]

Hey! What settings are you using while shooting in pro mode? Auto HDR on/off Picture softening? Intelligent optimization max or min? Scene optimiser on or off?

[@Niimerium]

none of them matter in pro mode my guy. Those are settings for point and shoot.

[@keepsoulfree]

So should I use Expert Raw for editing in Adobe Lightroom or Pro RAW ???

[@fitrikhuzaini]

U can use both..But expert raw separate app which is not in camera app...

[@mizanrahman.]

Fair discussion

[@GameWhisperer_]

I love these videos. I became interested in mobile photography in 2022, which is why it's nice to watch photographers also show the capabilities of phones in photography. Phones today are so good and they are capable of practically everything you need. A camera phone will never beat a real camera, but in terms of quality, we are surprisingly close. Of course, it is true that you have to pay 1500€ for a good phone nowadays. For that price, you already get a camera. For me, a phone is an easy choice because I don't like to use a real camera. Another advantage of the phone is that you always have it in your pocket and with you wherever you go.

[@Dark42nty]

If you think that phones will never surpass cameras, then you are naive. Somehow in 2021 mobile phones started to be quite equal to cameras, in that year I saw a comparison of the S21 Ultra with the Sony Alpha A1 camera, which is very expensive, and at that time the results were easily up to 95% the same in terms of quality, shadows, etc. and although overall the camera was a little better, the Samsung was probably a little better in at least two or three photos, but I can't quite remember if it was in the shadows or what. Otherwise, just by looking at the photos, they were unrecognizable, and above all, an ordinary person would not recognize them at all, and even a person who works in the industry together with a professional photographer would have a very big problem finding something in the details to recognize it. Btw I was watching it on TV, not on a small phone screen. So, most of the cheaper cameras were already in 2021, and the mobile phone almost beat the expensive camera, and I would say logically that between this overpriced Alpha A1 camera, if the comparison were now after a few years, when the details have just improved enough that someone could still to recognize what is what today would be completely screwed. This is also the reason why about 2 camera manufacturers have stopped producing them, because simply a classic camera has been simply useless for a few years now and that's a fact. Anyone who says otherwise should get their eyes checked by a doctor. Sorry for my English, I'm not a native speaker and I used a translator to help me.

[@TTBTechResumes]

7:13 Why'd you shoot with the ISO so high then complain about the noise?

[@rudraprakash5098]

Want that comparison video bruh

[@germanchokolat1]

It's also unfortunate that you don't get tracking auto focus on the 50mp lens... 😢😢😢

[@andrewmayne2437]

Could you advise what the camera is like for subjects that are moving? I have an S20 and the shutter reaction speed, even in pro mode, is so slow, I either miss what I want to take, or it is blurred.

[@robhughes8516]

Samsung still has NOT corrected this, on the s24 series it’s still the same, if your subject is moving even slightly you’ll get blurry unusable pics.

[@andrewmayne2437]

@@robhughes8516 Thank you very much.

[@okeyezeilo6187]

My S24 Ultra takes excellent images of moving subjects. Those having problems with moving subjects are probably shooting in the wrong mode with the wrong settings. As a result their focus is probably off and their shutter speeds are too low to freeze the action. With moving subjects, you need to go to 'Pro' mode. Leave the ISO in Automatic, and select a shutter speed high enough to freeze the movement. If your subject is walking slowly, a shutter speed of 1/60 might suffice. A running subject might need 1/250 or 1/500 while a racing car might need 1/1000 or higher. Then you need to go to Camera settings and set 'Tracking auto-focus' on. To shoot, you need to, first of all, focus by tapping the subject on your screen; then as you follow the subject, the camera will track it and keep it in sharp focus. You can then gently press the shutter button to take the picture Follow these steps, and you can freeze even a speeding racing car and generate impeccable pictures.

[@andrewmayne2437]

@@okeyezeilo6187 Thank you.

[@therealdeal4492]

Where is the raw portrait mode? I don't see it on my s24 ultra?

[@burninghandart]

I am needing a camera to photograph my artwork to put into my giclee printer so that I no longer have to pay a professional to photograph them for prints. I'm going back and forth between this and a camera meant for artwork which costs even more money. Any opinion on if this would be a good fit? Thanks for the video!

[@kennj321]

just a random youtuber there but regular camera can be challenging to get good results without building some experience that can take weeks. I think you will get good results faster with the samsung. also the phone much lighter and your rig to hold it will be much cheaper and lighter and less bulky.

[@donnawetter1513]

Have you noticed that ProMode DNG is broken, there is actually no highlight recovery possible.

[@VJOJO12]

Nice video 👍👍

[@jeffreydouglas351]

I'd like to see more photos at 20 and 30x. I'm excited about where camera phones are headed because I have a back problem and can't lift much weight.

[@saturn7835]

What does back problem have to do with zoom on a camera?

[@thelumiereguy]

Got my S24 Ultra today and I'm super disappointed with the cameras. I'm coming from an Mi 11 Ultra and I thought that phone's camera was bad. But, after using the new phone, I've changed my mind. The videos with all the lenses were noisy and soft indoors. The photos were OVERsharpened, and had a lot of noise reduction. The RAW photos were - well RAW photos. It lacked dynamic range. I'd seen much more dynamic range in RAW files from the GCAM apps. In my previous phone, I could easily use photos at 1600, 3200, etc ISO and fix them in post. But, the ones from Pro mode in S24 Ultra were really bad and I had to crank up my noise reduction to the mid. (I know I'm kind of a pixel peeper) I also tried the Expert RAW app, which supposedly gives you best RAW photos from Samsung phones. In my experience, it was the worst experience editing the RAW files. A simple bump in shadows and everything turned green. A bit of research showed me that the Expert RAW app just gives you a JPEG in a DNG file. I have no idea why Samsung chose this, but it's just a JPEG at that point. I really liked the phonee, but imma return this.

[@RanftEvan]

I didn’t include anything about video because I didn’t have a chance to fully experience it. But as for the photos I thought they were very good. Especially when you were diligent about checking your exposure and using pro mode. Compared to the last Samsung phone I used which was the z flip 5 I thought this was better.

[@phonelip6697]

How do you shoot raw portrait ?

[@therealdeal4492]

Yeah I don't see it either..infact it's only 12mp and not raw as it saves .. Is this vid misinformation or ??

[@benjiang9789]

I think Evan can take good photos with any phone. Skills matter more than technology.

[@allenjamesvlogs]

Please do a comparison

[@yasarnujum1693]

200 mp raw file as consume more storage data in every photos that mean that resolution potential too mutch storage capturing that reason samsung avoid 200mp raw modes

[@techfounder9809]

Provide All photo clicked by Samsung s24 ultra with g drive link plz

[@etuoyo]

Wow you can take Raw photos in Portrait mode? How? I have the S22 Ultra and always have to use the new Potrait mode effect in Lightroom to blur the background of my photos taken with the phone because you can only use normal mode to get Raw photos.

[@williamfeiring]

Yes, how do you take raw photos in Portrait mode? Thanks for the helpful video.

[@levinste2750]

I own the S24 Ultra, my wife has the S23 Ultra but she is a hobby photographer She owns the Sony Alpha A7R IV with many objectives, from 800 euro up to 3800 euro. She did some tests, S23 Ultra vs Alpha A7R IV with 3- 4 objectives I do not go into details. The quality of the S23 Ultra is great but can't be compared with the Sony + objectives.

[@jr2385]

Is anyone photos coming out blurry on the 24 ultra?

[@Kenri_Basar]

Mine. Also I’m surprised by the good reviews. My iPhone 13pro max still gives far better quality than my s24 ultra… I am not sure if mine s24ultra has some issue… I toggled with the settings… turned off hdr etc but still the videos are over exposed and the photos are kind of dark and the colours are unnatural…

[@JarebMendez]

I don't know man. My photos look grainy and often the camera takes photos that are too cool for my liking. phone cameras are good but I don't think we can say they are anywhere close to what something like a Sony a6400 can do. Maybe I just have been spoiled by my Sony but I'm disappointed in the quality of the s24u photos.

[@rikhendrx]

I'd be interested in comparing the Samsung Galaxy S24 with the iPhone.

[@TheMaddman187]

So, what are the differences between expert RAW and pro mode?

[@Ruudwardt]

Expert RAW does stacking. It means better (real) HDR and more useful resolution - but sometimes this ends up generating artefacts, especially in low light and/or when capturing movement.

[@TheMaddman187]

Oh wow, I had no idea it did stacking. Thanks

[@marllen0908]

Came from a 14PM and I'm so inlove with my s24 ultra❤. I only miss apple because of the best video quality. But with the camera, i prefer the samsung

[@gouravbehera]

Imagine when Samsung colab with Sony or Leica then what happens 😮

[@AlainLafleche1]

Iphone 15 is my first choice, just because i can record videos with an external ssd or fast memory card, something i can't do with the Samsung.

[@thefourthquarter7429]

I have a Note Ultra 20 which is the first Samsung with some of these basic cameras (10x zoom, wide, ultra wide + lidar focus. I know the S24 replaced to 10x with a 5x) The S24 looks better in every way based on what I can see. Four generations of refining this setup has resulted in a much better system. Ive also got an Iphone 13 Pro and feel the photos from the S24 are also better. The Iphone has a usable portrait mode, but not as good as the S24. I have been thinking about an ipgrade and maybe this is the time. Nice review.

[@HoomanBhr]

Nice review, make a video with Vivo x100 pro

[@hankmiller990]

99% of all smartphone users can't see the difference between the images of any flagship smartphone. It's sooooo irrelevant. It's about usability- and productivity options, gaming and multi-media experience, quality of the screen and battery, AI. The S24 Ultra is years ahead on the iphones on every aspect.

[@saleemfamily3784]

Compare RAWs and not JPEGs

[@wesleygrimes89]

Bro don’t do this to me lol. I wouldn’t mind having an android phone over an iPhone at this point. But I’m too invested in the apple ecosystem. 😢 lol

[@farrukhmughal4812]

yo i feel ya. I was totally an apple guy but after th s24 launch switched completely over. to samsung lol

[@predatorpro8708]

You’re here to experience as much as you possibly can before the end so go for it… if it’s bad then restart on the next occasion.

[@Brent0n]

I tried it. Great phone, the iphone size and weight was more useable for me. Don't fall for the video trap! lol

[@yeetiesandwheaties]

Just switch. You won't regret it.

[@wesleygrimes89]

@@yeetiesandwheaties yea I will lol. I worked for Verizon for YEARS and I would see people all the time try to make the switch. On the last day of their return period they would come exchange the phone. You never know how dependent you are on certain functionalities until you don’t have them anymore! Plus I’ve tried all the androids up to about the S22. It’s not practical for my usage to be my everyday phone. The only phone that is remotely close to my liking that I’ve tried is the Pixels

[@Offheap]

NOT BIAS AT ALL ,LOVE THE POINTS YOU GAVE.VERY WELL DOENS

[@phenqr]

I Have Got Galaxy S24 Ultra And I Like To Take Photos

[@spadeguzman6001]

Raw only in pro mode

[@Melon71015]

I 1000000% love the s24 ultra!

[@legniak1]

Video capture is nowhere near IPhone but it takes good photos. Samsung phones have for a long time

[@Phalenlakebiker]

Show up with your phone at a wedding to take photos and you will get laughed at and fired. Smartphones cannot compete with pro cameras with fast shutter speed and bigger sensor.

[@Photobuffeddy_AGS]

Nice videos ….: 😅

[@t_spana]

man, mobile phone cameras really have come a long way. my S10e still surprises me sometimes

[@princeerick11]

iPhone ❤❤❤

[@oshomajoseph]

OSHOMAJOSEPH WAS HERE

[@hossaingh1313]

I found 50m and 200 m r definitely useless, 12m gives more details

[@Dark42nty]

Real cameras are useless, cell phones can take pictures at the level of a more expensive camera than the cell phone costs, and you can do other things on the cell phone besides taking pictures. About two camera manufacturers stopped making them because of it. Today, only an amateur or someone who doesn't care buys a camera, probably for the feeling. And within a few years it will definitely be balanced completely, that's simply more than clear, and within a few years now I mean in relation to the best/most expensive cameras, because other cameras have already overshadowed mobile phones.

[@EUA1923]

I want Turkish Language support

[@fatmanslim4592]

again another video convincing that i shouldn't waste money on these shit flagship phones...my 600$ DSLR takes superior photos for 1/3 the price of this damn phone. THe rest of the AI gimmics are just garbage...and in terms of what i use a phone for i can get 90% of the same use from a 400$ phone...stupid to buy these phones

[@jamespulver3890]

​@@FrancisSyCoCo IDK, I also think for most people a $250 OnePlus N30 is going to also take as good photos to the extent they can actually notice the difference. These $1,000+ phones are not a good buy for most "normal uses", I think it's mostly marketing at this point.

[@Phalenlakebiker]

Same here. My $500 Lumix takes better photos in zoom and at night than my s23 ultra. My s23 ultra is great for portability though.

[@nematjafari8015]

My phone's camera does not take quality pictures. Thank you for your guidance