yashsingh1/xdaforums huggingface dataset:
[Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra] AJ732101:
You don't even need GCam to see that the potential of the hardware is in respect to the level of details that can be achived higher than the 12MP stock camera images would suggest. Just take a 200MP image and scale it down to 25% with IrfanView and these settings (depending on the content with or without sharpening during resample). When this output is compared to the out of samrtphone stock camera 12MP images it get so obvious how much details are wasted in the standard Samsung image processing there. The colors are still off but considering just the level of real (and not faked) sharpness and details is so much higher.

Sample result 1

Sample result 2

Sample result 3

Sample result 4
[Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra] ajarosz:
True, you can see details in that way as well. My point is, that with 3rd party app, that is not allowed to have a full 200 Mpix readout from the sensor in full resolution you can have so much better results than in a native Samsung app. But true, you can see what a crap 12 Mpix is in this way as well.

Edit.

Out of my curiosity compared the results of resizing 200Mpix to 12 and 12 from GCAM. GCAM still managed to be better, but maybe it is because it is getting darker where now.

Anyways, I would love to see major improvement in this filed from Samsung.
[Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra] aadeshiscool:
Gcam apk and the config file you're using?
[Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra] ajarosz:
LCM 8.4 and config from JavaSabr in v52.
[Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra] aadeshiscool:
Can you link the apk and file please?
[Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra] ajarosz:
https://xdaforums.com/t/working-gcam-for-s23-ultra.4550019/#post-88178597 Here you have everything that is needed, manual included. :)
[Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra] AJ732101:
Crippling the Camera2 API is a bad habit of most of the manufactures. No HEIC, no high resolutions, no 8K video.

I understand that it makes no sense to allow 200MP RAW images (as there are in fact no 200 millin pixels but only 200 million light sensitive elements with a color filter array in fromt) but 50MP RAW and 200MP JPEG with control over the colors as well as edge enhancement and noise reduction would not be asked too much. Especially considering the ugly Samsung color science on the S23U where I always think it was shot though greenish colored sun glasses.
[Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra] Darbar1701:
It's here
[Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra] matushsvk:
Can confirm, downloading now in EUX region.
[Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra] tukzerotuk:
arrive THL region
[Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra] Fl1nt91:
Camera still sucks badly
[Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra] hill67:
It's there in The Netherlands 😃
[Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra] pogi.paul0119:
Getting the update now..yeah just in time for the holiday😆😆😆
[Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra] Klaudas:
Took quick few photos and I've noticed that auto focus a little bit faster with same beautiful results like before.
[Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra] aureum:
camera firmware change, also new option in camera assistance to take photo before full focus:
[Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra] ajarosz:
Well, happy that at least you like the result.
[Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra] kevinireland11:
Yeah you defo have a dodgy device lol, stock camera is better than my pixel 7 and p6p so, I'd consider returning your faulty device 😉 😀 😄 😜 😁 😆 😉 😀 😄 😜 😁
[Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra] kevinireland11:
Just return it 😂
[Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra] Fl1nt91:
No way, with gcam is the best device on the market.

If you are happy with stock cam is a great luck, life will be easier!

But trust me, these samples (and others people on the web), it's very bad compared to gcam.

Anyway, bought at day 1 so it's too late for a return :D

STOCK vs GCAM crop 100%
[Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra] Klaudas:
Resolution on gcam and stock? Camera assistant settings on stock?

Stock with april patch?
[Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra] Fl1nt91:
Sure, April, all the option set to obtain the best quality.

12mpx (i did so many test, after all 50mpx or 200mpx doesn't result in better quality).

But I say again, it's not just me, is factual.

If you don't use gcam you don't know what are we talking about (and you should make fun about return the device)
[Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra] ajarosz:
Agree. Comparing the results of the stock app and GCAM is like comparing midrange phones with premium. Resolving details, and maturity of processing are just on a different level.
[Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra] Klaudas:
nah. I'll be more original. Buy DSLR camera ;) . I guarantee you that 100% images will look awesome no matter application you are using.

If you are so pissed at stock camera application how many times you wrote that to "samsung members"? How many times did you show actual "facts" to the samsung staff(via samsung members)?
[Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra] Fl1nt91:
I don't understand your problem, I'm giving advice to many people that would like to get 100% out of this great and expensive device.

Unless you are a paid ambassador, Your behavior is weird.

Samsung has been behind every camera phone in the past 10 years. It's not me saying that, is fact reported by so many specialized tech page.

Is still today way behind top camerphone of this generation, and it's all about software.

I bought s23u after skipping Samsung for many years just because I knew I could use the gcam.
[Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra] ajarosz:
I have, and what I'm trying to do is to avoid carrying it with me as much as I can.

As for me, I was waiting for that famous March Camera Update, and I was hoping that it will change something. The plan is to open a thread on Samsung members with a comparison. :)
[Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra] Klaudas:
I wish... Probably I wouldn't be here lol.

Did you meant April? Planning!=Doing
[Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra] ajarosz:
It was announced as March and started rolling in March worldwide, so I meant March :). We just got it later.

I have installed the update like 30 minutes ago, so I think it will take some more time to prepare a proper comparison than a few minutes.
[Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra] oVeRdOsE.:
I wont say it sucks badly, but I agree the influencer/reviewer excitement put high hopes and in deed they were not met.

Coming from a OnePLus5 , 6 years old device, with a ''average-good'' camera for the time, I wasn't impressed by a 1900$ S23U that claim to have a flawless, professional photo experience.

Don't get me wrong, this still impressive for a ''mobile'' , you can trick a lot of people on certain scenes and tell this is a mid-range dslr, but for 6 years , the improvement was low and need more refinement for sure.

Now on the topic, I saw on XDA 2 updates since launch and I did not received a single one yet. Canadian S23U...
[Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra] Burnout62:
My dream is to get Gcam working on S23 and use 200Mpix/50Mpix resolution. Boom, top image quality with high resolution.
[Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra] Klaudas:
Send me an article where it was announced as March. I would like to read.

Your point is great. And you are right that phones improvements over the years are super minimal these years.

Damn 1900$ s23u?? Is that 1TB variant?
[Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra] ajarosz:
Just type. Should be there "in" March, not "as" March.
[Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra] Klaudas:
"Note that these changes are coming to the Galaxy S23 trio as a part of the March update in South Korea, and it remains to be seen if the units in other regions will get these improvements with the April update or if Samsung will release an update before that only to deliver these improvements and fixes."

Unfortunately only Korea got this update "as" additional part of March update. So it wasn't announced "as March"
[Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra] ajarosz:
Ok, are you like 5? I already told that I meant "in", not ''as". And btw. Does it matter that only Korea got it at lunch? For them it was March one. But if you want we can call it April. Happy? Feeling better?

Anyways, point is that still S23 Ultra native apps are delivering images way below hardware potential.
[Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra] Klaudas:
No. Like 4. Always ready to annoy arrogant people who likes to push their opinions to other people. If you want to do something useful report what's wrong directly to samsung. Your whining in XDA forums barely will help but doing it on "samsung members" app could really help.
[Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra] ajarosz:
The arrogant one is you. Forums are all about sharing opinions. What you are referring to as "whining" is having a different opinion than you, which you cannot stand. So I think you miss the point of being part of something called a forum. But I will help you. After oxford dictionary:

"forum - a meeting or medium where ideas and views on a particular issue can be exchanged" and "a website or web page where users can post comments about a particular issue or topic and reply to other users' postings".

I'm not the one that is trying to push my opinion on others. You are the one that is attacking everyone here, that is not sharing your point of view. I even said that I'm happy that you like the results.
[Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra] Xvipes:
What is the Camera app version of this update? I got the update but I can't find any setting to disable the quick focus. I have Camera 13.1.01.28 and it says I'm on the latest version.
[Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra] ajarosz:
Check your Camera Assistant. It should be v1.1.01.0. The option that you are looking for is Prioritize focus over speed.
[Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra] enebro77:
Coud you please send the link to the GCAM app you are using ?

Many thanks in advance
[Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra] ajarosz:
Here is a whole thread about GCAM, if you have a minute you can check the results, as there are a few with different results:

Working GCAM for S23 Ultra

EDIT: I RECOMMEND FOLLOWING THIS POST TO INSTALL WORKING GCAM LMC version (remind to enable HDR++) Post in thread 'Working GCAM for S23 Ultra' https://xdaforums.com/t/working-gcam-for-s23-ultra.4550019/post-88407193 AGC 9.1 Post in thread...

xdaforums.com

If you are after the most natural look, LMC is a way to go:

https://xdaforums.com/t/working-gcam-for-s23-ultra.4550019/#post-88178597

There is a link to download the app itself, with a manual on how to add configuration and different versions of configuration. You should go with the most recent one. :)
[Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra] MrDusan:
I agree that gcam really beats the stock camera. The only problem I had with gcam over the years is that I keep going back to stock because it's a quicker experience.

Meaning that it would be more reliable in scenarios where I don't have a lot of time to take a usable shot.

It's really frustrating how installig non-stock software makes so much difference in quality and takes better advantage of the hardware, I completely understand you.

Is there anything specific in your setup of the gcam? Do you recommend any settings?
[Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra] ajarosz:
Yeah, I know what you mean. With OnePlus 7T PRO I had same issue with GCAM. It was slower, and somehow it was hit or miss with exposure. With S23 Ultra I don't use stock app at all. Sometimes, in very good conditions I prefer DNG from ExpertRAW than from GCAM, but again, light conditions have to be perfect.

There are few in the thread on our forum about GCAM for S23 Ultra. I prefer LMC as it is most natural one, with very low NR and low sharpening.

There is AGC as well, which has more processing applied, especially in the darker shadows. You need to install both and find which you like more.

But this is pain in the ass, to be honest. It should not be the case, where 3rd party app is providing so much better quality than stock one, where people working on algorithms know the hardware the best.
[Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra] typos1:
Why is it annoying that you have to use gcam ? I've been using it for 6 years on all my devices - I never use the stock camera app on any device cos gcam is better. Well, I use the stock app on the s23 ultra as well as gcam because this device has the most inconsistent main camera I've ever experienced - not even gcam cant get round it. Sometimes stock produces better photos than gcam (even if you have to reduce the saturation in a photo editor) and sometimes gcam is better, sometimes both are rubbish. I don't understand how samsung can make a camera that can produce such great photos one minute and such appallingly bad ones the next, whatever app is used. I think we've all paid samsung between £1300 and £1600 to be alpha testers for their HP2 sensor. Let's hope this update posts it out.
[Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra] typos1:
One of the reasons I'm still using stock as well as gcam is that there's no way in 2023 that I'd accept a device with a pathetically low resolution (12mp) main camera and as you say currently gcam cant access the 50 and 200 resolutions. What I've been doing is the reverse of what @AJ732101 does - upscaling photos in AGC gcam, the results are often, but not always, surprisingly good and bizarrely, usually, but not always (thanks again to the HP2's consistency issues) better than stocks 200 mode. And AGC gcam's upscaling tops out at 180mp.
[Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra] ajarosz:
I mean I like gcam, but annoying part for me is that company that made both hardware and software is so bad at delivering good app.

As for me, don't like jpgs at all from the stock, except of perfect light conditions. Same with ExpertRaw 50 mpix, so for me I think it is easier as in like 95% I prefer GCAM so I just sacrifice 5% and use that app all the time. If for you it is all over the place, then you have much tougher choice.

I agree with inconsistency. I can shoot two pictures of my black cat in row with stock, and one one it is black with no details in fur at all, while on the next shadows are so elevated that he looks brown.
[Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra] otonieru:
March is .17 so your .28 is indeed latest
[Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra] Ubimo:
I have version 13.1.01.17

How do I update to the latest version?
[Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra] Xvipes:
Thank you, that was it. I haven't installed the Camera Assistant from the Galaxy Store.
[Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra] otonieru:
The update arrived in SEA region as well. Updated smoothly.

Not much change in camera i think, but i notice stabilisation is getting even better now. Quite crazy to be honest. Very stable even when i shake my hand rigorously.
[Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra] Klaudas:
Maybe it's a placebo effect but I'm getting better battery stats after this update. 85% to 40% with 4 hours of SOT(9 hours standby) using "standard" perfomance profile, 2k, 120hz and auto brightness.

And one more thing I think some animations are better than before(more smoother).
[Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra] Fl1nt91:
I also have the feeling of a better battery life
[Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra] otonieru:
Wait for the April OTA update
[Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra] typos1:
Samsung is only the hardware manufacturer of the main rear camera, Sony makes the other 3, does that mean you want a Sony app for the wide angle and zoom lenses ?

Does it matter who makes what ? For the last 6 years google has made the best camera software, anyone who knows their stuff has simply installed Gcam and got instantly better results.

Well, until this phone - with it you gotta shoot with gcam, stock and expert raw and then pick the best which is more likely to be Gcam, but could also be stock/expert raw and may even leave you wishing you could combine elements of 2 or all 3 of them to get the best picture.

I also have the same inconsistency with Gcam, although it seems maybe sightly better after the update, but it doesnt perform as well as it does on other devices.
[Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra] typos1:
I disagree, 12mp is absolute trash with stock, apart from in low light, in which case it can be better, sometimes. 50mp is the sweet spot, 200mp can give great results, sometimes, particularly in good lighting conditions, but not always in good lighting conditions.

Best results are gained from using Gcam (AGC) upscaled which results in really great detail, sometimes. But strangely it can sometimes have really poor detail compared to stock. Like I say (and so do quite a few reviews) INCONSISTENCY is the word here.

NONE of this is factual - it is ALL qualitative, ie it is ALL down to personal opinion.
[Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra] typos1:
Yeah, but calls on DSLRs suck, so does whatsapp and using the internet, plus try getting one in your pocket.

No need to write Smansung members - as I vve siad, for the last 6 years anyone who knows anything about Android NEVER uses stock, they jsut install Gcam. Stock camera apps suck, its widely known.

I agree he does sound like a paid ambassador, but I disagree about Samsnug being behind the last 10 years, like you I ve not had one for many years (Galaxy S2 was my last), but there have been times over the last 10 years where Samsung has been ahead, as well as behind. And yes its about software, but, as I keep saying, unless youve been living under a rock for the last 6 years, youd know stock camera apps are always bad, the leader in Android camera software is Google with Gcam.

Me too and that they sort the inconsistency issue.

It was been billed as the March update, has been for weeks, hes right.

It was..

He is also right, he is quite entitled to write his opinions here, its what the forum is for, it IS NOT a fanboy forum, all opinions are valid. He is NOT whining, he is writing his perfectly valid opinion. Surprised you are here, your attitude sounds much ike an Apple fanboys where the manufacturer can do nothing wrong and is worshiped like a god

You dont need to go back to stock for quicker results, you just need to turn HDR+/++ off - the delay is caused by the taking and stitching together of multiple shots.

Its not his set up, its a Gcam port made by someone else with another person making an S23 ultra specific config.

He uses LMC, I prefer AGC. Its all in the thread he linked to.
[Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra] citytrader:
After the update AWC8 the camera is still faking details... ExpertRAW seems to be the best option for now with less fake details compared with PRO that adds vertical lines from nowhere (this mode is bad, stock camera is pretty bad), GCAM shot is from JavaSabr "v58 sharp" (the worse of the 3 in this shot adding black dots from nowhere)

Looks like this camera is not able to distinguish white from silver...
[Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra] ZayaanAhyaan:
After my update, not much has changed in terms of stills. I do notice though that the 3x telephoto is leaning towards the cooler side and it's more noticeable indoors.

For the pictures, the field of focus still remains trash compared to my wife's S22U , i.e, keeping 2 people in focus at the same time with different angles.( I know it's probably sensor size and physics)

But in other shooting conditions, nothing much has changed for me to notice honestly....all the big hype around this huge update was a let down. Focus and details on very slight moving objects is still better on the S22U for me.
[Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra] ajarosz:
That is strange indeed. Do you use upscaling in GCAM? I find that one to cause such behaviors, and I have it off. That gives me 12Mpix outputs, but very predictable output.

For me, ExpertRAW produces good details only in perfect light conditions. When they are slightly worst, then it fails big way. Here is a comparison between GCAM 12 Mpix and ExpertRAW DNG in 50 Mpix.

Look how ExpertRAW has just blurred out the details. To show you, that is not a matter of DoF, there is an example of a pattern. Here you can see, that details are only in the middle of the pillow, and all around Samsung just applied extensive NR. This is with all sliders on the lowest possible value for noise reduction.

So yes, ExpertRAW can produce great pictures with amazing details, but only in perfect light conditions. So I prefer to sacrifice resolution but have consistent behavior. But if there is some hidden feature, to disable NR on Samsung outputs from ExpertRAW or main camera, I will be more than happy to apply it.
[Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra] SyCoREAPER:
I have no doubt a bunch of work went into this gcam as previous iterations had and respect said work but I don't get the hype. The sample images are worse looking in my opinion.

However, with my brief hands-on test, the images are IMO completely unusable (except maybe the main camera).

I played with every setting I could think of and it looks horrible. Since only the main works properly, it's not a decent alternative.
[Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra] ajarosz:
I cannot say anything about x10, as I don't use it and I assume that you might be right there. I don't use that much x3 as well, so again, I don't have any reasons to tell, that you are not correct there. But as for the main camera and wide angle, I find it way better than anything from Samsung. Maybe it is just a matter of personal preference.
[Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra] Klaudas:
Nah man. I don't like any manufacturer because of their prices lol. They are horribly priced especially apple. Like SyCoREAPER mentioned it's not as good as some people think(gcam). Maybe in some situations photos captured on main camera is better but overall stock camera works great but it could be better of course.

It could be a personal preference. If it's better for you hooray but it's not that bad how "gcam community" describes.
[Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra] Fl1nt91:
"Stock is great"
[Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra] Klaudas:
Yes it's great. I don't know a single person who will take pictures and then zooms in all the time like you do.

Please do more tests and compare. 1080p 60fps, 4k60fps videos tests and check stabilization and video clarity. Then do 30-70x zoom because most people I know including me does photos with such zoom.
[Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra] citytrader:
In my phone I'm not getting that bad results you are getting with your phone...

In the attachment the new comparison in bad light where GCAM is really bad (I don't like GCAM at all) because has a lot of issues, is just unusable for me.

The image was up-scaled because its a no sense having a 50mpx camera with its issues to downscale to 12mpx except in the case you need a zoomed shot where the zoomed pictures are better than the cropped ones from 50mpx.

When you clean noise you will have lost detail and this is what is happening with ExpertRAW and there another issue at 50mpx regarding the lens that are not able to resolve 50mpx as soon as you move away from the center, in mobile sensors the situation is bad because they are very noisy, even if you get the noisy raw and you clean up it later in post, you will have detail lost.

When I travel, I do the video with the phone because is just fine for my use and, in low light I use the phone with an external light and that's it, but for pictures I ever use my mirrorless and just in some cases I use the phone, but this is a matter of taste and expectations, my girlfriend is very happy with her S23 camera...
[Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra] citytrader:
No its not great at all, noticeable inaccurate colors (specially with silver because for this camera is white), bad details and fake details in some cases because of the AI, bad DR, very noisy sensor, shutter lag, fake bokeh, bad lens not able to resolve well 50mpx, etc... no all is about pixel peeping if you want to evaluate a tool, but for people that simply do point and shoot I think this camera will fit their needs.

There is a reason why sites like Photonstophotos doesn't post noise and DR curves of mobile phones, because if they do that lots of companies will become really angry, specially their marketing departments...