Ultra Wide
13mm
ƒ/2.2
12MP · Autofocus · Macro
Samsung Galaxy Camera Settings Guide
Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra Camera Settings
Apple iPhone
Google Pixel
Recommended Setup
Key settings to configure in the Camera app settings on your Galaxy S24 Ultra
Photo
Photo Resolution
12MP (default)
Scene Optimizer
On
Shot Suggestions
On
HEIF Pictures
On
Video
Video Resolution
UHD 4K / 30fps
Video Stabilization
On
HDR10+ Video
On
General
Grid Lines
On
Location Tags
On
Shooting Methods
Vol key: Shutter
Camera → Settings (gear icon)
Recommended configuration
12MP
Photo resolution
The pixel-binned default beats full 200MP in most light. Switch to 200MP only outdoors when you need to crop or print big.
4K · 30
Video resolution
The sweet spot for quality, stability, and file size. Save 8K for when you truly need the extra detail.
HEIF + HDR10+
Capture format
Smaller files with richer color, and leaving Scene Optimizer on keeps processing smart and scene-aware.
Pro mode tip: Swipe to Pro mode in the camera app for manual control over ISO, shutter speed, focus, white balance, and EV. For maximum quality, shoot in RAW format from Pro mode or install Expert RAW from the Galaxy Store for 16-bit multi-frame RAW capture.
Best Photo Settings
Recommended settings for the six most common shooting scenarios on Galaxy S24 Ultra
Portrait
Portrait Mode
Lens3× Telephoto (67mm)
FormatJPEG / HEIF
BlurAdjust in Gallery after
EffectNatural or Studio
TipUse 1× for environmental portraits
Landscape
Photo Mode / Expert RAW
LensUltra Wide (13mm)
FormatRAW via Expert RAW
HDRAuto HDR on
GridOn (level horizon)
TipTap sky to lock exposure
Night
Night Mode
LensMain (23mm)
Night ModeAuto (up to 15s)
FlashOff
StabilityBrace or tripod
TipExpert RAW astrophoto for stars
Action / Sports
Photo Mode
Lens5× Telephoto (115mm)
BurstHold shutter or Vol Down
Tracking AFOn
FormatHEIF for speed
TipTry Single Take for variety
Street
Photo Mode
Lens1× Main (23mm)
FormatHEIF
Scene OptimizerOn
Motion PhotoOff
TipDouble-press power for quick launch
Macro
Photo Mode
LensUltra Wide (auto-macro)
Distance3–5cm for best results
FormatHEIF or Expert RAW
LightAvoid casting phone shadow
TipTap subject to lock focus
Best Video Settings
Resolution, frame rate, and codec combinations available on the S24 Ultra
Recommended Presets
8K
30fps
Maximum detail
4K
30fps
Best all-round
4K
60fps
Smooth motion
4K
120fps
Slow motion
1080p
30fps
Smaller files
1080p
240fps
Super slow-mo
| 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 | 720p | 960 | H.265 | Short burst capture (~0.4s) |
| Hyperlapse | 4K | — | H.265 | 5× to 300× speed, stabilized |
8K recording: 8K at 30fps uses a crop from the 200MP sensor and generates files around 600 MB per minute. It's limited to the main camera and will cause thermal throttling during extended sessions. For most uses, 4K 30fps is the best balance of quality and practicality.
Camera System
Four cameras, five focal lengths — the S24 Ultra's quad-lens system covers 13mm to 115mm
Wide (Main)
23mm
ƒ/1.7
200MP · OIS · 1/1.3" sensor
3× Telephoto
67mm
ƒ/2.4
10MP · OIS · Phase-detect AF
5× Telephoto
115mm
ƒ/2.6
50MP · OIS · Phase-detect AF
| Spec | Ultra Wide | Main (Wide) | 3× Telephoto | 5× Telephoto |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Resolution | 12MP | 200MP | 10MP | 50MP |
| Focal Length | 13mm | 23mm | 67mm | 115mm |
| Aperture | ƒ/2.2 | ƒ/1.7 | ƒ/2.4 | ƒ/2.6 |
| Sensor Size | 1/3.52" | 1/1.3" | 1/3.52" | 1/2.52" |
| Pixel Size | 1.12μm | 0.6μm (2.4μm binned) | 1.12μm | 0.7μm |
| OIS | No | Yes (OIS) | Yes (OIS) | Yes (OIS) |
| Autofocus | Yes (phase-detect) | Yes (Dual Pixel PDAF) | Yes (phase-detect) | Yes (phase-detect) |
| Macro | Yes | No | No | No |
New 5× telephoto: The S24 Ultra replaced the S23 Ultra's 10MP 10× periscope lens with a higher-resolution 50MP 5× periscope. You lose 10× optical reach but gain a far sharper telephoto with better low-light capability. Digital zoom extends to 100× via AI-enhanced Space Zoom.
Key Features
What sets the Galaxy S24 Ultra apart from other phones and previous Galaxy models
Galaxy AI
Samsung's first Galaxy AI phone brings Generative Edit, Circle to Search, and AI photo enhancement, all running on the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 NPU.
New in S2450MP 5× Telephoto
A new 50MP periscope at 115mm replaces the S23 Ultra's 10MP 10× lens, delivering sharper telephoto shots and AI-enhanced zoom to 100× Space Zoom.
New in S24Titanium Frame
Samsung's first titanium frame is lighter and tougher than the S23 Ultra's aluminum, and the flat display adds extra resistance to drops and daily wear.
New in S24Expert RAW
Samsung's pro app captures 16-bit multi-frame RAW with full manual control on all four lenses, plus an astrophotography mode that stacks long exposures for the stars.
ProStorage & File Sizes
How much you can fit on your Galaxy S24 Ultra (256GB / 512GB / 1TB)
4K 30fps Video Recording Time
256 GB
10
hrs
~350 MB/min at 4K30 HEVC
512 GB
21
hrs
Best value for most users
1 TB
43
hrs
Best for 8K & heavy shooting
| File Type | Format | Approximate Size |
|---|---|---|
| Photo (HEIF) | 12MP pixel-binned | 2 – 4 MB |
| Photo (Full Res) | 200MP JPEG | ~30 MB |
| Photo (Expert RAW) | 50MP 16-bit DNG | ~100 MB |
| Video (HEVC 4K30) | HDR10+ | ~350 MB/min |
| Video (HEVC 4K60) | HDR10+ | ~500 MB/min |
| Video (8K30) | HEVC | ~600 MB/min |
| Video (4K120) | HEVC | ~800 MB/min |
Pro Tips & Gotchas
Galaxy S24 Ultra-specific tips the manual won't tell you
New 5× Telephoto
- The 50MP 5× trades the old 10× reach for much sharper results
- Its high-res sensor still produces excellent 10× crops via digital zoom
- Stick to optical stops (0.5×, 1×, 3×, 5×) for the best quality
- Space Zoom reaches 100× but falls apart past 30×
Galaxy AI Photography
- Generative Edit: long-press an object in Gallery to move or erase it
- Circle to Search: long-press the home bar, then circle anything to identify it
- Object Eraser works best on small objects and simple backgrounds
- AI edits carry a metadata watermark
Thermal Management
- 8K throttles after ~5–8 min when warm
- 4K 120fps runs hot, so keep clips short
- 4K 30fps runs 45+ min. Pull the case off for long takes
Expert RAW Tips
- Install separately from the Galaxy Store
- Astrophoto needs a tripod, clear sky, and 4+ min of exposures
- Files are 16-bit DNG. Edit in Lightroom or Snapseed
Battery During Video
- 4K30 HEVC runs ~3–4 hours on a full charge
- 8K30 drains about 2.5× faster than 4K30
- 4K120 is the hungriest mode, so carry a USB-C power bank
S Pen & Quick Launch
- Double-press power to launch the camera anywhere
- S Pen button = remote shutter
- Wave the S Pen to flip front/rear camera
- Remap the volume key to shutter, zoom, or record
Galaxy S24 Ultra vs S23 Ultra
What changed for cameras between generations
Feature
S23 Ultra
S24 Ultra
Chip
Snapdragon 8 Gen 2
Snapdragon 8 Gen 3
5× Telephoto
—
50MP ƒ/2.6 New
10× Telephoto
10MP ƒ/4.9
— Removed
Main Camera
200MP ƒ/1.7
200MP ƒ/1.7
Ultra Wide
12MP ƒ/2.2
12MP ƒ/2.2
3× Telephoto
10MP ƒ/2.4
10MP ƒ/2.4
Galaxy AI
—
Yes New
Frame Material
Aluminum
Titanium New
4K Slow-Mo
4K 60fps max
4K 120fps
8K Video
8K 30fps
8K 30fps
Display
6.8" AMOLED
6.8" AMOLED (brighter)
Worth the upgrade? If you relied heavily on the S23 Ultra's 10× optical zoom, the S24 Ultra's switch to 5× may feel like a downgrade in reach. However, the 50MP 5× sensor produces sharper images and the introduction of Galaxy AI adds powerful editing capabilities. The titanium frame and improved processing make it a well-rounded upgrade for most users.
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about the Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra camera
What is Galaxy AI on the Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra?
Galaxy AI is Samsung's suite of AI-powered features introduced with the S24 series. For the camera and gallery, it includes Generative Edit (AI-powered object removal and repositioning with generated fill), Circle to Search (circle anything on screen to identify and search for it), AI photo enhancement, Object Eraser, and improved scene optimization. These features run on-device using the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3's NPU, with some cloud-based processing for complex edits.
Does the Galaxy S24 Ultra have a 200MP camera?
Yes. The Galaxy S24 Ultra has a 200MP main camera using the ISOCELL HP2 sensor with a 1/1.3-inch size. By default, it shoots at 12MP using 16-to-1 pixel binning for larger effective pixels and better low-light performance. You can switch to full 200MP resolution in photo settings for maximum detail when shooting in good lighting. Expert RAW also supports 50MP capture from all lenses.
Can the Galaxy S24 Ultra record 4K at 120fps?
Yes. The Galaxy S24 Ultra can record 4K at 120fps for slow-motion video — a first for the Galaxy S Ultra series, as the S23 Ultra was limited to 4K 60fps. It also records 8K at 30fps using the main sensor. For extreme slow motion, Super Slow-Mo captures at 960fps at 720p resolution in short bursts.
What changed in the S24 Ultra telephoto vs S23 Ultra?
The S24 Ultra replaced the S23 Ultra's 10MP 10× periscope telephoto (230mm, ƒ/4.9) with a new 50MP 5× telephoto (115mm, ƒ/2.6). The new 5× lens has a 5× higher resolution sensor and a wider aperture, producing significantly sharper images with better low-light performance. However, you lose the native 10× optical reach — the S24 Ultra uses AI-enhanced digital crop from the 50MP sensor for 10× and beyond, which is slightly softer than true optical zoom at that distance.
Does the Galaxy S24 Ultra support Expert RAW?
Yes. The Galaxy S24 Ultra fully supports Expert RAW, Samsung's professional camera app available from the Galaxy Store. It captures 16-bit multi-frame RAW (DNG) files with full manual controls for ISO, shutter speed, white balance, and focus. It also includes a dedicated astrophotography mode for long-exposure night sky photography with automatic stacking and noise reduction.