Best Samsung S26 Ultra Video Settings (Samsung Log, APV & LUT Guide)
If you’re looking for the best video settings for the Samsung S26 Ultra, the default setup is holding you back. Out of the box, Samsung prioritises convenience over image quality. That’s fine for casual clips, but not if you want cinematic footage.
After shooting more than 40 hours of test footage while building my Samsung Log LUTs, I’ve narrowed it down to the settings that actually matter. Get these right and your footage stops looking like it came from a phone and starts looking like it came from a proper camera.
This guide covers the best Samsung S26 Ultra video settings, how to use Samsung Log properly, how the APV codec works, and how to get the most out of Pro Video mode in the native Samsung camera app.
Best Samsung S26 Ultra Video Settings Summary
If you just want the best Samsung S26 Ultra video settings, start here:
- Mode: Pro Video
- Colour profile: Samsung Log
- Preview LUT: Standard
- Codec: APV LQ or APV HQ
- Resolution: UHD 4K (no — not 8K!)
- Frame rate: 24fps
- Shutter speed: 1/50 (180° shutter rule)
- Video softening: High (Camera Assistant)
- White balance: Auto
- External SSD recording: Avoid for now
Best Pro Video Mode Settings on Samsung S26 Ultra
If you're specifically using Pro Video mode in the Samsung camera app, these are the exact settings you should use for the best image quality:
- Samsung Log (not HDR)
- APV codec (LQ or HQ)
- 4K at 24fps
- Shutter speed: 1/50
- Video softening: High (Camera Assistant)
Pro Video mode is essential because it unlocks full manual control over shutter speed, ISO, focus, and Samsung Log recording. Without it, you simply cannot achieve the same level of image quality or consistency.
Start in Pro Video Mode
To access the best video settings on the Samsung S26 Ultra, you need to use Pro Video mode in the native Samsung camera app. Samsung hides it under the More tab by default, which is far from ideal if you shoot video regularly.
Open the Camera app, tap More, then drag Pro Video into your main camera mode selector so it’s always one tap away. Then go into settings and enable Settings to keep > Camera mode so the app doesn’t reset to Photo mode every time you reopen it.
This small change makes a big difference to usability and is the first step in setting the S26 Ultra up as a proper video tool.
Samsung Log Is the Single Biggest Upgrade
If your goal is maximum image quality, switching to Samsung Log is the single biggest upgrade you can make. By default, Samsung records in HDR, which bakes in contrast, sharpening, and colour decisions that limit your flexibility later.
Samsung Log, on the other hand, captures more dynamic range and more colour information. The image will look flat and desaturated, but that’s exactly what you want. You are essentially recording a digital negative that can be shaped in post.
Use a Preview LUT for Samsung Log
Once you enable Samsung Log, tap LUT and select Standard. This applies a Rec.709 preview to your screen while still recording Samsung Log underneath.
This makes exposure and colour much easier to judge while shooting, without baking anything into your footage.
Best Resolution and Frame Rate
Set your resolution to UHD 4K and your frame rate to 24fps.
While 8K is available, 4K consistently delivers a better image on the S26 Ultra. It benefits from pixel binning, which improves dynamic range and reduces noise. It also produces smaller file sizes and gives you access to higher frame rates when needed.
If you are chasing a cinematic look, 24fps remains the standard for motion cadence.
What Is APV on the Samsung S26 Ultra?
The APV codec (Advanced Professional Video) is one of the biggest upgrades on the S26 Ultra. It is Samsung’s equivalent to ProRes, offering all-intra compression with 10-bit 4:2:2 colour.
This means significantly more image data is preserved compared to HEVC, especially in skin tones, gradients, and subtle colour transitions.
How to Enable APV
Go to Settings > Video format, enable APV, then open its settings and switch from HDR to Log.
You will see two options:
APV HQ uses a very high bitrate and is best for critical work where maximum quality is required.
APV LQ is the more practical choice for most situations. You still get 10-bit 4:2:2 and all-intra compression, but with more manageable file sizes.
Best LUTs for Samsung Log
Samsung includes built-in LUTs, but they are not particularly accurate. Skin tones often look off, and tonal balance is not ideal.
If you want the best results, use a LUT designed specifically for Samsung Log. That’s exactly why I created GLOAT — to deliver natural skin tones and a cinematic image straight out of Log.
If you prefer more stylised looks, the Epic Film Looks LUT Pack for Samsung Log gives you a full range of creative options.
You can apply LUTs using LumaFusion on mobile or DaVinci Resolve on desktop.
The Setting That Fixes the Smartphone Look
Even with Samsung Log and APV enabled, aggressive sharpening can still make footage look like it came from a phone.
To fix this, install Camera Assistant from the Galaxy Store. In its video settings, set Video softening to High.
This reduces Samsung’s heavy sharpening and produces a more natural, organic image.
Stabilisation: When to Use It
Video stabilisation on the S26 Ultra is electronic (EIS), which crops the image to smooth motion.
Leave it on when walking or panning handheld. Turn it off when using a tripod, gimbal, or controlled handheld shots to retain full field of view and a more natural look.
Settings to Avoid
Manual white balance is currently unreliable and can introduce colour shifts. Leave it on Auto unless you are using a third-party app.
External SSD recording should also be avoided for now due to USB speed limitations, which can cause dropped frames and corrupted footage.
The 180-Degree Shutter Rule
If you want cinematic motion, you need to control shutter speed. At 24fps, set your shutter to 1/50.
This creates natural motion blur. Without it, footage looks overly sharp and “video-like.”
In daylight, this will overexpose your image, which is why ND filters are essential. They allow you to maintain correct exposure while keeping shutter speed locked.
A practical workflow is to lock shutter speed and leave ISO on auto, effectively creating a shutter priority mode.
Final Thoughts
The Samsung S26 Ultra is capable of excellent video, but only if you configure it properly. Samsung Log gives you dynamic range, APV preserves image data, Camera Assistant fixes processing, and proper shutter control delivers cinematic motion.
Once everything is working together, the difference is substantial. This is no longer just a smartphone camera — it’s a legitimate filmmaking tool.
If you want to take it further, a well-designed LUT is the final step. That’s where tools like GLOAT for Samsung Log and the Epic Film Looks LUT Pack come in.
Samsung S26 Ultra Video Settings FAQ
What are the best video settings for Samsung S26 Ultra?
Use Pro Video mode, Samsung Log, APV codec, 4K at 24fps, 1/50 shutter speed, and Video softening set to High.
What is Pro Video mode on Samsung?
Pro Video mode is Samsung’s advanced camera mode that unlocks manual controls like shutter speed, ISO, focus, and Samsung Log recording. It is essential for maximum video quality.
Is APV better than HEVC?
Yes. APV uses all-intra compression and 10-bit 4:2:2 colour, preserving more image information. The difference is only obvious while pixel peeping however.
Should I shoot 8K?
No. 4K provides better dynamic range, cleaner results, and more flexibility.
Do I need an ND filter?
Yes, if you want proper cinematic motion blur when shooting outdoors at 24fps. I recommend this ND filter Kit from Freewell which pairs with this case for filmmakers.
