Best Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra Camera Settings
A 200MP main camera, 3x and 5x telephotos and Samsung Log, updated to One UI 9.
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The menu paths on this page were read from a Galaxy S25 Ultra running One UI 9 in November 2026, so they match what you'll see after the update. The tables give a starting value for each kind of shot, built around the 200MP main camera and the 50MP ultra-wide, plus the 3x and 5x telephotos.
Galaxy S25 Ultra camera specs
| Lens | Resolution / aperture | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 0.6x ultra-wide | 50 MP · f/1.9 | 120° view, 1/2.5-inch sensor |
| 1x main | 200 MP · f/1.7 | 24mm, 1/1.3-inch sensor, OIS, laser AF |
| 3x telephoto | 10 MP · f/2.4 | 67mm, 1/3.52-inch sensor, OIS |
| 5x periscope | 50 MP · f/3.4 | 111mm, 1/2.52-inch sensor, OIS. Focuses from about 26cm in GSMArena's test, 30cm per Samsung |
| 2x and 10x | Sensor crops · f/1.7 and f/3.4 | Extra buttons added under Zoom shortcuts in Camera Assistant |
| Selfie | 12 MP · f/2.2 | Dual Pixel AF |
Video: 8K at 24 or 30fps, 4K at up to 120fps, Full HD slow motion at 240fps, 10-bit HDR, HDR10+ and Samsung Log
Signature features: Expert RAW with Virtual Reflector · Super steady with Horizontal lock (new in One UI 9) · Samsung Log with LUT preview · Camera Assistant presets and shutter limits
Settings to change first
| Setting | Recommended value | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Composition guide | Grid lines and level | One UI 9 also lets you show the grid or the level on its own. |
| Press Volume buttons to | Take picture or record video | A side key shakes the phone less than a screen tap at 5x and 10x. |
| Photo enhancer | Prioritize quality, with Scene detection on for quick shares | Balanced and Prioritize speed cut processing for quicker capture. |
| Pro mode picture format | RAW and JPEG | On One UI 9 this replaces the old RAW copies switch. |
| Zoom shortcuts (Camera Assistant) | 2x and 10x | It adds buttons for the sensor crops between the real lenses. |
| Swipe Shutter button to edge to | Take burst shot | Holding the shutter records video, so the swipe is how you get a burst. |
Settings by situation
Everyday and travel
Tap the zoom buttons instead of pinching, since each button is a real lens or a rated crop.
| Setting | Value | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Lens | .6 for big views, 1x for most scenes, 3x and 5x for details | Zoom levels in between are plain crops of the nearest lens. |
| Resolution | 12MP, or 50MP for bright landscapes | Photo mode on the S25 Ultra doesn't offer 24MP, though Expert RAW still does. |
| Motion photo | Auto | The top-bar button cycles Off, Auto and On, and Best face needs a Motion photo. |
| Auto HDR (Camera Assistant) | On | It blends exposures to hold detail in bright skies and dark shadows. |
Portraits
Portrait mode and the 3x lens give the most flattering face shape.
| Setting | Value | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Lens | 3x from about 1.2m, or 5x for tight headshots from further back | Longer lenses flatten noses and keep you a comfortable distance away. |
| Blur strength | Below the maximum | Hair edges look more believable, and you can change the blur later in Gallery. |
| Photo softening (Camera Assistant) | Medium if skin looks over-sharpened | On One UI 9 the setting offers Off, Medium and High. |
| Backlit faces | Expert RAW > Labs > Virtual reflector | It's listed in Labs with Expert RAW 6.0.02.8 on One UI 9. |
Low light and night
The 1x camera has the biggest sensor, so use it whenever the light drops.
| Setting | Value | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Night shot | Keep the moon button yellow | Yellow means night processing is on, and a white moon with a line through it means it's off. |
| Night mode | From the mode strip when Night shot doesn't engage | Hold the phone still until the countdown ends. Our S25 Ultra Night mode guide covers tripod use. |
| Pro mode on a tripod | ISO 50, 2 to 10 seconds, 3200K to 4000K under streetlights | The ISO dial goes down to 50, and the shutter runs to 30 seconds. |
| Stars | Expert RAW > Labs > Astrophoto, at 12MP | Its capture time offers Short, Medium and Long on One UI 9. |
Action, kids and pets
Camera Assistant fixes most blurred action shots by stopping the shutter from getting too slow.
| Setting | Value | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Quick tap shutter | On | On One UI 9 it also takes an extra picture when you swipe or hold the shutter. |
| Minimum shutter speed | 1/500s outdoors, 1/120s indoors | It's under Advanced Photo mode controls, and it applies only at 12MP. |
| Prioritize focus over speed | Off | The shutter stops waiting for focus to confirm before it fires. |
| Sport | 5x with Auto lens switching off, or Pro mode at 1/1000s | The camera stays on the real telephoto even when the light dips. |
Video
Video mode suits everyday clips, and Pro Video adds Log and manual exposure.
| Setting | Value | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Everyday clips | 4K at 30fps, HEVC, HDR on | You get sharp files of a sensible size that play on most screens. |
| Walking shots | Super steady > Horizontal lock | It's new for the S25 with One UI 9, at up to QHD 60fps. |
| Slow motion | 4K at 120fps or Full HD at 240fps | These play back 4x or 8x slower on a 30fps timeline. |
| Footage you'll grade | Pro Video with Log | Video format marks Log as Pro video mode only. Our Log video guide covers grading. |
| Checking exposure | Exposure monitor > Zebra pattern | Its stripes mark highlights that are about to clip. |
RAW and editing
Pro mode is quicker to reach, and Expert RAW saves a 16-bit DNG with more editing room.
| Setting | Value | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Pro mode RAW | Photo format > Pro mode picture format > RAW and JPEG | You get a DNG to edit plus a JPEG to share. |
| Expert RAW format | RAW+JPEG at 24M | The format menu in the top bar offers RAW+JPEG, RAW or JPEG. |
| Expert RAW presets | Night Sky or Night Long Exp., or save your own | The sliders icon at the bottom left of the preview opens the presets row. |
| Metering | Center-weighted, or Spot for a lit face on a dark stage | Pro mode's Metering modes button offers three patterns. Our Expert RAW guide covers the rest. |
One UI 9 menu paths
The S25 Ultra launched on One UI 7 and got One UI 8.5 in May 2026. SamMobile reported stable One UI 9 (Android 17) arriving on 28 September 2026 in South Korea, with the US and Europe following in early October. Every path below was checked on a Galaxy S25 Ultra running One UI 9, November 2026.
| What you want | Where to find it |
|---|---|
| Open Camera settings | Quick controls (four dots) > gear icon |
| Grid and level | Camera settings > General > Composition guide |
| Volume keys as a shutter | Camera settings > General > Shooting methods |
| Scene detection | Camera settings > Intelligent features > Photo enhancer |
| RAW in Pro mode | Camera settings > Photos > Photo format |
| Log, HDR and codec | Camera settings > Videos > Video format |
| Burst, shutter limits and presets | Camera settings > General > Camera Assistant |
| Single take and Dual rec | Camera Assistant > Additional modes |
| Horizontal lock | Video mode > Super steady icon |
What the S25 Ultra can't do
- Photo mode has no 24MP option, since One UI 9 kept it for the S26 series. Expert RAW still shoots 24MP.
- There's no Off, Auto and Max Night control in Photo mode. You get the Night shot toggle and the separate Night mode.
- There's no APV codec, and none of the S26 Ultra's extra Pro Video frame rates.
- Samsung says Air actions aren't available with the S25 Ultra S Pen, so it can't act as a remote shutter.
- Tracking auto focus shows as unavailable in Photo mode on One UI 9.
- 200MP works on the main camera only, and optical zoom stops at 5x.
Frequently asked questions
What are the best camera settings for the S25 Ultra?+
Keep Photo mode at 12MP, turn on the grid and level and set the volume keys to take pictures. In Camera Assistant, turn on Quick tap shutter and set the burst swipe. Use 3x for portraits and 1x at night, and switch to Pro mode with RAW and JPEG or to Expert RAW for photos you'll edit.
Where is the RAW setting in Pro mode on One UI 9?+
It's in Camera settings under Photos, then Photo format, then Pro mode picture format. Pick RAW and JPEG to get a DNG alongside the normal photo.
Does the S25 Ultra get Horizontal lock?+
It arrived with One UI 9. In Video mode, tap the Super steady icon and choose Horizontal lock, which keeps the horizon level at up to QHD 60fps.
Should I shoot 50MP or 200MP on the S25 Ultra?+
Use 50MP for bright landscapes you'll crop, and save 200MP for still scenes in strong light. Both need good light, and 200MP drops the 3x and 5x, so stay on 12MP for anything that moves. Our resolution guide compares them.
Can the S25 Ultra shoot 24MP photos?+
Only in Expert RAW. One UI 9 kept 24MP in Photo mode for the S26 series, and Expert RAW's picture size menu offers 24M on the S25 Ultra.
Everything for your Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra
S25 Ultra camera guides
- → Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra Camera: Specs, Zoom and Settings
- → How to Use the Galaxy S25 Ultra Camera (2026 Guide), lenses, modes and a 60-second setup
- → Galaxy S25 Ultra Night Mode: Best Settings by Scene, handheld and tripod night settings
Comparisons
Features that work on your S25 Ultra
- → Samsung Expert RAW: Pro Photography Guide (2026)
- → S Pen Camera Remote: Can the S25 Ultra S Pen Take Pictures?
- → Samsung Camera Assistant: Every Setting and When to Use It, what each switch does
- → 12MP vs 24MP vs 50MP vs 200MP on Samsung: Which to Use
- → Samsung Night Mode: Sharper Low-Light Photos
- → How to Make Samsung Photos Look Natural (Less Over-Processed)
- → Samsung Log Video: How to Shoot, Expose and Grade It
- → One UI 9 Camera and Gallery Changes for Galaxy Photographers
- → Samsung Camera HDR: Where the Toggle Went and What's Left
Thinking of upgrading?
More guides
- → Best Samsung Camera Settings for Better Photos (2026), every One UI 9 menu item in order
Related on this site
Other model settings
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