Samsung S23 Ultra vs iPhone 14 Pro Camera Shootout

iPhones have lengthy been hailed because the “go-to” smartphone of selection in the case of video recording. Whether its content material creators or cellular images fans, Apple’s iPhones pack sufficient energy and capabilities to satiate everybody’s video capturing necessities. However, this yr greater than ever, Apple appears to have fallen behind by way of nonetheless imaging high quality. In my earlier smartphone digital camera shootout between the Google Pixel 7 Pro and the iPhone 14 Pro, it was straightforward to inform how large of a leap Google had over the iPhone 14 Pro. At the identical time, our evaluate of the Pixel 7 Pro (Review) additionally drove dwelling the truth that whereas Samsung’s Galaxy S22 Ultra (Review) may be the ‘king of zoom’, it nonetheless had a number of catching up when it got here to common nonetheless images.

It’s 2023, and Samsung has launched its newest Galaxy S23 Ultra, which exceeded expectations in our evaluate due to its new 200-megapixel main digital camera sensor and the personalised processor from Qualcomm. At the identical time, Apple has had lots of time to ship a number of updates to the iPhone 14 Pro so as to fine-tune its high-resolution 48-megapixel sensor. Both telephones can be found at an analogous worth too, which simply begs one other digital camera shootout, and that is precisely what we now have accomplished. 

Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra vs iPhone 14 Pro: Camera specs

Samsung’s Galaxy S23 Ultra has 4 rear-facing cameras and the specs are in the desk under. While it could appear to be a easy setup, Samsung makes use of these cameras in a really attention-grabbing method and most of this is determined by how far an object or particular person is from the rear cameras. These outcomes do fluctuate relying on how nicely one understands this digital camera system, so let’s dive a bit deeper.

Since the first digital camera on the Galaxy S23 Ultra has a big sensor, it results in images which have a really shallow depth of subject (DoF), which some might desire however others will not. This DoF makes higher sense when taking pictures folks or objects a metre away, however on the similar time makes it tough to shoot smaller objects up shut. Samsung makes an attempt to treatment this through the use of a characteristic referred to as Focus Enhancer, which principally switches between the first sensor and the ultra-wide sensor relying on the lighting situations and the way far telephone is from the topic.

When you tap-to-focus on an object lower than a metre away from the rear cameras, Focus Enhancer makes an attempt to provide the person a wider DoF by switching to the ultra-wide digital camera and this results in some underwhelming and over-sharpened photos. Move in nearer for that macro shot (about a few centimetres away from the identical topic) and the telephone switches to a cropped (nearly 1.5-2X) view of the ultra-wide angle digital camera.

This looks like a wise transfer as a result of it will get you nearer to the item for that good macro photograph, however ends in a barely upscaled picture that appears a bit over-sharpened. It does make higher sense to change to the ultra-wide digital camera manually and use the complete decision of the 12-megapixel sensor, which leads to some high quality macro images.

The Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra’s rear digital camera setup is much extra difficult when in comparison with the Apple iPhone 14 Pro

On the iPhone 14 Pro, the system is much less complicated and Apple makes use of its giant main 48-megapixel sensor to its benefit, switching to the 3X telephoto solely when it is actually wanted. However, in the case of macro images, identical to the Galaxy S23 Ultra, I discovered the outcomes from the ultra-wide digital camera to be much better.

For daylight samples on this comparability, I disabled the Galaxy S23 Ultra’s Scene Optimiser characteristic because it captures images with abnormally saturated colors which might be nowhere near the precise scene. However, Scene Optimiser has its benefits in low-light taking pictures because it helps seize well-optimised low-light images with shorter publicity occasions, firing up the devoted Night mode solely when wanted. I did preserve the characteristic enabled after sundown. One factor to remember is that Samsung’s Scene Optimiser is simply accessible for the rear cameras when utilizing Photo mode.

Apple’s auto-night mode additionally capabilities in an analogous method when set to “Auto” within the slide up tray. It routinely judges publicity occasions in response to the scene. Setting the identical slider to “Off” switches off Night mode utterly resulting in noisy low-light images, and setting it to “Max” permits a correct Night mode with lengthy exposures.

Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra vs iPhone 14 Pro: Primary cameras

When it involves color consistency, Samsung wins in opposition to the iPhone regardless of its barely hotter color tones. It’s extremely exhausting to grasp how Apple will get this incorrect, however photos produced by the iPhone have colors that may be fairly correct or approach off at occasions, showing as if they’ve been shot by way of a filter. Samsung is not the perfect within the enterprise both, because it showcases barely hotter tones with a reddish tinge, but it surely positive has come a great distance from earlier Galaxy fashions.

There’s additionally a noticeable distinction in focus precedence between the 2 main cameras. Apple’s iPhone prioritises and focuses on an object or aircraft closest to the digital camera, which leads to a pleasant focus fall off thereon. The Galaxy however tends to throw it extensive open and focus to infinity (except you faucet on an object within the viewfinder) so there are cases the place a scene might find yourself showing a bit flat with all of the objects within the scene showing sharp. Of course, this is not an issue however one thing that may be remedied with a single tap-to-focus gesture when it’s good to create that sense of depth.

Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra vs iPhone 14 Pro: Primary digital camera, daylight samples (Tap to see full dimension)

The main digital camera on the Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra captures photos with loads of element at 1X and as much as 2.9X, past which is the place the primary telephoto digital camera takes over. Thanks to its abnormally excessive sensor decision and Samsung’s optimisations ({hardware} and software program), even the cropped output at 2X seems nearly native by way of particulars (with the Focus Enhancer switched off).

The iPhone 14 Pro captures contrasted images, which ends up in lesser dynamic vary. I seen this in my earlier digital camera shootout with the Google Pixel 7 Pro too, and it is the identical case out right here as nicely. This is extra evident when taking pictures round sundown as particulars within the shadows get blacked out or highlights get clipped simply.

Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra vs iPhone 14 Pro: Primary digital camera, auto-night mode samples (Tap to see full dimension)

In low gentle, Samsung manages higher particulars than the iPhone. Surprisingly, Apple’s iPhone additionally captures some saturated photos at occasions, even when in comparison with the S23 Ultra’s scene-optimised images. In contrasting conditions like a brightly lit up constructing, Samsung’s Galaxy S23 Ultra shines with low noise, extra particulars, and glorious dynamic vary.

Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra vs iPhone 14 Pro: Primary digital camera, Night mode samples (Tap to see full dimension)

Samsung’s main digital camera in street-lit situations (with the Scene Optimiser on) snaps spectacular images, however its efficiency in dim lighting (whereas glorious on different parameters) overdoes the HDR imaging resulting in some random haloing round objects. Apple’s iPhone 14 Pro due to its contrast-heavy method tended to overdo the shadows, which didn’t result in good outcomes. However, Samsung’s huge sensor manages much better resolved element than what the iPhone is able to.

Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra vs iPhone 14 Pro: Ultra-wide cameras

In phrases of {hardware}, Samsung and Apple are on par with each other in the case of ultra-wide cameras. However, Apple’s consistency with color tones is as confused as its main digital camera. Details are sharper on the Galaxy S23 Ultra and the identical goes for its shot-to-shot consistency (though it showcases the identical shortcomings as the first digital camera). However, after software program correction for barrel distortion cropping a few of the body on the Samsung, it is the iPhone that finally ends up providing a wider subject of view.

Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra vs iPhone 14 Pro: Ultra-wide digital camera samples (Tap to see full dimension)

In low gentle, Apple’s ultra-wide digital camera is unable to focus accurately, which leads to delicate photos. Samsung’s ultra-wide digital camera is fast to lock focus and supplies sharper photos and good distinction in robust lighting situations. This is certainly the most effective ultra-wide-angle cameras I’ve come throughout on a smartphone.

Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra vs iPhone 14 Pro: Telephoto cameras

Samsung’s zoom vary stays as impressive as final yr’s Galaxy S22 Ultra, however the firm has improved by way of shot-to-shot consistency this yr. Photos seem sharp and pack in loads of element until 3X zoom (which is the place the primary telephoto digital camera takes over) and the identical goes for dynamic vary.

Jumping to 10X zoom, which is the Galaxy’s optical restrict, additionally reveals glorious particulars. In reality, it will get actually exhausting to persuade folks that such images have been captured at 10X magnification. At 15X, which is the iPhone’s hybrid zoom restrict, images are nonetheless fairly usable, however a skilled eye can inform that these have been digitally zoomed in.

At the 30X, Samsung’s stabilisation is kind of spectacular and the identical goes for the ensuing picture which has a little bit of noise however in any other case appears like an everyday picture that lacks a little bit of resolved element. At 100X, the photograph finally ends up wanting like a portray, however continues to be spectacular as you can inform what’s within the photograph, which is in any other case not seen with the bare eye. Overall, there’s a noticeable enchancment within the high quality of telephoto photos in comparison with its predecessor.

Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra vs iPhone 14 Pro: Telephoto cameras, daylight samples (Tap to see full dimension)

Apple’s telephoto functionality is restricted to 3X optical zoom and 15X hybrid zoom. At 3X zoom, it’s shocking to see the identical flaw in colors and dynamic vary that I noticed at 1X. But by way of high quality, photos look fairly good, with good particulars and sharpness. At 10X zoom, picture high quality is much like the Galaxy’s 15X with a little bit of noise creeping in. At 15X, it’s fairly apparent that it is a closely cropped and upscaled picture.

Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra vs iPhone 14 Pro: Telephoto cameras, auto-night samples (Tap to see full dimension)

With their respective auto-night modes switched on, the Galaxy S23 Ultra at 3X zoom manages noisier images than the iPhone 14 Pro. However, these have higher dynamic vary and seem a bit brighter than the latter. At 10X zoom, Samsung clearly manages higher picture high quality, with higher definition and resolved element than the iPhone. Still, it is spectacular to see how the iPhone 14 Pro manages related stage of high quality regardless of going utterly digital.

At 15X zoom, Samsung’s cropping turns into apparent and so does the noise, which begins creeping up. But Apple’s picture is much from unusable at this level. Samsung manages to push additional at 30X and the pictures are surprisingly helpful, with solely a little bit of purple fringing. At 100X the picture finally ends up wanting like an oil portray.

Both telephones are additionally able to taking pictures longer exposures in Night mode when zoomed in. Both showcase spectacular high quality at 3X with the noise and dynamic vary beneath management, however the 14 Pro’s picture high quality deteriorates from thereon as stabilisation turns into an issue with the longer exposures. Shooting at 3X on the iPhone wants a little bit of talent by itself when utilizing Night mode set to “max”.

Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra vs iPhone 14 Pro: Telephoto digital camera, evening mode samples (Tap to see full dimension)

Samsung’s zoom stage within the devoted Night mode maxes out at 10X, however the result’s jaw-droppingly spectacular. Noise is nicely beneath management, however resolved element is downright spectacular for a picture captured at 10X zoom. Cropping into that 10X pattern reveals much more element (the web beneath the spire), which is de facto exhausting to perform at this focal size on a smartphone. It’s fairly clear that Samsung has accomplished a number of work on this yr’s Ultra in the case of zoom functionality.

Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra vs iPhone 14 Pro: Portrait and selfie cameras

In daylight, each smartphones handle equally spectacular portrait images when utilizing their respective rear cameras. Edge detection can also be spot on and images seem fairly sharp. However, Samsung makes faces seem a bit crimson for some cause. In low gentle, Samsung’s Galaxy S23 Ultra captures saturated colors when taking pictures portraits, however in some way manages extra correct pores and skin tones. Apple however manages higher particulars and sharpness than the S23 Ultra, however captures inaccurate pores and skin tones.

Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra vs iPhone 14 Pro (L to R): Portrait main, Portrait selfie daylight, and Portrait selfie low gentle (Tap to see full dimension)

Shooting with the entrance cameras, it turns into apparent that Samsung supplies a wider subject of view. Edge detection can also be extra correct in comparison with the iPhone 14 Pro. In low gentle with the show flash enabled, Samsung once more takes the lead, providing higher edge detection together with good element and readability, whereas the iPhone manages to seize far much less particulars with a crimson tint.

Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra vs iPhone 14 Pro: Macro mode

Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra vs iPhone 14 Pro (Top) Macro mode (50% crop), (Bottom) Ultra-wide digital camera shut up (Tap to see full dimension)

When it involves macro functionality, I utilised every digital camera’s auto-macro mode which has some stage of cropping and upscaling concerned. Then I switched to their respective ultra-wide cameras and clicked the identical object utilizing every digital camera’s native decision. Both smartphones managed equally spectacular particulars and have been capable of focus extraordinarily near an object at round 3cm. The Galaxy S23 Ultra managed barely higher color copy, however at the price of barely overexposed photos. The iPhone managed to get a wee-bit nearer with well-balanced outcomes, however its images had a yellowish tint.

Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra vs iPhone 14 Pro: Video recording

Shooting common movies at 4K, Samsung’s bigger sensor positive manages higher resolved particulars in daylight. Also beneath management are reflections from shiny surfaces which have been an issue with current iPhone fashions. Shooting with the telephoto cameras was additionally a superb expertise, nevertheless, in contrast to the iPhone 14 Pro, Samsung helps you to zoom in to as much as 10X and nonetheless preserve loads of tremendous particulars when taking pictures in daylight.

However, in low gentle or street-lit situations, the Galaxy S23 Ultra captured barely saturated movies with extra noise, whereas the iPhone discovered the candy spot, providing higher particulars and fewer noise. Samsung additionally helps 8K 30fps video recording, which presents a loopy quantity of element, however on the similar time is finest seen solely on an 8K TV and it does take up a number of house on the telephone.

Video stabilisation was good on each telephones, irrespective of which digital camera I used. This was additionally spectacular when taking pictures on the far finish of every smartphone’s optical zoom restrict (3X for iPhone and 10X for Galaxy). While the iPhone’s viewfinder confirmed me shaky footage when recording, the output appeared fairly clean. Samsung’s preview however appeared secure identical to the ultimate output.

Since each smartphones are greater than able to taking pictures 4K footage, I additionally recorded samples in HDR. Samsung’s HDR10+ footage, though fairly good by way of dynamic vary, bitrate and total high quality, showcases saturated colors, which as identified in my evaluate, aren’t a real illustration of the particular scene. Apple, which information in Dolby Vision, captures barely muted colors, however for some cause provides a contrasted look to the footage. Surely, Apple comes out as the general winner in the case of video recording, but it surely’s shocking to see how shut Samsung has come and what extra it has on supply in the case of zoom.

Just a few different issues…

Samsung’s Galaxy S23 Ultra may be a bit behind the iPhone when it involves video recording, but it surely presents a built-in Pro mode with handbook controls which may be helpful if you wish to get critical about your video recording classes. When it involves warmth administration, Samsung’s Galaxy S23 Ultra does heat up whereas taking pictures video, but it surely’s removed from the new mess the iPhone 14 Pro turns into when recording video again to again on a sunny afternoon.

Apple’s iPhone 14 Pro is on the market in an everyday and a Max model, whereas Samsung’s Galaxy S23 Ultra solely reveals up in a single dimension yearly

However, Apple has the benefit of dimension, or reasonably extra choices in the case of it. As I’ve talked about in my evaluate of the Galaxy S23 Ultra, Samsung solely presents it in a single dimension which could not swimsuit everybody particularly you probably have smaller fingers. The iPhone 14 Pro however is much more pocketable and simpler to deal with.

Verdict

Samsung’s Galaxy Ultra sequence has come a great distance certainly, from a mannequin that was nearly bragging rights (Galaxy S20 Ultra), to being merged with the Galaxy Note lineup (Galaxy S22 Ultra), making the Galaxy S23 Ultra its most polished try but. Samsung appears to have gotten fairly a couple of issues proper this yr, which features a constant imaging expertise with all its cameras. Video high quality can also be most likely the perfect you possibly can probably get on an Android smartphone at the moment. The iPhone 14 Pro’s digital camera efficiency hasn’t modified a lot since our final digital camera shootout, but it surely nonetheless is the go-to smartphone for content material creators because the video recording expertise is second to none. 

However, if I have been to choose a winner between the 2 telephones, then the Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra makes a a lot stronger case for itself total. Still images is great in each day and evening, telephoto efficiency continues to be unrivalled, and movies recording high quality is simply a small step behind the iPhone. If you possibly can stay with the comparatively giant dimension of the telephone, the Galaxy S23 Ultra ought to preserve informal photographers and artistic professionals equally happy.