In the world of mobile photography, Samsung’s Galaxy lineup has consistently pushed boundaries, especially when it comes to capturing stunning visuals that rival professional setups. Whether you’re editing 4K footage from a DJI Mini 4 Pro or reviewing gimbal camera clips on the go, the right Galaxy phone can elevate your aerial filmmaking game. But with models like the Galaxy S24 Ultra, Galaxy S23 Ultra, and Galaxy S24+, which one truly reigns supreme in camera performance? This deep dive compares specs, real-world tests, and features tailored for drone enthusiasts, photographers, and creators.
Key Galaxy Contenders and Their Camera Setups
Samsung’s flagship Galaxy phones boast versatile camera arrays designed for everything from cinematic drone shots to detailed FPV systems previews. Let’s break down the top models.
Galaxy S24 Ultra: The Quad-Camera Powerhouse
The Galaxy S24 Ultra stands out with its upgraded quad-camera system, anchored by a massive 200MP main sensor. This ISOCELL HP2 sensor captures incredible detail, making it ideal for cropping into thermal imaging overlays or high-res obstacle avoidance sensor data from drones.
Paired with it are a 50MP ultrawide lens for expansive aerial filmmaking landscapes, a 10MP 3x telephoto for balanced zoom, and a standout 50MP 5x periscope telephoto that reaches up to 100x digital zoom without losing quality. Night mode shines here, leveraging AI enhancements to pull clarity from low-light FPV flights at dusk.
Video capabilities are pro-level: 8K at 30fps and 4K at 120fps slow-mo, perfect for syncing with GoPro Hero Camera mounts on racing drones. The 12MP front camera handles selfies and vlogs with natural skin tones.
Galaxy S23 Ultra: Last-Gen Reliability
Don’t sleep on the Galaxy S23 Ultra. It mirrors the S24’s layout but with a 200MP main ISOCELL HP2 sensor that’s nearly identical in output. The 12MP ultrawide, 10MP 3x, and 10MP 10x telephotos deliver reliable optical zoom for distant drone pursuits.
Its Expert RAW mode lets you shoot 16-bit DNG files, great for post-processing mapping data from autonomous flights. Video tops at 8K/30fps, and while it lacks the S24’s AI tweaks, real-world dynamic range holds up in bright GPS-tracked skies.
Galaxy S24+ and S24: Solid Mid-Range Options
For lighter budgets, the Galaxy S24+ upgrades to a 50MP main sensor with 3x optical zoom, a 12MP ultrawide, and 10MP telephoto. It’s compact for handheld drone control but misses the 200MP punch and 5x zoom of Ultras.
The base Galaxy S24 sticks to a 50MP main, 12MP ultrawide, and 10MP 3x tele—fine for casual micro drones reviews but not flagship territory.
In-Depth Specs Comparison
To crown a winner, we pitted these phones against each other in key areas relevant to drone pilots and imagers.
| Feature | Galaxy S24 Ultra | Galaxy S23 Ultra | Galaxy S24+ | Galaxy S24 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Main Sensor | 200MP f/1.7 | 200MP f/1.7 | 50MP f/1.8 | 50MP f/1.8 |
| Ultrawide | 50MP f/2.2 (0.6x) | 12MP f/2.2 (0.5x) | 12MP f/2.2 (0.5x) | 12MP f/2.2 (0.5x) |
| Telephoto 1 | 10MP f/2.4 (3x) | 10MP f/2.4 (3x) | 10MP f/2.4 (3x) | 10MP f/2.4 (3x) |
| Telephoto 2 | 50MP f/3.4 (5x) | 10MP f/4.9 (10x) | – | – |
| Video Max | 8K/30fps, 4K/120fps | 8K/30fps, 4K/120fps | 8K/30fps | 8K/30fps |
| AI Features | ProVisual Engine, Generative Edit | Expert RAW | Basic AI | Basic AI |
| Battery | 5000mAh | 5000mAh | 4900mAh | 4000mAh |
The S24 Ultra edges ahead with its larger ultrawide sensor and dual telephotos, offering superior stabilization systems via pixel-binning for low-light quadcopters. Samsung’s ProVisual Engine introduces Galaxy AI tools like Instant Slow-mo and Generative Edit, transforming shaky racing drones clips into cinematic masterpieces.
In sensor tech, all use advanced Sony IMX or Samsung ISOCELL stacks with AI follow mode integration for subject tracking—crucial for following UAVs in flight.
Real-World Performance Tests for Drone and Aerial Use
We tested these phones in drone-centric scenarios: capturing DJI Avata 2 FPV feeds, editing Autel Evo Lite+ hyperlapses, and low-light shoots mimicking night remote sensing.
Daylight Photography: The S24 Ultra’s 200MP mode delivers unmatched detail. Shooting a DJI Air 3 at 100m altitude, crops revealed feather-like textures on birds—impossible with the S24+’s 50MP. Colors pop vibrantly, thanks to improved HDR matching drone gimbal cameras.
Zoom Capabilities: At 5x-10x, the S24 Ultra’s 50MP periscope crushes the S23 Ultra’s older 10MP 10x, with less noise for tracking fast FPV drones. 100x Space Zoom is gimmicky but usable with AI stabilization for distant landmarks.
Low-Light and Night Mode: In simulated dusk flights, the S24 Ultra pulled ahead with faster shutter speeds and less flare, ideal for navigation sensor visuals. Astro mode captures star trails syncing perfectly with drone autonomous flight paths.
Video for Aerial Filmmaking: 4K/60fps on the S24 Ultra offers buttery sensor fusion with Log profiles for grading cinematic shots. The S23 Ultra matches frame rates but lags in AI upscaling for 1080p drone proxies.
Portrait and Selfie: All excel, but Ultra models’ telephotos create natural bokeh for pilot selfies against drone backdrops.
Battery life supports all-day shoots: S24 Ultra lasted 14 hours of mixed use, including app control for DJI Fly and Litchi.
Compared to rivals like Google Pixel 8 Pro or iPhone 15 Pro Max, Galaxy Ultras win in zoom versatility—key for optical zoom in aerial work.
Accessories and Software Enhancements
Pair your Galaxy with drone gear for max potential. Use propellers-resistant cases, batteries power banks, and apps like DroneDeploy for mapping.
One UI 6.1 brings seamless integration: Circle to Search IDs drone models in photos, and Photo Assist removes obstacle avoidance markers effortlessly.
For FPV, the bright AMOLED screens (up to 2600 nits on S24 Ultra) beat tablets in sunlight.
Verdict: Galaxy S24 Ultra Takes the Crown
After rigorous testing, the Galaxy S24 Ultra has the best camera in the Galaxy lineup. Its superior sensors, AI smarts, and zoom prowess make it indispensable for drone pilots chasing creative techniques in aerial filmmaking. If budget constrains, the S23 Ultra is a close second at a discount.
Upgrade if you demand pro-grade tools for your UAV adventures—your footage will thank you.