Camera Hardware Overview
The Zenfone 11 Ultra features a triple camera system with standout hardware components. Its main rear camera boasts a 50-megapixel Sony IMX890 sensor, sized at 1/1.56 inches, paired with an f/1.9 aperture 24mm lens. This main sensor is equipped with advanced gimbal optical image stabilization (OIS), which adds enhanced steadiness for both photos and videos. Complementing the main camera is a 13-megapixel ultra-wide sensor with a 120-degree field of view and an f/2.2 aperture, capable of capturing expansive shots. Additionally, a 32-megapixel telephoto lens with an f/2.4 aperture provides 3x optical zoom and also includes OIS, allowing for detailed zoomed-in shots while maintaining image clarity.
Video Capabilities and Stabilization
The Zenfone 11 Ultra excels in video recording capabilities. Its main camera can record in 8K resolution at 24 frames per second, offering ultra-high-definition video quality. For slower-paced scenes, it supports 1080p video at 240 frames per second, facilitating smooth slow-motion capture. The device integrates a 6-axis Hybrid Gimbal Stabilizer 3.0, which together with the latest Super HyperSteady electronic image stabilization (EIS) algorithm, ensures exceptionally smooth and steady footage even during motion. Audio capture is notably enhanced with OZO Audio 3D surround technology, providing clear and immersive sound recording to complement the stabilized video output.
AI-Powered Camera Features
The Zenfone 11 Ultra incorporates a range of advanced AI algorithms designed to enhance photographic and videographic performance. AI Portrait Mode simulates a natural depth-of-field (bokeh) effect for both photos and portrait video, actively identifying focal points and recognizing faces, including pets, in real time. The AI Object Sense feature optimizes various detected objects within the frame to capture the best possible representation. HyperClarity activates during zooming to significantly increase image clarity by reconstructing and adding details based on AI recognition. Additionally, AI Noise Cancellation reduces disruptive background sounds in video recordings, enhancing audio quality. AI-driven functions extend beyond photography with tools like AI Call Translator, AI Transcript for real-time call transcription and summaries, and AI Wallpaper generation, showcasing a comprehensive AI ecosystem.
Image Quality and Performance
In real-world usage, the Zenfone 11 Ultra delivers strong image quality across most scenarios. Photos in bright daylight feature good exposure, balanced colors, and fairly accurate white balance. The main camera benefits from Quad Bayer technology, effectively producing 12.5-megapixel equivalent images with large effective pixel sizes of 2 microns. The presence of gimbal OIS stabilizes handheld shots, improving detail and sharpness. The ultra-wide lens produces images with consistent colors and contrast nearly matching the main camera, although it lacks autofocus. The telephoto lens, while providing 3x optical zoom, results in 8-megapixel default images that retain good detail, particularly in complex scenes.
Low-Light and Zoom Performance
Low-light photography on the Zenfone 11 Ultra shows respectable performance given the sensor size and lens aperture. However, some limitations exist, including occasional noise and less texture detail compared to top-tier competitors. Zoom shots show a degradation in fine detail especially beyond the 3x optical range, and digital zoom quality suffers accordingly. In video, while stabilization is excellent, the device displays some instability in exposure and autofocus, with lower overall video detail and saturation under certain conditions. Despite these, the camera still manages to produce usable media in challenging lighting environments.
Front Camera and Selfie Features
The front-facing camera is a 32-megapixel sensor with an RGBW design that enhances light sensitivity and image quality. It has an approximately 90-degree field of view, allowing for group selfies that include more people or background detail. The front camera uses pixel binning to produce 8-megapixel images with improved clarity and less noise. Selfies and portrait shots generally appear good with natural skin tones and effective background separation. However, occasional issues with lenses' reflections or glasses causing blur in portraits have been noted. The AI portrait video mode applies depth effects during video capture from the front camera, improving videography creativity.
Photography Modes and Creative Options
The Zenfone 11 Ultra offers a versatile camera app with multiple photography and videography modes catering to a broad range of creative uses. Features include Light Trail modes such as traffic trails, light graffiti, waterfalls, flow of people, and star trails, with star trails allowing exposures up to 4.5 hours long. Long exposure photography is supported up to 35 seconds, enabling users to capture striking images in various lighting conditions. Despite these modes, the phone notably lacks a dedicated macro photography option, a feature that has been absent since the Zenfone 9 model.
Usability and Design Integration
The Zenfone 11 Ultra's design integrates the camera system seamlessly with a sleek, glossy-matte finish body. The phone's camera module retains a compact yet substantial profile reflecting flagship quality. Controls and camera interface are user-friendly, with AI assistance simplifying complex photographic tasks and semantic search allowing users to quickly find photos by events, locations, or objects without uploading to the cloud. The inclusion of both USB-C quick charging and Qi wireless charging complements the phone's usability for extended photo and video sessions without power concerns.