Sarah Tew/CNET
Samsung’s Galaxy S21 Ultra, which is formally on sale at the moment, together with the remainder of the Galaxy S21 lineup, represents the top of what the corporate can supply in a cellphone, with its highly effective processor, huge vibrant display and 5G connectivity. But it is the digicam setup I’m notably all in favour of, and it is right here that the S21 Ultra pushes the boat out. There are 4 lenses on the again: a typical zoom, an ultrawide lens, a 3x optical zoom and a 10x optical zoom. Together with the massive 108-megapixel decision of the principle digicam, the cellphone can obtain an enormous 30x zoom. (Here are all the brand new Galaxy S21 Ultra digicam options and the way to use them.)TL;DR: It’s that zoom that’s the hero right here. While outcomes at 30x are nonetheless fairly poor, the cellphone’s skill to take pictures at 10x optical zoom means it will possibly take pictures which are merely not attainable on rival flagships such because the iPhone 12 Pro or OnePlus 8T. 
While I might have appreciated extra headline options for the Galaxy S21 Ultra, what’s right here remains to be spectacular. And I set out throughout Edinburgh to see what the cellphone can do. 
Andrew Hoyle/CNET
I started within the lovely Dean Village, with this traditional view wanting down the river. Taken with the usual digicam, the cellphone has captured a wealthy and vibrant scene, with loads of element within the admittedly very shadowy foreground. Galaxy S21 Ultra, super-wide lens.
Andrew Hoyle/CNET
Zooming out to the super-wide view, there’s little noticeable shift in colours, past a little bit of magenta tinge within the high proper nook. It’s a well-balanced shot and there is loads of element all through. Galaxy S21 Ultra, 3x zoom.
Andrew Hoyle/CNET
At 3x zoom, the clock tower seems to be pin-sharp and vibrant.Galaxy S21, 10x zoom.
Andrew Hoyle/CNET
At 10x zoom, the picture remains to be completely detailed, with beautiful distinction and no shift in colours. Galaxy S21 Ultra, 30x zoom.
Andrew Hoyle/CNET
At 30x zoom issues do not look so good. Yes, it is completely clear what the photograph is of, however there’s an general lack of definition. It’s tough to get your shot lined up when zoomed in up to now, however Samsung has a intelligent stabilization mode that helped me maintain the entire clock face in body.Galaxy S21 Ultra, 100x zoom. 
Andrew Hoyle/CNET
At its most 100x zoom, these particulars are much more mushy, leading to a picture that is solely actually good as proof of one thing you have seen, reminiscent of uncommon wildlife. Yes, it is a novel characteristic that may be enjoyable to attempt, however for most individuals, the standard is not adequate for an Instagram put up, for instance.Galaxy S21 Ultra, 10x zoom.
Andrew Hoyle/CNET
The 10x zoom is the candy spot for me and it is my favourite characteristic of the S21 Ultra’s digicam. It means that you can seize photographic compositions that might require an enormous telephoto zoom lens with a DSLR. By zooming in on this seaside, I used to be capable of present the curving water, the concrete breakers stretching throughout the scene and clearly present the walkers, who add fantastic scale to the picture. Galaxy S21 Ultra, 10x zoom.
Andrew Hoyle/CNET
And right here I used to be capable of fill the body rather more with the dramatic sight of Fettes College.Galaxy S21 Ultra, commonplace lens.
Andrew Hoyle/CNET
Taken with the usual zoom lens, this shot overlooking a golf course is not notably thrilling.Galaxy S21 Ultra, 10x zoom.
Andrew Hoyle/CNET
But activating the 10x zoom means altering the view fully, focusing as a substitute on the skyline of Edinburgh, with the monuments on Calton Hill clearly seen.Galaxy S21 Ultra, 10x zoom, 100% crop.
Andrew Hoyle/CNET
Zooming in to 100% on the 10x zoom picture, it is clear that there is not numerous element captured. Realistically, pictures taken with the 10x zoom usually are not going to be of adequate high quality for printing — pristine-quality zooming will stay the territory of a DSLR with a telephoto lens, for now no less than. That mentioned, many of the pictures I took at 10x zoom look adequate for posts on social media, or for messaging to pals, which most likely counts for the overwhelming majority of what anybody would need to do with their pictures anyway. Galaxy S21 Ultra, 10x zoom.
Andrew Hoyle/CNET
The 10x zoom was sufficient to precisely make out the small print on this airplane coming in to land. Galaxy S21 Ultra, 10x zoom.
Andrew Hoyle/CNET
And it was the 10x zoom that allow me isolate this couple from the distracting parts within the scene, leading to a shot that focuses simply on them wanting into the space. Galaxy S21 Ultra, 10x zoom, 100% crop. 
Andrew Hoyle/CNET
Again although, cropping into that picture to 100% reveals that there is a particular lack of tremendous element when utilizing this zoom stage.Galaxy S21 Ultra, ultrawide lens.
Andrew Hoyle/CNET
The super-wide lens captures an enormous quantity of the scene and I’m actually impressed with how vibrant and punchy this picture is.Galaxy S21 Ultra, ultrawide lens.
Andrew Hoyle/CNET
While this shot of a cannon has an excellent general publicity, with a managed vibrant sky and loads of shadow particulars on the gun itself. Galaxy S21 Ultra, night time mode.
Andrew Hoyle/CNET
Turning night time mode on, I used to be happy to see the cellphone produce a vibrant and sharp picture, even in a room that was extraordinarily darkish. The colours listed below are correct and there is sufficient element to have the ability to learn the tremendous textual content on the candle. Impressive stuff. It’s early days with the cellphone, however already I’m impressed on the pictures I’ve been capable of get, with glorious dynamic vary and correct colours on many of the pictures I’ve taken. The zoom is the standout characteristic right here, but it surely’s solely spectacular up to some extent. I really like among the pictures I’ve taken at 10x zoom, however even then the small print are fairly tough. Going past 10x reduces it an enormous quantity and I nonetheless assume the 100x Space Zoom is pointless — I’d have most well-liked Samsung spend its time making the 10x zoom look even higher. Read extra: Galaxy S21 Ultra vs. iPhone 12 Pro Max: Cameras put to the take a look at

Now enjoying:
Watch this:

We overview the Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G and its bonkers cameras

9:22

Discover the most recent information and greatest opinions in smartphones and carriers from CNET’s cell specialists.