Tried in-store a S24ultra camera compare to my old S21ultra. S24ultra is not as good. I use the 10x camera a lot. Favorite feature is to check for new microbrew beers by reading the beer taps from across the room. Do NOT want a downgrade that feature. Was really hoping S25 would have camera improvement.
While doing the compare, I used 10x for both. 24 does digital zoom 10,20,30 with the 5x optical camera. They claim that more pixels in 5x optical camera makes it equivalent to the older 10x optical camera. For the compare, I was looking at signs in the room at distances where the text was barely readable, zooming past 10x with old and new cameras. For this, older S21ultra beats S24ultra.
The 5x on the S24U is superior to the 10x on the S21U in so many ways. Yes the 10x was better for reading signs far away, but the S24U 5x takes much better pictures because of the larger sensor, you can also crop in on picture you have taken because of a higher MP count.
Do you want a camera that takes better pictures, or do you want binoculars ?
-- better pictures or binoculars -- Actually, binoculars is the best choice in either case. When I crop in on the new 5x the detail is just not there like the old 10x. The 3x on old S21 is a bit lame. Been using the Bimostitch app to combine a bunch of 10x photos when I want a 3x or 5x image with good detail.
I have had S22U, S23U, and the S24U. The S24U took better Zoom pictures, especially portrait shots.
Tried in store is not a metric I would even consider as a factor. You have to take it outside and do real-world photos. It is a better camera, in my opinion, for the kind of photos I would take on a daily basis. If I need to read a sign far away, snap a photo, and it will process so it can be read clearly, then delete it.
Everyone who has reviewed the S24U compared the 5x camera to Google 9 Pixel Pro and iPhone 16 Pro max have said the S24U is just a better camera. I have the Pixel 9PROXL and the S24U. Zoom photos are better on the S24U.
