Xiaomi 12S Ultra camera review

Stay tuned for our full review covering all other aspects of the phone's performance.
The Xiaomi 12S Ultra is one behemoth of a cameraphone so we had to do a separate video focused just on its camera capabilities.
Check out our video review to learn ALL YOU NEED TO KNOW about the phone's camera features in detail, as well as its camera and video quality.
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*******************
00:00 - Intro
00:26 - Design and build quality
00:48 - Marker 1
00:59 - Main cameras
01:17 - Leica branding and features
01:59 - Daylight image quality, rear cameras
02:52 - Bokeh mods and Pro Lenses
03:54 - Zooming and Ultrawide
04:43 - Low-light image quality, rear cameras
06:06 - Selfie camera image and video quality
06:38 - 8k Video quality, rear cameras
07:03 - 4k Video quality, rear cameras
07:34 - Stabilized Video quality, rear cameras
07:45 - Low-light Video quality, rear cameras
08:11 - Conclusion

[@GSMArenaOfficial]

Stay tuned for our full review covering all other aspects of the phone's performance.

[@ibrahimnaal7962]

Best channel ever... 💯

[@RCQazi]

Are the rear cameras switchable during video recording?

[@mosharafmosha8166]

Please do a oppo find x5 pro "CAMERA" review

[@lamoozth]

Are there duo camera video record (wide+tele) at 1080p60 or 4k60 like 11ultra?

[@user-gq2he3km5j]

best review ever

[@reymondjakedelacruz4861]

Xiaomi still learning prefecting their partnership with Leica. I just miss Huawei doing it better. I've been using Huawei flagship phones since 2018 due to its camera tech and US really did a great job taking Huawei down desperately since their iPhones were overtaken by them year by year. Wish them back to have a better competition.

[@joseseverino4078]

It was more political, than them being jealous of Huawei. Just to make it simple

[@happyjohn1656]

As if Huawei put a dent into Apple's sales 7:55 PM 7/18/2022

[@MCHuang]

@@happyjohn1656 Huawei had higher phone sales than Apple before the US ban. Even now, Apple is third behind Samsung and Xiaomi

[@happyjohn1656]

@@MCHuang Had higher sales/profit in the United States? Mhmm 11:02 PM 7/18/2022

[@harrow2355]

I agree,I was buying while in Asia the first Mate series and I always wanted more,even in Australia before 2013 Huawei phones were only just being thought of,the phones were fantastic in size and software and easily adaptable for Australia,I knew they would improve overtime,but then the greedy US tech and co.communications companies aggressively took steps to push them out with conspiracy theories,but as we know the US copied their ideas from when they were years behind a few countries advancing to a level beyond their comprehension.

[@shannrefkencala-or4016]

Excellent review! I love how he indicates the modes he uses whether it is Leica vibrant or authentic. I'm a Huawei Mate 40 pro user and I love Leica's image quality. might consider getting this if i plan to replace my current.

[@KiddiesKiddies]

I'm blown away by the quality of the photos. Better than my Xperia 1 IV

[@Jackofafewtrades]

You're better off checking the text review for image samples than using KZbin to check quality. Sony might still have better colour science than this, especially more consistency between lenses.

[@basicallytroll2705]

I mean 90% of the flagship has better photos than Xperia 1 IV 🤣

[@shebjjeje9720]

Umm most phones have better images than Sony 😅💀😭

[@daniel1boc]

Because Sony makes more natural and less saturated photos. These phones are meant for photographers, who knows something about editing and pro-photography. But they rather use a full frame camera (talking from my experience) cause you can get better quality photos than any smartphone could do. If you want to take a photo just by clicking a button, i recomend you to buy an iphone or a samsung. They developed the camera for a basic user. Till this day i am blown out how my xperia 1 mk1 can do video in cinema pro app. The bokeh, the quality itself. My iphone 13 doesnt do any better sadly.

[@SuttonBen]

@@daniel1boc Use Filmic pro or moment app and you gain 90% of the Sony's video controls and features. Unfortunely only the Pro supports ProRres, which would provide much better quality than the Sony. I would argue that any modern phone can be used by more professional users. The all can take good RAWs and most provide good manual modes and options, even if that sometimes involves a third party app in the case of the iPhone. I do agree that most pros will still gravitate towards dedicated camera though. Physics, utility and reliability can't be beat.

[@tyre536]

I GOT MINE TODAY IM LOVING IT

[@depeshkhadka5564]

How is the software experience some reviews said there are many Chinese bloatware ???

[@giqxo]

@@depeshkhadka5564 ofc. My xiaomi has ads, bloatware, a lot of bugs and battery life Is poor for' 5000Mah. It lasys 5h 40m/6h in Active 60hz.

[@anecro]

@@depeshkhadka5564 it's Xiaomi, of course there's bloatware and ads everywhere. They're some of the greediest phone fellas out there. Bloatware helps cut costs somewhat and you can get rid of it at least, but not even my Realme 8 had as much bloatware as a Xiaomi device. Not to mention there are no ads on my device.

[@tyre536]

@@depeshkhadka5564 theres more on the neo 2 realme phone but there wasnt that many i just installed them u cant on the realme gt neo 2

[@tyre536]

@@depeshkhadka5564 this phone has been amazing

[@kiranrathod7371]

Top notch video as always Your new looks good Mi 12s ultra surely has some professional feel to its photos

[@SlapbackGOD]

I've currently upgraded from the Mi9 to the 11T Pro, and I'm happy with it. But now that I look to the 12s I'm amazed. But I figured I'll wait some time and then make a move. For now the 11T pro does the job for me ☺️

[@child_of_Orion]

Same jump here. What 11T Pro lacks the most is a telephoto camera, OIS and 4K screen, but overall, for its price is a top phone, not that far from the best ones when you look at what it gives for its price especially.

[@GFourGadget]

Great camera hardware? Yeah. Great camera software? Nah.

[@anecro]

I'd still buy a device for its hardware. Software issues are fixable and can be lived with but you're stuck with the hardware you're buying.

[@hanifsimpson]

I have this phone and it takes and records the best images and videos I've ever seen on a smartphone. My previous cell phone was a Galaxy S22 ultra.

[@Tsangass]

if the software wasnt good the pictures wont look good...

[@beardedentity]

@@hanifsimpson yeah right...lol

[@deadly_cutie5259]

Just use custom rom.

[@aswathamam6687]

Great work GSM .. Love from India ❣️

[@CrashTestSkater]

Will you're fucking shredded man props to you! Those traps are phenomenal!

[@toxomanrod]

Few things I've noticed: 1) digital zooming while recording is now smooth 2) in-phone video editing added 'enhance' tab which adds basic color adjustment 3) ultrawide distortion correction is way better I agree Leica authentic is too gloomy, but I use it more because the colors and exposure are near identical to what I see and the less sharpening makes it look like a dedicated non-smartphone camera. Great review guys, hi Will!

[@HShango]

Interesting.

[@arwlyx]

Agreed, I hate the digital sharpening and the "hurr dynamic range" look, it makes beautiful, dynamic scenes look dull and flat, I'm really stoked for Leica Authentic mode, I might save up for this phone if it ever hits Europe, gives me another upgrade option because all I've considered so far is the P50 Pro.

[@superquotes455]

Pp

[@Phoenix56801]

During the launch, Xiaomi talked about the phone being able to record Dolby HDR videos, is it like an option you toggle or inbuilt?

[@tomokawaiix]

i'm thinking of getting this phone, can you tell me anything about the selfie cam, is it good or bad?

[@kniefi]

The most important question for me - can you seamlessly switch zoom from UW to wide to tele while recording 4k 60?

[@tabiriibrahim5369]

Another great review. Thank you and keep keep providing a true content. How does it stand against the mi 11 ultra? Is the improvement so drastic that one has to upgrade from mi 11 ultra to the 12s ultra? Can you give a long term review of the mi 11 ultra? How is the battery holding on after one year?

[@CHTFilms]

Много се кефя, че сте българи и сте избутали с канала толкова нагоре. Евала момчета! 🙌

[@Google_Does_Evil_Now]

I wondered where they were. It looked like modern Eastern Europe but I wasn't sure. Hi Bulgaria!

[@exploreNederland]

What is the maximum zoom apart from the 5x zoom? For example does this have a good zoom upon object far like a Huawei P30, P40 or even the Samsung phones nowadays? My main focus on choosing a phone is also for moon shots, with full moons, the other types of moons every year to get them in more detail. Please provide those things also in upcoming reviews.

[@MrGanbat84]

Crazy. Xiaomi always freak me out with high technology. 👩‍👦‍👦👩‍👧‍👧😍

[@backbencher3438]

it was the best camera review of Xiaomi 12S Ultra I have seen so far, he has tested the phone at every aspect, so that we can see where it shines the most , thank you for this quality content 🔥😍

[@Youtube-Censorship-Police]

i agree, i just wish the subjects were a bit more...bold, it's a bit boring. still a very good cover of the cam👍

[@brakefree6434]

the details on night mode is so good wow

[@n2t460]

Thank you for this review on those bright harsh lighting day scenes. Surprised it isn't much different from cheaper phones. I guess it really is still just a phone camera, not DSLR... when zooming in, looks like taken on phone than DSLR camera.

[@hojomoone]

Great photos & Review Will! Very pleased with myself for having finally tracked you down to "above Husqvana" - have spent months on Google Maps & analysing your sample photos (using two different venues threw me off for a while) - thanks to the shots in this one😉 Now looking forward to this full review you keep promising us!

[@Mahmoud.Farag-A]

best review ever

[@LetsBringThePain]

finally low light video test 🔥

[@ChiefLickingBeaver]

Love buddy there taking a picture with a majestic backdrop but the sensor totally blurs it out 😂 Nice Xiaomi 👍 well played...

[@ProWings79]

Will the Chinese version work in the US? When I got the global version for the Mi 11 Ultra, there were limitations to some of the apps, especially banking/tap to pay functions do to being rooted. I just want to be sure I can tap to pay on the Chinese version.

[@phandapanda9644]

Tech is evolving so fast, now we're basically buying a professional camera that can make phone calls. 😜

[@rigelibarra]

for the one inch sensor part, for the first time i can truly say that this camera phone quality is actually clean and decent, not looking like a paint or the clarity been maximize or noise level isn't visible. id like to see RAW file. for the rest of the mode, still trash.

[@ChannelNo19]

You have to check your math skills: The Samsung GN2 (mi 11 ultra sensor) measures 11.4x8.6mm, which is 98mm² sensor size and the one inch sensor on the 12s ultra measures 13.2x8.8, which is equivalent to 116mm² sensor size. That makes a 20% larger sensor, not 30%.

[@Alexander-xc5xd]

Wooow amazing 😍🤩

[@abuhurairah9977]

12s Ultra is the king phone of this year

[@basicallytroll2705]

Ha ha ha

[@mrrash3547]

Looking buff bro. Grind On

[@xxxXavier]

How's the stabilization works when we are in action, or walks?

[@ahmedfouadyahia4624]

pls pls pls, for me and for too many enthusiasts , video recording in 60fps is very important to talk about, is all cameras supporting 60 fps shouting?! can you use all cameras during filming one video even the selfi camera? what options are available in the view finder, ..

[@ocb05]

Was contemplating about getting this 12s ultra. Bought a used Leica D-Lux 7 in the end. Real Leica lens and consistent quality.

[@Simpaulme]

But another battery to keep charged, another device to carry with you?

[@no15minutecities]

@@Simpaulme lazy??

[@cyzcyt]

I'm actually worried about the camera glass getting damaged on these huge bumps

[@blender_wiki]

Impressive photos for a phone, but anyway a phone photos. Nice review. Thx.

[@ciiici9057]

my next phone for sure ！

[@amrtomoq7261]

Please include 1 frame raw dng comparison between 12su and 11u

[@WinstoneSmith]

But how is transition between zoom ranges handled? 50MP should allow for something like 2x lossless zoom, but then scaling will make quality drop heavily until reaching 5x. This is never tested and really important.

[@Cutieplus]

It has been tested by many others reviewers. In 3x zoom, it will combine the 5x and main camera together. With very sharp & detail center but slightly less detail corner.

[@WinstoneSmith]

@@Cutieplus Thx. What about 4x or anything in between?

[@MoeZainal]

Does it have Anti-Flicker feature (DC-Dimming) for the PWM sensitive people?

[@DDDE44]

Why is there no hearing test for sound in headphones?

[@photobyTaps]

Very nice. How's it compare to Nikon one inch camera?

[@missparveen2151]

Excellent flagship ultra phone🔥

[@NikitaGarets]

Can you send a link to Pro lenses used?

[@MrAndreCoutinho]

Very detailed review as always, can this phone be called "poor man's Leica?". it would be interesting to compare this phone with the Sony Xperia 1 IV (same sensor size) and an actual Leica camera, an entry level model, to see how far are smartphone cameras from big aps-c sensors.

[@glutworkout9774]

Xperia 1 IV have 1/1,7 inch main sensor. They only used 1 inch in Xperia 1 Pro, but to be honest they dont used full area of the sensor.

[@msfss7312]

I once commented that Xiomi will one day surpass Apple. People laughed at me. Lol

[@jasontan27]

Does it come with Leica lens ?

[@user-wc3tt2hq1v]

Is it just me or is the portrait mode changes the picture into a drawing feeling thing..

[@dhonijames6195]

Wow... that's am excellent camera 🔥

[@emiel333]

Although the iPhone 13 is my daily driver, I’m impressed by this Xiaomi!

[@caloyvideos]

C It's hard to use VND Filter with this camera setup

[@pawelodz8050]

2:10 omg somebody left Ferrari covered on the parking 😂

[@x91w]

Does the OS support muilti user?

[@TheGreatgan]

One suggestion, on night mode test, better use human subject in cafe like setting. As that is the primary use of a mobile camera, taking photo on drinking night

[@carlod803]

That white car making a right turn on 7:23 is asking for an accident by not slowing down on an intersection.

[@lfc1981]

intro for night mode is so short? seems lacklustre

[@RaoufFawzyabdou]

what a beast ...

[@RSCB]

It's the hype!

[@yassermrabet9588]

When will this version be released in Europe?

[@boostfrog.]

At 7.46 u captured some strange lights fliying across the screen from the left to right

[@kiel163]

What a Beast in camera department #Xiaomi12sUltra

[@ALWH1314]

Wow, this is bigger than my Leica Q2.

[@kenmastersmaster]

Can someone tell me why the aperture is so small at f1.9 instead of f1.5 like other phones? Seems like a waste of a larger sensor if you don't have a larger aperture

[@alingrecu1317]

Because the most important reason you need a bigger aperture is for portraits, but on mobile phones you have that tof sensor to do the bokeh. So f1. 9 is OK, especially since the sensor is so large, it can outperform a smaller sensor with 1.5 aperture at night.

[@kenmastersmaster]

@@alingrecu1317 portrait mode sucks when you're trying to do objects and anything outside close ups Bokeh looks horrible. I'm betting future versions will have a 1.5 or 1.4... Something they're building towards to get people to "upgrade" 1.9 is pretty lame unless you're only into landscape photography

[@alingrecu1317]

That's true, however most users are pleased with the fake bokeh, and serious photo users will do portraits on their mirror less or dslr cameras...

[@TheGloomStalker]

Ехааа СУПЕР ЯКО ревю! :) КЪСМЕТ!

[@TheSatish27]

U didn't do review of speaker quality test😔

[@backup_hdd]

"the color rendition is quite LEICAble" :)

[@RogerThat1945]

Did I miss testing 4K at 60fps?

[@SgtFinaldo]

Not available for Europe, which is a shame.

[@chaitanyavamsi45]

How does the camera compare to pixel 7 pro?

[@-BILYAKIS-]

how's the battery life?

[@D3v0n1x]

which camera is better? this one or iphone 14 pro max?

[@teaganbryce555]

Which is better xiaomi 11 lite or 12 in camera

[@realMDizzy]

7:00 that street is CRAZY!!! They in the left turn lane going into the same lane as oncoming traffic but yet there is a whole other side of the street across the divider. Wtf!!!!! Edit: nevermind just saw it was blocked off but there aren’t any indicators lol

[@um3035]

Best camera phone

[@riddy3]

What a phone

[@PointMicrosoft]

How's the battery life though

[@nirmal12430]

1:11 I thought the primary sensor is in the middle . Surprised that the huge sensor in the middle is an ultra wide !! Or you have marked it wrongly ?

[@feminalbert]

Since wide angle lens need more wide space. So its kept in centre. Just my thoughts

[@muhammedjasim7486]

12s❤❤

[@rafamartineiz]

Why would Xiaomi use the telephoto lens to take photos with night mode on? Wouldn't be smarter to use the main sensor, as it can capture more light and give better results? I'd appreciate it if someone could explain this decision from Xiaomi.

[@govardhanposina17]

At 5x? The primary would deliver a shot with smushed details and barely and contrast, plus the tele sensor is actually decently large here

[@Google_Does_Evil_Now]

You were doing weights just before going on camera, right, right? 😀 Good review. Don't be tempted by 'roids etc. They can damage heart, brain even personality. You could end up sounding like Arnie 🙂

[@francisenaje]

No dng. format is a bummer!

[@adeteguhprasetyo2576]

I feel cheated when i realize that main camera isn't in the center..

[@RoSoliTaire]

One thing i've noticed about most Xiaomi phones is that they produce very constrasty photos. As someone who is very picky with the camera (even prioritizing it above most specs when buying a phone), it's such a pain when you want to capture true to life photos. It forces me to go to pro mode most of the time to tweak the constrast and saturation.

[@daniel1boc]

That's why i bring my camera everywhere with me

[@RoSoliTaire]

@@daniel1boc what camera are you using?

[@jlove24]

Is this not the best phone camera?

[@jstolba]

@@jlove24 which is?

[@jlove24]

@@jstolba I was asking

[@adrianssolutionsgwm]

Please, does anyone know if this xiomi has got a PERMENANT miss call alert.. the last two xiomi relied on always on display plus alert but had no "permeant" on menu. Its infuriating when you buy a xiomi or samsung some have this some havent and no way to tell. Presenter... any chance to get xiomi to put this info in specs please. Even better an update to put PERMENANT on all fones.

[@kod4130]

Im expecting better cameras on xiaomi midrange phones next year

[@Unan1mouz]

I couldn't help but notice that you look more handsome with shorter hair.. 😳 Haha

[@dronetheworld4k67]

It's funny in the photography world a 1" sensor is considered Small sensor and not enough for night time...

[@vladimator1842]

Yeahh..!! Perfect choice of a sample pic demonstration you picked...!! 3:25 a grown as* man with "braces"😒 lmao! Perhaps he forgot them on since highschool or no one ever reminded him to take them off or something...

[@mgermelckumyn3688]

Monster . Xiaomi..

[@newecreator]

The inconsistent colors from each lens for video is quite annoying.

[@kpehe100]

Why do all Chinese smartphones have to come with a 32mp selfie camera?

[@Balancinglife]

4k 60 is important from 30 I saw a drop in quality on the xiaomi 10 ultra

[@Photo0021]

Would love a comparison between this and the S22 Ultra. See what the hardware alone can do compared to solid software.

[@Hablift]

Many tests in internet.. Xiaomi now better than S22 ultra. But iphone better than both

[@stel9178]

@@Hablift the most dumb shit i've read in my life, s22 ultra rails both of them without any doubts.

[@rohanjami11]

@@Hablift ur wrong samsung is still better

[@Hablift]

@@rohanjami11 check tests

[@AutomotiveCNC]

Check the video by Ben's gadged reviews called "Xiaomi 12S Ultra vs S22 Ultra vs Vivo X80 Pro: Camera Shootout". In most situations both the S22 Ultra and Vivo X80 Pro easily beat the Xiaomi 12S Ultra. Samsung S22 Ultra also had the most natural looking colours, while Xiaomi 12S Ultra failed to deliver those in either photo mode. Vivo X80 Pro also had issues with extremely aggressive HDR processing, though it produced the best night time photos (despite being highly unrealistic and quite flat).

[@cecilioadarvez3095]

I don't understand why at the beginning of the video it's said the main camera has 50 megapixels and after that, it's said the main camera has 12 megapixels. Can anybody answer my question ?

[@SMAr2wo]

All phone cameras have REAL less then 13MP. It's about the sensor; the dimension of the sensor can fit a limited number of physical pixels, well pixels are smaller and smaller those days...The rest is done by a special signal that goes out from the sensor for processing. So 200MP are squeezed in 12MP... count specially in digital zooming or cropping for better. results. I remember my old N95 8GB with 5MP Carl Zeiss. Even now a lot of mid-range smartphones cannot give the sharpness and textures in photos of that beast ...because of the sensor, optics ( glass not plastic) and almost no software processing

[@Stranglethorn]

Still no news if theyre gonna release a global version?

[@prodigymania]

It's certain now - no global release. Xiaomi's CEO confirmed it on Twitter, this phone stays only in China, while they will plan the next flagships in 2023 with global releases. So so disappointing...

[@sawyeranderson1394]

Please compare it to Apple and Samsung!!!

[@parthapratimroy8282]

Vivo x80 pro vs xiaomi 12s ultra.. Which one has better overall camera

[@mike_nba]

Leica wins

[@teddy8530]

Anyone knows if this phone will have global version ?

[@truongminhhieu567]

Only sold in China (Tweet by Richard Lai)

[@anecro]

It'll probably ship globally soon enough, though it may have a few differences from the Chinese version.

[@truongminhhieu567]

@@anecro no

[@jennyxie5382]

@@truongminhhieu567 It does have english on my mi 12 ultra packaging

[@prodigymania]

No global release unfortunately, its certain.

[@ronniejaye1]

Wait til people catch on to how unevenly the pixels capture colours and tones from middle to the outside of the sensor ...ewps ! I slipped

[@littlemisa6074]

Xiaomi is the best!

[@anizotropowy]

UFO @ 7:52 xD