Zenfone 11 Ultra Low-Light Performance
The Zenfone 11 Ultra has a capable low-light camera setup with several notable strengths. Its main 12.5MP camera performs solidly in low-light scenarios with plenty of detail and very effective noise control, almost eliminating noise from images. Color reproduction and dynamic range are good, with highlights and shadows managed well. The phone applies a tasteful amount of processing that maintains clarity without over-smoothing. The automatic night mode activates in regular photo mode for low-light shots, and there is also a dedicated night mode offering choices between long and short exposures. However, the longer exposure provides only marginal benefits, making the extra wait time less worthwhile in most cases.
The telephoto camera also demonstrates competency in low-light, preserving detail and color well-matched to the main camera, with effectively no noise. The ultrawide camera is less impressive but still serviceable at night. It captures decent detail with low noise levels but tends to oversaturate colors slightly. Both shadows and highlights are handled effectively.
Selfies in low light from the Zenfone 11 Ultra are generally good, with natural skin tones and ample detail, though sometimes the processing is slightly harsh. Night mode on selfies appears to be less beneficial than shooting in regular photo mode. Overall, the Zenfone 11 Ultra's low-light camera system handles various lenses well, with the strongest performance coming from the main and telephoto cameras and a somewhat weaker ultrawide lens experience.
Limitations Noted in Low-Light Conditions
While the Zenfone 11 Ultra produces decent night shots with a steady hand, it is not at the level of some top competitors specializing in low-light photography. Some issues include occasional color shifts where reds turn to purples, and overprocessing in images under low light. The camera algorithms sometimes produce unnatural color tones or excessive image smoothing that detracts from the final output. The phone's zoom functionality at 3x telephoto does not excel in low-light conditions, showing signs of overexposure and limited dynamic range when compared to other advanced smartphones with more sophisticated periscope zoom cameras. This leads to images that look less refined in terms of detail and tonal consistency.
Galaxy S24 Ultra Low-Light Performance
The Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra, known for its flagship camera quality, continues the trend of leading in low-light photography. Its variable-zoom periscope telephoto lens has been highly praised for its ability to preserve detail and color accuracy even in challenging lighting. Samsung's advanced image processing and night mode capabilities typically result in images with well-controlled noise, excellent dynamic range, and natural color tones during nighttime or dimly lit environments.
Samsung integrates sophisticated multi-frame processing and AI-driven noise reduction to ensure sharp detail retention and minimize graininess. The ultrawide lens often retains respectable low-light performance, benefiting from wider apertures and improved sensors. Selfies in low light also generally maintain brightness and natural skin tones with minimal noise, aided by front-facing sensor improvements and HDR processing.
The S24 Ultra typically exhibits higher consistency in low-light conditions than many competitors, producing balanced exposure and color stability. Its extensive software tuning helps retain texture and reduce artifacts while night mode functionalities offer visibly brighter and clearer images without excessive processing. This contributes to the Galaxy S24 Ultra being widely regarded as one of the best in the industry for low-light photography [functions.search_web].
Comparative Overview of Low-Light Capabilities
When directly comparing Zenfone 11 Ultra to Galaxy S24 Ultra in low-light scenarios, the Zenfone 11 Ultra offers solid but not top-tier performance. Its main and telephoto cameras perform well with effective noise control and good color reproduction, but its processing sometimes leads to unnatural color shifts and overprocessing. Its ultrawide and zoom cameras are less impressive, with the zoom camera particularly falling behind in tone and detail consistency.
In contrast, the Galaxy S24 Ultra generally provides more refined and balanced images in low-light settings with superior dynamic range, texture retention, and color accuracy. Samsung's advanced image processing and AI provide more stable exposure and natural skin tones in night photography. The Galaxy S24 Ultra's zoom capabilities outperform the Zenfone 11 Ultra's telephoto in terms of clarity and dynamic range at night.
Although the Zenfone 11 Ultra is a strong contender with commendable battery life and performance in various conditions, the Galaxy S24 Ultra remains the leader for low-light photography, delivering consistently higher-quality images with more sophisticated hardware and software integration for night and indoor conditions.
Summary of Differences in Low-Light Image Quality
- Zenfone 11 Ultra excels in managing noise with main and telephoto cameras but sometimes introduces color shifts and overprocessing.
- Galaxy S24 Ultra offers more natural color reproduction, better dynamic range, and more consistent exposure control.
- Zenfone 11 Ultra's long exposure night mode provides marginal improvement but adds delay, whereas Samsung's night mode is more seamlessly integrated.
- Ultrawide lens quality at night favors Samsung for better balance and detail retention.
- Telephoto zoom performance favors Galaxy S24 Ultra with superior detail and dynamic range.
- Zenfone 11 Ultra selfies are good but less refined in night mode compared to Samsung's optimized front camera results.