S22 Camera Vs A54 Is The Older Flagship Still Better For Photos 3

When it comes to smartphone photography, not all cameras are created equal—even if they come from the same brand. The Samsung Galaxy S22 and Galaxy A54 represent two different eras and price points in Samsung’s lineup. One is a former flagship, the other a mid-range contender. But when you’re holding your phone up to capture a sunset or a candid family moment, what really matters is how the camera performs—not the label on the box. So, is the older flagship S22 still better for photos than the newer A54? Let’s break down the hardware, software, and real-world results to find out.

Camera Hardware: Specs Tell Part of the Story

The foundation of any smartphone camera system lies in its sensors, lenses, and supporting hardware. On paper, the Galaxy S22 holds a clear advantage with its triple-lens setup: a 50MP main sensor, a 12MP ultra-wide, and a 10MP telephoto with 3x optical zoom. This configuration was designed for versatility—letting users shoot everything from expansive landscapes to tightly cropped portraits without losing detail.

In contrast, the Galaxy A54 opts for a more modest triple-camera array: a 50MP main sensor (with pixel binning to 12.5MP), a 12MP ultra-wide, and a 5MP macro lens. While the main sensor matches the S22 in resolution, it lacks both optical zoom and a dedicated depth sensor for refined portrait processing. The absence of a telephoto lens means digital zoom is your only option, which often leads to soft, noisy images at higher magnifications.

“Sensor size and pixel quality matter more than megapixel count alone. The S22’s larger pixel pitch and advanced processing give it an edge in dynamic range.” — David Lin, Mobile Imaging Analyst at DXOMARK

Tip: Always check pixel binning settings—many phones default to lower resolution for better low-light performance.

Image Quality in Real-World Conditions

Megapixels and sensor counts don’t tell the full story. How a phone processes light, color, and motion determines the final image. In daylight, both phones produce vibrant, well-exposed photos with accurate colors. The S22 tends to apply a slightly cooler tone, preserving natural highlights, while the A54 leans warmer, which some may find more flattering for skin tones.

Where the gap widens is in low-light environments. The S22’s brighter f/1.8 aperture and larger sensor area allow more light capture, resulting in cleaner night shots with less noise. Its Night Mode activates earlier and converges faster, making it more practical in dimly lit restaurants or evening walks. The A54 does offer a Night Mode, but it requires longer exposure times and often struggles with motion blur if subjects aren’t perfectly still.

Dynamic range—the ability to retain detail in both shadows and highlights—is another area where the S22 excels. Backlit scenes, such as sunsets or indoor shots with windows, show fewer blown-out skies and deeper shadow recovery. The A54 tends to clip highlights or crush dark areas unless manually adjusted via Pro mode.

Zoom and Portrait Performance Compared

One of the most noticeable differences between these devices is zoom capability. The S22’s 3x telephoto lens allows true optical zoom, meaning you can get closer to distant subjects without sacrificing clarity. Whether photographing a stage performance or a child on a playground, this lens delivers crisp results up to 3x, and even usable quality at 10x with hybrid zoom.

The A54, lacking a telephoto lens, relies entirely on digital cropping. At 2x zoom, the image remains acceptable due to oversampling from the 50MP sensor, but beyond that, details degrade quickly. Textures become smeared, edges soften, and noise creeps in—especially in lower light.

Portrait mode performance also differs significantly. The S22 uses data from multiple sensors and AI depth mapping to create natural-looking bokeh with accurate edge detection. Hair strands, glasses, and complex backgrounds are handled with precision. The A54, using only the main and macro sensors for depth estimation, often produces inconsistent results—blurring parts of the face or leaving harsh halos around subjects.

“The inclusion of a telephoto lens isn’t just about zoom—it improves overall depth perception and computational photography accuracy.” — TechRadar Mobile Review, 2023

Software, Processing, and Long-Term Usability

Samsung’s image processing has evolved over time, and the A54 benefits from newer software algorithms optimized for efficiency and consistency. It applies more aggressive HDR blending and sharpening, which can make social media-ready shots look punchy straight out of the camera. However, this sometimes leads to oversaturated skies or unnatural skin tones under mixed lighting.

The S22, powered by the Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 (in most regions), has stronger processing muscle, enabling faster multi-frame stacking and better noise reduction. It also supports 8K video recording—a feature absent on the A54, which maxes out at 4K@30fps. For creators who value high-resolution video or want future-proof content, this remains a compelling advantage.

Another consideration is long-term software support. The S22 launched with four years of OS and security updates, now extended to seven years in some markets. The A54 also promises four generations of Android upgrades, but given its mid-tier chipset (Exynos 1380), processing speed may degrade over time, affecting camera app responsiveness and AI enhancement features.

Comparison Table: Key Camera Features Side-by-Side

Feature	Samsung Galaxy S22	Samsung Galaxy A54
Main Sensor	50MP, f/1.8, Dual Pixel AF	50MP, f/1.8, OIS
Ultra-Wide	12MP, f/2.2, 120° FoV	12MP, f/2.2, 123° FoV
Telephoto	10MP, f/2.4, 3x Optical Zoom	None
Macro Lens	None	5MP, f/2.4
Night Mode	Yes, fast convergence	Yes, slower processing
Video Recording	8K@24fps, 4K@60fps	4K@30fps, 1080p@60fps
Software Updates	Up to 7 years (select models)	4 OS upgrades

Real-World Example: Concert Photography Challenge

Consider Sarah, a music enthusiast who regularly attends live shows. She owns an A54 and recently borrowed a friend’s S22 to compare photo quality. From the back of a dimly lit venue, she tried capturing performers on stage. The A54 struggled—images were grainy, colors bled, and autofocus hunted continuously. The S22, however, locked focus quickly and produced a well-balanced shot with visible facial details and minimal noise, thanks to its superior low-light processing and faster shutter response. Even at 3x zoom, the S22 brought the artist closer without turning the image into a pixelated mess. For Sarah, the difference wasn’t subtle—it was decisive.

Actionable Tips for Maximizing Your Phone’s Camera

Tip: Tap to focus and adjust exposure manually by sliding the sun icon up or down before shooting.

• Use Pro mode to control ISO and shutter speed in low light
• Clean lenses regularly with a microfiber cloth to avoid smudges
• Avoid digital zoom; instead, crop in post if needed
• Enable RAW capture (if supported) for greater editing flexibility
• Stabilize your hands or use a mini tripod for long exposures

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the S22 camera still good in 2024?

Absolutely. Despite being a 2022 flagship, the S22’s camera system remains competitive, especially in low light and zoom scenarios. With ongoing software updates and strong processing power, it continues to deliver high-quality photos that surpass many current mid-range devices.

Can the A54 replace a flagship camera for everyday use?

For casual photography—social media posts, daylight snapshots, and video calls—the A54 performs admirably. However, if you frequently shoot in challenging lighting, need optical zoom, or value professional-grade output, the S22 is still the better choice.

Does the A54 have OIS?

Yes, the A54 includes Optical Image Stabilization on its main camera, which helps reduce blur in low light and during video recording. However, the lack of stabilization on ultra-wide and macro lenses limits overall consistency.

Final Verdict: Is the Older Flagship Still Better?

The answer is yes—but with nuance. The Galaxy S22 remains superior in core photographic capabilities: zoom, low-light performance, dynamic range, and video quality. Its hardware advantages are reinforced by faster processing and more sophisticated software tuning. For enthusiasts, travelers, or anyone who values image fidelity, the S22 is still a compelling option, even years after release.

That said, the Galaxy A54 shines as a value-driven alternative. It captures excellent photos in good lighting, offers modern design, and includes useful features like IP67 water resistance and a 120Hz display. If your photography needs are moderate and budget is a priority, the A54 delivers strong results for its class.

In the end, choosing between them depends on how much you prioritize camera performance versus overall cost. The S22 proves that a well-built flagship doesn’t age out overnight. But the A54 shows how far mid-range phones have come—closing the gap, but not quite bridging it.

🚀 Ready to test your phone’s limits? Try shooting the same scene with both auto and Pro modes, then compare. You might be surprised by what your camera can do—with the right technique.