Original topic:

Unhappy with the S22 Ultra camera quality | My observations and review

(Topic created on: 04-01-2023 09:38 PM)
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ashara-dayne
Active Level 4
Options
Galaxy S
I purchased the Galaxy S22 Ultra mainly because I wanted a taste of the flagship camera experience and because the aggressive marketing campaign and the innumerable reviews exalting the so-called upgraded camera module did me in. In reality, however, the cameras are nowhere near as impressive. 

• Every single picture captured undergoes software processing that renders it looking unreal and awful. There is no provision for user input, and therefore no way for the user to control the amount of post-processing.

• Even the slightest bit of zoom in both photo and video mode generates blurriness in the subject. This is not very noticeable at lower zoom levels, but gets worse as the zoom increases. There is no way you can capture a decent sunset video without distortion if you want to zoom in and crop the landscape. 

• The pro mode and expert RAW mode are even worse, as the amount of processing applied renders the pictures near-cartoonish. Videos from the pro-mode are grainy and hazy 100% of the time. 

• The zoom is pretty much unusable beyond 10-15x if you are looking for sharpness and detail.

• Lastly, the so-called 'nightography', which was marketed to death, is a joke. The cameras positively struggle in low-light, and the only thing the night mode does is to add some brightness in post-processing. The pictures and videos are grainy and blurry every single time. If you're looking to purchase this phone for the astrophotography, etc., DON'T. Save up and invest in a decent DSLR, instead. 

I've added some pictures for reference. I'm sincerely regretting purchasing this phone now. SAMSUNG, PLEASE, release a software update and fix this. 

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30x zoom in broad daylight and a steady hand. The fringe on the bird's head was added in post-processing. 🤭 Do you see the amount of polishing going on?

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30x zoom in daylight again. The picture speaks for itself.

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Picture taken of the sky in semi-darkness before sunrise. The amount of grain and blur is unbelievable.

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No words.

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Pro-mode. Severely post-processed.


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This is for the people doubting if I really own an S22 Ultra. Here you go, LOL!

39 Comments
Tchesh12478
Beginner Level 3
Galaxy S

I absolutely agree with this! I bought this phone specifically for taking photos/videos for work and have been intensely disappointed. I'm not kidding when I say that often times the camera on my A52 performed better. Especially for low light situations and even macro shots. I'm so disappointed, and honestly regret not choosing to go with the new iPhone. And believe me, I truly detest apple. I'd never say that if I didn't feel cheated. 

Sergoke
Beginner Level 2
Galaxy S

I completely agree with you. I film in the HEVC format, and the quality on large screens is simply unusable. Even videos in sufficient light are grainy and have multiple artifacts. I filmed my entire journey and then (tried) to edit it for my YT channel. There is nothing you can do with the videos. When you view the images on the S22 Ultra itself, nothing seems to be wrong until you view the images on a full screen (which you should be able to do with 4K material anyway). Further editing of these images is completely out of the question, because you only enhance the noise even more. Nothing more than a gadget is this camera of a device that cost me about a 1300€. Shame on Samsung.

deep_i
Beginner Level 3
Galaxy S
Agree whole heartedly with Ashara! S22 ultra photography is a big joke . The quality of photos are just so bad and the incamera processing is the worst , the jpegs are completely unusable .
Samircnc
Beginner Level 3
Galaxy S
I am totally disappointed by the picture quality of S22 ultra when shooting in a well lit resturant or places where there is good light, still the pictures look cartoonist and over processed with patches on face. My Note9 still takes better pictures than S22 Ultra.
Samircnc
Beginner Level 3
Galaxy S
I tried the reset option and lense cleaning etc as advised by Samsung above, only difference is without any Zoom pics are not as much patchy, but when i zoom in even 3x all evening pictures are extremely patcy, faces of females with make-up are the worst. Something seriously is wrong with my favorite Samsung. Just for info i have been using Samsung Galaxy since it's first model and upgraded nearly every 3rd model on an average including6 months of Zfold3. Currently using S22 ultra, Note9 and Galaxy tab.
cj11
Beginner Level 2
Galaxy S
Post processing destroyed all beauty of photos ,photos are worst no clarity , face is sharpened like hell. Highly disappointed,My previous S9 plus was much much better
cj11
Beginner Level 2
Galaxy S
Horrible camera ,post processing
vm9
Beginner Level 4
Galaxy S
Dear members...I facing same issue with my s22u camera....did you find any solution
Sipihun74
Beginner Level 2
Galaxy S

Sell the c.r.a.p ,and never buy a Samsung again..

Aliav
Beginner Level 2
Galaxy S

The S22 Ultra camera is my disappointment

Yes, my friends, it is not a good phone in terms of cameras. There are cheaper phones with much better camera quality. Yes, I bought a phone and was surprised by the camera accuracy. Now I want to change the phone, which is sad 😥