Samsung Galaxy Camera Settings Guide

Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra Camera Settings

Seven quick steps to photos and video that look like they came from a real camera. Each one shows the exact screen to match.

Start the guide
Apple iPhone
18 Pro Max 18 Pro Duo 17 Pro Max 17 Pro 16 Pro Max 16 Pro 15 Pro Max 15 Pro
Samsung Galaxy
S26 Ultra S25 Ultra S24 Ultra S23 Ultra
Google Pixel
Pixel 10 Pro Pixel 9 Pro Pixel 8 Pro Pixel 7 Pro

Where you'll end up

  1. 12 MP every day
  2. Exposure at −0.3
  3. 1× as your default lens

Seven steps. One setup.

The settings that shape every photo and video, in the order to change them. Each step explains what it does and why it matters.

  1. PicturesNatural color, HEIF, and RAW in Pro mode
  2. Settings to keepMake the camera remember your setup
  3. CompositionGrid lines, tracking focus, and the volume shutter
  4. In the viewfinder12 MP, −0.3, and the 1× lens
  5. Video4K 60 for social, 24 fps for film
  6. The lookExposure and grading, side by side
  7. The lensesSix zoom stops, from 0.6× to 10×

Step 01

Natural color first. RAW when it counts.

Camera Settings

Samsung's default processing brightens and sharpens heavily. These rows keep photos natural and leave room to edit.

Scene optimizer
Off
Keeps color and contrast natural. Turn it back on if you like the punchier, AI-tuned look.
Quality optimization
Prioritize quality
Takes a moment longer per shot for more detail and cleaner low light.
High efficiency pictures
On
HEIF files at about half the size of JPEG, with the same detail.
Pro mode picture format
RAW and JPEG
Under Advanced picture options. Pro mode then saves a DNG beside every JPEG, for shots you plan to edit.

Intelligent features

Scene optimizer
Off
Quality optimization
Prioritize quality
Shot suggestions
On

Advanced picture options

High efficiency pictures
On
Pro mode picture format
RAW and JPEG
What one photo costs. Approximate sizes. Keep 200 MP and RAW for the shots that need them.
Expert RAW 16-bit DNG
~100 MB
Full resolution 200 MP JPEG
~30 MB
HEIF 12 MP, recommended
~3 MB

Step 02

Make the camera remember.

Camera Settings Settings to keep

By default, Camera drops back to Photo mode and resets most choices when you close it. These switches keep what matters.

Camera mode
On
Reopens in the mode you used last, like Pro or Video.
Exposure
On
Your −0.3 bias stays set between sessions.
High picture resolutions
Off
Camera returns to the everyday resolution each time, so a 200 MP shot never sticks by accident.
Filters
Off
Start from a clean look each time.
Camera mode
On
Selfie angle
Off
Exposure
On
High picture resolutions
Off
Filters
Off
Super Steady
Off
Portrait zoom
On

Step 03

Frame it before you tap.

Camera Settings

Composition aids and a few switches that decide how the camera behaves.

Grid lines
On
A 3 × 3 grid for thirds and straight horizons.
Tracking auto-focus
On
Keeps focus on a moving subject once you tap it.
Shot suggestions
On
Shows a guide that helps you level and frame the shot.
Save selfies as previewed
Off
Selfies save unmirrored, the way others see you.

Selfies

Save selfies as previewed
Off

General

Tracking auto-focus
On
Grid lines
On
Location tags
Off
Shooting methods
Volume keys: Take pictures

Step 04

Take control in the viewfinder.

Camera app

A few habits in the Camera app matter more than any setting.

Resolution
12 MP
The pixel-binned default is cleaner in most light. Save 200 MP for bright scenes you'll crop.
Exposure
−0.3
Samsung meters bright. Nudge it down to keep skies and highlights. Pro mode shows EV next to ISO and Speed.
Lens
1×
The 200 MP main camera has the biggest sensor. Save 5× and 10× for good light.
Expert RAW
For big edits
Samsung's free Expert RAW app saves a 16-bit DNG with multi-frame processing. Get it from the Galaxy Store.
Side button
Double press
Opens Camera from any screen. Set it in Settings, Advanced features, Side button.

Step 05

4K 60 for social. 24 fps for film.

Camera Settings

Frame rate sets the feel. The switches below keep exposure and color steady from one shot to the next.

Video resolution
UHD 60
Tap the resolution chip in Video mode. 60 fps looks smooth on social; for a film look, use 24 fps in Pro video.
Auto FPS
Off
Keeps the frame rate you chose, even in low light.
Video stabilization
On
Steadier handheld clips. Super Steady crops in further for action.
High efficiency videos
On
HEVC files at a fraction of the size. Under Advanced video options.
HDR10+ videos
On
Brighter highlights on HDR screens. Under Advanced video options.

Videos

Auto FPS
Off
Video stabilization
On

Advanced video options

High efficiency videos
On
High bitrate videos
Off
HDR10+ videos
On
Log
Off

Leave Log off until you plan to grade.

The 180° rule. In Pro video, set Speed to about double the frame rate, like 1/50 s at 24 fps. In daylight, add an ND filter so the shutter can stay that slow.

  • 24 fps at 1/50 s

    A little motion blur in every frame. Movement reads as film.

  • 60 fps at 1/120 s

    Crisper frames and smooth motion. Right for social.

  • 24 fps at 1/2000 s

    Typical of auto exposure in bright sun. Each frame is frozen, so motion stutters.

Step 06

See the difference.

Two of the changes above, side by side. Both frames come from the same photo and are simulated, so the setting is the only variable.

The portrait with exposure lowered about 0.3 stops
The portrait at the camera's default exposure

Exposure −0.3 holds the highlights and deepens the blacks.

The portrait with a restrained grade
The portrait before grading

A light grade: a little more contrast, a little less saturation.

Filters
None
Start neutral and grade in Gallery or Lightroom, where you can undo it.
Editing
Preset first
Start from a preset, then adjust only exposure, highlights, shadows, and temperature.

Step 07

Six zoom stops, from 0.6× to 10×.

Four cameras and two sensor crops. The 200 MP main camera has the biggest sensor, which is why 1× is home.

  1. .6× 13 mm Ultra Wide, ƒ/1.9
  2. 1× 23 mm Main, ƒ/1.7
  3. 2× 12 MP Crop of Main
  4. 3× 67 mm Telephoto, ƒ/2.4
  5. 5× 111 mm Telephoto, ƒ/3.4
  6. 10× 12 MP Crop of 5×
Spaced by field of view. Solid dots are cameras, rings are 12 MP crops.
50MP Ultra Wide
13 mm, and macro
ƒ/1.9
200MP Wide
23 mm, with a 2× crop
ƒ/1.7
OIS
10MP 3× Telephoto
67 mm
ƒ/2.4
OIS
50MP 5× Telephoto
111 mm, with a 10× crop
ƒ/3.4
OIS

Galaxy S25 Ultra vs S24 Ultra

What changed for cameras between generations

Feature S24 Ultra S25 Ultra
Chip Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 Snapdragon 8 Elite
Ultra Wide 12MP ƒ/2.2 50MP ƒ/1.9 New
Main Camera 200MP ƒ/1.7 200MP ƒ/1.7
3× Telephoto 10MP ƒ/2.4 10MP ƒ/2.4
5× Telephoto 50MP ƒ/3.4 50MP ƒ/3.4
Galaxy AI 1st generation Enhanced Improved
Low-Light Processing Good Improved Better
8K Video 8K 30fps 8K 30fps
4K Slow-Mo 4K 120fps 4K 120fps
Display Size 6.8" 6.9" Larger
Frame Titanium Titanium
Worth the upgrade? The S25 Ultra is an iterative upgrade over the S24 Ultra for cameras. The biggest improvements are the 50MP ultra-wide (up from 12MP), improved AI processing from the Snapdragon 8 Elite, and enhanced Galaxy AI features. If you primarily shoot with the main and telephoto lenses, the differences are mostly in software processing.
Previous Generation Galaxy S24 Ultra Settings
→
Next Generation Galaxy S26 Ultra Settings
→
Competitor Pixel 10 Pro Settings
→

Presets and Storage

Which format to use for each kind of clip, and how much of it fits.

Video presets

Use Case Resolution FPS Codec Notes
Social Media Best 4K 30 HEVC (H.265) HDR10+ enabled
Maximum Detail 8K 30 HEVC Main lens only, large files
Cinematic 4K 24 H.265 Film-like motion cadence
Slow Motion 4K 120 H.265 Main lens, 4× slowdown at 30fps
Super Slow-Mo 1080p 240 H.265 Short burst capture
Hyperlapse 4K — H.265 5× to 300× speed, stabilized

What a minute of video costs

HEVC 8K at 30 fps
~600 MB
HEVC 4K at 60 fps, for social
~500 MB
HEVC 4K at 30 fps
~350 MB

How much fits

Format 256 GB 512 GB 1 TB
HEVC 4K at 60 fps ~8 hr ~16 hr ~32 hr
HEVC 8K at 30 fps ~6.7 hr ~13 hr ~27 hr
Times are approximate and leave room for Android. 8K clips run hot, so keep them short. For a graded look, start with a LUT from Envato Elements.

Frequently Asked Questions

Best settings, key features, and what changed from the S24 Ultra.

What are the best camera settings for the Galaxy S25 Ultra?

In Camera settings: Scene optimizer off, Quality optimization set to Prioritize quality, High efficiency pictures on, and Pro mode picture format set to RAW and JPEG. Turn on Grid lines, keep Camera mode under Settings to keep, and leave Auto FPS off with Video stabilization on. Shoot at the default resolution with exposure around −0.3, and record UHD at 60 fps for social or 24 fps in Pro video for a film look.

How many megapixels is the Galaxy S25 Ultra camera?

The Galaxy S25 Ultra has four rear cameras: a 200MP main (wide) camera, a 50MP ultra wide camera, a 50MP 5× telephoto camera, and a 10MP 3× telephoto camera. By default, the main camera outputs 12MP photos using 16-to-1 pixel binning, which produces larger effective pixels for better low-light performance. You can switch to full 200MP resolution in the camera settings for maximum detail in good lighting conditions.

Does the Galaxy S25 Ultra support Expert RAW?

Yes. The Galaxy S25 Ultra fully supports Expert RAW, Samsung's professional photography app available from the Galaxy Store. It captures 16-bit RAW (DNG) files with multi-frame noise reduction, full manual controls for ISO, shutter speed, focus, and white balance, and includes a dedicated astrophotography mode for long-exposure star and Milky Way photos using stacked exposures.

Can the Galaxy S25 Ultra record 8K video?

Yes. The Galaxy S25 Ultra records 8K video at 30fps using a crop from the 200MP main sensor. It also supports 4K at up to 120fps for slow-motion footage. 8K files are very large (around 600 MB per minute) and the phone may thermal-throttle after 5–8 minutes of continuous 8K recording. For most use cases, 4K 30fps offers the best balance of quality and practicality.

What is the difference between the Galaxy S25 Ultra and S24 Ultra cameras?

The S25 Ultra features the Snapdragon 8 Elite processor (vs 8 Gen 3) for faster and better image processing, an upgraded 50MP ƒ/1.9 ultra-wide camera (the S24 Ultra had a 12MP ƒ/2.2 ultra-wide), enhanced Galaxy AI features for editing and post-processing, and improved low-light noise reduction. The main 200MP sensor and telephoto lenses are similar hardware, but software processing and AI capabilities are noticeably improved.