Ultimate Camera Challenge: Capturing Pets with the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra

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Photography Fun with Pets

Before we proceed with technical comparisons, let’s start with some captivating real-world photography samples featuring our furry friends.

Meet Spike, my enthusiastic companion, as he runs towards me. For many photos of Spike, I utilized the powerful 5X (115mm) camera. The Galaxy also includes a 3X camera for intermediate zoom shots, both of which provide great versatility. It quickly focused even with default settings!

To capture the utmost details in photographs, I recommend switching to the 50MP mode on the 5X camera. The increased detail creates stunning shots suitable for framing and facilitates effective cropping without a loss of quality. The Galaxy S26 Ultra excels in burst mode photography, especially when compared to other flagship devices.

Device	Burst Rate
Galaxy S26 Ultra	22 fps
Galaxy S25 Ultra	21 fps
iPhone 17 Pro	11 fps
Pixel 10 Pro XL	30* fps

*Pixel's burst-rate photos are in lower resolution.

The burst mode allows for capturing dozens of images in quick succession. The S26 Ultra achieves an impressive 22 frames per second at full resolution. In contrast, the iPhone 17 Pro captures at 11 fps, while the Pixel takes the lead with 30 fps but compromises on resolution.

Device	AF Speed
Galaxy S26 Ultra	23 ms
Galaxy S25 Ultra	25 ms
iPhone 17 Pro	57 ms
Pixel 10 Pro XL	24 ms

We also tested auto-focus speed under laboratory conditions by tracking how quickly the camera shifted focus from one object to another, measuring the time in frames using high-speed recording. The Galaxy S26 Ultra achieved an outstanding average, locking focus in just 23 ms, slightly faster than its predecessor, and outperforming the Pixel 10 Pro XL.

For fast-moving action shots, I set my minimum shutter speed to 1/500, which usually captures motion effectively. For even quicker movements, you can increase it to 1/1,000.

Samsung introduces a helpful tracking autofocus feature that keeps Spike in focus, no matter how quickly he zooms around. Cocker Spaniels are known for being wiggly, making this performance even more impressive compared to other devices that might yield fuzzy pictures.

Enable this setting: Open the Camera app, navigate to Settings, scroll down to "General," and enable the "Tracking auto focus" feature.

Pro Tip: When Spike is in view, tap on his nose or face on the screen, and the S26 Ultra will lock its focus on him effortlessly.

Many of my photos with Spike show him climbing furniture. If I want to share these images on social media, I prefer to remove clutter around him. The AI eraser feature on the Galaxy performs spectacularly well for this task.

I also used an AI-driven style to create a delightful invitation for Spike’s 6th birthday celebration, featuring his cake and special moments from the day.

Portrait mode is essential for pet photography. The S26 Ultra's enhanced depth mapping performs exceptionally well with Spike's fur and ears. Check out the accurate separation in the following photo:

Cocker Spaniels present a unique challenge for portrait photography due to their thick fur and floppy ears, yet the Galaxy effectively distinguished between Fur and background.

Photoing an energetic, furniture-climbing spaniel like Spike is an engaging challenge. The Galaxy S26 Ultra rose to the occasion, and the minor adjustments such as shutter speed greatly simplified things for me. Whether you’re dealing with a boisterous explorer like Spike or a quieter companion, these tips will help you capture their spirit.