In S22 ultra why the 12MP is clearer than 108MP? Is it normal?

[Jackie49]

It's a common observation and not necessarily a sign of a problem with your S22 Ultra. Here's why the 12MP photos often appear clearer than the 108MP ones, especially in less-than-ideal lighting: 

1. Pixel Binning:

 * The Default Mode: The S22 Ultra's 108MP main camera uses a technique called "pixel binning" by default. In this process, the camera combines data from groups of pixels (in the S22 Ultra's case, 9 pixels) into a single, larger "superpixel." 

* Benefits of Larger Pixels: These larger superpixels can gather significantly more light than individual smaller pixels. This is crucial for improving image quality, especially in low-light conditions, as it reduces noise and increases dynamic range, resulting in a clearer, brighter image. 

* 108MP to 12MP: When the S22 Ultra bins 9 pixels, a 108MP sensor effectively produces a 12MP image (108 ÷ 9 = 12). This is why the default mode is 12MP. 

2. Light Gathering: 

* Smaller Pixels, Less Light: While 108MP sounds impressive, it means that many tiny pixels are packed onto the same physical sensor area. Smaller pixels have less surface area to capture light. In situations with less than abundant light, these tiny pixels struggle to gather enough information, leading to noisier and less detailed images when shooting in full 108MP mode. 

* 12MP (Binned) Advantage: The 12MP binned image, by effectively having larger light-gathering elements, performs much better in capturing light and detail, especially when the scene isn't perfectly lit. 

3. Image Processing: 

* Optimization for 12MP: Samsung's image processing algorithms are heavily optimized for the 12MP output from pixel binning. This means that the software applies more aggressive noise reduction, sharpening, and color correction to the binned images, making them appear more polished and "clear." 

* Raw 108MP: When you shoot in full 108MP mode, you're essentially getting the raw data from all those individual tiny pixels. While there's theoretically more detail, it's often accompanied by more noise, especially if the lighting isn't perfect. The camera's processing might not be as effective in cleaning up this raw, high-resolution data as it is with the binned 12MP image. 

When is 108MP useful? The 108MP mode isn't useless, but its benefits are more situational: 

* Abundant Light: In perfectly bright, well-lit conditions, the 108MP mode can capture an incredible amount of fine detail that allows for significant cropping without losing quality. This is ideal for landscapes or scenes where you want to zoom in digitally after the fact. 

* Printing Large: If you plan on printing your photos at very large sizes, the extra resolution of 108MP can be beneficial. 

* Specific Editing: For professional photographers who want the maximum amount of raw data for extensive post-processing, the 108MP mode can provide more flexibility. 

In summary: The S22 Ultra's default 12MP output is generally clearer and more pleasing to the eye for everyday shooting due to pixel binning and optimized image processing, which helps with light gathering and noise reduction. The 108MP mode is best reserved for specific scenarios with excellent lighting where you need to capture maximum detail for cropping or large prints.