Galaxy S20 Ultra camera comparison

Daylight zooming

Let's start off with shots taken with the regular cameras so you can get an idea where we are in relation to the subjects we're going to be zooming in on.

Tip: On a desktop web browser, you can compare any two camera samples fullscreen by using the icon on the bottom right of each set of images.

Scene 1, 1x zoom: Galaxy S20 Ultra • Huawei P30 Pro • Galaxy Note10+

Scene 2, 1x zoom: Galaxy S20 Ultra • Huawei P30 Pro • Galaxy Note10+

We then zoomed in to 2x, a magnification where only the Galaxy Note10+ has a lens to cover natively. Here, it's interesting to see what you'll be sacrificing if you're coming from a phone without a periscope telephoto.

The Ultra does use its tele cam for the center portion of the image, and fills out the periphery with data from the main cam - a valid approach that results in a really sharp center, but notably softer output once you move away. You can clearly see the lower half of the mural below the clock doesn't have nearly as much definition as the portion near the clock itself. The P30 Pro's behavior is similar in this mid-level zoom.

2x zoom: Galaxy S20 Ultra • Galaxy Note10+ • Galaxy S20 Ultra • Galaxy Note10+

Going into 4x, which we've been told is the native magnification of the Galaxy's tele lens, we can see it has an advantage in sharpness and contrast over the Huawei. Both the mural dots and the fine detail in the distant mountains are better defined in the Ultra's shots. The Galaxy Note10+ is now falling behind and its, effectively upscaled, photos aren't on the same level, though we'd still call them usable at fit to screen magnifications.

Scene 1, 4x zoom: Galaxy S20 Ultra • Huawei P30 Pro • Galaxy Note10+

Scene 2, 4x zoom: Galaxy S20 Ultra • Huawei P30 Pro • Galaxy Note10+

At 5x the tables turn, as this is the Huawei lens' sort of native zoom level, and it has the upper hand, even if it's not a night and day difference. The castle shot is particularly telling with both the clock and the mural having beter definition in the Huawei's shot. The P30 Pro has less of an advantage looking up the mountain when it comes to detail, though it does still have better contrast. Once again and even more so, the Galaxy Note10+ clearly shows it's not equipped to compete at these zoom levels.

Scene 1, 5x zoom: Galaxy S20 Ultra • Huawei P30 Pro • Galaxy Note10+

Scene 2, 5x zoom: Galaxy S20 Ultra • Huawei P30 Pro • Galaxy Note10+

None of them is equipped with a 10x zoom lens but once you go into digital zoom, sky's the limit. Wait, no, space is? Anyway, at 10x the Note10+ falls apart, so it's good Samsung capped it there, while the periscopes can still somewhat deliver. The Ultra has a minor advantage here, but it's barely noticeable and certainly nowhere near what the difference in sensor size would have you expect (1/2" vs. 1/4").

Scene 1, 10x zoom: Galaxy S20 Ultra • Huawei P30 Pro • Galaxy Note10+

Scene 2, 10x zoom: Galaxy S20 Ultra • Huawei P30 Pro • Galaxy Note10+

At 30x the Ultra continues to outperform the Huawei, but both are now pushing the limits of what can be defined as serviceable photo quality.

30x zoom: Galaxy S20 Ultra • Huawei P30 Pro • Galaxy S20 Ultra • Huawei P30 Pro

At maximum zoom, 100x on the Samsung, 50x on the Huawei, neither produces usable images. At least the P30 Pro saves some grace by not pushing things too much.

Max zoom: Galaxy S20 Ultra (100x) • Huawei P30 Pro (50x) • Galaxy S20 Ultra (100x) • Huawei P30 Pro (50x)