Photo credit: www.androidauthority.com
HUAWEI and Samsung introduced 10x zoom cameras a few years back, pushing the boundaries of smartphone photography with unprecedented reach. Unfortunately, the Galaxy S23 Ultra marked the end of this innovation in Samsung’s flagship lineup, and the Galaxy S25 Ultra reverted to a more conventional 5x option. Despite my positive experiences with the long-range capabilities of the S22 Ultra and S23 Ultra, it’s disappointing that manufacturers haven’t expanded on this technology further.
However, the landscape isn’t entirely bleak. Several smartphones have emerged featuring 200MP periscope cameras that aim to bridge the gap left by the S23 Ultra. The vivo X200 Pro stands out among these devices, boasting a 200MP camera with a 3.7x optical zoom. This comparison aims to assess how it stacks up against the S23 Ultra’s 10x optical zoom, as both devices are available for a side-by-side evaluation.
Can megapixels surpass optical quality?
Analyzing the long-range zoom setups of these two models reveals contrasting philosophies. The Galaxy S23 Ultra is equipped with a 10MP sensor combined with a 10x periscope lens, prioritizing a high zoom factor over pixel resolution. With its narrower f/4.9 aperture and a compact 1/3.52-inch sensor, it’s relatively limited for its pixel count, raising questions about low-light performance.
On the other hand, the vivo X200 Pro leverages a larger 200MP sensor and a 3.7x periscope lens, offering more megapixels but a lower native zoom factor. Its wide f/2.6 aperture and significantly larger 1/1.4-inch sensor aim to enhance detail and low-light performance. Vivo’s strategy banks on managing the smaller pixel size through pixel-binning to capture bright, clear images.
Daytime performance: A closer contest than anticipated
Testing commenced indoors with a focus on video game cases, which presented a challenge due to the small text and lower lighting conditions. The Samsung photo exhibited noticeable noise levels, particularly on the left side, while the vivo X200 Pro showcased impressive noise reduction. Although the X200 Pro’s sharpening was occasionally excessive—particularly on shiny surfaces and text—it produced a more visually appealing image overall.
When photographing people, both devices performed admirably during daylight. Yet, the S23 Ultra’s color accuracy left something to be desired, leaning towards a yellowish tint. The vivo smartphone effectively controlled noise and maintained greater detail without resorting to aggressive sharpening, although minor artifacts were visible on fine edges.
Turning to pet photography, both phones faced challenges with white balance; the vivo variant appeared too warm while the Samsung was cooler than the actual scene. The S23 Ultra did a better job capturing the scene, yet the vivo X200 Pro delivered more intricate details, particularly in the fur textures.
When pushing the zoom capabilities beyond 10x, particularly to 30x, results became less favorable. Neither device excelled, but the vivo’s image quality suffered from over-sharpening and heightened contrast. Clear fringing was noticeable along architectural edges, suggesting that a native 10x zoom might indeed provide superior results in complex scenarios.
Low-light performance: The S23 Ultra’s limitations become evident
Periscopic setups historically struggle in low-light scenarios. The question arises: does the vivo X200 Pro’s wider aperture, larger sensor, and higher megapixel count translate to better nighttime photography than the Samsung’s lower-resolution alternative?
At 10x zoom, the vivo camera displayed advantages with noise reduction and overall image sharpness, albeit to an aggressive degree that created halos around some image elements. The S23 Ultra was noisier, though it retained a comparable level of detail in certain scenarios. The preference here is subjective, depending on whether a more processed or natural aesthetic is favored.
As we look at images captured at 30x, the vivo model produced clearer text thanks to a thoughtful application of sharpening. In contrast, the Samsung’s output was muddled and less coherent, particularly under artificial lighting where both struggled, but the vivo’s handling of these difficult conditions prevailed.
Which smartphone excels in long-range zoom photography overall?
In our comparison of the Galaxy S23 Ultra and vivo X200 Pro, it becomes clear that the vivo model captured the majority of favorable outcomes. This trend reflects broader market shifts, with brands like Xiaomi and HONOR incorporating 200MP telephoto cameras into their latest devices. The high megapixel count, complemented by pixel-binning, allows these cameras to outperform their native zoom specifications.
Nevertheless, the Galaxy S23 Ultra still impresses, demonstrating that even with aging technology, a well-designed 10x camera retains its value in 2025. While performance at 30x shows the S23 Ultra competing well against many contemporary options, the optical quality it provides at 10x and beyond remains a significant asset. Additionally, Samsung allows for advanced settings in its Pro modes, enhancing the shooting experience.
The future of 10x zoom cameras appears uncertain, as creating the necessary hardware for such capabilities requires significant internal space within smartphones, limiting sensor size options. However, the potential benefits of improved long-range zoom quality create anticipation for advancements in the coming years.
Source
www.androidauthority.com