Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra 200MP camera tested: A genuine upgrade | Loop Tech

Robert Triggs / Android Authority
One of many few notable additions to the Samsung Galaxy S23 Extremely is the introduction of a colossal 200-megapixel digicam, virtually double the pixel depend of final technology’s 108MP digicam. That’s 200,000,000 little pixels of element in your snaps, however what does that really imply on your footage, and is it value shopping for into? We’ve taken some snaps to evaluate the scenario.
Earlier than we get into photographs, it’s value noting that the Galaxy S23 Extremely takes 12.5MP footage by default, combining 16 pixels value of information into one via a method often called pixel binning. If you need the total 200MP snaps, you’ll have to pick out the mode within the digicam app.
After all, the sheer megapixel depend right here is totally redundant for sharing on social and even printing on something however the largest canvasses. As you’ll be able to see from the snap under, the modes make no actual distinction to the general look of your footage, no less than not in daylight. You would possibly spot an ever-so-slightly brighter sky publicity within the 12MP and 50MP snaps, however it’s not clear if that is pixel binning at work or just variations within the digicam’s auto-mode.
Nonetheless, crop in, and you’ll see that Samsung’s Galaxy S23 Extremely 200MP digicam improve does certainly produce notably extra element than the Galaxy S22 Extremely’s 108MP equivilent. We are able to’t match a full 200MP picture right here, so be happy to take a look at the full-res photographs over at Google Drive.
We are able to spot just a few speaking factors right here. For starters, the newer sensor suffers much less noise, regardless of its bigger megapixel depend, permitting the digicam to resolve extra of its most decision for enhanced crops. That is due to the sensor’s Twin Vertical Switch Gate (D-VTG) know-how that will increase pixel gentle seize by as much as 33%.
In actual fact, a well-lit 200MP snap comes near rivaling the extent of element you’ll be able to acquire from the 3x telephoto digicam. Not unhealthy in order for you the advantages of a panorama subject of view with distant particulars included. Nonetheless, you’ll wish to use the 3x and 10x cameras for tighter crops of distant topics, particularly as 200MP photographs are fairly unwieldy. At wherever round 25-30MB a snap, we actually can’t advocate capturing on this mode until you’re planning to crop and blow up your photographs.
Samsung’s 200MP digicam certainly captures much more element than final yr’s 108MP mannequin.
Cropping in on the S23 Extremely picture, we will additionally see a decreased blue hue (higher white stability) and improved dynamic vary in comparison with the S22 Extremely. The brand new sensor appears to have much more going for it than simply megapixels.
200MP: Extra than simply pixel counting

Robert Triggs / Android Authority
So, Samsung’s 200MP digicam seems to have just a few additional tips up its sleeve than simply sheer megapixel depend. Taking a more in-depth take a look at the 1/1.3-inch Isocell HP2 reveals Twin Slope Acquire know-how and Sensible-ISO Professional listed on the spec sheet too. In a nutshell, these applied sciences intention to enhance publicity and HDR seize capabilities.
To elaborate, Sensible-ISO Professional (additionally known as iDCG) combines high and low ISO photographs collectively, aiming to profit from elevated sensitivity with out the standard noise trade-offs. This isn’t model new, nevertheless — the S22 Extremely consists of this characteristic too. Twin slope acquire, then again, leverages pixel binning to use completely different acquire ranges to pixels, leading to two completely different publicity ranges from a single shutter press. Since each of those applied sciences function on a single seize body, there’s no danger of blurring like older multi-frame HDR methods.
Does this system work? We’ll let’s have a look versus the Galaxy S22 Extremely’s Isocell HM3, which makes use of iDCG and Staggered HDR.
In our first cropped picture, there doesn’t seem like an enormous distinction at a fast look, save for some white stability and sharpening variations. However pay shut consideration to the shadows and also you’ll spot much more column element and fewer noise within the Galaxy S23 Extremely’s image. It’s a delicate impact when seen at full body, however one which injects further dynamic vary and element into your photographs that’s notably noticeable when cropping.
The Galaxy S23 Extremely’s improved HDR capabilities make an even bigger distinction than its megapixel depend.
If that impact is just too delicate, nevertheless, we will see extra drastic variations with a strongly backlit HDR instance. Whereas there are clearly some chipset-level processing variations at play right here, there’s little doubt that the Galaxy S23 Extremely’s HDR capabilities are a stage up from the earlier technology. Foreground and background highlights and shadows are effectively balanced, whereas final yr’s mannequin has to compromise between one or the opposite.
We’re solely simply getting caught into the Samsung Galaxy S23 Extremely’s digicam however it’s already clear that not solely does the telephone supply impressively high-resolution footage, must you need them, however improved dynamic vary capabilities on your day-to-day snaps too. We’re desperate to see how the handset stacks up towards the most effective smartphone cameras cash should buy.

Samsung Galaxy S23 Extremely
New 200MP fundamental digicam • Stunning show • S Pen performance
The Extremely launch of Samsung’s 2023 flagship line
Powered by the identical Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 because the smaller fashions within the collection, the Samsung Galaxy S23 Extremely affords bigger storage capacities and a whopping 200MP digicam. S Pen help and a 6.8-inch show make the Extremely ultimate for note-takers on the go.
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Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra 200MP camera tested: A genuine upgrade